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

Goddamn those trailcats look so good, especially for the price.

 

Took the truck out and found some snow last weekend and was able to use some 4wd. I played around in the 4.7 box as much as I could. Figured this would help me do a break in fluid change.

fluid came out almost silver, dragged a magnet through it and came up with nothing. Both plugs had nothing on it. So that’s a success. Put some new fluid in it and she’s now on a 6 month interval. See ya in September.

Wrapped the shifter in dyna mat and filled the knob full of RTV to see if I could reduce the rattle noise it makes. Initial drive says it didn’t help, but maybe after the rtv sets it will make a difference.

when I was driving home from my trip I found that if I remove the knob the rattle noise decreased by 50-60% in volume and was much more manageable to listen too. So if this rtv thing doesn’t help, I will try some different knobs as the rattle is a little unbearable for me to listen too. It’s weird because I’m not running twin or triple sticks so I’m not sure where it’s coming from. I’m almost wondering if I should run a different shifter base. Currently running the marlin push and twist base.
https://youtube.com/shorts/G0YzjbuCe5M?feature=share

 

Been awhile since I’ve giving any updates,
Just recently been working done a list of regular maintenance. Changed out my spark plugs, wire, fuel filter abs air filter this weekend.

I’m going to be swapping out my trans cooler from Long Tru-Cool LPD Transmission Oil Cooler 4454 18,000 GVW to a Hayden Automotive 699 Transmission Oil Cooler. Hopefully this bigger cooler will keep temps down going up the grades in the summer heat.

lastly I just picked up a soft topper for the summer, if I like it enough I’ll possible just replace the hard top camper shell all together. Time will tell

 

Got my Hayden 699 trans cooler installed.


Here’s a side by side on the size difference.

 

Got my high top camper off and the soft topper installed. Pretty stoked on it. Had to make some adjustments to my platform to allow the topper to swing but other than that no issues.

 

Replaced my uni balls and greased the UCA.

 

That’s an issue in the warmer climates for sure. With some older rigs- a hybrid 56 Ford with a lightly built 340 Chrysler I had to run the cooler before the trans cooler in the radiator to make sure the fluid temp didn’t get too low- caused slippage on cold mornings if it wasn’t warmed up properly.
With your usage and climate, just keep an eye on it and you should be golden with your current configuration.

 

Finally bought some new wheels. I’ve wanted to do it for some time to get rid of my wheel spacers. Especially with the idea that I’d like to move to 35” tire next. That being said I ended up with SCS BR6 17”x9” -38mm BS in matte bronze. I pick them up on Wednesday! Super stoked. All (5) were blems so I was able to save some coin there. Now what tire do I wrap them with?

 

You looking for MT or AT?

 

I’m looking for MT, looking at 315/70/17, 35x11.5 (which would be nitro trail grapplers) or 35x12.5 which seems to have the most optiona

 

Installed my RCVs! Other than the c clips being complete garbage, it was smooth. It didn’t want to seat, First c clip broke and the second bent. This was pretty disappointing for being “ the strongest axles” anyway, Pulled the clips off my spare set of OEM axles and it all went together no problem.

 

Also installed durobump front diff bushings.

 

Rubicon video is up

https://youtu.be/NJQj_CVxRUk

 

On the rubicon I bent my inner and out tie rods. Got those on order. As well as another new set for spares. Also some new lower ball joints.

my boot clamp on my RCVs popped off mid trail. That pissed me off! Currently being help on with a zip tie.

and lastly I got some TC spindle gussets in. So once my tie rods so up. I think I will be pulling the spindle and welding that in. And then replacing the tie rods and Lower ball joints on re assembly.

 

Update:
Truck got new inner/outer tie rods, lower ball joints and TC spindle gussets. And re clamped the RCV outer.

 

Also I’ve been chasing a ghost. Drove my truck and the motor temp was 10-15 degrees hotter than normal. Truck is usually at 190-193 unless it’s a steep mountain grade in the summer I’ve seen it hit 210-215. But took my truck out for a trip and it ran at 200-210 for almost the whole trip. It only seems to happen at highway speeds. I’ve flushed the cooling system, found a leak in the radiator and replaced it and then flushed the cooling system again. Still seems to do it. I’ve also completely divorced the trans cooler and mounted it differently to create a 1” gap between the cooler and ac condenser so it doesn’t create a hot spot. I ordered a new oem thermostat, radiator cap and upper/lower hoses. I’lll see if that makes a difference or not.

although the temp is still within operating temp, the sudden increase seems strange to me. So I guess more to come

 

Okay, installed a new oem upper/ lower radiator hose, oem thermostat and oem rad cap. As well as flushing the system again. And all new coolant. Taking it out tomorrow to camp this weekend so we will see if the problem has been fixed.

 

Fresh front end parts is always a great feeling.

Good luck! That shit would drive me nuts. So your issue is the motor is running hotter than normal not the transmission? And I guess by divorcing the trans you are making sure that is not responsible for the increase in engine temperature?

 

Yeah that’s the idea, and it eliminates any chance of ATF contamination in the coolant, and hopefully the tranny will stay cooler as well now that it’s not butted up in the same radiator