In Hot Pursuit

[Sparksalot]

When I took this photo at Woodchuck Pass, Wyoming I had no idea that 4 miles later, both running boards would be broken and the teardrop have a shredded tire and cracked wheel.

Today I finally removed the running boards and installed new aftermarket ones For $200. The Chevy house only wanted $4200 to replace them with new OEM ones.

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First running board mod. Can’t return em now!

the open top in places May look cool, but at the rear end, it’s also where the hound steps to get in and out of the cabin. I had visions of a slipping foot, and broken doggie leg. No bueno.

I have an aluminum sheet that was a blank for a road sign. That’ll do for peace of mind.

 

[Sparksalot]

After the positive experience with louvers on thecopcar, it was time to ventilate the hood on thethirdtwin. It’s an H3 louver from Rodlouvers.

 

[loper]

I just put a Rodlouvers Jeep louver on my van, I think it's good stuff.

 

[CR-Venturer]

When I took this photo at Woodchuck Pass, Wyoming I had no idea that 4 miles later, both running boards would be broken and the teardrop have a shredded tire and cracked wheel.

Today I finally removed the running boards and installed new aftermarket ones For $200. The Chevy house only wanted $4200 to replace them with new OEM ones.

View attachment 275477

View attachment 275484


View attachment 275478View attachment 275480View attachment 275481View attachment 275482View attachment 275483

First running board mod. Can’t return em now!

the open top in places May look cool, but at the rear end, it’s also where the hound steps to get in and out of the cabin. I had visions of a slipping foot, and broken doggie leg. No bueno.

I have an aluminum sheet that was a blank for a road sign. That’ll do for peace of mind.

Those have major LCF. Are they rock sliders, or purely running boards?

 

[Sparksalot]

Those have major LCF. Are they rock sliders, or purely running boards?

They’re running boards. Sold on Amazon under the APS label and several others.

 

[CR-Venturer]

Those have major LCF. Are they rock sliders, or purely running boards?

They’re running boards. Sold on Amazon under the APS label and several others.

Ahhh, 100% pure high grade chinesium. :)

 

[Sparksalot]

I cannot remember who gave these quick release awning mounts to me at one of the meetups. I’m finally getting them mounted.

From the did you know file: absolutely NOBODY is making 1/4-20 drop in T slot bolts right now. Drop in is the key. Every available option requires sliding in from the end. M6 are too big at the head. M5 are too small.

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[Sparksalot]

Mounted the awning itself this morning.

 

[Sparksalot]

I also added gas struts to the harbor freight recovery gear case. No mo flop top.

 

[Sparksalot]

I also added gas struts to the harbor freight recovery gear case. No mo flop top.

I watched this video for inspiration. I bought the struts he used and used the included brackets. The screws at the wheel end too. For the other end, and the top I used 10-24 black oxide bolts with nylon locknuts. His measurements were spot on.

 

[Sparksalot]

Took some poser pics. This spot looks remote, but is 200 yards from my driveway.

 

[Sparksalot]

It’s subtle, but I relocated a couple of things in preparation for a much bigger project.

Before



and after.

 

[Sparksalot]

I feel a change coming on.

 

[Sparksalot]

Cut its face off.

 

[Sparksalot]

I have approach angle now.

Plus a pull string.

 

[Sparksalot]

Started a road trip. Hitting parts of the enchanted Rockies trail. Holy crap it been a while since any road maintenance was done.

 

[Sparksalot]

Approach angle testing near Angel Fire.

 

[Sparksalot]

Apparently the original external transmission cooler was a little more efficient. This one, after 15-30 miles the transmission fluid is going to be 100 degrees over ambient.

Tru-Cool40k has joined the chat.

On thecopcar getting the grill out of the way was the hardest part. Disconnecting the original external cooler there took perhaps 30 seconds.

The grill was the easiest part of the job on the third twin. The connections to the external cooler are visible. Getting tool access, well lemme tell you a story…

Actually, let’s just say it’s a gigantic PITA.

Mounting and plumbing the new cooler is straightforward.

Before I replaced the grill, I drove around for 10 miles or so. Slow hilly roads. Not much airflow and lots of heat potential. I could still touch the cooler with my bare hand. Not for long but it didn’t burn.

The cables in front of everything are for the strobes and winch.

 

[Sparksalot]

Oops I realized I missed an update.

What to do when your transmission explodes on top of a mountain? Have a steak dinner with scenery of course!!

then the next morning, coast downhill 7 miles to reach pavement. Block the road until the tow arrives because there is no life left in the transmission to get to the shoulder. Also no cell signal, so starlink to the rescue with Wi-Fi calling via satellite.

I found a nice shop in Las Vegas, NM to replace everything. Unfortunately the shrapnel also took both the radiator and external transmission coolers, sooooo…. The shop sourced the transmission from Santa Fe. The radiator and cooler from Albuquerque.

 

[Sparksalot]

Apparently the original external transmission cooler was a little more efficient. This one, after 15-30 miles the transmission fluid is going to be 100 degrees over ambient.

Tru-Cool40k has joined the chat.

On thecopcar getting the grill out of the way was the hardest part. Disconnecting the original external cooler there took perhaps 30 seconds.

The grill was the easiest part of the job on the third twin. The connections to the external cooler are visible. Getting tool access, well lemme tell you a story…

Actually, let’s just say it’s a gigantic PITA.

Mounting and plumbing the new cooler is straightforward.

Before I replaced the grill, I drove around for 10 miles or so. Slow hilly roads. Not much airflow and lots of heat potential. I could still touch the cooler with my bare hand. Not for long but it didn’t burn.

The cables in front of everything are for the strobes and winch.

Last week at the same time, outdoor temp, and traffic conditions, the transmission temp was 205 degrees.

Today was better.

a lot.