Got around to installing a new set of painted fenders I got off eBay today. I'd won them over the winter and got tired of tripping over them so today was the day!

There is nothing special other than I like the way they look. They already had some minor trail scratches on them so I won't feel so bad as I add my own. The one change I did was to delete the liners from the rears. Instead, I used a can of spray on bedliner to protect against stone chips. Also, I broke a few clips, nothing major. These were easily replaced by ordering spares, they aren't expensive.





- Costs:
* Painted Fenders - $280 shipped!!!
* Spare Fender Clips - $14

 

Right now I am just writing it all out trying for more of a expedition type set up instead of my 2013 build which I went full bore right after purchasing it and made a lot of bad choices so I will be planning this out in phases to avoid buying and selling parts again

 

You bringing your jeep out to Bundy next weekend?

 

I wish, I've been on the road 14 of the last 18 days so I need to get some stuff done around the house/office. I'm on the road most of May too.

 

I had a decent day today, I got lots of wrenching done. On Friday I pulled the stock front axle out. Today, I put the new Rubi one in! Bolting it up was a piece of cake, no pitfalls there. Once in, I went to work installing the long side Nitro Sleeve. It had been basking in my freezer for a couple of days and went all the way in except for the last 1" with on a couple smacks of the hammer. After that, it got a bit more challenging and technically, the sleeve kicked my hammers ass as you can see here.



With about a 1/2" left, the head of my hammer flew off the handle!! A quick run to the garage for duct tape and I had her fixed up to bang the last 1/2" in. Looking and feeling like Thor, it served the purpose, I'll just have to pick up a new handle next time I'm at Lowe's.

Once that was in, I installed the knuckle, axle, etc. As I was moving along I got to the point where I had to install the sway bar end links. As I have the AEV lift kit, they provide this bracket instead of longer links:



However, as you can kind of see in this photo, due to the gussets, I can no longer install the brackets. There is now an interference. So, I now have new adjustable sway bar end links on order!



Speaking of interference, as I was doing my final bolt torquing I noticed a touch condition of the coil springs to the gussets, this was evident on both driver and passenger sides. Shouldn't be an issue but it was just something I took note of.



So, here it is, all buttoned up! I still had the front fenders off when I took this photo as that gave me a lot more room to access things.



The test drive went well considering I had no sway bar, so it was a little squirmy. Now, those of you who have been following my thread may ask, what happened to the install of the new Teraflex ball joints? Well, major fail. I borrowed my buddies Snap-On ball joint kit but for the hell of me, the stock ones were NOT budging! I mean, they didn't move...AT ALL! Neither my impact wrench nor my breaker bar made a difference. Since I was kind of hellbent on getting the axle in today I decided to give up for now and get it road worthy. I will attempt the ball joints at a later date. Is anyone local hosting a wrenching party? I'm fresh out of ideas on how to get these things out!

 

Came across a fun new upgrade, the Premium EVIC (instrument cluster) from a 2014. My 2013 JKU was a base model, so it had no EVIC. I could have used the premium EVIC from a 2013, however, Jeep upgraded the EVIC capabilities in 2014. The upgrade included things like the digital speedometer and ability to see the transmission temperature.

It is basically plug and play, 3 connectors and everything works great! The only hiccup is the mileage on the new cluster is 2100 lower than my actual. There are places that can adjust it but I may just save the $200...I can do simple math in my head.





- Cost: $95

 

It's wheeling season man. Time to stop working on the Jeep and start driving it. You've built a nice rig. Has it been offroad yet?! We have another event at rocks and valleys at the end of May. Let it stretch its legs!

 

lol, yeah I'm actually headed up trail riding/camping in Manistee National Forest the 15-17th. What day is the Rocks and Valleys trip?!? If I'm in town, I could be down for that!

 

May 23. I forget, are you in JWOB?

 

Damn, not sure what we are doing for Memorial Day weekend yet. I am on JWOB but I don't post regularly.