Del
Albright's Jeep Overhaul and Rebuild at Wyotech!
Story
and Pictures by Del Albright
"Red"
before the flop over.
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If
you would like to be part of Del's rebuild, for some
great exposure and PR, and help me get back to work
for access and land use, please email
me or call me at (209) 304-7693. See
below for additional items that would really
make this "new" Jeep something to behold.
Thanks, Del |
Photo
Gallery of Rebuild Pictures
As
of 3/17/06:
The
Wyotech students have done a marvelous job. I took pictures
of where we are as of now. This class (including Team
Red) graduates next week, so Phase I of Red's Rebuild
is about done. Phase II will start in June back at Wyotech.
In the meantime, I GET TO BRING RED HOME!
He'll
be home for a couple months, testing and trying out the
new mods; then back to Wyotech for the finish up. The
work that has been done is amazing. A new back cargo/tire
rack was the project of the day today.
And
with any rebuild, you always find something you didn't
expect. Today we found that the steering stabilizer was
shot. No sweat. Rubicon Express had a new one on
the shelf and contributed it to the project. All is well.
See
photos here:
Photo
Gallery
See
the Sponsors and Who's Providing What
As
of 3/10/06:
Advance
Adapters decided that Red needed a real tcase and have
donated a new, custom built, Atlas, 5:1 transfer case
to this project. Wow. This adds a whole new dimension
to Red and his future trail-worthiness. Thank you Advance
Adapters.
As
of 2/15/06:
Warn
Industries wanted the new Red to have a new Warn winch,
so they have donated a brand new 9.5ti to the rebuild.
WOW. Once again, I am honored. I'm on about my 7th
warn winch over the last 25 years or so, and I've loved
every one of them. THANK YOU Warn!
Further,
when Wyotech discovered that one of my hubs was broken
during the flop, I called Warn and they figured two new
hubs for the front end would be the answer! Thank you
Warn Industries. Wow.
As
of 2/6/06:
Red
was delivered to Wyotech!
As
of 2/3/06:
Bushwacker
Body Gear saw the need for some new flares, so they
have donated a full set of their awesome Pocket Flares
for Red's new and better look. Thank you Bushwacker. I've
had my eye on a set of these great flares for several
years now at the SEMA shows in Vegas. This is going to
be one bad Jeep!!!
As
of 1/26/2006:
Bruce
Wade and the Roundeyes.com, "Performance Lighting
Company" donated a 7" Headlight Conversion Kit
as well as a full set of LED Rock Lites. I do so
much wheeling in inclimate weather (and yes, even at night)
that I've needed rock lights and some better-than-stock
headlights since the day I bought Red.
"Nightcrawlers" Del and Stacie,
on the Rubicon at night -- by Jerry Sparkman
As
of 1/25/2006:
Most
of the critical rebuild parts have been donated or pledged.
Some remaining items are on the "wish"
list, but the rebuild can now commence. Red is scheduled
for delivery next week to Wyotech Automotive College in
Sacramento. The folks at Wyotech
are going to have fun with this project, while gaining
a valuable training opportunity for the students.
ARB just
contacted me and are shipping a new snorkel right away.
Rubicon Express and J&W Wreckers have a "pile"
of goodies for the Jeep, ready for delivery. And
Tuffy just recently gave me a great Tuffy Security
Box to add a new dimension to the rear of Red.
Bruce
Wade at Roundeyes.com
has been facilitating the whole project, and is helping
me every step of the way. Pirate4x4.com
is ready to rock to cover the buildup and show the world
what can be done -- even for an access and land use guy
like me. :)
On
the list of things needed to finish off this project:
Atlas
transfer case; new seats; on board shower; on board welder;
new fender flares (6" wide); comprehensive
tool kit; bead lockers/wheels; and a jeep-hauling trailer.
:)
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