I love my toolbox

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Mounting air compressor in a toolbox

I did not want to mount my compressor under the hood (too hot) and it was too big to mount behind the rear passenger tail light. I decided to mount it in a toolbox. Here was the process.

This is the toolbox I will be using.

This is how it will look inside the tub.
Perfect place to mount it to the tub - this hole runs all the way down to the rear spring mount.
I'll be running this bolt.
Bolt fed through the hole.
Bolt cut down .
Hole in toolbox to run bolt through.
For extra security and durability I added some steel plate that I had laying around.

I am going to use longer black screws I found to mount the mounting plate to the toolbox.
Mounting plate is mounted.
Compressor mounted.
Rubber washer.

Finished. Now I just need to wire it to the battery, but it already works with just the terminals.

Friday, June 3, 2011

HID Kit install on a JK

This is the connector that goes from the stock headlight wiring to the ballast.
This is the HID bulb.
This is the kit. The blue things are the ballasts.

I removed the grille. Had to loosen the bolts on the winch to do so.
Aftermarket horn is in the way!
This is an H13 male adapter that I bought.


These are the leads that plug into the male adapter. (leads from the kit that go to the ballasts). I soldered them on.



The male adapter is connected and a capacitor is added on. This is the link to the capacitor I used: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102508 I
I used electric tape to tape around the capacitor and wiring to weatheproof it.

The lights work and do not flicker.



Friday, May 13, 2011

Getting rid of rust on some axle shafts using rustoleum rust reformer.

I got a set of axle shafts to use as spares on the trail. These came out of a salvaged axle so they're rusty, they're fine otherwise. I'm going to try to get rid of the rust using some rustoleum rust reformer. I'm assuming it's just phosphoric acid. It was $8 at autozone.

First I'm using sandpaper to clean up some of the rust.

It already looks good, even without the rust remover product!!!

This is the product I'll be using. It says in 15 minutes it turns the rust into a black, paint-able surface.

I'm applying it with a toothbrush.

Now it's time to wait 15 minutes.

It worked. The rust definitely turned into a black surface.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Simple fix for rear brakeline rubbing against shock on a jeep wrangler JK with a 2.5 lift.

The brakeline rubs against the shock here (can see some of the paint has worn off). This might cause problems in the long term.

This scrap piece of rubber hose should fix it.

I cut it in half and zip-tied it on.

Chop the zip-ties.

Not too pretty, but it will keep the brake line from wearing out over time.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Removing axle shaft on a jeep wrangler JK, with a dana 30, without air tools.

First, loosen the nug luts. (3/4 or 19mm).


Jack up the axle anyway you like and support it.
 


I sprayed some PB blaster onto the axle nut. I know it's going to be rusty.


I wanted to make sure I could get the axle nut loose. I had someone hold the brake (can use something else to push it in) and then loosened the axle nut with a big breaker bar. It worked.


I have 1.5 spidertrax spacers. After loosing the lugnuts I beat on it gently to break it loose. Aluminum + steel interact somehow and corrode. There is probably a better way than beating on it.



Taking off the two caliper bolts. I believe they're 7/8 inch.



Secured the caliper on the control arm. Didn't want the brake line to overextend.



There are 3, 12-point, 13mm bolts holding something on (wheel hub or wheel bearing, I'm not sure). They need to come off. They were difficult to take off, even though they were taken off in the last 20,000 miles!



Axle shaft assembly should be free to come loose now. It might need persuasion with a hammer. Take off the ABS line before you pull this out.



Here it is!


I used a punch in the center of the outstub shaft and beat on that to make the wheel bearing thing come loose.



I was replacing a u-joint. A screwdriver to make the semi-circle retainer clips come off..


And then I took them out with a u-joint tool. Hammer is a better method.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Because I got a new bike hitch carrier I need to park way farther in the garage. Time to make something that will keep me from driving into things.

I'm going to tie up a tennis ball which will hit my windshield when I get too close to the wall.

Some string

Tie it around a nail.

Stick the nail into the tennis ball.

Adjust it and tie it up to a hook/screw.

No more banging into stuff.