Sgt Ex

[Josh40601]

Lookie what Santa (mailman) brought me





Hoping to get this on next weekend.

[Josh40601]

Drilled and tapped the new pump for the HB fitting. I removed the pump assembly and such that was already there. I'll get the new mess on tomorrow.

Planning to wire the CB direct and give it an oil change thank to NMB2 and his Amsoil.

Found out why the fan relay keeps frying... The power wire has a bare spot that you can see got wet.

Truck keeps running the battery down. Not sure what's doing that. This just started about 2 weeks ago.

Here is the modified pump. Just a trans line backed by a flat nut on the inside of the reservoir.

[Josh40601]

got the new Cardone installed and MAN what a difference. The brakes work amazing, the steering is smooth and responsive, no howling or anything.

Only issue now is that there looks to not be a dedicated PS cooler on this truck. I thought Dan told me there was one, so I want to be sure before I plumb another one. couldn't dedicate a lot of time to my rigs this weekend. My GMAT test is this Friday so I have been studying and studying and studying. Planning to get the other odds and ends taken care of this weekend.

[5BrothersFabrication]

That GMAT caused you to miss our date with Candy at Show-me's. Well, YOU missed it.

And this was in the parking lot:

You need a cooler? I have one I can loan you 'til I button up the Ranger, which could be a few months...

[Josh40601]

I have a big giant one we take with us, but of course coolers are always welcome my brotha.

And yes, I hate this test. I cannot wait until Friday when it is all over and done with.

[5BrothersFabrication]

I was referring to the aforementioned power steering cooler. I'll txt you a couple pics tomorrow, I have 2, so you can just pick which one you want.

[Josh40601]

Awesome! Yea I used a trans cooler from a SBC as a cooler for the Ranger. I admit, it was a little overkill. It was as long and wide as the radiator. Fluid never boiled anymore though! Lol

[Josh40601]

Finally figured out why I kept having to jump it... The battery was bad. I took the battery I used on my yellow ranger and starts everytime. Batter was a few years old and was bulging on each side, so decided it was a sound upgrade.

Installed the CB from the yellow truck, changed the oil and Gear oil, as well.

Also shot some matte clear over the tail hate to keep the airbrush work on there when I use the pressure washer.



So now all I need to do is plumb the PS/Hydroboost cooler, wire up a new Efan relay, and do a nut and bolt check on everything.

[Josh40601]

Well, SGT Ex is ready for his trip. Or at least as ready as he is going to be.

My buddy Mike, 5brosfab, hooked me up with a PS cooler, but it wouldn't work behind the grille. I never paid attention, but there is NO room for anything between the bumper and radiator support. So I thought I'd try 2 smaller ones I had, a super duty PS cooler and a Ranger transmission cooler. The trans cooler was again too big, and the SD one was about the right size but would need to be heavily modified to mount anywhere.

So I decided to just run it like this for this trip, and install a heat sink cooler when I get back.

Also noticed my rear leafs are bent... I just hope they last until Winter. Planning to completely redo the rear this winter

[Josh40601]

Loaded and ready to roll out.

[Keeper0311]

Hey Josh the Ex is looking sweet. Did you put the Ranger on the back burner since I last saw you in T-haven in 2011?

[Josh40601]

Not really. After you seen me, I took the ranger to Moab, added a doubler and 37s, then went to the Rubicon. After the Con, I moved to KY and tore the Ranger down to the frame and am currently in the process of rebuilding it. Although its wheeling days are done. I have this thing to play with now.

Thanks for the complement brother, and most importantly, Semper Fi

[Keeper0311]

What's the plan with the Ranger if you don't mind me asking?


EhhRah, stay safe brother, already seen what you do when you decide to climb some cars.

[Josh40601]

Yea.... I still have the "hay y'all! Watch this shit!!" screw loose.

As far as the ranger, 37's, 4BT, 47RH, locked F/R, new radius arms, 4 door cab.

[5BrothersFabrication]

Ok, ok, I suck at remembering to take pictures. But to make up for it I took a few videos... Unfortunately, I'm still waiting (after 2 hours) for my computer to load them on youtube. Here is Sarge on Can Opener-


And the thing that made my day was the boy rockin' a smile the entire time! Thanks for the ride cousin!


Side note: 2 hrs 11 min, 87% downloaded. One damn 40 second video.

[5BrothersFabrication]

Ok, here it is on Lower Rock Garden, and my fat ass trying to stay out of the way, spot, and video.
Josh Parrish at Harlan 1 - YouTube

[Josh40601]

Thanks dood!! You guys are welcome anytime!

[Josh40601]

Start of the trail, Killin' Time



Tried this spot about 4 times before giving in and pulling cable. Back tire was in water and against a rock. Just couldn't get traction.


The trail was consistantly challenging throughout the whole venture





I say with a winch and 31s, almost anyone could do this trail.

[Josh40601]

Next up was Lower Rock Garden.









This one you will likely need at least a lock right or something in the rear, but still I say 31's would get you through. This is the same place Kevin and the Trucks! crew took that blue XJ/Cherokee project

[Josh40601]

That was the last sign Kristy took a pic of. The next few trails we ran were Railbed and Pinball. Railbed needed a little wheel speed in a couple spots as water was running down it the whole time. No pics. My camera woman rode along for these two.

Then we met up with a group called Appalacian Ride Runners, and they were awesome. They let us join their group, hooked me up with some Electrical tape, wire, and a tire plug, and were just good peoples.

They took us up to White Tail Crawl. This one was a bit more challenging. Two of the Jaheeps went first, and were locked front and rear on 35s and 37s. Both had a very hard time. The third was a YJ on tons and 40s locked F/R, and he did well until the very end. Then everyone looked at me. I wasn't going to do it... Then I said to hell with it, and took off.

[Josh40601]

Coming up White Tail. Very nice trail






The extra wheelbase and good spotter got me up the trail with no problems. I say a long wheelbase rig on 35s with a rear locker could do this one.

[Josh40601]

Next we went through another trail that was pretty much just a steep down hill grade, and thats it, so the stockers that were with those gents could have a little trail action too. Then we headed back to Pinball, the waterfall, and Railbed. we opted to spot for those guys as we just ran two of these trails this morning, and I still am not confident enough to run the waterfall. On the way up Railbed, the TJ on 37s snapped his rear axle when he bound up at the top. The YJ on 40s made it look like a walk in the park. The ARROC guys called it a day, and we headed towards Lion's Den....

[Josh40601]

we made it to Upper Rock Garden and it looked like a blast, so i had to try it out. It was getting towards later in the day, so confidence was growing.

[Josh40601]

Then it was off to the Den... Which seems like it is forever far away...
A crowd had gathered there as 3 rigs were going through.

One was a YJ that was linked, strectched, C/Os, 42s, atlas, you know, the whole 9. Since it still had a tub, it took a beating. The left rear corner of the tub was completely crushed, both doors were smashed, and LOTS of rock rash on the tube fenders. Sorry guys, no pics.

Second was a Yota Truggy on Propane, 4D Rockers, exo, Marlin crawler, and still running leafs. He was COMPLETELY tangled in logs beside the tree. After about 15 minutes of pulling and stacking and wiggling, he made it through the squeeze, where he laid it over to where the passenger side of the exo was lying on a rock.

Here is a pick right before he hit the rock


Then shortly after he was at the last obstacle and flopped his left side on a rock


This is the point i decided i was NOT taking the Sarge through this son of a bitch....

Next up was a former Comp Buggy that started life as a Jeep Liberty. It was still running the factory engine and transmission, and what looked to be part of a stock frame (I'm not sure if these trucks or unibody or not) with tube sub frames front and rear. C/Os, atlas, tons, full hydro, 42s, just awesome to watch this thing.

Coming around the corner


Starting the squeeze. This is where the Yota was stuck and where the YJ demolished his doors


He made it through with no problem


Then he decided to take the high line....


And Flopped



After this, we helped him get it back on all fours, he drove out no problem, and then we headed to the trail head as the sun was starting to go down.

All in all, this was one of the best parks out there. Only thing better so far has been Moab. I will be going here A LOT.

[cdawall]

Looks like one hell of a trip. You should head out to South Dakota for the challenge. From the looks of it you would have a hell of a time.


Out of curiosity what do you run PSI wise in the swampers? I got a set of the same ones but tubed instead of beadlocks. Also do you have any plans on grooving them?