XLDenali06's Build Thread

[MadDogDelpho]

Yes on the links. I still need to get some. And I just disconnected the swaybar and lifted one side of the axle as high as possible to get it in, with a 2" spacer

 

[XLDenali06]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'm adding rear links to my list. To save me possibly getting the wrong ones, any chance you have a link on the correct ones I need?

 

[about20ninj45]

Over the last few days I've mounted a big mag light at the bottom of my glove box, mounted my fire extinguisher in the back, and removed the Denali door badges (still got some stubborn adhesive to remove and polishing to do). Got my oil catch can in the mail today, but it didn't have any of the connectors and whatnot, looks like they sent out a customer return and tried to pass it off as new (Amazon purchase) so I'm sending it back and getting another. I should have my Airaid m.i.t. tomorrow though, so I'm looking forward to that. Maybe I'll get the replacement catch can in time to put it on this weekend.

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Pics don't do that vehicle justice. Your ride is clean!

 

[XLDenali06]

Pics don't do that vehicle justice. Your ride is clean!

Thanks! It's a constant work in progress. Always looking for ways to improve a little something here or there.

 

[MadDogDelpho]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'm adding rear links to my list. To save me possibly getting the wrong ones, any chance you have a link on the correct ones I need?

IIRC 3" lift Cherokee XJ rear links are supposed to work. I haven't had a chance to test that theory out yet, though.

 

[XLDenali06]

So, work on Black Beauty has been on hold for awhile, while we work on things around the house, spend a small fortune on Christmas presents, kids' sports, and the various expenses that come with graduating a high school senior, as well as this:

While in Knoxville last night for our oldest's basketball game, we ran over to a woman's house to buy a canoe. So excited about that! What I'm not excited about, however, is that the wind sheer coming off the front of the thing blew the luggage rack front end caps right off!!! And as you guys know, for such a simple little part, those stupid things aren't cheap! Already bought some off ebay today, but I'm still pissed. So, word to the wise, if you have the Cadillac luggage rack, be careful about transporting a canoe/kayak. I'm sure driving 90+ mph didn't help, but I'm pretty sure they flew off around 40-50mph. There was a distinct difference in wind noise up top at around that speed. Basically, the wind noise stopped. Now I know why!!!

 

[Rocket Man]

90 with a canoe up top?

 

[adventurenali92]

Usually what happens is this little plastic clip on the inside gets brittle and breaks. And then the highway speed will blow it right off. Heard of it but haven’t had t happen to me yet. And yeah those little suckers cost a pretty penny.

 

[XLDenali06]

90 with a canoe up top?

Yeah, it was on there damn good though. That sucker wasn't going anywhere. And I was beyond ready to get home. 1.5 hours up to where my oldest was playing basketball to drop him off, 30 minutes to the woman's house to get the canoe, what seemed like forever to get the canoe secured in the dark and freezing temps, 30 minutes back to the basketball game, 1.5 hours for the game, eating as a group at Cracker Barrel took probably an hour, then another 1.5 hours back home. All this would have been fine, but I had a 1.5 year-old, 3 year-old, 5 year-old, and 10 year-old the whole time. Plus I'm 4.5 months pregnant. I. Was. Ready. To. Be. Home. I would have launched off a ramp and flown like Dumbo if I'd thought it would get us home sooner. Lol.

 

[05Single]

Im afraid of getting mine blown off too. Sold my extras to a member on here. I've seen people put set screws on the back side. Not noticable and seems to work.

 

[Fosscore]

Im afraid of getting mine blown off too. Sold my extras to a member on here. I've seen people put set screws on the back side. Not noticable and seems to work.

Good idea on the set screw. That little metal ring on the inside doesn’t offer much security. I lost one of mine a while back as well.

 

[XLDenali06]

Even though the numbers above don't add up to it, it was about an 8 hour ordeal from start to finish. Most of it with the kids stuck in the car (the rest of it with them having to stay seated at the game and at the restaurant). No good for Littles.

A set screw sounds like a good idea. I figured I would just take them off whenever we haul the canoe, but that would just end up making them more likely to break in the end. When I get my replacements, I'll look into adding a set screw. And with staying in town, I should be able to keep my speeds down. But even wind around, 40-50 wouldn't be crazy, which is where I'm pretty sure they flew off, so securing them better sounds like a much better idea!

 

[Fosscore]

Taking them on and off just makes them less likely to stay in place especially with that metal ring on the one plastic post to hold it in place. They fit tight from the factory or your replacement will because brand new. Mine did, But the others you can feel the play after multiple on/offs.

BTW mom of the year award. Serious trooper you are.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Yeah, it was on there damn good though. That sucker wasn't going anywhere. And I was beyond ready to get home. 1.5 hours up to where my oldest was playing basketball to drop him off, 30 minutes to the woman's house to get the canoe, what seemed like forever to get the canoe secured in the dark and freezing temps, 30 minutes back to the basketball game, 1.5 hours for the game, eating as a group at Cracker Barrel took probably an hour, then another 1.5 hours back home. All this would have been fine, but I had a 1.5 year-old, 3 year-old, 5 year-old, and 10 year-old the whole time. Plus I'm 4.5 months pregnant. I. Was. Ready. To. Be. Home. I would have launched off a ramp and flown like Dumbo if I'd thought it would get us home sooner. Lol.

Now that is what i call a mama bear. You are clearly some kind of super hero.

 

[adventurenali92]

Yeah, it was on there damn good though. That sucker wasn't going anywhere. And I was beyond ready to get home. 1.5 hours up to where my oldest was playing basketball to drop him off, 30 minutes to the woman's house to get the canoe, what seemed like forever to get the canoe secured in the dark and freezing temps, 30 minutes back to the basketball game, 1.5 hours for the game, eating as a group at Cracker Barrel took probably an hour, then another 1.5 hours back home. All this would have been fine, but I had a 1.5 year-old, 3 year-old, 5 year-old, and 10 year-old the whole time. Plus I'm 4.5 months pregnant. I. Was. Ready. To. Be. Home. I would have launched off a ramp and flown like Dumbo if I'd thought it would get us home sooner. Lol.

Damn girl! You were movin! Lol

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah, it was on there damn good though. That sucker wasn't going anywhere. And I was beyond ready to get home. 1.5 hours up to where my oldest was playing basketball to drop him off, 30 minutes to the woman's house to get the canoe, what seemed like forever to get the canoe secured in the dark and freezing temps, 30 minutes back to the basketball game, 1.5 hours for the game, eating as a group at Cracker Barrel took probably an hour, then another 1.5 hours back home. All this would have been fine, but I had a 1.5 year-old, 3 year-old, 5 year-old, and 10 year-old the whole time. Plus I'm 4.5 months pregnant. I. Was. Ready. To. Be. Home. I would have launched off a ramp and flown like Dumbo if I'd thought it would get us home sooner. Lol.

That's all impressive but even less safe with that many kids in there. I'm sure that canoe was secured like a beast but that amount of up-force at 90+ could tear your roof rack crossbars off and then what might have happened in that chaos probably wouldn't have been good. I'm just saying I'd be playing it a bit safer especially with kids in there. And look out for anybody behind you if that canoe launched off your rig at 90. You won't get there but a few minutes faster driving at 90 as opposed to 60.

 

[05Single]

Taking them on and off just makes them less likely to stay in place especially with that metal ring on the one plastic post to hold it in place. They fit tight from the factory or your replacement will because brand new. Mine did, But the others you can feel the play after multiple on/offs..

Yea the metal ring is pretty much what holds it on , which is a another dumb gm design. Ive also seen people put gobs of silicone sealant on where that tab insert into the cap where the metal ring is ...or in some cases missing.
But then it doesn't come off. So I figure a set screw is a much better option lol.

 

[XLDenali06]

That's all impressive but even less safe with that many kids in there. I'm sure that canoe was secured like a beast but that amount of up-force at 90+ could tear your roof rack crossbars off and then what might have happened in that chaos probably wouldn't have been good. I'm just saying I'd be playing it a bit safer especially with kids in there. And look out for anybody behind you if that canoe launched off your rig at 90. You won't get there but a few minutes faster driving at 90 as opposed to 60.

Meh, we'll just have to agree to disagree. If anything, it would have been more down force than up force. That thing wasn't flying off anywhere. If it were going to, it'd be because of a MAJOR design flaw, and would be just as likely to happen at 60. And at that hour, with tired and restless kids in the car, shaving half an hour off the trip was a godsend. You don't have to agree with me, but everyone in the car and around me was perfectly safe.

 

[XLDenali06]

Finally got around to changing my oil & filter and my front shocks out the other day. Emptied the oil catch can, too. Oil was all over the old filter and whatnot. Surprisingly none has ever been seen on the driveway. First time ever changing my oil, and I gotta say it was actually easier than I thought it would be. Next time will be even easier, I'm sure. Replaced the conventional crap that NTB put in there last time - fortunately they didn't charge me because I told them I didn't want an oil change, but there was a miscommunication between the manager and the tech, so it got done anyway. I went with Royal Purple high mileage oil and the RP filter. We'll see how it performs for me. I've heard good and I've heard bad. May go with Amsoil next time. Input is appreciated.

Front shocks weren't too bad. Still gotta install my lift keys and then move on top to rear suspension. In the middle of the lift keys right now, and the damn clamp bent on me, so I'm kinda stuck on that. I'll do a separate post on that though. Feels good to be working on the truck again, even if I am 5 months pregnant.

Eta: I was surprised at how much white gunk was in the bottom of the catch can when I emptied it (it was about half full). From reading online, that's from moisture mixing with the oil, and not a problem so long as your engine oil looks okay (mine did).

 

[adventurenali92]

That’s some dedication right there! Keep up the good work! Feels good to do oil! I haven’t done shocks yet but may need to replace my tears again and if you can do it than I think I can definitely do mine haha.