1993 Splash in SC

[85_Ranger4x4]

Spending some time in the shop yesterday and today.

First, I made a manifold to mount up high and run my breather lines from rear diff, transfer case and transmission. Anyone who followed my recent trip on the Georgia Traverse will recall that I discovered that the bellows thingies that side-by-sides and ATVs use are not suitable for larger axles. So I'll get rid of the bellows on my 8.8 and run a hose up to this.

View attachment 79993

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I also started building a new spare tire carrier. If it works, it will be great. It's going to swing out AND DOWN. Currently, my carrier mounts in the hitch receiver. That means that to open my tailgate, I must lift the 80+ lbs of tire and carrier out of the receiver and lay it on the ground. That's not bad. But putting it back is a real pain. The new carrier will pivot on a 45 degree angle and lower the tire to the ground. It will be much easier to mount and dismount the tire from the carrier. And, hopefully, will be easier to lift Into place for traveling. I'm waiting on some oilite bushings before I can finish it. Bushings are supposed to arrive today.

I think arb uses a air compressor filter for their set.

 

[sgtsandman]

Where did you source the breather block?

 

[ericbphoto]

The magic garage. Bought a chunk of aluminum from the scrap shelf at Metal Supermarket. Went home and started cutting, drilling, tapping and filing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Where did you source the breather block?

I have thought about something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/PHITUODA-Manifold-Splitter-Pneumatic-Compressor/dp/B098JR5W2Q/ref=asc_df_B098JR5W2Q?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401907674492&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001433246315&psc=1

 

[ericbphoto]

I have thought about something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/PHITUODA-Manifold-Splitter-Pneumatic-Compressor/dp/B098JR5W2Q/ref=asc_df_B098JR5W2Q?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401907674492&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001433246315&psc=1

If I had seen that, I might have bought it. That's basically what I made. Except mine has some ears with threaded holes for mounting it. I have about that much money in it plus my time.

 

[ericbphoto]

I posted some teaser photos the other day regarding my new spare tire carrier. Made a lot of progress on that today. Here are some pictures from today.

Empty carrier in the travel position.

Tire and carrier in the lowered position.

View of the back side in the lowered position.

This part will secure the two halves from pivoting when secured.

I still need to make some anchors/fasteners to secure it in the upper (travel) position. There are a few other minor details left. I just noticed that the tire hits the bracket on the lower corners. I have added a pocket where I can use the handle from my Hi-Lift jack for more leverage when lifting it. It's still heavy. But this is less cumbersome that what I was doing before. Mounting the spare onto the carrier is a breeze because I can do it with the tire on the ground and just position the carrier to match up the wheel lugs with the holes.

 

[Uncle Gump]

See what happens when guy gets welder...

I was thinking this was also going to swing the entire carrier with tire open (similar to mine).

Either way... that took some using your noodle power to build that.

 

[ericbphoto]

I was thinking this was also going to swing the entire carrier with tire open (similar to mine).

It does. It just gets closer to the ground while doing it.

 

[racsan]

Genius. Mounting the tire to the carrier on the ground vs lifting it and trying to fit it on the carrier.

 

[ericbphoto]

Finally installed the remaining 6 rock lights I've had laying around. Products of DCS lighting.

 

[ericbphoto]

 

[Uncle Gump]

Lol... I see @85_Ranger4x4 showed up in his new trick or treat outfit to model for ya.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Lol... I see @85_Ranger4x4 showed up in his new trick or treat outfit to model for ya.

Oh he had an outfit on haha. I thought damn @85_Ranger4x4 needed to put on some cloths haha

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

We did have a couple hangups getting it put together though...

On a serious note, you have to lower the spare to open the tailgate?

I wish I had more time to look at it at the roundup, seems like I was always off in la-la land airing up tires or something like that.

 

[ericbphoto]

On a serious note, you have to lower the spare to open the tailgate?

Yes. Can you open your tailgate without swinging the spare out of the way? That's common. Mine just happens to swing down at the same time.

It's easier without the costume. That mask is greatly oversized and kept slipping so I couldn't see.