jgaz

Back in October of 2014 I started this thread about a kit of adaptors I made in order to make a standard bottle jack safer and more versatile. This is a shot of my original kit. Since the original thread I’ve used this kit as a “second hand” for a lot of things around my shop. Like many tools, the longer you use them, the more ways you can think to improve them. My first change was to add a recess and a hold down bolt in my original baseboard. Obviously this makes using the jack a bit more stable. But the really big improvement was the addition of a plastic collar that installs around the threaded post that screws out of the jack ram. This part is sold by SafeJack. They are the company from which I unashamedly “reverse engineered” my original kit. https://safejacks.com/ This collar, IMO, is essential when using my kit horizontally and also makes things easier when used vertically. The collar is the black piece that can be seen in this picture. In the picture above, using the collar, I have less than 1/8” droop when measured from the two collars to the steel rule that’s clamped parallel to the jack cylinder. I made my adaptors with approx. .005” clearance between the post and socket and used about 1 1/8” overlap. This was fine for the pieces I made but the 1 1/4” ID of my socket was a bit loose on the jack ram and would have waaaay more droop when used to push or spread horizontally. The SafeJack collar takes care of this issue. It’s too hot in the garage, so I thought I’d update things a bit. This post was also also an experiment to try out the new site. Posting pictures is waaaay easier.

Looks good Steve! Super clean

Great job! The Jeep is looking good!

Good stuff Kris! Thanks for posting that. Great detail on the distributor. I was hoping to see more of what they did to the carburetor. (The what and the what!!?)

Sweet! That trail would be a lot more difficult when it was snow covered. Did you go all the way to the Mesa?

Thank you Kris for bringing up the subject of buying quality when it comes to recovery gear. I have very limited recreational 4wd recovery compared to many members here so I was hesitant to offer advice that basically said, spend $. I can however offer some advice on shackles based on experience. Buy Crosby! Yes, there are other shackles available that are just as good, such as Van Beest green pins but Crosby are widely available. Here is a poor picture of rigging we did on regular basis in the last Dept where I worked before I retired. If the shackle didn’t say Crosby it wasn’t allowed in the shop. No exceptions, ever!!

A view from my “office” Saturday on the Bright Angel Trail......before things got crazy busy.

Excellent! Thanks for posting that Kris

Nice work Kris! With all your DIY experience I’m sure you’re aware of this Phoenix fabric store but I’ll post a link anyway in case others aren’t aware of the store. http://fabricdepotaz.com/ They have a huge selection of fabric and foam. My wife and I bought some closed cell foam (won’t absorb water) for an outdoor project earlier this spring. They had a nice selection of different foam then.

That’s really cool! Congratulations guys

I’m betting it wasn’t to fix the built-in electric butt warmers:D

Hog rings, hog ring pliers, and an electric knife. Uncovering/recovering a seat cushion and adding or replacing seat foam.

I’m not always a fan of Outside magazine but this is a very good article on heat related illness. https://www.outsideonline.com/2398105/heat-stroke-signs-symptoms Some of the issues that led up to the near disaster in this article are things we commonly see during hot months at the Grand Canyon. Excessive alcohol the night before, late start to your hike, no hat, etc. Be careful out there folks.

Also, my 2 cents, you won’t be happy with a liner on a regular basis. I’ve always found myself twisted up in the bag within a bag anytime I’ve tried to use a liner.

Check out this company: https://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/rectangular-style-sleeping-bags/ I was provided one of their +40 bags on a raft trip several years ago. It was very well made. The boatman told me Wiggys was the only brand that held up year after year. Pricey, made in USA, great reviews. Excellent customer service if necessary from anything I’ve read.