Today was a big day. I bought quite a few parts of a forum member today and did a big install. So I spammed the Friends List and got a many responses and good wishes. MudlovingFJ and Thugasaur were suckered into my install
. I had wishfully hoped to install AllPro Front bumper with Mile Marker SE9500C winch, AllPro rear bumper, and AllPro adjustable reservoir suspension front and rear. It's a tall order to get all of them done. We met up at 11am and took the 2 of them to have some Chinese food. We started tearing down the front bumper at around 12:45pm. MudlovingFJ was a machine! He had it down in about 45 min. I think he could've done it faster if I wasn't asking so many stupid questions. It was boom, boom, boom, and it's gone. Thugasaur has the sweetest little cordless impact wrench. It sure speed things up quite nicely. It seems that the front bumper likes to be unique and would not line up just perfect. Muds a perfectionist and we spent quite a bit of time trying to get it just right. It refused and we had to settle with the driver side having a slightly larger gap. Maybe it was a production run thing. I think it was one of the earlier bumpers.
It was about 80 degrees inside the shop and armed with a big fan, about 12 bottles of 32oz size Gatoraid, we push on. In the process of pushing on the front bumper, we found out I'm missing a few bolts for my skids. Guess factory got lazy and never put them on. Anyway it didn't matter as my factory skids looked crappy with the AllPro bumper anyway so we left it off. So Mud started tearing down the front suspension and I tried to be helpful (seriously I tried, but I found out it was better to just let him work). Everything went without a hitch and the front is quite simple. The rears gave us a bit more trouble as we had to try and figure out where the reservoirs should sit. Finally looking at the AllPro site and see that it
seem to sit forward of the rear shocks. So loosen the brackets with a allen wrench and we moved it forward. We also found out something about the adjustable shocks. The passenger rear shock can be adjusted to 17 clicks while the driver rear will only adjust to 4: spineyes: . I've got to talk to Terry about that...
The rear bumper was quite straightforward. I just swapped my stock bumper for his AllPros and it was held with 6 bolts. Easy enough right? Well, it was a bit tricky to get it aligned just right. It would bolt on, but it would also look a bit off. Right side too high or left side too high. It took a while and now it's looking decent. It's not quite right, but it looks ok. I think it was bugging Mud more then it was bugging me. Did I say he's a perfectionist? I do have to say, the bumpers are really well made and I'm sure they'll hold up nice on the trail. I need to add a hitch mount as this is also a earlier bumper and it didn't come with a hitch mount. When I get time and are motivated enough, I might try and see if it can be adjusted so that both sides are even.
Thugasaur is something else. The guy picks up the wheel/tire like it's a hammer. Times when I need a breaker bar, he just does it. It didn't take long before we just call on him for whatever might be difficult or need some muscles. Thanks for doing all the hard stuff Thugs
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At 7pm, we finished. It wasn't rushed, but there were a few trials as we didn't have instructions for the rear. Most of it was just figuring out where the reservoir is suppose to face. Also spent quite a bit of time adjusting the bumpers to try and get it to be symmetrical. Clayy was gracious in offering his shop and tools. Having a lift was wonderful!
So with great help from both friends, we finished at 7pm. Headed over to Olive Garden to unwind, and share a good meal. Had a great time just chatting and with the guys about just everything. It was a good day of hard work and even greater day of friendship.
If MudlovingFJ ever opens a shop, he would be the guy I'd whole heartedly recommend business his way. He really knows the FJ and is very good and fast. I know if I had to do what I did today by myself and without a lift, it would've taken me at least 3 days-not to mentioned some cuts and bruises. Some of the stuff is just not that straightforward.
Now I have a more trail prepared FJ (need to figure out the rear shocks yet), I can't wait to test out the suspension!
Terrific day
11 chicken necks installed to date
. I've wanted to document the process so if anyone needed to do an install they'd have something to go on.
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