In cab winch remote

A few years back I started work on an in cab remote for my Jeep. I wanted to be able to use the winch without breaking out the remote, and running it back into the cab. Knowing that the remote is just a on-off-on momentary switch, I got to work wiring a direct line into the cab. I used a safety switch to ensure that power to the in cab remote was never hot when I didn’t want it to be.
The setup runs from a 12v source off the fuse panel, through the switch and out to the winch. In the winch, it’s connected the same as the Warn remote, and activates the relays to control the winch. It’s pretty straight forward and makes using the winch so much nicer when you need to do it in cab

I used a trailer 4 pin harness to connect the in cab section to the winch. This allows for quickly disconnecting if I need to remove or service the winch.

Here's the setup, conveniently located in front of my 4wd shifter. It's easy to reach from the drivers seat and simple to operate 

It's hard to make out here, but that's the wire into the back of the winch. I drilled a hole and added a grommet for a clean looking install. At a quick glance, you'd think it was a factory option. In my opinion anyways. 

Adding some extra light

There comes a time in every Jeepers life when extra light it required. I decided to try some RioRand 4" lights. The price what right, and well, they're pretty good. Nice and bright and for the price, I really can't complain. 

To begin, I needed to wired in a new switch, fuse block and relay. The lights themselves at 18 watt each, a total of 36 watts, at 12 volts, that's only a 3 amp draw. Hardly needs a 30 amp relay, but I'd rather do it right. 

To feed power, I decided to build some custom cables and tap into the size posts on my battery. When I upgrade to the military battery clamps, I may change this. 

The switches come off the always on 12v feed from the fuse panel on the TJ. Located right in behind the glove box. I've already made a break out connector in the past, so it was easy to tie into

Wires run through a handy grommet in the firewall to the auxiliary fuse panel. I took the opportunity to run a switch and wires for an upcoming electric fan install. 

New switches in and looking stock. The reverse light is a previous install. 

Nice and bright, even in the sunshine. Still need to get out and aim them, but they really light up my life (HA!)

2016 Jeep To-Do List

Spring is finally springing up here in the great white north that is Canada. With each spring, my inevitable (and often never complete) Jeep List is born. This year I'm apparently pretty sure of myself, especially considering that I have a one year old at home and a honey-do list of home renovations to complete. The fact that there's a plastic Jeep bed parked in the garage isn't helping either.

For 2016, this is what I have planned

• Centre the steering wheel. 
• Despite my best efforts last year (July 2015), my steering wheel is still slightly off to the left. Annoying, yet easy to fix.
• Front Fender repair.
• As anyone with a TJ can tell you, the damn fenders just rot away into nothing. Mine are patched together with left over duct work and rivets. This is the year I take advantage of a brakepress and metal shear to cut me some new fender tops.
• Front extended flares.
• Thanks to changes in the MTO's vehicle safety standards, my front tires need full tread coverage. I blame the MTO, but in reality, I'm tired of the dirt and mud sprayed up the side of my Jeep due to the front tires.
• Rear turn signals
• Again, thanks MTO. The previous owner of my Jeep flush mounted the taillights, and under the new rules, I require a visible rear turn signal on the side of the Jeep. Already got the lights, just need the weather.
• Battery Lug Replacement.
• Thanks to Dave at the Redneck Garage, I splurged on some new battery lugs. Shouldn't be too difficult to install them.
• Removable Mud Flaps.
• Going to fab something up for the rear to keep Johnny Law from getting too interested in my "Excessive Road Spray"
• Electric Radiator Fan.
• Been sitting in my garage for two years now. Maybe I should install it. At least I wired the switch into the cab already.
• New Fan Belt.

• To do when I change the fan.
• Rear Diff Service.
• Bought some Royal Purple max gear oil to change up the rear to see if it makes a difference on the Detroit unloading. Just gotta do it.
• Transmission Service
• Picking up some Redline MT-90, 'cause I hear it makes the AX-5 smooth as butter.
• Delrin Bushing for my Tire Carrier
• I run a pipe on a bolt tire carrier (homemade) and it could use a bushing in there. Gong to try and source some Delrin to use.
• Emergency Rear Axle Retainer.
• Got a thought on something that'll hold my axle together should I snap a shaft in the Dana 35c.
• Aim Headlight and Fog Lights.
• Pretty self explanatory. Just need a nice warm night
• New Winch Cable
• Again, pretty self explanatory.
• Missing bolt in Winch
• Snapped a bolt that holds the gear housing on. Has been fine for years. One of these days I'll head to Bolts+ and get a replacement.
• Jerrycan and Mount

• One day I'll get around to building a mount for a Jerrycan
• Hi-Lift Mount.
• See above. One day
• Lockable storage
• Now that I have a kid, and need all the seats in, I need to build a new locking storage box for behind the back seat. Has to work with the CJ tailgate on the Jeep.
• Hitch mounted vice.
• I have a spare vice, I have spare 2"x2" square tube. I need to merge the two to have a vice that can travel with me.

See that's not too much. Add in that I go camping at least once a month in the RV with the family, I have a multi-day expedition style trip planned, and I really wouldn't mind getting back to Rausch Creek. Well, you get it, Kev's gonna be pretty busy, and lucky, if he gets everything scratched off this list. Just keep in mind, all this translates to new content for this site.

Let me know what your plans are this year.

Going off topic

Nate and I just before his Birthday

I'm diving a little deeper into my personal life here. A year ago, my son was born. He came to us with a little something extra, that extra being a 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome. Nate has Down Syndrome. I wouldn't change him for the world, and if anything, he's changed my world in ways I couldn't have imagined.

Now I come to the public world of the Internet because of something happening in Canada that isn't right.

I'm a firm believer of "Being Human". Religion, Race, Political Views aside, we should help each other out when we can. Canada is doing an incredible job by giving homes to thousands of refugees who are fleeing a war. We're giving them a chance at a better life, and we're opening our doors.

Which brings me to the Montoya family. The Montoya family has been in Canada for three years. Felipe is a University Professor, and Anejandra is is a dancer. They have two teenage children. The focus of this article is their 13 year old son Nico. Nico has Down Syndrome, that one extra chromosome has caused them to be denied permanent residency. Immigration officials in Canada say that that extra chromosome will have an increased impact on our health care system. However, Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability.

Now, the impact on the health care system isn't lost on me. We've been very lucky to have a health care system that has covered everything Nate's needed without costing me more than parking. However, the fact that this family is here, and already contributing to the system, makes me stand behind them 100%, and I want them to stay in this country. They came to a great country to contribute and be part of Canada, yet Canada is basing their admissibility on one chromosome. People with Down Syndrome should not be singled out and discriminated against. Not in my country.

Sorry this wasn't Jeep related, however, it's close to the heart and for the small audience I have with this blog I felt it was worth sharing.


CBC News Article
YouTube Video
Petition to the Immigration Minister

Puttering

My wife decided to take our 5 month old son on a weekend roadtrip to visit friends, so that left me with LOADS of Jeep and garage time.

Most of it was spent puttering in the garage and cleaning it up, organizing, finalizing some projects and just generally not being in front of a screen. What I did tackle on the Jeep was just a couple small items. Firstly, and no pictures, 'cause really... I put the back seat back in. Figured it was time to haul out the toolbox and put the seat in so that we can do family cruises to Dairy Queen in the Jeep.

Secondly, I finally got my TMR Customs fire extinguisher mount, uh, mounted, complete with refillable marine grade extinguisher. I'm not sold on the location, but it's easy to access.

Lastly, thanks to David from the Redneck Garage, I drilled some holes in my frame to the rear of the front control arm brackets, and about centre with the body mounts to let water out. After seeing the pooling water in his video, I decided to make sure I was safe.

Otherwise, I got my tools stored securely, I've started plan on a behind the seat toolbox, and I fixed the light on my bench grinder.

Straighten Out the Steering Wheel

After replacing the steering shaft (Read all about it) my steering wheel had a slight left turn to it. Fortunately, it's easy to correct with a wrench and a pipe wrench.

Start by getting your supervisor setup to ensure you do quality work. Oh, also make sure when you pull into your parking location you let the wheel self centre while moving forward to make sure you're going dead straight (or as close as possible)

Loosen off the two nuts holding the adjusting collar, and start making VERY small adjustments with a pipe wrench on the collar. Check the steering wheel frequently (or have a helper) to make sure you're going in the right direction and that you're getting close to centre.




 

Once done, tighten up the nuts and celebrate with a smile and a Jeep wave

Jeep TJ Upper Steering Shaft Replacement

There comes a time in every Jeep life, when a u joint goes. In this case, mine was on my upper steering shaft. In Jeep engineer wisdom, the joint is not a serviceable/replaceable part. I had to replace the entire shaft. That in itself proved to be a difficult pIart to find. I was finally able to source it via Amazon.ca in the form of a Crown Automotive 5102531AA Steering Shaft. It's a simple two bolt process to replace it, and aside from bending in ways that I didn't think my body could bend, and a buggered thread that needed tapping, it was an easy swap

Engine compartment bolt

Undo the bolt on the joint by the firewall. Start the jeep and turn the steering wheel about a quarter turn to access the inside bolt. Under the dash, get your socket on the bolt and undo it. 

Potato quality short under the dash

Slide the shaft off in the engine compartment, and off the splined shaft under the dash. Pull the shaft into the cab and it'll pop through easily. 

Old vs New shaft

Get your new shaft, repeat the process and tighten your bolts down. Just remember, when the shaft is disconnected, do not let the steering wheel spin, as you'll break your clock spring and mess up signals and air bag. I used a bungee cord to hold the wheel from turning. 

You can kinds see the gap in the u joint pinion