Quarter Million Mile Build - The Mule

Well took it out for the first test drive tonight to sell off my old tires. Night and day difference in ride quality. F'n great! Probably need to upgrade the brakes though

 

I feel you with the brakes being weak. Engine braking gets used often on the trails

 

Well about two weeks until the trip. Few things left to do. This weekend I got the top part of the rear shock relocate in and fitted ready to be burned in. Ordered some billies from summit that should be here Wednesday. Taped off and drew the lines to cut the rear fenders. Then its onto fitting and burning in the sliders. Something for a rear bumper (might just by the TG one). Crawl box install and new drivelines. Nothing like waiting until the last minute

 

I cut off a few inches of rear fender last night. Forgot to wear my Bane mask so I've been blowing black shit out my nose this morning

Also put some cheapo bumps stops in. Probably need to cut them down but I won't know until my test drive.

 

@nDub any opinion on the matsuba versus creeper joint for the long spline shaft TG offers? I figured go with the creeper but figured I would ask.

 

Going to be honest. No idea.

I went high pinion front so I’m running Toyota oem ujoints front and rear. The front long spline drive line I have was made by Stockton Driveline and I’m fairly certain they used what Marlin Crawler sells. I could look into to it if you want.

I like TG prices but their straight from over seas product has been hit or miss for me so far.

Front driveline has been bullet proof so far but I did have to redo my rear. I now carry a stock rear driveline (plus spacer) as a spare. Works in a pinch.

 

When are you planning on hitting the rubicon? I’ve still been plugging away on mine, started a front bumper yesterday. It’s completely welded to the truck so there is no going back now. Winch mount and center section is all built, now I get to start on the tube work.

 

Good call. I checked marlin and they're long spline is $120 cheaper than TGs and they have 10% off for the 4th of July

July 11th. Nice start on the bumper!

 

Finished up the rear shock relocate. I like it.

 

Rear bumper's fit is shit with the 4-5" cut off the bottom of my bed but I needed something to protect the sides until I bob it. It rides like a dream with the 63s and billies in the back now. I didn't realize just how shot the rear shocks were.

 

Looks awesome Matt!

 

Just ordered the last piece to the puzzle. Long spline driveline kit from marlin. Should be here by Saturday. Drivelines go in for rebuild monday. Nothing like pushing it to the last minute.

 

@nDub thanks again, $206 to my door!

 

Can’t go wrong with Marlin Crawler

 

Burned in 5 of the 6 slider posts today. Lined up super nice. Need to pull two late nights this week to get them in. Then this weekend crawlbox. T-8 days.

 

Like I need another project with T-6 days until my trip. Maybe I'll get to them, maybe i won't but for $80 and being available I couldn't pass them up. They need a little TLC but I'll give em that eventually.

 

Sliders built. Going on tomorrow.

 

Sliders didn't go on because I was finishing painting them but it worked out since it left more room to get the tcase in. Out with the forward shift, in with the goods. I cut up some metal to make a cover for where the old shifter was. Not sure if that's what you're supposed to do but it made sense to me so I did it. Tomorrow I'm getting the drivelines built and tomorrow night I'll button it back up.

 

Flexed it out this morning to measure for compressed driveline length. Had about an inch in the back before the bumps where they are now. The fence on top of the ramp thwarted me lol. I need to make an attic ramp to keep in my side yard.