All trailered-up...no place to go?
Well....they say that life is what happens while you're making other plans. Seriously doubting the trip to NC on Monday - I think the baby has other plans!! We'll see how Mama does tonight....
I had a brake controller and 7/4 pin connector installed on Wednesday by a local trailer shop. Seems to work well. It's a proportional controller so it should do the trick. They did a great job on the install - very neat and clean under the hood (power/breaker) and the wiring in the rear looks very nice.
Drug the trailer out from the side of the house (snowed in), shoveled it off, and got the Scrambler up on the trailer today. Bolted a couple of HD D-rings onto the trailer with some grade-8 hardware. (BTW - I LOVE that Tractor Supply sells Grade-8 by the pound! I paid $4.29 for 14 bolts, 28 washers, 14 lock washers, and 14 nuts. Would have been a small fortune at Lowes!)
I drilled and mounted the D-Rings inside of the square boxes on the side of the trailer - my idea. I can swap them outboard easy enough if need be. Anything objectionable about this set-up? I couldn't figure out a better way to use D-rings and I figured inside the box was just a strong/effective as on the outside. Opinions?
Picked up some axle straps at the local Tractor Supply. Looks like I'll need a couple more D-rings and a means of hooking up the 6' of 3/8" HD (70) safety chain. Final tie-down plan is an "X" pattern front with 2x 5000lb ratchet straps (military grade straps) front and rear with a safety chain up front (and maybe one in back too).
A little annoyed with a few of things on the BDS lift. The rear with the recommended add-a-leaf is still so stiff that the shackles aren't even pointing the right way. I've driven it quite a bit and even bounced it around real good in the snow. No change. They may change as the build continues (cage/seats) and they soften - BUT - the passenger shackle is at a more severe angle than the driver side. I've loosened the bolts...no change. Thoughts?
Also the front passenger spring seems to be bent - or something else is out of whack. The spring is flush on the perch. The shackle is cranked in at a weird angle. I've emailed BDS about replacing that spring - it really does seem to be bent. Also emailed M.O.R.E to check if they sent me the right shackles (I ordered them over the phone after talking with them). The center pin is 2.5" up front and they are (theoretically 2" CJ springs). Of course, the rear 2.5" springs have a 3" center pin - so that makes me wonder if the shackles are correct and it's the spring. Thoughts?
Lastly, with the rear so high - I'm getting driveshaft wobble at 48-49mph. New u-joints - it's still there. I'd REALLY rather not drop the TC and if the springs came down the pinion angle on the Dana 44 would increase and I think it'd be solved. That said, if I pull the add-a-leaf, I can also re-shim that axle to get the pinion angle I need. So much for bolt-on and go, eh?
Oh, and I had a catalytic converter put on the existing exhaust...much, much, much quieter! I like it! The exhaust is actually 2" pipe and almost brand new...I guess it just seemed small to me after the 3" I had on my V8 CJ7.
And while, I'm here...anyone know why my 258 MOPAR MPFI insists on idling at 1000rpms and 1200rpms unless you're at a full stop? Is this normal? Adjustable?
So anyway...she'll be ready to trailer down to NC for gears/lockers unless there's a baby. Not complaining, but that'll put a MAJOR hold on this little project! Very exciting!
Cheers,
Dylan