Oliver the Lunar Mist Ext Cab Build, dual cased and double locked

Big 3 upgrade is complete. Glad it’s done and off my plate. Now to wash my truck and get it ready to drop off on Friday for a front e locker!!!

 

So after so more digging I made some modifications to the Big 3 wiring based on suggestions, and wanted to document my final configurations here as I found it hard to find them.
I ended up moving the 2 gauge wire from the fuse block directly to the positive battery terminal, there is no inline fuse the terminal it originally ran to is left empty( the fuse can be removed). Additionally, I need to grab some more 2 gauge end connectors and I’ll add one more ground from the negative terminal to the bolt at the alternator. And that’s what I’ll call complete of the “big 3” upgrade.

Final look:

• 2 gauge from alternator to positive battery terminal
• 2 gauge from factory ground location on the block to negative terminal
• 2 gauge from chassis(fender) to negative terminal
• 2 gauge ground strap from back of block to firewall
• (Pending) 2 gauge from negative terminal to block (alternator bolt)

 

Truck got dropped off for a front locker install. Decided to go with Eaton e locker. Pretty excited about it and think it will an awesome upgrade

 

@Digiratus which question about your tranny cooler. Is yours routed before or after your radiator? I have mine before and I’m thinking the fluid is heating back up some in the radiator, my temp is still getting up pretty high. Was at 205 on the highway today in 90 degree weather but flat grade

 

My fluid goes to the external cooler first.

205 is not high. Sustained temps of 225-230 or higher is when the fluid begins to degrade.

 

Gotcha. I’ll leave it for now until I can get more data on how it’s performing.

 

There is a lot written on the web for this topic. Here are a couple of 'charts' that depict what happens as trans fluid is exposed to sustained high temps.

 

Truck is officially double locked. Had a Eaton Elocker installed. I ended up pushing my ECT switch behind the dash because I never use it and installed the switch there.

 

When giving the locker a test run on jack stands I found that one of the cvs was binding. Swapped it out for my spare and all is good.

 

Re routed my trans cooler lines so that it falls after the radiator to get the temps down a touch more on hot days and when I’m off-road. Interested to see how much of a difference that it will make. I’d imagine quite a bit.

I have a feeling that when it was before the radiator it was actually heating back up some when it was hot.

 

Paint matched my fenders, it was a bit of a process and I’m not sure how well they will hold up. I’m hoping they hang in for a year or two. I’ll probably go to bush wackers next.

 

Looks good with the new rubber trim too

 

Dude, installing that trim is pretty annoying haha

 

Yea it's tricky forsure. But would rather do that than have to deal with all the paint bullshit

 

Alright, out with the Denso 105 (going to a buddy that is running a regular battery) and in with the CS144 alternator. Runs at about 14.4 at idle and 14.7 driving I think the AGM battery will like those number more.

Wasn’t super happy with the charging voltage I was getting from the 105 which pushed me to go this route.

 

Finished my new platform build. Stoked to make something a little more useable. The goal was to make it work with or without the camper shell because I’ve been wanting to pull the camper shell off for the summer\wheeling season. So I found an aluminum truck box to push toward the cab, so I can lock up my tools/spare parts/chainsaw and then built a box for the rest of the bed to match the height.

 

Finished adding handles to the doors and L track as tie down locations.

 

Also installed All Pro rear axle relocation plates to shift my axle forward. After the alcans it was sitting about an inch back and I have been neglecting to fix it.

 

Good times

DSC_3281 by Ian Lennox, on Flickr

DSC_3283 by Ian Lennox, on Flickr

DSC_3288 by Ian Lennox, on Flickr

DSC_3317 by Ian Lennox, on Flickr

DSC_3219 by Ian Lennox, on Flickr