spyder III begins

[SPYDER]

I found it on pirate.  Had it shipped up from North Carolina.  Went back and forth with the kid selling it for awhile.  He didn't build it and only had it for a few months so he didn't know a ton but knew enough.  It's the one I was talking about at the BBQ, and the reason behind all the questions about air shocks and joints lately.  


Since I've had it I've already replaced 1 seat, it was rough.  Added a set of chassis unlimited sliders to the drivers seat and made some matching height risers for the passenger seat.   Also got all new harnesses for them.  Had to fix a bolt in the atlas support ring....which turned into a nightmare cause I broke the tap off twice.  And fix a cracked control arm bracket.  O yea and actually attach the dash to the vehicle.  When I got it it was just stuck between the body and cage.  

The only stuff I really need to do still is fix the sticking hiem joint, reroute my exhaust, the passenger upper makes contact badly.  Recharge the shocks again...still not sitting the way I want.  Also want to swap out the no name winch for my warn I have sitting around with synthetic line.  Also need to find and fix the fuel leak from the cell.


Should be perfect for next season.  

[SPYDER]

A couple pics of the suspension and steering...

[Twisty]

Wish I was with NEJz on Saturday to check it out.  How did you like wheeling the new rig?

[SPYDER]

it was different....a lot wider and more stable then I ever thought it would be.  definitely need to fix the sticking joint cause that got old quick.  but I liked it.  for the pumpkin all being in the same spot relatively...I sure managed to get stuck on them a lot...time will fix that.  that and the driving a stick again was different but I forgot how nice it was to put it in first tuck your feet back and just barely roll down a hill.  can't wait to get it out again...hoping to get the joint fixed before carnage work day but not looking like it will happen so probably will take the tj instead

[Twisty]

I too have found that being wider definitely takes more time to get through tight areas, but really pays off when you're side-hilling or climbing something off camber.  I had the MJ in a few spots last weekend where I felt I was ->||<- that close to flopping, but my spotters said I was fine.  I've never "crawled" with a stick, but I really like the control that I have with the auto.

[SPYDER]

yea...its more tire placement than anything that's causing me issues...ive got no idea where the passenger tires are...im gonna get a cheap back-up camera like maki did for the passenger front. 


my other tj was the first auto ive ever wheeled and I like it better except for trying to crawl down a hill.  I don't know if its something with my gear ratio or trans but unless im actually giving it gas it won't compression break. but the 2 previous tj's where sticks, so it should all eventually come back to me.  just need more seat time.

[Twisty]

If I have the shifter in D, the MJ will coast down a hill and gain speed.  If I drop the shifter into 1-2, it will compression brake.  It's a pretty nice option to have. 

[SPYDER]

mine does it any gear, d or 1st.  ive thought about swapping in an aw4 but that's a lot of fab work to get the crank sensor to read properly.  ive also looked into shift kits but nobody really makes one for the 42rle

[XJFever]

pretty sure I saw this rig in person when I was at the dealership replacing my struts and upper control arms a few weeks back.... thing is pretty bad ass.

[SPYDER]

Possibly....hmmm.....on what vehicle?


Yea I had it delivered there when I first got it, and since I can't work on it at my apartment, I left it at the shop for awhile.  But my boss got annoyed with it so it's here now cuddling with the 05 in the garage. 

[jwebb1998]

You wheeled it?  Where are the pics!  I wont believe it until i see it....

[SPYDER]

Yes I took it out two weeks ago,  sorry no pics have really serviced yet. I was too busy driving to worry about the camera and the girl likes to ride not walk so she rarely gets out, unless I tell her to cause I know it's going to be interesting.  


Next time I take it out I'll make sure to get pics.

[jwebb1998]

If you ever need a spotter/camera man, let me know 

[SPYDER]

sounds good

[SPYDER]

so ive finally decided to get off my lazy butt and start fixing some of the crap I found wrong on the buggy when I as up at the summit last time out.  the first thing on the list is the fuel cell cause that's leaking like crazy.  I haven't had a chance to get a good look at it yet, to determine if its a cracked weld or a bad gasket but I was looking for others opinions on the issue.
 
the cell is a rci 17g unit that was modified by one of the previous owners to have a recess in the middle to fit the factory pump w/gen-right ring.  not knowing the quality of the welds or anything but knowing its leaking.  would you trust the cell and just try to reseal it or start over.  the reason I am asking is cause I need a new cell for the 05tj and was gonna just swap that one into the buggy and buy a 1 new one for the 05.  or should I just go for broke and replace both and start over from scratch.  money isn't a deciding factor, its whether or not I should trust someone elses work that is possibly going to spew fuel all over me