how do you like the Pats?
CK5
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how do you like the Pats?
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So far I like them, they air down well and they ride good on the highway. They handled Moab well. Compared to the krawlers I would say they are very close to same performance but more quiet for road noise. I only have about a thousand miles on them.
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Hopefully get this installed tomorrow. Parts are primed, hit them with paint in the morning, barring rain, then get to work on pulling the stock one out.
BB door prize I have had for a while, Thanks ORD!
BB door prize I have had for a while, Thanks ORD!
Nice!
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It has been an adventure getting the stock crossmember off. I have one bolt head left to grind off then take the mounts that are attached to the engine off.
I have F150 shock mounts on the front that I added some extra steel supports to, the bolts that attach to the upper parts of the crossmember are right next to the supports which are welded to the shock towers and the frame. Some weld got on the bolts so I have to grind the heads off to get them out. I have used a cutoff saw and a dremel because it's tight quarters.
So far I blew up the dremel, found two bolts missing from the front driveshaft at the t-case, one broken plug wire, and a broken heater core, some wiring that needs attention.
I bought drill bits cutoff wheels for the dremel, cut off wheels for the angle grinder, and the midsize cut off tool, and a punch. Borrowed a huge angle grinder and a hoist from a co-worker. The hoist goes across the fenders and has a built in come along on it. I had to put it on top of the inner fenders since the fenders taper inward toward the front.
Hopefully tomorrow I will begin putting the new crossmember on.
I have F150 shock mounts on the front that I added some extra steel supports to, the bolts that attach to the upper parts of the crossmember are right next to the supports which are welded to the shock towers and the frame. Some weld got on the bolts so I have to grind the heads off to get them out. I have used a cutoff saw and a dremel because it's tight quarters.
So far I blew up the dremel, found two bolts missing from the front driveshaft at the t-case, one broken plug wire, and a broken heater core, some wiring that needs attention.
I bought drill bits cutoff wheels for the dremel, cut off wheels for the angle grinder, and the midsize cut off tool, and a punch. Borrowed a huge angle grinder and a hoist from a co-worker. The hoist goes across the fenders and has a built in come along on it. I had to put it on top of the inner fenders since the fenders taper inward toward the front.
Hopefully tomorrow I will begin putting the new crossmember on.
Sounds like anytime I work on my stuff LOL.
Quick tip: When I installed mine I used a right angle drill attachment to drill in the bottom of the frame for the extra holes needed.
Quick tip: When I installed mine I used a right angle drill attachment to drill in the bottom of the frame for the extra holes needed.
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Good idea! Thanks and I actually have one!
Added a few pics to help you picture what I am talking about.
Added a few pics to help you picture what I am talking about.
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One thing I like about doing projects on the trail rig is that you often find things that could have been a big problem in the future, like missing bolts and broken plug wires.
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Finally got everything off and now ready to start re-assembly.
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Well things were going good. Then tried to get the saddles on and they don't fit between the upper and lower frame. Parts are 5 and 1/2 inches tall and frame seperation is just over 5 inches.
The bolt hole you see on the upper left goes on top of the lower frame rail and a bolt goes though the hole the frame and another hole in the crossmember. So I will cut that off and take some off the opposite side, and use the bolt hole just above th one I cut off that will go through the side of the frame.
The saddles don't come with the kit from ORD, you have to get them off a newer blazer to use the crossmember on a first gen.
Maybe someone could measure a first gen blazer and see what they have for a measurement.
The bolt hole you see on the upper left goes on top of the lower frame rail and a bolt goes though the hole the frame and another hole in the crossmember. So I will cut that off and take some off the opposite side, and use the bolt hole just above th one I cut off that will go through the side of the frame.
The saddles don't come with the kit from ORD, you have to get them off a newer blazer to use the crossmember on a first gen.
Maybe someone could measure a first gen blazer and see what they have for a measurement.
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Finished up the installation of the crossmember today. I think the differences between the Jimmy and blazer caused a lot of frustration and cost a lot of time.
It should work well, my motor mounts were trashed, and this added some strength over the stock crossmember. Besides looks alot cooler.
Now on to other blazer bash prep!
It should work well, my motor mounts were trashed, and this added some strength over the stock crossmember. Besides looks alot cooler.
Now on to other blazer bash prep!
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Haven't updated in awhile. Went to Blazer Bash 24, Had a good time until I broke (destroyed) the u joints on the passenger side front shaft. The inner shaft was the only one I didn't have and neither did any of the shops. So pulled the shaft put the truck back together on the last day and drove home, Hmm guess I should fix that. 
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Funny part was I didn't even know I broke them until I got to to top of a climb and shifted the front axle to neutral and wondered what that noise was.
few pics of Duane working on it.
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Last night I got a call and a neighbor down the road said he was off the edge of his driveway and was afraid to move it and end up in a pond. Driveway gets a little steep and severe angle on both sides and a pond on each side. Drive hadn't been plowed and had about 10 inches of snow that had melted and froze multiple times. Vehicle was a newer suburban with passenger type tires but did have 4x4.
He had gotten stuck once already but was able to get it out but put some deep ruts in the snow and ice.
I parked 40 feet behind, ran the winch to a large aspen tree, used a tree saver strap, a soft shackle, and a snatch block. Ran the winch rope to his hitch and pulled. Moved him some sideways then the tire was up against a rut, so I had him back up while I pulled it back onto the drive. Unhooked and moved and spotted as he backed down the drive. When he got on the flat he let out a whew and said that was stressful.
I showed him how to use his snowblower and cleared what we could, then I drove his vehicle up to the house.
Anyway had fun using the winch! Sorry no pics.
He had gotten stuck once already but was able to get it out but put some deep ruts in the snow and ice.
I parked 40 feet behind, ran the winch to a large aspen tree, used a tree saver strap, a soft shackle, and a snatch block. Ran the winch rope to his hitch and pulled. Moved him some sideways then the tire was up against a rut, so I had him back up while I pulled it back onto the drive. Unhooked and moved and spotted as he backed down the drive. When he got on the flat he let out a whew and said that was stressful.
I showed him how to use his snowblower and cleared what we could, then I drove his vehicle up to the house.
Anyway had fun using the winch! Sorry no pics.
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Thanks again for the help at blazer bash fourwheelerjeff and Wesharden!
thanks for letting me ride along and bunk in the cabin. I hope to go this year with my own Blazer
I'm surprised that winch and bumper survive. I know who built it.
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If I had built them I would be surprised too, but one thing I know is who to take my stuff to for quality work that I can't or won't do myself.
