WranglerMangler

I’ll try removing the box for the next load of wood and see if that helps the situation any. Get some more tongue weight.

I actually had this debate with myself, try to razor blade it off and put it inside on the ammo cabinet to preserve it, or just leave it, and let it get weathered….

Today was the first firewood trip over Chinook pass for Gladius. It was most definitely a good trip. A good learning experience as well. She tows pretty good empty. Can hardly tell the trailer is back there besides the weight. Once loaded however, it has some sway issues. If your driving down the road, only paying attention to what’s in front of you, nothing is wrong, all is good in the world. The second you look back in a mirror, it appears as though we are going to die by how the trailer is swaying back and forth. Looks sketchy as hell. If there is a mid corner bump, it sends the trailer into a seemingly out of control side to side movement. All along, it feels perfectly normal in the truck. Hopefully lowering the trailer helps, maybe some new, heavier springs and better shocks. And/or possibly a sway bar? We will see. I was able to get a decent amount of wood stacked into the trailer. 60 half rounds, so 30 rounds total. Don’t feel that I overloaded it either. While pressure washing the trailer, I noticed this sticker on the tool box.

Today was yet another load of firewood. I did take Gladius the J20 trailer. It was quite the drive. No problems, fortunately. It actually tows pretty good. Minche wasn’t very happy about the added weight however. If we were going up hill, she needed to be 3000 RPM or above to not be loosing speed. Had the electric fan on the whole way, never got above where she usually runs on the temp gauge. Think we may finally have enough firewood for the winter.

We got rained out at work this morning, So I decided it would be a good day to go get another load of firewood. First, I had to break apart and chip away the remainder of my melted taillight. Can’t believe how tough that stuff was. Secondly, I cut about a foot off of the exhaust so it wouldn’t happen again. I had a taillight lense sitting around and I lightly screwed it in so it wouldn’t fall out until my replacement arrives. (Going for looking legal here) Cut the harness back past the damage and tucked it away for now. There was snow on top of the pass, and according to my elevation app, the top of the pass is 5430’ elevation not 5200’ like I thought. Got another really full load, with the snow comes the pressing pass closure. I think my next trip over will be with Gladius the J20 trailer and I will be about finished up for the season. I’m curious how she will handle the added weight. Where I cut wood is at 3,430’ elevation and it feels like straight back up the mountain the 2000’ difference. Spotted this double rainbow on the drive home as well. This shows how splitting the rounds in half seems to leave less dead space between pieces. here's the pile on the ground. Plus the wheelbarrow load. Decent amount of wood these little trucks can move around. Just another reason we love them.

For those curious, On my last load of firewood, I found this: 1 full truck load (pictured),split and stacked measures: 6.5’Long x 3.5’Tall x 3’Wide = 53% of a chord per load (SWB) I have found that splitting the rounds into halves, makes them more manageable to move and easier to stack into the truck. Seems to leave less dead space between pieces as well. We have done 9 loads so far this year and I am hoping to get 2-3 more before the pass closes for the winter. Can never have enough dry firewood. Especially since we are already burning and it seems like my wife likes to burn into June. Minche has been loving the pull over the 5200’ pass especially fully loaded. Lol. We live at about 300’ so she feels about every foot of elevation change.

And don’t forget the infamous External Torx (Etorx) bolts either. (Top bolts on the bell housing) and I believe calipers as well. Love finding those after somebody already rounded em off

Lol. True huh. I could probably have a nice property and house paid off by now if it wasn’t for this Jeep thing I got 20 years ago.

Lol. That was my reaction too. Just the way the exhaust is ran. The downturn was “wheeled” off for lack of better term. Now the outlet is right behind the taillight. Just another thing on the list of things to fix

Good looking little truck.

Sweet. Good to know. What did you change it out to?

Well apparently they are 8” lift blocks. Not 6”. Lol. Unfortunately the rims are 16.5” so something will need to be addressed there to get a smaller tire size. It’s a shame with the amount of 5x4.5” rims I have around I can’t use a set of them. Maybe a D35 swap is in order? Think it could handle the weight full of wood? Just thinking about stuff, I do have an old XJ and WJ fuel tank sitting around that would definitely be convenient to have as a transfer tank. Would be cool to have an extra 20 gallons of gas for longer trips and hunting trips. There is most definitely enough room up underneath the bed to mount a tank. Would be cool to be able to use the stock fuel pump to transfer the gas. Inspected the wiring, it’s all trash and not worth even trying to fix. Will need to totally replace all the wires.

Another load of the dry stuff today. And what a beautiful day it was. First snow on the pass too. I did find out that taillights will melt if directly exposed to exhaust. The back 6-8” of my exhaust (the down turn) apparently decided to part ways from the truck. So now I have this mess to deal with. Was the nicer of the two taillights too. Bummer.

Yet another load of the dry stuff before Chinook pass closes for the winter. Got 2 loads today with the help of my Daughter. Another 280 miles racked on the odometer.

Thanks guys. Couldn’t let her go for the price. And yes, nothing but a little surface rust to be found on the bed.

I got this trailer in 2016-2017 from a tow yard auction. Nobody was interested in the trailer so I ended up happily paying $5 for it, the way it sits now. I would really like to get it reliable enough to hook up to and do whatever with. Probably mostly firewood. First off, I want to lower the trailer. It sits on 38” tires and has at least a 6” lift block between the axle and leaf springs. I don’t want to be lifting every round of firewood any higher than I need to be. Hooked up to Minche She has been sitting since 2018. Need to pressure wash her off. Actually cleans up pretty good. Pretty sure it’s a Full floater offset D60 underneath her. Will probably end up removing the axle shafts and making some block off plates to keep the debris out and oil in. Somebody spent a bunch of time on the old girl, building the rack and gas can holders, etc. Then it was just dumped on the side of the road. Impounded by the local tow company. Will update on the progress as it happens. Thinking 31” or 33” tires, needs all new wiring, have already gone through the axle, new bearings and seals. (2018)

That would look great. I agree. Keep posting!

Love the truck and the modifications your making to her. Keep up the great work. I was honestly a little upset to see the graphics come off such a clean, low mileage truck, but it looks great.

I sourced an ‘04 WJ D35 sway bar and mounting bracket’s. Had to cut the brackets off the axle with an angle grinder.

Heck yeah! D44s should have been standard equipment under Comanches in my opinion. I recently XJ D44 swapped my 2wd just because. Consider adding a rear sway bar. Made a world of difference for cornering on the 2wd. Just curious, how much did you pay for the 44?

What a find. Jealous. Truck just keeps looking better!

Crystal mountain Ski resort, Enumclaw Wa Was probably part of some driving experience thing. I don’t know. Definitely some nice cars.

It’s always nice to have a full woodshed!

I’ve had a bearing growl towards the front of the engine that has been worsening lately and something started squeaking as well. Tonight I popped the hood and found the water pump bearings are shot, wobbly and squeaky. Luckily the local Napa had a pump in stock. Got the old pump removed and cleaned up the gasket surfaces. Was a straight forward enough replacement. Flushed out the block, radiator, heater hoses and heater core until the water was coming out clean. I did end up reusing the metal tube that screws into the pump. Did end up switching to a 180deg thermostat as well. New pump installed 151,141mi New timing chain is up next

A load of wood over this last weekend.