LFaub's 4x4 conversion/camper build

Get that thing ready to wheel by the time you get back to flag. My truck is back together and ready to roll.

 

Good news and bad news, folks

Good news is the old bushings burned out easily and I didn’t have to fight it at all today

Also yea these bushings were toast. Here’s the play I had on the driver’s side rear bushing when I applied pressure with the jack:



So now the bad news. I’d read it before but didn’t understand what people meant, but the energy suspension bushings I bought don’t have any of the necessary sleeves for the installation, and the old sleeves and washers are practically non-serviceable.

On top of that, this truck needs to take me to LA next week, so I gotta get it done very soon. I ordered some Whiteline bushings and had them overnighted to my place, so hopefully I’ll be back in business by this weekend

 

New LCA bushings are in, pressed in pretty easy once I figured out what I was doing.



Now it’s time to install the lift springs and the damn C-clip on one of my shocks is bent and unusable now. It’s always something.



So now I got some new clips coming and I should have these new springs in by the end of the week!

 

New boings are on


Here’s before:


And after:


Gonna let her sit overnight so the springs can settle, then I’ll get it aligned in the morning. Can’t wait to take it out wheeling though!

 

The Taco’s out and aligned and looking great! New springs ride amazing, the thing floats over bumps and dips instead of sagging through everything, very happy with the whole setup! Can’t wait to get it out on the trail, especially since my dad’s got his TJ dialed in!

 

Sup man. Builds lookin good. You back in east county?

 

Yea I’m back in Lakeside until late August!

 

I’ll keep an eye out for ya.

 

It could be worse, I could live in LA

 

True that

 

Aw dude. FINALLY got my truck out on the trail! Went to Pine Valley with my dad in his Jeep. Had a blast, discovered I didn’t tighten a sway bar link all the way (whoopsies), had some 4x4 shenanigans. Super happy with the new springs and bushings, didn’t hear even a squeak from my lower control arms, and the truck drove like a dream on the freeway and on the trail!

 

Did you go past the heli pad?

 

Yea we did that loop after the helipad. Might as well, we had plenty of time

 

I’ve never been past the helipad. Does it get any harder 2WD drive after

 

There’s some spots where 4wd definitely came in handy, but with a 2wd and the diff locked, you could get through with some momentum.

Like right after the helipad, the trail drops down and you’d have to climb that to get back out, but it’s pretty loose dirt right there. If I did it 2wd I’d definitely have a buddy there with a 4x4 in case I needed help on that one spot

 

I’ve never been past the heli pad. I’ve never had a problem anywhere prior. I’ve had friends get stuck but I’ve always cruised through easy. I’ll have to venture farther next time. Thanks

 

I bombed it with mid travel too.

There’s really only one section that’s so so and that’s on your way back after leaving the helipad on your way back to the top.

Some skinny pedal works every time for me.

 

Yea that section right before the helipad can get pretty steep on your way out. The section just after is similarly steep but the pack is softer

 

Looking at some videos my dad took, I noticed my rear axle was getting hung up on my brake line. So to save my brakes from blowing out and to get some more wheel travel, I just ordered an extended steel-braided brake lane from Wheeler’s Off-Road

 

That’s the one I’m running. No complaints.