Jack Stilts' Build - 2002 ABT (Armored Baby Transport)

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
Thanks guys :)


Awesome stuff, man!

How exactly did you finish out the plumbing on the snorkel? I'm in the same situation now and am curious how you did it.
I took a 3" PVC cap, lined it up inside the box, drilled a 1/2" hole through the middle of it, and just went to town with 1/2 a tube of silicone caulk :uhhh:

I'm curious to see how it holds up over bumps and with the heat this summer. Might have to come up with a backup plan just in case.
 

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
It's held up really well so far. The real test is going to be after I hit the trails next weekend.

And in preparation for said run, I got all my recovery gear out. Everything's been cleaned & organized, including Hi-Lift maintenance after being exposed by the Michigan winter. Poor thing. Also checked fluids & lights. Good to go!
 

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
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DepHep down!

...for painting :)

And also to mount the RTT. It's the only way to do it - flip everything upside-down, mount, and then re-mount DepHep.

/gotta love being able to fit in the garage.
 

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
Hello XN! Been a while.

Updates:

  • Steering stabilizer installed as a temporary fix before a trip. It's been great.
  • "Hard-wired" power to my GPS (behind the dash, under the steering column, up the A-pillar).
  • Survived Pennsylvania heat.
  • Fixed A/C squeal (belt slipping).
  • Started replacing driver's window regulator only to find that the wrong part was delivered...
  • Blacked out badges after realizing they were chrome O__o

Places visited:

  • Northern Michigan / upper peninsula - camp & trails.
  • Western Michigan - camp & bike.
  • Central Pennsylvania - Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival.

And pictures!



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It's been a great summer. And it's only half done ;)
 
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caseycamby

Suspension Lift
Location
Marion, NC
Good stuff!! I can only hope you used my write-up for the window regulator install ;) haha just teasing!

Can you tell a big difference with the steering stabilizer?
 

Roadwarrior

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Ah, welcome back! Glad to see you are back. Can you explain what it took to get your AC squeal to go away? I have been fecking with nine for a while and can get it to go.
 

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
Good stuff!! I can only hope you used my write-up for the window regulator install ;) haha just teasing!

Can you tell a big difference with the steering stabilizer?

Dude I've been away from the XN fam for so long...I didn't even know you had one! But when I finally get the correct part, you can be sure I'll use it ;)

And yes, the stabilizer works beautifully for a temporary fix until I uh...get...those TC parts...installed...

Imma gunna need moar pics of that headliner, sir

Deeb, please see post #435 on page 22 of this build, my friend.

Nice! Glad to hear from you. Looks like you've been busy. I'm jealous of your adventures. Keep it up!

Thanks bud. Good to be back. Still got a lot in store.

Ah, welcome back! Glad to see you are back. Can you explain what it took to get your AC squeal to go away? I have been fecking with nine for a while and can get it to go.

Tucker, m'boy. All I did was tighten the bolt on the first belt to adjust the tension. I'll see if I can grab a picture in a bit. It was just slipping.
 

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
You should talk! WHERE'S YOUR E-FAN.

No, I've just been lazy. I got them painted, though! Other than the tie rod assemblies, they come bare steel for some reason. So...one step in the right direction!

Honestly, I'm hoping to have the kit and an add-a-leaf installed before I head to the upper peninsula in a few weeks.
 

caseycamby

Suspension Lift
Location
Marion, NC
Dude I've been away from the XN fam for so long...I didn't even know you had one! But when I finally get the correct part, you can be sure I'll use it ;)

And yes, the stabilizer works beautifully for a temporary fix until I uh...get...those TC parts...installed...

I'm just joshing you, man! haha

I thought about getting but I know I need a centerlink. I'm just gonna have to break down and get a grassroots.
 

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan

Haha! No, it was a South Park reference (sorry, Jay).

Well, sports fans. I finally got the Total Chaos steering kit installed.

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This was my weapon of choice, mostly for the pitman arm nut - a five-foot iron prybar.

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Look at how clean that pitman arm is! This thing hasn't been dry in two years. I put in a new seal kit to stop the leak.

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She's all put back together now.

Some notes / thoughts:

I was completely astounded at the fact that I was fully able to do this on my own. I started it around 6pm and was so drunk on success that not only was I nearly done, but it was 1am and I hadn't noticed.

However, my elation was short-lived. Once it was put pack together, wheels and all, I put power steering fluid into the reservoir, turned the truck on, and turned the wheel.

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Ouch. The seals didn't hold. So I'll be taking the idler arm off again to investigate.

I can't express the sheer disappointment I felt after such a victorious project. This was the biggest undertaking I have ever accomplished on a vehicle by myself, and to see that was just crushing. Ah, well. She'll be good to go in no time.
 
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