Man, been a while since I've updated this...
Diff is still not finished. Got everything together and then realized we needed some bearing so I got that ordered and waiting to put it in. Once that is in there, the diff will be back 100% operational again. I also need to replace my steering rack as its whining a good bit. Not sure if its the 35's adding additional stress or its just wearing out from the 100k miles lol.
Changed out the front pads and found a major electrical problem. When I bought this rig, it was already wired up for lights etc. It all appeared to be functioning properly but obviously not. My light bar would work for a few seconds and then stop. Then the bumper bar would barely light up. So we popped the hood and found this... We also found wires just twisted together and not properly connected.
So if you do buy a vehicle with lights already on it, RE-WIRE it anyway. We now have to rewire all lights in the vehicle and replace all wiring. Yay... But good news, the truck didn't burn down lol!
Friend of mine was given some 3rd Brake light thing that mounts behind a spare tire and he wasn't going to use it so he gave it to me. Its pretty simple. Just a black plastic ring with LED's glued into a recessed portion of it. Connected to the brake lights and done. It mounts in between the carrier and the tire so you have to drill your holes to match the carrier studs. I think its pretty cool, not sure how cool a 3rd brake light can be lol but you'll definitely know when I'm braking haha
Got my "new" steering rack and attempted to break the bolts loose... couldn't do it with hand tools, impacts or breaker bars so I had my buddy come over in his service truck and used air tools and they zipped right off so hopefully this weekend **weather cooperating** and it will finally be finished. The Steering Rack had a slow leak and lasted almost a year on that minor leak. Picked one up from Duncan Mills while at Moab and just now getting to install it. The pass side inner tie rod was completely shot. I'm keeping the outer tie rods for spares and the one good one for a spare in case I ever need it. **knock on wood**
Also got a new starter because I thought my starter was going out. Turns out my battery terminals were sh1t and couldn't hold a good connection to the battery so it was starting very weak and then just stopped starting. Changed out the terminals and fired right up. I'm probably going to change it out anyway and keep my old one as a spare since I've got it already. Got this starter from Amazon for right at $100.
Got the X back from the shop and the diff is back in and ready to rock! Apparently the little bulkhead fittings on the airline came loose and fell off so they weren't able to secure the airline to the front diff. So I ordered the part again, and according to 4x4 Parts.com, ARB Part # 170111 has been discontinued so idk what that means for anyone else needing that particular part. I also told them I would install the CV's to help save on labor so once the weather cools down, I'll be putting those on and then I should be back to 4x4!
I'm also in the process of re-wiring EVERYTHING. The wiring its just horrible from the previous installer and even melted a fuse which isn't good. I've also got a blue sea fuse block to assist with the install but I'm thinking about getting rid of it and going w/ a Brooking Industries SW830 Switch Panel.
Linky Loo This will allow me to delete 8 switches and allow for a much cleaner install. That way I can have just the 2 locker switches and the compressor switch by the gear shifter in the stock locations and have everything else on the switch panel.