Old noobie buys a KJ

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tommudd

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2002 had drum rear brakes and even a few had a dirty five for a rear diff
2003 they got smart and had used up their stock piles of junk parts LOL
 

sleazy rider

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Carpet and padding stripped, plywood cut to size. Outer lower mount board screwed and glued in place. Break for back spasms and knee stiffness. In about 30, the lower end boards will be started. Pics in a bit. Got all the main framing boards from Lowes this morning. I think.

Gonna use 5mm lauan for the exterior and interior walls sandwiching poly foam insulation. That’s a couple weeks away. Not like I’ll be using it till August/September timeframe.
 

sleazy rider

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2002 had drum rear brakes and even a few had a dirty five for a rear diff
2003 they got smart and had used up their stock piles of junk parts LOL

Amazing what fresh brake components do for stopping power. It was like stepping on a pedal connected to oatmeal. Stops firmly now. Drums are just fine IMO for this vehicle.
 

sleazy rider

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Stopping point for the day. May spend some time on the table saw in the basement doing the corner upright posts. Trying to figure out in my head how I want the joints to fit together. Need 8@ 1/2" carriage bolts/washers and nuts to fasten the floor to the trailer too.

Black sharpie line in the middle defines the bed cabinet space on the right. There'll be a cargo hatch door on the outside to access the underbed area too. Hunting some porthole windows to shed some light indoors and a prefabbed teardrop door with screen door inside. Got a guy somewhat local that does RV salvage and claims to have everything I want and some stuff I don't know I really need. ;)

I'm going to use a basic 12vdc RV MaxxFan or knockoff on the ceiling to keep the heat down in the summer. I don't want to sink more than $500 into this whole project. Lumber prices may kill that idea.



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tommudd

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Lumbar prices are ridiculous now for sure
I'm building a desk and bookshelf for my wife , since the University is still allowing her to teach from home and she just has a small desk
I'm going to have a jillion dollars in them both ! LOL

How big are you building your trailer ?
I have a 5X8 flat bed trailer I built the frame etc in 1994,
Thinking of building a small camper on it that would be removeable with jacks something like they use in slid in campers
Following your build ;)
 

sleazy rider

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Heh, it’s a HF 40x48 mini-trailer. Camper shell will be 40.5”x75” and 48” tall. I’m doing some reading on lifting the little trailer up a skosh for ground clearance.
 

tommudd

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Heh, it’s a HF 40x48 mini-trailer. Camper shell will be 40.5”x75” and 48” tall. I’m doing some reading on lifting the little trailer up a skosh for ground clearance.
Install the springs over top of the axle, have done that before, cheap and easy
what size tires are on it now, maybe able to go bigger wheel/tire size
Did that to one I picked up 10 years or so ago, bought it for 60 bucks , flipped axle, bigger tires sold it for 435
 

sleazy rider

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Install the springs over top of the axle, have done that before, cheap and easy
what size tires are on it now, maybe able to go bigger wheel/tire size
Did that to one I picked up 10 years or so ago, bought it for 60 bucks , flipped axle, bigger tires sold it for 435

Done did that on assembly. I still want a few more inches. (don't we all?) o_O

I'm trying to figure out if a set of 2" lift blocks is feasible with longer axle clamps.
 

tommudd

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I helped a buddy build a HF trailer and we used 2.5 inch lift blocks on it, but also fabbed up some control arms about 18-20 inches long running from the lower perch up to the frame
Since the axle etc are not that heavy was afraid if hit a curb, big rock etc may do some damage or fold back
 

sleazy rider

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Health update - right knee replacement done today. If I’d have known it was this easy...

I’m home, walking with a walker (not really needed) and literally no pain/very minor stiffness. 10 hours from arrival to release.
 

tommudd

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Great news
My Mom who is 89 now has had both knees replaced and going strong
Can even climb into both my lifted KJs
Actually came home in the 04 , took a little bit of climbing but made it !
I'm going to have to have tight knee and right hip done someday due to crazy motorsickle riding ;)

But glad to hear you are doing well Keep it up

I need to add "Not a Tom " on my sig, since that is just a nickname LOL
 

sleazy rider

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Three weeks post op, PT twice a week has been interesting. Had some drug interaction issues and tossed their idea of pain killers and anti-inflammatories. I despise opioids and Celebrex with my dying breath. My PA and I had a long heart to heart. Now taking Advil dual action alone and the difference is night and day.

Yesterday’s PT visit was 45 minutes of sweat and grunt. Terrorist was amazed how much better things were with less drugs and more comfort.

KJ’s been getting the call for daily use now.
 

sleazy rider

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Hi, y'all!

One year post op. TKR is doing great. Drove the mini van south and spent the winter in Houston playing golf and enjoying the warmth. Original intent was a month visiting the youngest son and coming back, but it wasn't hard to talk the wifey into staying till April. lol Small apartment, cheap furniture and spouse went back and forth to home a couple times, brought me more clothes. We both endured two mild bouts of COVID. All good now.

The Jeep wintered in the yard and the battery shorted internally. Autozone has two year warranty, so free replacement. It started right up with the new one installed. As soon as we get some reliably warm weather, I'll be doing some more simple maintenance and getting it ready to go south next winter. Still gotta replace that front driveshaft, oil change due to sitting and fresh plugs this time. :( This thing is so much more comfy to drive than my old van.

Oh, lost the fender mount antenna to an automatic car wash last weekend. Jeep was filthy and bird droppings covered and it was way too cold to hand wash. Those new OEM parts (base, cover and antenna) are on their way so the tunes can continue. Should be here by the weekend, so that's priority on Saturday.
 

sleazy rider

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Got the antenna base replaced with the assistance of a youtube video and a few drops of blood. lol It's great having the oldies going for entertainment. Pull the three bolts on top of the fender, loosen the two in the door jamb (DO NOT REMOVE!!), pull fender top away from body and bob's yer uncle. Fender does not need to be removed.

The video:

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sleazy rider

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Now to figure out WHICH driveshaft I need. 16.5" or 19" between welds. Up onto the jackstands to slide under and measure/remove today.
 

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