Cruzer's Re-Build for the Rubicon

Red anodizing turns pink from the sun. I’d got with option 1.

 

I don't worry about the legality too much but the maintenance is a real chore if you go by the book and properly retorque the bolts every 500 mi.

 

Do you go by the book?

 

I dunno. If I'd known this, I'd maybe have voted the other way. Cruz is comfortable. He could rock pink wheels on his monster truck.

 

Plus those are just the rings, which can be replaced at any time. Now I’m leaning towards pink I mean red

 

If you don't like the color EZ Off oven cleaner and steel wool will get rid of the anodizing. Rattle cans do wonders also

 

For what it's worth I've never found any legality issues running beadlocks (let alone anyone who knows the difference if that matters). As for maintenance I used to check torque on them once a month, but there was maybe two bolts that got slightly loose in all my checks so nowadays it's rare I check them. Hell I don't even remember the last time I checked the torque on any of mine, not to say that's good practice but that it's overplayed them coming loose imo. The only issue I ever had was some tire shops wouldn't balance them, but in Cruzers case that's not an issue anyways.

 

Trigger pulled. Now I have to wait 6-8 weeks.

 

Jealousy level maximized

 

No way. I do it before every trip and about every 1,500 miles. The spec is 20 ftlbs and there are always a few loose ones when I remove to retorque them. They're supposed to be done in a crisscross pattern 3 times at 10 then 15 and finally 20.
Also, I thought I'd be easily able to swap my own tires...... I was wrong. It's easy enough to pop the bead on the outside but I couldn't, for the life of me, pop the inner bead. I tried using a Hi lift jack pushing down on the bead with my truck bumper as opposing force,,,, denied. Ended up having to take 'em to the tire shop to pop the bead. I was at least able to mount my own tires.

 

I'm going to try to pop the bead on the bead grip wheels this weekend so that I can install the stubby valve stems. Since my tire de-beaded (both beads) on the trail I figure I can replicate it. Place the wheel you want to de-bead on the rear axle and on dirt/grass, then let all of the air out. Then back up the truck full lock in the opposite direction of where the wheel is placed. So if the wheel is on rear driver, then turn the steering wheel full passenger and go in reverse. Might have to reverse in the other direction to pop the inner bead - will find out.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBpj95MUiSI

 

My last wheeling trip was the final straw that is making me ween my essential functions off of digital. My stupid wireless winch wouldn't work and neither did my air compressor. My air compressor is controlled by an ARB Linx system, which was nice at the beginning when I could specify an air pressure and it would air up or down my tires while I walked away. Nowadays it just brain farts and doesn't know what to do. Many things digital just can't handle the punishment of rough trails and eventually start doing weird shit. So I'm going analog.

I made a compact version of the Wifey air up system so that I don't have to mount the manifold somewhere else - it's an all in one unit.
I know I said analog but I got a digital pressure gauge cuz my eyes can't see shit. But of course when I tested it out the pressure gauge automatically turned on, when it detected air pressure, and wouldn't turn off until I released the pressure. Laaaame! So I ordered an analog pressure gauge instead.

 

I like your new profile picture and your commitment to the master race of wheels

 

When you make one that works , please make another for me.

 

Do you have a single or twin compressor?

 

Twin ARB.

 

Ohhhhhhhhhh shiiiiiiitttt! Financing on DC approved
Just need a (remote) visual inspection and test drive to seal the deal

 

Is that a rock warrior? like the rims.

 

They are wheels from a rock warrior.

 

Rock Warrior package ended in 2013. They never made it in the 2.5 gen

 

Keeping this one stock?

 

Did they get the price down enough for you??

 

Yeah, they went down to where I thought they could go.

 

Congrats, that's awesome!!!! Hope it works out for you...

 

I am a new owner of a DC!!! Thanks to @V10Ace for boots on the ground validation - I owe you a bunch of drinks brotha!

 

Glad I could help!

 

Quick summary for those not following close enough to know the scoop? Trashed a wheel and swapped to a new rig or something else broke or this is the nice truck and the old one is for hammering on the trails or your kid just got a license or ????

 

This is the new toy. Swapping out parts between the DC and CM. CM returns to full stock. DC frame will get chopped shorter so I can put my current 5.5’ bed on it.