Simple yet Satisfying DCLB

Drilling the leaf springs today. It will cost a few drill bits, but I'll get it done.

This is how the zip ties looked after 6 months and about 7-8k miles.

 

Update:
The u-bolt flip is done as well as well as the bump stops and the leaf spring silencer pads.

Also got the metal cut on the ARB bumper that needed to be removed for the winch to work properly. Sorry, I didn't get a picture before putting everything back together. I noticed that the winch line was getting bleached by the sun, and I'm a little worried about it fatiguing. I put a sock over it for now, but I could use a good suggestion for a permanent fix.

Help me out, because the sock looks lame!

 

My winch line came with a 3-4 foot long protection sleeve to cover the end. Instead of seeing exposed line, I see that sleeve.

 

^ what he said. Synthetic lines should come with a drum sleeve and an abrasion sleeve. Slide the abrasion sleeve to the end of the line.

And FYI ARB bumpers need an offset fair lead, instead of cutting the bumper, but you already did that... .

Subbed because local dude

 

I knew that about the fair lead, but I'm just stubborn.
The bumper really needed a roller type fair lead with a couple extra holes drilled. The winch came with this aluminum one, and I'm sure it will work just fine. I had to get two new bolts, so I'll get a picture when it's apart installing those. The winch line has the drum and abrasion sleeves. Even when pulled all the way to the end, the sleeve leaves some rope unprotected from the sun. I'll get a picture of it too to show the exposed and oxidizing rope.

 

Please help out. This is the part of the winch line that is getting sun bleached.

The sleeve is there, but I think I need something more. The temporary sock is UGLY, but I don't think the discoloration is good for things.

 

This is where I cut the the bumper:

It allowed me to to bolt the aluminum fair lead using the lower winch bolts like other bumpers are set up for (I just needed longer bolts). On a strait pull, the fair lead lines up really well with the drum. On an extreme angle, the lower mounting point helps a little to keep the rope under the sharp metal:

 

Did a nerdy mod today. Mud flaps!
I put rear mud flaps on my high clearance bumper mostly so I'm not throwing as many rocks at other cars. They'll still fold over or break off under the right conditions. Whatever. I actually like the conservative look while still having the armor I want. Install was pretty easy. I used some modified brackets from the old front bumper to simplify things. As an added bonus, I think it will help keep water out of the rear cubbies.

 

What if you wrapped the rope with some 1"dry vinyl tape? It stops sun 100%, is cheap, easy to work with... No down sides I can think of...

Love the mud flaps too!

 

sweet build man! love the budget mindset to the mods, and the thought and creativity that went into it!!

 

I'll look into the dry vinyl tape. Thanks!

Thanks! I hope my documenting everything helps a few people out.

 

I like your style man!
Sweet rig

 

Thanks! I see your sig says San Mateo. I love that area and drove through that city many times. Work got really slow over here a few years ago, and I jumped on an opportunity to remodel a bunch of Starbucks all over the Bay Area and south. Stayed in Los Gatos most of the time and spent almost every weekend in the foothills near Placerville in my old camping trailer. Aww, memories.

 

Nice build here. I suggest Factor55. Here is what I did:

 

Thanks. I really like those, but I can't justify the $150 for something that small right now. I'm still paying for the wedding, honeymoon, rings, and modifying the house to be less bachelor-ish. Maybe someday later on if I don't like the cheap fix....

 

Steve at @SoutheastOverland has an Ultimate Trail Products thimble that I use, much cheaper than Factor 55.

 

Thank you! I just went to www.southeastoverland.com
They have a lot of great stuff. They also offer synthetic line splicing which I didn't even know was a thing. I'll definitely be shopping there from time to time.

 

I highly recommend it, Steve is an awesome dude.

 

So, with the crazy schedule we've had, there has been no off-road exploring or camping since last September. I normally avoid camping during the "dog days" of summer, but I've been having the itch. We are going to URE national forest next weekend! I started work on a battery powered air conditioner today for the hot night(s).
Progress so far:


I plan to fill the cooler with ice and install this fan in the lid. With the fan pushing air into it, I'm betting it pushes out some pretty cold air.

 

I was hoping to go to URE next Saturday morning, if I can take the time off work