What did you do to your rig today?

[Nd4SpdSe]

For those that remember, I replaced my batterieS back in November with a pair of CT Eliminator Ultra, but I had issues with constant drain (which ended up being the winch) killing it, and I spent the last few months self-boosting. I (finally) went to get it replaced, and they and I noticed it had a crack on top and it looks like the one post is slightly bent. In all honesty, I don't recall doing anything to the battery that could cause this, and you don't see any other damage. My guess is that they're just cheaply made and from torquing the poles and/or the cold, they flexed and cracked, wiping their hands to warranty replacements. So I'm down to 1 battery in the truck, and both of those were suppose to, at some point, get re-replaced with yellow tops (since they fit in much better) and move over to the trailer. I was furious and I'm very discouraged on getting another CT battery, but I really don't/can't spend the money on one right now, ever mind 2 (if i replace both with a matching set, like dual yellow tops). Too bad that I keep hearing that the Costco Yellow tops are junk, but it makes me wonder if that's that I ran all these years cause I bought them at Automotive Warehouse in NOTL and only paid something over $200 for them.

[Adam]

Try taking them back to another CT? I find some are more lenient with the warranty than others. I have returned several "frozen" batteries before. Usually when it is some teenager who doesn't know the difference.

Today I wheeled a new (to me) trail with one cntc member and 2 4runners. Had a blast! Until my shifter cable broke while trying to reverse during a hill climb. It was stuck in first till we got to the road and then popped it into drive so I could get home. Greg and I stole the one out of my friend's pathy that he left at my house. Broke in a weird spot. Where the c clip holds it to the guide on the trans.

[Drizit]

For those that remember, I replaced my batterieS back in November with a pair of CT Eliminator Ultra, but I had issues with constant drain (which ended up being the winch) killing it, and I spent the last few months self-boosting. I (finally) went to get it replaced, and they and I noticed it had a crack on top and it looks like the one post is slightly bent. In all honesty, I don't recall doing anything to the battery that could cause this, and you don't see any other damage. My guess is that they're just cheaply made and from torquing the poles and/or the cold, they flexed and cracked, wiping their hands to warranty replacements. So I'm down to 1 battery in the truck, and both of those were suppose to, at some point, get re-replaced with yellow tops (since they fit in much better) and move over to the trailer. I was furious and I'm very discouraged on getting another CT battery, but I really don't/can't spend the money on one right now, ever mind 2 (if i replace both with a matching set, like dual yellow tops). Too bad that I keep hearing that the Costco Yellow tops are junk, but it makes me wonder if that's that I ran all these years cause I bought them at Automotive Warehouse in NOTL and only paid something over $200 for them.

Led acid battles swell when excessively drained (or at least can) this could also be the cause of the cracking.

[Drizit]

After wheeling it in Alberta and BC I needed to get home... So I made a big, heavy, 53ft modification.

[Miner]

After wheeling it in Alberta and BC I needed to get home... So I made a big, heavy, 53ft modification.

Hired it out, or is that your tow rig?

[Drizit]

She's all mine. 03 dodge 2500hd 5.9L diesel. With the bomb proof 6spd stick.

New Long block and new oem injectors done about 215k ago, tcase replaced about 20k ago, clutch about 6k ago. Power steering pump done just before I got there and water pump done again 2 days ago before I rolled out. 415k on the body but she's a good runner with no rust holes. Trailer is a 30ft deck with 3 7k axles... And now as of this afternoon in the middle of Manitoba it has 2 brand new tires.

[Miner]

Nice. I'd like a gooseneck but I'm not ready to step up to annual certs on the truck and trailer.

[Drizit]

My plan... Register it for a lower weight... I need to do lots and lots of research.

[Morpheus]

Tackled the rear bumper today.

Typical 1/1.5 gen xterra rusty rear bumper. Mine wasn't that bad, I've seen worse.



Started by pulling off the plastics.





Uh oh, spied this spot and looked like a very minor spot of rust, started poking at it with a screwdriver.





After grinding and sandblasting..



Welded in a small patch, then covered it with fibreglass filler to make sure the water doesn't get back in



Grinder and sand blaster to the rest of the bumper



2 coats of primer



and 2 coats of bedliner





Next to tackle is the rear drafter delete. Will be welding in a patch and sealing this area up.

[Miner]

My plan... Register it for a lower weight... I need to do lots and lots of research.

I should start a trailer knowledge/information thread. I've researched it too many times and should put all the information in one place for myself and others to reference.

[Drizit]

My plan... Register it for a lower weight... I need to do lots and lots of research.

I should start a trailer knowledge/information thread. I've researched it too many times and should put all the information in one place for myself and others to reference.

Yes please!!!

[Snafu]

Nice Morph! How did that little blaster work out?

[Bow_Tied]

I should start a trailer knowledge/information thread. I've researched it too many times and should put all the information in one place for myself and others to reference.

[Miner]

Next to tackle is the rear drafter delete. Will be welding in a patch and sealing this area up.

How do you replace the function of the vent?

[Morpheus]

Nice Morph! How did that little blaster work out?

Worked great for what I was doing. I was using fine sand, there are coarser mediums that could be used too.

The top of the bumper pad had too much detail to it for me to sand it by hand, so I turned the pressure down to about 50psi and went at the plastic. It worked perfectly.

Only problem now is my driveway has so much sand on it, it's slippery.

[Adam]

Shop vac

[Morpheus]

Shop vac

Meh, it will rain eventually

[Drizit]

Shop vac

In reverse

[Adam]

Fixed a nasty stone chip in my windshield with one of those DIY kits. Worked pretty well, can hardly even notice it is there. With these new safety crackdowns I am getting paranoid and don't want any reason to get pulled over if it were to crack.

[Snafu]

After seeing Mike's post I went out and bought a similar blaster and a HPLV spraying to tackle mime.

I pulled my bumper off so I could have easier access to the backside.

This is the before:



And the after (looks much better in person):



Took a scrapper to get the rust off as best I could, hammer a chisel some of the heavier spots (light taps just to get it to come off).
Blasted the bumper with two different grits. I used about 15 lbs of the coarse and 5 lbs of the finer stuff.
Washed and dried the bumper
Used Por-15 metal prep and washed again
Sprayed on Por-15 (glass black)
(side note wear disposable gloves! I did not expect to get any on my hands but one thing lead to another and I end up with it on my hands. It does not come off once it dried.)
Once cured (~4-6 hours), lightly with 320 and applied a flat black.