theksmith 4,019 Posted March 19, 2018 the new transmission crossmember showed up early, paint is currently drying on it! also installed the new CB. love the look of it, haven't been able to test the performance yet. my only complaint so far is that out of all the backlight color options, they didn't include the common "amber" (to match my Kenwood ham). however, the "clear" (white) matches my accessory switches and the JK instrument cluster. the base is mounted under the glovebox just using zip-ties - same way/place that i had the Cobra. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 4,019 Posted March 19, 2018 also did a little exploring nearby this weekend: Lime Creek photos & trip report... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 4,019 Posted March 27, 2018 i fabbed up a mount for an Expedition One Geri Water Pack. the Geri system is very similar to the Rotopax stuff, but not compatible (different hole spacing and slightly different sized brackets). Rotopax doesn't sell a 4 gallon water container though, so i prefer the Geri one, plus their containers have vents. unfortunately the Geri fuel cans aren't currently available for sale in the US because of the r-tarded newer CARB/EPA regulations (spill-proof spouts/vents, etc.). i did a little geri-rigging on one of these vented spigots to get it to work with the water pack's cap so i now have an easy-access gravity fed water source. the self-venting type spigot is key here so it doesn't "glug". GoWesty has a spigot kti that will also work, but it stuck out way too far for my mounting location: https://amzn.to/2GefJcU for the mount, i used a JK tailgate mount from Rotopax as a starting point. however, i didn't end up keeping much of it except an "F" shaped flat plate... the feet were cut off the Rotopax plate, and the rest of their kit was ditched as well. it was meant for a regular JK tailgate, but is no longer on their site - probably being redesigned as the whole thing looked really weak. i welded up some angle steel in 2 directions from that plate and drilled 3 holes to attach it to my Teraflex HD Tire Carrier's built-in accessory holes. FYI - those Teraflex carrier holes use 1/2"-13 by 1" long bolts . i decided to tie into 2 of the factory tailgate mounting points as well, just to be sure this thing couldn't rip off easily. for that i just needed a couple 1.5" steel spacers and longer M8 bolts. test fitting everything after final welds: you can see the CNC'd Expedition One Geri system mounting brackets attached to the plate above. they work similar to the Rotopax brackets, but a little better IMO. everything just clears the brake light when the tailgate is open. i could have gotten more wiggle room there but i wanted to leave plenty of space on the other side of my mount to move up to a 37" tire one day. the rear window still opens with plenty of clearance between it and the water pack. final product: having a quick access water source for washing hands, dishes, etc. is one of those things that just makes camping much more enjoyable IMO. i may eventually replace this with a larger permanent water tank under the Jeep and a 12v on-demand pump for a hot-water shower, but for now this gravity fed system is super simple and works great for basic water needs! oh, FYI - the Geri water packs are also available in white. i just liked the look of the black and figured having the water warm at the end of the day is a bonus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azoutlaw480 0 Posted March 27, 2018 Very clean. Love the base location. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottL 179 Posted March 27, 2018 i did a little geri-rigging Nice write up K, looks great out on the trail too. I'll refrain from posting photos of my new grade 8 shock bolts now:o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adriaanvn99 3 Posted March 27, 2018 i fabbed up a mount for an Expedition One Geri Water Pack. the Geri system is very similar to the Rotopax stuff, but not compatible (different hole spacing and slightly different sized brackets). Rotopax doesn't sell a 4 gallon water container though, so i prefer the Geri one, plus their containers have vents. unfortunately the Geri fuel cans aren't currently available for sale in the US because of some the new CARB/EPA regulations (spill-proof spouts/vents, etc.). i did a little geri-rigging on one of these vented spigots to get it to work with the water pack's cap so i now have an easy-access gravity fed water source. the self-venting type spigot is key here so it doesn't "glug". GoWesty has a spigot kti that will also work, but it stuck out way too far for my mounting location: https://amzn.to/2GefJcU for the mount, i used a JK tailgate mount from Rotopax as a starting point. however, i didn't end up keeping much of it except an "F" shaped flat plate... the feet were cut off the Rotopax plate, and the rest of their kit was ditched as well. it was meant for a regular JK tailgate, but is no longer on their site - probably being redesigned as the whole thing looked really weak. i welded up some angle steel in 2 directions from that plate and drilled 3 holes to attach it to my Teraflex HD Tire Carrier's built-in accessory holes. FYI - those Teraflex carrier holes use 1/2"-13 by 1" long bolts . i decided to tie into 2 of the factory tailgate mounting points as well, just to be sure this thing couldn't rip off easily. for that i just needed a couple 1.5" steel spacers and longer M8 bolts. test fitting everything after final welds: you can see the CNC'd Expedition One Geri system mounting brackets attached to the plate above. they work similar to the Rotopax brackets, but a little better IMO. everything just clears the brake light when the tailgate is open. i could have gotten more wiggle room there but i wanted to leave plenty of space on the other side of my mount to move up to a 37" tire one day. the rear window still opens with plenty of clearance between it and the water pack. final product: having a quick access water source for washing hands, dishes, etc. is one of those things that just makes camping much more enjoyable IMO. i may eventually replace this with a larger permanent water tank under the Jeep and a 12v on-demand pump for a hot-water shower, but for now this gravity fed system is super simple and works great for basic water needs! oh, FYI - the Geri water packs are also available in white. i just liked the look of the black and figured having the water warm at the end of the day is a bonus. Real neat setup! Good job!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,512 Posted March 27, 2018 Looks nice and neat, K! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgaz 583 Posted March 28, 2018 Very nice work Kris! Just out of curiosity, what makes you think the water will get warm out here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 4,019 Posted March 30, 2018 thanks everyone! ... Just out of curiosity, what makes you think the water will get warm out here? silly thermodynamics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 4,019 Posted April 16, 2018 the one and only time the doors or top have come off this rig - it was Brady's reward for straight A's. he's only driven a couple times since his feet could reach pedals and this was his first time taking the wheel in Gadget. he drove for a couple hours this morning and did great... probably would've stayed in the driver's seat all day if i let him! ...and we'll work on keeping those thumbs out of the inside of the steering wheel next time! i didn't want to overwhelm him with instructions today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
