Update on Wildman's Build

zig80toy · Oct 4, 2006

I can't believe the Stak box broke already. I thought those things were supposed to damn near the strongest gear box in the aftermarket. Glad to hear their customer service is great. I hope when you get it back it will be trouble free...

I too like all the mods you did to your jeep!! When you get that dash put back together will all the guages and such, please snap some pics. I would like to see how that all came together... Thanks for the thread regarding your build. Its good to know someone else tries to fit all the mods they can into every nook and cranny on their rig.

Wildman1 · Oct 4, 2006

zig80toy said:
I can't believe the Stak box broke already. I thought those things were supposed to damn near the strongest gear box in the aftermarket. Glad to hear their customer service is great. I hope when you get it back it will be trouble free...

I too like all the mods you did to your jeep!! When you get that dash put back together will all the guages and such, please snap some pics. I would like to see how that all came together... Thanks for the thread regarding your build. Its good to know someone else tries to fit all the mods they can into every nook and cranny on their rig.

Zig,
Well in defense of STaK's it was a bearing that failed which can happen to just about anyone. What is amazing is that is was still being driven. From the way they described the damage a lesser box would of been locked up.

Yep I'm not working on the Jeep today but I hope to get in a little time tomorrow on it. If not I am kidlless this weekend so I should be able to get a lot done. I'll post pic's when I put the dash in.

Wildman1 · Oct 8, 2006

Okay so I didn't work as much as I wanted on the Jeep this weekend. But I got the line ran and the gauge panel mounted.

Then reworked the switch panel and will put the dash back together Tuesday. I need to pickup some wire connectors. I am also going to wire the in-cab winch controls.

Wildman1 · Oct 12, 2006

Well after I took the cat into the Vet today I got a couple of hours out in the garage and was left pretty much alone. I did get feed a mud pie and mud hot dog but that was pretty much it.

So I got the switches for the winch wired and the dash bezel? installed.

Here are the lights for all the switches. 1st two are the winch and the other 3 are ARB. The 1st ARB switch controls the OBA compressor.

And then here is the gauges. 1st is AiRock (105psi) 2nd Main (150psi) 3rd ARB (90psi)

Then at the winch end I'll use the flat trailer plug to conncect it.

Ya I may not need that but this winter I know I am taking the winch off and rebuilding it so this way it is a plug & play.

TreeClimber · Oct 12, 2006

No radio? ...

Wildman1 · Oct 12, 2006

Tuffy overhead console will be going back in soon. Has my CB and stereo in it.
Just haven't really found a clean way to run all the wires I need up to it.

Not Jobless · Oct 12, 2006

Wildman said:
Tuffy overhead console will be going back in soon. Has my CB and stereo in it.
Just haven't really found a clean way to run all the wires I need up to it.

Depending on your cage, drill a hole big enough and feed them up through.

Wildman1 · Oct 12, 2006

Jobless said:
Depending on your cage, drill a hole big enough and feed them up through.

Won't that weaken the cage in that area? I have a few wires to run up.

Not Jobless · Oct 12, 2006

Wildman said:
Won't that weaken the cage in that area? I have a few wires to run up.

How many wires...how big of hole?

I doubt it would cause any problems if the cage is proper to begin with.

Wildman1 · Oct 12, 2006

Well I have a Poison Spyder trail cage. It keeps the stock main hoop and the rear bars. Everything else has been replaced or is part of the kit.

So a 1" hole shouldn't be an issue? or two 1" or 1 1/2" apart?

Not Jobless · Oct 13, 2006

Wildman said:
Well I have a Poison Spyder trail cage. It keeps the stock main hoop and the rear bars. Everything else has been replaced or is part of the kit.

So a 1" hole shouldn't be an issue? or two 1" or 1 1/2" apart?

Do you have pictures of the cage you can post and where you were thinking of drilling?

Not Jobless · Oct 13, 2006

I was just looking at the trail cage on their site...I wouldn't be drilling a 1" hole in 1.75" tube.

Your best bet may be to go through the factory B pillar (I think they are 2") or just use wire loom and cable ties.

I was thinking that maybe you had a diagonal on the B pillar to use or something similar in the vertical direction.

Wildman1 · Oct 13, 2006

The overhead console goes from the main hoop to the front bar. The hole or holes would be between the two inner bars on the B pillar.

crash2 · Oct 13, 2006

Interesting cage---

Not Jobless · Oct 13, 2006

After looking at the site and at your pics I would just go with the wire loom and cable ties up the A or B pillar.

Your other option would be to take a piece of pipe and cut it down the center to create a weld on (just tack it) tunnel of sorts...it would ba little more durable and cleaner looking than wire loom.

Wildman1 · Oct 15, 2006

Well no pictures today. Just a quick update on what has been going on.
My STaK's box got back Friday and instead of trying to show off my strength I wimped out and rented a tranny jack. Well it took about 3 trys to get everything lined up but after that no problem. So I have the t-case back in, shifters mounted & adjusted. Both drivelines are back in place. Tomorrow I'll get the skid back in place. Got some other odds and ends to finish but I'll take pictures as things get done.

Wildman1 · Oct 15, 2006

Well today was a good day. The Jeep is back off jack stands and sitting on the ground again. Once I got the t-case all done I started on another project I wanted to try. I had bought some 4" rubber flares from JC Whitney and was going to try and mount them to my tube fenders. While they are still not really legal they do cover the tires and don't look too bad.

Tomorrow I'll take it for a test drive and see how it does. I still need to install my OD defeat switch once I find the wire.

Wildman1 · Oct 31, 2006

Well after the work pary last weekend the Jeep is broken AGAIN. And no Brad it isn't any of my fancy stuff that is broke. The t-case is bad again. Now STaK's and I think we have figured out what the issue is/was. When I first got the Jeep done and then had bought the camper I called STaK's to find out what the requirement for flat towing would be. Well at that time no one else had ever flat towed with one of their cases before. So they told me both shifters in neutral for the front & rear & the range stick in low low. So that is what I have been doing. Well they now feel this is the WRONG way to tow it. And at this point are not recommending anyone flat tow unless you unhook the rear driveshaft or have hubs all the way around and have them unlocked.

So I now have a broken t-case again. The good news is this!!! STaK's is sending me a BRAND NEW box today!!! Now that is customer service if you ask me.

Not Jobless · Oct 31, 2006

Wildman said:
Well after the work pary last weekend the Jeep is broken AGAIN. And no Brad it isn't any of my fancy stuff that is broke. The t-case is bad again.

Sure it's the fancy stuff...never had any issues with my Atlas :flipoff:

I think they did minor testing with flat towing on an Atlas but I don't think they recommend it either.

Wildman1 · Oct 31, 2006

Jobless said:
Sure it's the fancy stuff...never had any issues with my Atlas :flipoff:

I think they did minor testing with flat towing on an Atlas but I don't think they recommend it either.

Well I think everyone has to learn things & I just happened to be the ginny pig on this one. I am just glad they are replacing it. Until I can get a trailer I'll just unhook the rear driveline.