SMKYTXN'S 2011 DCFBFTMFW Solid Axle Swap

Oh yeah, I had my buddy cut me a set of flanges for the headers yesterday. With the cats gone I was left without a flange for the headers, so I had to make up a set. I'll see about getting these installed this weekend.

 

Looking good, now just under 4 months to have it ready for Jambo 18!

 

Correction, three weeks to be ready for KOH 2018.

 

There is a thread on pirate4x4 where they used Airsoft BBs .... i had golf balls in my XMLs at one time...

 

Touche

 

I'll check it out. Been considering them a long time but never got any feed back on them

 

Welp, I know what I'm doing tomorrow.

This is my stock pump that was reworked by Howe.

 

I'm doing the same thing tomorrow too But mines just a standard stock one. Didn't know there were these fancy options

 

I've had a few shortcomings with HOWE performance, the latest being that they didn't send me a mounting bracket for the PS reservoir. So I had to get creative. Here's my solution.


Yesterday I went out and bought a smaller AGM battery so I didn't have to run all my wires to the bed. This was so much better than trying to route all the wires under the cab. I did end up having to make my own battery tray though. I'll finish it off with a top strap today.


The fuse panel now has a permanent home and the top even fits back on. All of the battery wiring is now complete minus the zip ties, which I'll leave for the cable cleanup phase.


I also installed the trac bar for the what should be the lat time.

 

I've got an exhaust clamp sitting on my work bench to use for the same exact reason haha. I've used those things quite a bit and work well for a lot of different stuff... I have one holding my gas tank fill neck in place.

 

Gotta do what you gotta do. It was the closest thing to an easy solution, so I went with it.

 

Custom battery tray and tie down


ARB Compressor mount


I had the local napa make up the high pressure hydraulic lines for me. I would have had the low pressure return and feed done but the shop sold me the wrong size hose. Oh well, I'll get that taken care of today.


I've had a set of pneumatic switches for my ARB's sitting on the shelf for what seems like years. Yesterday I finally decided that was the right direction to go with the build.

I used bulkhead push lock fittings to go through the bottom of the cab. That way I can still remove my center console if needed and the air lines won't be disturbed.


The axle shafts are now assembled and the front calipers are on. Oh, and all new 3/4" hardware all around for the 3 link.

 

They are weird I had them in my swampers and they would work sometimes and other times vibrate like crazy. It was odd for sure, and would happen at random times. I got a quality tire and now run zero weights and have no issues, my local discount tire said they can try to balance my 37s on beadlocks as well with no issue. I would use airsoft pellets again only as a last resort.

 

Smart choice with the push-locks. I like. 2 weeks left?

 

I'm shooting for the 26th so I have a few days to get prepped for the drive. I can push that if absolutely necessary, but I'd rather not. I do need a little bit of shakedown time.

 

Get to pushing those legalities around "street legal".

 

Take some tools because nothing like a maiden voyage shakedown.

 

Hey, I have a legit inspection on the rig!

All of my tools will be coming along for the ride along with the generator and possibly the welder.

 

Finished yesterday:

Yukon locking hubs
Battery and all necessary cables
ARB Compressor plumbed and wired (still need to connect the front diff)
All rock lights and shoddy wiring removed
Leaf hanger bolts installed for the last time
NSA installed and partially wired
My existing winch power cables reached the new battery location
Started wiring cleanup

Oh, and my air switches where orientated 180 out from their normal operation so I had to flip them. Oh well. They work like a champ though and I don't have to worry about an electronic solenoid going out.