Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Okay so I keep going back and forth to BL or not. Your interior came out perfect where you can't even tell what you had to do to the floor. Any issues when you took it wheeling with it not being super sealed? Especially around the shifters? BL would make other stuff easier but I have my bumper set exactly where I want it that minimizes the gap between the headlights and the bumper (the addicted offroads can look fucking dumb if they sit too low) and I am afraid the BL is going to jack up all that perfecting. I still have to sell the DRZ to make the NWF order but if you know me and my build I always reach my goals... eventually...

 

It's noisy AF around the shifters, especially on the highway, but a BL won't fix that. The rest of my floor repair is fine.

I really need to find a shifter boot that works for the triple sticks. I bought this generic triple stick boot but it won't work at all given the bends in the shifters and how the linkage attaches to the top of the crawlbox.

Once I figure something out for that I'll report back.

 

This one? I was digging around a while back and saw it and wasn't sure if it would work, guess not huh.

JB Custom Fabrication *US Made Triple-Stick Transfer Case Shifter Boot

https://www.amazon.com/JB-Custom-Fabrication-Triple-Stick-Transfer/dp/B00B2SCNN6

 

that's the same one that comes with the RAD designs triple stick setup.
That's what I have in mine, but had to modify it to run the linkage through the rubber boot and bolt the plate down to the cab

 

I didn't buy that exact one, but it's probably the same thing.

Doesn't work at all due to how the shifters align/pivot etc. I'll take a pic from the top and it'll make more sense.

 

I don't think you will really notice the gap. I don't on my truck.

 

OK, initial questions:

Was you intention to bolt your frame brackets in and not weld them? I see the holes are all set for that, but might try welding the lower bracket in and reversing how the crossmember bolts in so I can still remove it. Or just weld the shit out of everything.

Any measurement/reference on notching the bed support?

Thanks man!

 

I made it so it could be located with bolts for easy positioning. (I welded my lowers, too.)




but bolted the top:




the front mount is the tough part - cutting out the factory one is a bit tedious in tight quarters. should locate pretty easy after that.




the strap modification should be more straightforward.

Let me dig for those tomorrow - I measure everything, just need to find them.

 

@Squeaky Penguin do you have access to a 3D printer?

 

Thanks for the info! I'll weld those lowers in. There's some very slight interference with my TG frame boxing plates, but should be quite easy to make work together.

That front mount was easy to cut off with a sawzall. I was worried about that when I saw you did it with the cab off, but it was no problem. That bracket locates itself surprisingly well.

Not directly, but might know someone, let me ask.

 

Thanks! I did my install with cab-on - to make sure it was feasible

 

lmk if you need something printed and mailed your way

 

No luck on the 3d printer @eimkeith What were you wanting me to test out? Also, did you find that measurement for the bed cut?

Appreciate the offer, but don't go out of your way. Trying to get this truck to Moab in two weeks so need to start getting it back together sooner than later.

 

I have a cut jig for both the bed cuts - and I can send the file, but need to ID someone local to print them. (or I send mine) - you simply position, trace, and cut on the lines with these.

 

and, for some reason I STILL don't get notifications from this forum - so I miss this stuff until I check in in the evenings. (sorry about that)

 

No worries on that. Happy to help with new stuff. My printer just sits idle most of the time so it's just a matter of slicing it and pressing print as long as it fits on the print bed.

 

shoot me over your mailing address when you get a chance.

 

Nice to get the last bit of frame sorta boxed in.

 

how was the fit over there on the right-hand side of the photo? I tweaked that end of the part after I installed mine to reduce the likelihood that debris would get stuck over there - and since mine are welded on, I couldn't test-fit the revised part. Your impression?

 

I can see you were drinking while welding this on. Started out sober on the left.