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SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 10:07 pm
by Takingatrip1
Been working on getting my truck set up for some extended camping. I chose an onboard compressor for airing up my tires . I've had a powertank mounted in my Jeep rubicon and just didnt feel like loosing interior space to it. The Ham radio for communication while on the trail. I've never been a fan of CB's. The ARB fridge makes life so much easier than even the best Ice chest. It's my favorite piece of camping gear so far.
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ARB twin air compressor installed on the frame rail under the drivers door.
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Hard line ran through the frame and out the back of the truck. I can still get my safety chains in the the hitch hole by sliding them sideways
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Yaesu FT-8800R mounted under the seat and remote head on the dash
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ARB 50 qt install 3/4" plywood bolted to the stock seat mounting holes using longer bolts. The fridge is bolted to the plywood using longer hardware in the standard mounting holes in the fridge. Black paint is next, losing the underseat storage is the downfall on this mod.
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Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:45 am
by Mule
Takingatrip1 wrote:Yaesu FT-8800R mounted under the seat and remote head on the dash
Excellent choice in radio.
I bought a second sep kit and a universal (AMPS-pattern) suction-cup mount for mine in this truck. I removed the suction-cup part, filled in the hole with epoxy, and VHB-taped the mount to the windshield. Doesn't slide around or fall off with temp changes.... stays where I put it now.
2nd sep kit for the mic.
L-com RJ12 panel-mount coupler on the kickplate, small speaker mounted behind the kickplate next to the coupler. (There's an L-com USB coupler in the middle of that kickplate for the stereo.)
Brains are mounted under the back seat, 8AWG from the battery to the amp, then I used the amp's terminal block to connect the radio's power cable.
Antenna's an MFJ glass-mount on the rear window. Not the "best", but it works well enough.
Works awesome, and I avoided having the "trucker-mic" hanging from the rearview. Keeps everything nice and clean.
Takingatrip1 wrote:...losing the underseat storage is the downfall on this mod....
That under-seat storage is such a PITA to get to anyways. I'm glad its there, I just filled them with electronics I rarely need to get to.
Love the air compressor install. Where's the intake on that? Is it re-routed somewhere to pick up clean air?
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:58 am
by gun45boat
Nice work..... Good to see those welds on that frame for the plate. Good work..
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:15 pm
by Takingatrip1
Mule : the compressor has filtered intakes already and since it's only going to be running when the truck is parked I'm not going to sweat re- routing them.
Gun45boat : Max @
https://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/ Bent that plate and welded it on for me.
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:57 am
by 04Ram2500Hemi
I like the onboard air compressor. Every now and then I think about adding something like that. I'm just worried the de-icer crap they put on the roads in the winter here in Montana would destroy the air compressor.
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:02 pm
by TrueCowboy426
Nice work. On-board compressors are the cats behind for airing up on the trail. Not to jack your thread, but for the sake of 04-2500 and maybe others, do you 4th gen guys have empty space behind the headlight like us 3rd gen guys do? My compressor has been mounted there for 4years of Canadian winters and still as good as the day I installed it.

Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:58 am
by Stickman
There isn't nearly that much room on my '12. The back of the headlight takes up all yhe space between it and the fender liner, then the battery, TIPM and wiring loom takes up the rest. The passenger fender does have some fender room, but idk if you would have enough for that, I'll have to look again to be sure. There just might be.
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:06 am
by Takingatrip1
The engine compartment would have been my first choice but it's roomy but strangely un usable
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 9:22 pm
by Takingatrip1
Mounted my ham radio antenna using a disassembled trunk lid mount. I removed the part that mounts to the trunk lid and bolted the rest directly to the inside of the trucks bed. Routed the wire straight down the stake pocket to the underside of the truck and into the cab through the vents behind the rear seat.

Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:13 pm
by Graveltravels
I see a jeep back there!! Details? And I like the mount set up, looks good!
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Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:13 pm
by Takingatrip1
That's my Rubicon Unlimited, the vehicle the power wagon was supposed to replace. I just can't bring myself to sell it!
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:23 pm
by Graveltravels
Nice!! What year? I have an '08 rubi unltd, and will not get rid of it, unless I find an '04 to build. Non rubicon, being '04, but it would be a complete ground up build
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Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:56 pm
by Takingatrip1
It's an "11 like the truck
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:31 pm
by gun45boat
Bad ass!!!!! I wish I had the patience for running 12v electrical... I would have to be stoned and a few beers in me, to be able to calm down enough to run 12v wiring.. LOL Excellent work!!!!!
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 11:34 pm
by Graveltravels
Hahahahahaha!!! You made me laugh out loud gunny!!
As for not being able to sell it, I'll never be without a jeep. My buddy once am said to me, cruising in my CJ-5, doors off, "this is too much fun to be legal!" And he's right! I love the Lego aspect of a jeep!
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Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:27 pm
by Takingatrip1
Had the differentials serviced today. Fully intended to do it myself and then....I caved and took it in. At least im clean

and so are the magnets for the lockers now. This is a shot of the build up . The truck has 45K on it, I bought it with 35K on the clock. Looks like the diffs may never had been serviced ?
Considerable amount of filings attached to the magnet ...all gone now
All buttoned up front and back

Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 9:39 am
by gun45boat
That is clean diff if you ask me. I like your spider diff guard,,,,,but why would they only only put a tiny little weld on each of the little arms?? the first time you take a light strike on that cover those arms are going to pop right off.. Hopefully they are butt welded through the flange. If they aren't,, I would fully recommend pulling off that diff guard and welding a full "round" weld on those arms where they touch the flage, or take it to a welder to make that happen.. Or mail it to me, and I will weld it bulletproof. willing to bet that under the "spider round" sign, there are tiny welds too.
I would not worry about it if your not planning to take it into the rocks,,, but damn,,,, I figured they would have taken the time to make it stronger.
Love the build BTW
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:22 am
by Graveltravels
As a welder, I'd have to agree with gunny!! Those are nothing but decoration welds. Maybe it's holed out behind the plate, where the legs meet, and plug welded from behind?
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Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:06 pm
by Takingatrip1
That differential guard and a Carli front came on the truck from the previous owner. I'm not a fan of a "guard" I only buy covers (arb front and back on my Jeep). That being said... According to the manufacturers Web site these guards are back welded.
http://purplecranium.com/c-53685-axle-a ... uards.html
Thanks for the offer to weld the legs though. It's one of the things about offroaders I love... A generosity you just don't find other places [BEER MUG]
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:26 pm
by gun45boat
Anytime man.. would do it for any offroader:)
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:48 pm
by Takingatrip1
carpeted the platform under the fridge today. Came out looking factory, 19 bucks never looked so good

Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:50 am
by Cactus Red
The front Purple Cranium guard on Cactus Red and front and rear PC guards on our JKUR have taken all the abuse with no problems. They have kept the stock covers from peeling back, and been whacked on rocks with no damage.
Nice job on the fridge! They are indispensable once you get one.
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Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 1:07 am
by TwinStick
I also have PCP front & rear diff guards. The steel rod is solid & yes, they go through the bolt circle & are welded & ground flat on backside.
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 2:16 pm
by Takingatrip1
Re: SilverWagon mods
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 2:52 pm
by Takingatrip1
I can hear them faintly on the highway with the radio off. The ride is very smooth, the steering has gotten heavier but the truck feels even more substantial and planted. The additional tire size has changed the final drive ratio. It seems to have smoothed out the acceleration. The truck feels less of a tire smoking hot rod to me now. The rpm's on the highway are down noticeably (exhaust not as loud) . All in all I'm happy with 35's vs going bigger. I'll update after my next Highway /desert trip.
America's Tire was 290. Each plus all the bs...
Each of the 5 tires took about 3ozs each to ballance