Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Trail gear is what I bought for the front. Probably just use the same for the rear.

Is that per total length? The 8" straps I have for the front only have like 6" of strap material. Held those up and I'll need like 12" straps for the rear, maybe longer.

 

Yes Trail Gear is the way to go. Like James said 6 Ply and a lot more reliable strap. I'm looking forward to have those straps put on.

 

Would have hit this on the way back from moab had I not discovered the broken leaf. Just took an extra four months.

 

So I was 95% right here, right wires, wrong polarity. The solenoid is actually ground triggered so instead of hitting those wires with a hot from the switch, I had to add a grounded relay between my "winch power" switch and the in/out switch to ground them instead of powering them.

All of this is apparent now looking at the pin out in the diagram, but I glazed over that, oh well, took a few minutes to figure out what was going on but then it was a pretty easy fix.

 

got a diagram like that for your CB?

 

James needs a lot more than a wiring diagram to sort out his CB issues.


Maybe a larger collection of antennas. So I've got this sweet green one now....

 

Couple days late to the party, but looks great. 1000 lbs over - wow, I thought I was high at 600! Love that rake though.

 

Been DDing the truck the last couple days, so I need to remeasure, but I think they've settled a touch more.

Also will be adding some more weight here next month. I'm very happy with the initial impressions on the Alcans though. Can't wait to get them offroad and see how they perform.

 

Yeah, same. And I was equally impressed off-road.

How's your back wheel as far as being centered in the wheel well? That was the only issue I had with my Alcan's (had to adjust the axle 3/4" forward to center it), but it seems "random" as far as whether a truck is affected...

 

Seems to be exactly where I was with the old pack - dead center.

 

Sadly, the wiring is so simple it never isn't ever (usually) sometimes might be the issue.

 

Your a resourceful nugget. Do you have a trail gear coupon code by any chance?

 

I did a little searching before I bought my front staps and hardware, but didn't find anything.

Did get free shipping ordering through low range.

 

Yeah after looking at my straps last night they are due. Looking to replace them now. Thanks I’ll check out low range. Peace!

Edit: Ok I wasn’t spending enough so I just ordered through TG. Thanks anyways.

 

Space is a little tight, but straps are in.

IMAG0492 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

IMAG0494 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

IMAG0495 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Couldn't really get these mounts any higher, would be better off with an inch shorter strap, but this should work.

IMAG0497 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

IMAG0500 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Found some play in my LBJs, so those will be replaced. 3 seasons on them. Also this crack in the coil bucket. Continues all the way to the outside edge even though you can't see it here.

IMAG0502 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

I'll be keeping an eye on this up against the ebrake cables, but think it will be fine.

IMAG0503 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

 

Are you going to try and repair the coil bucket? Or run a cross over tube to the other side? Mine are starting to bend.

 

Not sure what I'm going to do at this point. Inspected both coil buckets and didn't see any other cracks.

 

It's always easier to fix it while the crack is closer together then waiting on it to split more. Grind half of the crack and weld it then grind the other half and weld it. You can also add a top plate to the coil bucket to help.

Edit: When you gring the crack you only need to clean it up a bit and make a small grove for the weld. Don't grind all the way through.

 

Looking at that crack I'm not too sure what would really be a good way to fix it besides flatten and weld it back together, but I think for those that want to mitigate the possibility without cross tieing the towers some steel top plate spacers might make good plates to sandwich the coil bucket with. So it would be 3/8" top plate spacer --> coil bucket --> coil tophat

These are the only steel top plates I can find otherwise I would have suggested 1/2" but these are .40 so that's pretty thick

 

Those are pretty thin in diameter so I wouldn’t run those. If I was to run a top plate without a crossover tube I would also build around the sides of the coil bucket too. Just food for thought. But I always think big because if I fucked it up once I’ll fuck it up again.