Took the Jeep out for a drive just to keep her lubed up and battery charged!! Only put about 12 miles on her.  puttputt56

We did go on the Ranch today, but before I left I did install the heat deflector on the exhaust to protect the right rear air bag I had installed in the coil spring.  I am happy to say that the air bag coil spring helpers worked out great.  My ride on the freeway was smoother than before and the off-roading there was no bottoming out as in the past.

Joey took several pictures, we saw a couple of baby pigs as we were just starting out (already on the ranch). Lots of squirrels but they didn't hang around very long.  Looks like they have been shot at before.  Plus there were a lot of baby squirrels so the targets were even smaller than normal. Saw a few deer too. I came home with 104 spent rounds of .223 to reload now.  The weather was perfect until we went low into the valley and it was quiet warm there. Overall we had a great time, did alot of offroading and covered alot of area that Joey hadn't seen before.  Still much more for him to see on other trips. puttputt56

Looks like a good time!!

So far I like them a lot!  They have raised the back of the Jeep so it is level, the ride on the freeway seems to be smoother than before and it doesn't bottom out like it used too! Going through the canyon and creek bottom during that trip on the Ranch (about 10 miles in that creek bottom) they did very well. We were in the creek bottom or crossing it (68 times) going through mud holes that the pigs had played in or the cows walking through them, over rocks, tree limbs etc. There were areas that only a jeep (or a vehicle similiar size) could get through very narrow.  As you can see by a few pictures Joey took where the wall of the canyon was right at his window. So far I am satisfied with the air bags installation.  puttputt56

Took the car cover off the Jeep this morning, washed it (jeep) and topped off the gas tank.  I am going to 4WD Parts tomorrow for their big sale and hope to get my winch then.  Then I might stay for the show and shine if my Jeep Club members also show up.  Then Sunday my son and I will be going on the Ranch one last time before our season pass runs out (8-23-09).  puttputt56

I got a mounting plate (universal) from HF and have drilled the holes so it fits the Jeep (it bolted to the frame 4 times and two time to the front bumper).  I will add a couple more bolts to secure it even more. Got the winch installed. This morning I went out to install the synthetic rope on the drum and there was NO hardware to make the connection to the drum. So went back to 4wd Parts and they had to order the hardware kit (be in Monday or Tuesday).  So while I was there I checked their three boxes of synthetic rope and they also didn't have the hardware in them.  Had them check on the two units they had in the store room and they also didn't have the hardware. Someone dropped the ball big time. Now they had to order six hardware kits for their on shelf items. puttputt56

Thanks son for posting those pictures of the new winch I installed on my Jeep.  The attachment hardware for the synthetic rope didn't come in today so haven't installed the synthetic rope yet. puttputt56

i likey.    i still need to fill that Warn bumper on mine. looking good.

This morning I got the Stainless Steel box installed on the Jeep's winch.  The control hardness did not fit in the box so instead I put (2) 1-1/2" x 3' fire hose split down the middle for protection of the synthetic rope if it needs some protection from rubbing or sharp edges something like that. I also put a pair of leather gloves in there too. I did take some pictures hopefully Joey will post them for me. The winch controller hardware I put in my old scuba mask bag from the Fire Department and put that under the driver's seat. I also found my old small military duffle bag so will put the car cover (jeep) in that for storage.  puttputt56

Thanks son for posting those pictures for me!! It also has a cover on the winch too.  I first bought the one from Smittybuilt but took it back because it didn't fit right (it used pull strings to tighten the cover), so I got a Milemarker brand and it works great (it uses elastic to hold it on, plus it thicker material). puttputt56

I did it in the tub area too just over the wheel well (one on each side).  Not sure if I will put anything in the engine bay area for storage.  I might in the future add another battery though. puttputt56

Today (this morning) I made the brackets for the Roller Fairlead for my Jeeps winch and got them welded in place and mounted the Roller Fairlead in place.  I need to paint the brackets and buy some poly rollers to replace the steel ones it has now then that project will be done. puttputt56

P.S. I did take a couple of pictures maybe Joey will post them for me later.  I also have some of the Car Show from John Force's Summer Time Car Show that he needs to go through and see if there are some that he doesn't have and post them also!!

Thanks son for posting those.  Yes I did put the hook and cable through the roller. I wasn't going to until I had bought the poly rollers for it, but I know people would say something so I went and removed the upper roller and feed the cable through and replaced the roller. puttputt56

Thanks Jungle!! I also got the roof rack re-done (added another cross brace in the middle) and re-mounted it back on the Jeep. Last night our Jeep Club started a monthly work party and had 8 people show up with a few little projects to work on.  I like this idea of helping each other out.  Some have tools, some don't have any tools, some have mechanical abilities and some don't. All worked out great and it is a great club function and hope it will continue. puttputt56

The friction one came with the winch and since the winch sets back on my bumper I wanted a roller type fairlead there so the synthetic rope would not rub the front bumper at extreme angles!! puttputt56

I have installed the new tool box behind the rear seat and it just fits.  Now all my Jeep tools and repair supplies (nuts,bolts,screws etc.) are in an easy storage unit and I don't have to remove everything to get to just one or two tools. I do neet to add a couple of mounting points on the side of the tube to attach a couple of bungee cord to keep it in place. I will also get a soft bag to carry some of the other longer items (24" knife, 30' tow strap, rolled up tarp etc and carry that on top of the tool box. When I reinstall the gun rack there will not be much leg room for more than one person in the back seat area.  Especially with any hunting gear back there too!!! puttputt56

Yesterday I went out and took some pictures of the new rear Jeep basket that I have been working on for awhile now.  Sorry that I didn't take them as I went along (to ramped up in the build) so hopefully my son will post them tomorrow after he gets off work.  It is turning out pretty well at least it is solving some of my problems I was having with the otherone.  Like not being able to see out the back window and opening the rear glass hatch, now I can do both. Plus it took about 80 lbs of weight off the rear. I think the new one will be strong enough to hold a deer or pig if need be. puttputt56

Today I worked on the old basket that I took off the swing out tire carrier and now making it so it will go on the receiver hitch below the tire.  I would only use it if I really needed it for storage for a short trip. It is hard to handle (heavy) by myself but it can be done. I'll take some pictures when I am finished with it and it is installed.  puttputt56

Thanks son for posting those three pictures for me!  I will still do just a little more modification to the lower basket.  I will remove a portion of the back side near where the tire is so it will go in closer to the bumper. The receiver hitch is very tight so it should not move or twist like some of the ones you buy. puttputt56

Thanks I just couldn't see just cutting up the old basket (first one I did) and throwing it away.  Since it was really way over built I thought I would put it to use as a receiver hitch basket.  I think it will work out just fine.  I may look like an Okie going down the road if both the baskets and the top rack are full of stuff though, but what the heck, if it serve a purpose why not?!!!! puttputt56

As most of you that have been following this site forum my Jeep is for Hunting 95% of the time. So this next installation more than likely not be liked by most.  Most of my hunting friends around lunch time pop their hoods and place something for lunch on their exhaust manifolds to heat it up. Will I saw a perfect item at Ikea the other day (stainless steel tray/basket) for only a $1.99. So bought it and will install it not on the exhaust manifold (because their is no room) it will be toward the rear just on top of the valve cover (should get enough heat to warm up anything I put their) they usually drive around for 30 to 45 more minutes before stopping again and having a heated lunch. This basket should hold the food stuff in place and not fall out onto the ground as I have seen happen. Of course everything is wrapped in Aluminum foil food that is. puttputt56

It worked out just fine, now know that it will take about an hour to get things really hot.  We only left our lunch there for about 45 minutes, it was nice and warm but could have been on a little longer.  Joey took pictures so hopefully he will post a link to them!!

Thanks son for posting the cooking basket I installed on the Jeep.  As you can see we just used it and it worked out great.  Had a nice hot lunch yesterday while out on the Ranch sight seeing and shooting squirrels.  puttputt56