RodReckets AEV JT370 Build Journal

[ShadowsPapa]

I am trying to install my dead pedal but the damn factory bolt will not budge… I used a socket wrench with 13mm, tried a regular wrench and even went to get adapter to extend the socket wrench (3/8 into 1/2 for 13mm with more depth) because of the break pedal being on the way… now I soaked some WD40 cotton ball and nothing… suggestions? Thought this was going to be a quick 10-15 min process!

edit: 13mm wrench, I accidentally put picture with the 10mm

I put on my dead pedal, a small flat washer and a lock nut. Job done.
Don't remove that nut, let it act as a spacer otherwise as you tighten the nut against the pedal bracket it will want to pull down into that space.
I've run mine in two gladiators that way and it's never budged.

Well, actually, in my 2nd JT, I left off the flat washer and used a flanged washer. It's been fine 2 years in this truck and almost 2 years in the other truck.

Personally, I'd stop wasting time on trying to remove that other piece. Is it really a nut, or something a screw screws into from the engine bay side?? maybe it's not even removable. But that really doesn't matter............ this mine, below.

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[OverBrass]

Fair point, I’ll give that a shot then because it did not seem like that thing was coming out!

 

[RodRecket]

Nothing too special to update but I added the blind spot mirrors. I was skeptical but so far I like them.

 

[RodRecket]

I got to check Holy Cross of my trail list during a recent trip to Colorado. It was a tough trail! Winched twice, tore my driveshaft boot, banged up the bumper (more), and smashed up the middle resonator on the exhaust hard enough to create an exhaust leak (again).

I've hit the resonator and gotten hung up on it enough times that I've decided to do something about it. Picked up an Amazon resonator for $35 that was roughly the same length but smaller diameter. The result is a slightly louder but more tucked in exhaust behind the frame. At highway speed I can't tell a difference in sound, but I do notice it's louder at speeds around town.

 

[RodRecket]

Exhaust 3.0....
The amazon bullet resonator ended up being too much drone/tinny. I did some more research and really liked the dynomax quiet crawler catback, but it is no longer made. Found the part number for the resonator and put that in place of the Amazon special. Got it tucked up a bit more and is now barely louder than stock, much better.

 

[RodRecket]

My front axle needed more orange!

Finally got the budget in place to regear. After a lot of back and forth I decided on 5.38s. Very happy with the decision. Added Reid Racing knuckles while the front end was torn apart. The RCVs and RR knuckles add piece of mind while wheeling.

 

[RodRecket]

Now I've really gotten in deep...Tore out the old suspension and went a totally different direction with a @Rock Krawler Suspension 3" Silverback. The Silverback kit is a 4 link long arm up front and a mid arm triangulated 4 link rear.

First impressions: Holy shit this rides smooth! I was impressed coming off the first driveway curb. There is no side to side headbob. The spring and shock (Bilstein 5100) combo might be slightly stiffer than the outgoing AEV but I'm still breaking in the springs. The bend in the long arms is actually going to provide MORE clearance than the mid arm/AEV drop brackets. Overall I'm very happy.

I can't wait for Moab EJS this year! Here's a couple poser pics

 

[RodRecket]

Here are a couple shots underside

 

[Flyin6]

Just checked out your build thread. Nice!
Man, you're getting in deep! ;-)
Seeing that long arm has me sad!! I just swapped (as you know) to the short arm Tera Flex. At the time I was really thinking hard about a long arm, but with my doing the RTT OL thing, I decided to play it safe.
I will not be keeping up with you on the trail but will still arrive at camp, just a little later.
Over on my website, we call this "an extensive oil change"...
Enjoying the updates.

 

[RodRecket]

Just checked out your build thread. Nice!
Man, you're getting in deep! ;-)
Seeing that long arm has me sad!! I just swapped (as you know) to the short arm Tera Flex. At the time I was really thinking hard about a long arm, but with my doing the RTT OL thing, I decided to play it safe.
I will not be keeping up with you on the trail but will still arrive at camp, just a little later.
Over on my website, we call this "an extensive oil change"...
Enjoying the updates.

LOL Extensive oil change indeed!

I spent months looking at different long arms and comparing to my now "old" set up. Ultimately, the geo brackets were becoming a hang up point. I couldn't find a downside to going this route other than 1. its permanent and 2. its expensive. Now that I'm locked in I'm very happy with the outcome. The old set up was very capable but I keep finding myself drawn to bigger obstacles.

My wife and I started with a ground tent, went to a roof top tent, and now use a small teardrop camper. Being able to drop the camper and make a base camp has really freed us up to go explore and wheel without all the extra gear and tear down/set up. It's a constant expensive evolution, but its fun!

 

[Flyin6]

LOL Extensive oil change indeed!

I spent months looking at different long arms and comparing to my now "old" set up. Ultimately, the geo brackets were becoming a hang up point. I couldn't find a downside to going this route other than 1. its permanent and 2. its expensive. Now that I'm locked in I'm very happy with the outcome. The old set up was very capable but I keep finding myself drawn to bigger obstacles.

My wife and I started with a ground tent, went to a roof top tent, and now use a small teardrop camper. Being able to drop the camper and make a base camp has really freed us up to go explore and wheel without all the extra gear and tear down/set up. It's a constant expensive evolution, but its fun!

We have a lot in common. Had a pop up RT tent, then I built my own "Sort-of-teardrop" camper. I put it on 35's and it had a bunch of added features. There is a build thread on it over on my forum.

I applaud the swap to the LA system, gutsy move Mav! I only needed a little urging to push me over the top, but in the end decided that I am more an overlander than a rock warrior. Mine is working well, but like you, find myself pushing the limits and wanting to become more daring with each trip. We'll see. To your credit, you get to be a "lead the fleet" guy that folks like me can watch and learn from.

 

[Flyin6]

Was looking but I did not see a front axle truss.

Talking with the folks at Yukon this morning, they are saying they see these FAD axles bending fairly easily. They said one to two degrees loads up the coupler and bearing significantly.

I ask because I am purchasing replacement axles, and, well now would be a good time to weld in a truss...

 

[RodRecket]

Was looking but I did not see a front axle truss.

Talking with the folks at Yukon this morning, they are saying they see these FAD axles bending fairly easily. They said one to two degrees loads up the coupler and bearing significantly.

I ask because I am purchasing replacement axles, and, well now would be a good time to weld in a truss...

This is one spot of my build I kind of screwed myself. I did the axles shafts, ball joints, and apex steering boost kit at the same time in a buddy's garage. I was not anticipating to regear from the AEV installed 4.56s so I had no plans to gut the differential to weld on trusses. I did end up regearing but had fresh dynatrac ball joints that I would melt out had I decided to truss. So that's why a front truss never went on.

I was then contemplating different suspension systems and obviously chose the RK, so I was actually lucky in that regard that I hadn't trussed the rear yet.

It's difficult to anticipate all the possibilities when budgeting chunks of a build at a time.

 

[Flyin6]

This is one spot of my build I kind of screwed myself. I did the axles shafts, ball joints, and apex steering boost kit at the same time in a buddy's garage. I was not anticipating to regear from the AEV installed 4.56s so I had no plans to gut the differential to weld on trusses. I did end up regearing but had fresh dynatrac ball joints that I would melt out had I decided to truss. So that's why a front truss never went on.

I was then contemplating different suspension systems and obviously chose the RK, so I was actually lucky in that regard that I hadn't trussed the rear yet.

It's difficult to anticipate all the possibilities when budgeting chunks of a build at a time.

Copy that...

I had not planned to gut the housing to weld on the front truss. I've done a bunch of welding on axles in the past while they were intact with no warping. I envisioned spreading the welding over a day and using wet rags to control heat propagation. There is still a lot of material to absorb and dissipate the heat in my assessment.

 

[RodRecket]

Copy that...

I had not planned to gut the housing to weld on the front truss. I've done a bunch of welding on axles in the past while they were intact with no warping. I envisioned spreading the welding over a day and using wet rags to control heat propagation. There is still a lot of material to absorb and dissipate the heat in my assessment.

Any concerns about the ball joints when you get to the Cs? I'm pretty good at turning a bolt, but I'm not much of a welder. The shop that I'd farm that task out to was concerned with heating the BJs and ruining them.

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