Above 1200 Sq/FT My new garage build! 30x50 !

[madison069]

I dig the topper, I would be interested in something like that if it’s comfortable, I need to check out the inside and see if it’s something my wife would be ok with and then I could haul my boat and camp too!

 

[madison069]

For trimming the SikaFlex I just used a folding Snap-On razor blade gasket scraper. The kind that uses a standard metal backed razor blade.

A blade kept sharp for about 100 feet and then I’d change it out when I noticed tearing instead of a clean cut.
Where the control joint went under my doors I caulked the joint and then taped some heavy plastic sheet down over the caulk to keep it from sticking to the door gasket. Worked great!
And I didn’t tape any of the joints off before I caulked, when I trimmed off the excess the concrete was pretty clean of caulk and what was left I just sanded it off flush with my cheap Ryobi orbital sander. Very happy with my results, my friends now give me **** and ask me what wax am I using and if I bought an orbital floor buffer!

So what buffer did you go with?

 

[Xti04]

Im going to scrape this section and see how cleanly it comes up. If its not sticking bad I wont worry about taping. I was blown away by just how much **** was in my expansion joints. Honestly I thought they were meant to be left open and had I known they made this backer rod and sealant I would have done all this when it was fresh and there wasnt anything in my way.

 

[Xti04]

I dig the topper, I would be interested in something like that if it’s comfortable, I need to check out the inside and see if it’s something my wife would be ok with and then I could haul my boat and camp too!

Thats the goal! Camping and boating! With my diesel it wont even notice the extra weight of it back there. And honestly after driving the tacoma I replaced the clutch on last week I think I see why everybody puts a tent and rack or topper on those trucks. That truck would lock up the rear brakes so easily because it was so light in the back. All those tacomas with the big overland setups probably drive better with some weight back there, at the expense of being top heavy and their fuel economy.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

That stuff is definitely extremely runny.

Here is the razor I used to cut the sealant flush

This is the razor style I used. Absolute perfect finish from it. Just change the blade super frequently.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

My shop is not heated and I am sure the cold of the slab is slowing down the cure of it all. I plan to get the rest of it prepped this weekend and ready to go. I also have to get my truck in for maintenance before this conference. The mighty Ford is going to be my hotel on wheels since the hotel is booked out and I dont want to try and find another hotel. Looking forward to a longer test of my camping setup.

In other news, I have found that with the leaks my topper has that I am not satisfied with it. I have looked at a couple of different options and lots of YouTube reviews of different setups. I came across this channel showing an all aluminum topper with a rooftop tent. The RTT is hard sided too which would be better for weather, allow the kids a spot to sleep comfortably, and the topper is very nice.
They offer multiple levels of customization, but include led lighting in the RTT and the topper along with multiple side door options or panoramic glass for the topper. I have messaged back and forth a bit and the price is actually not bad at 4100 for the set. My cousin paid 4600 for just the topper on his tundra, and then another 3k on his RTT. This was not the direction I thought I would be heading but I may end up ordering this set once I square up this JK I bought and get it sold. It takes about 3 months for fabrication and shipping, and they make it to the specs of your truck. We will see how this goes and if the shipping is somewhat reasonable I may jump on this.

This is a really nice setup. Is the top of the system strong enough to mount a roof box on top if you need extra storage when going with the kids? That would be really nice if it was.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

I dig the topper, I would be interested in something like that if it’s comfortable, I need to check out the inside and see if it’s something my wife would be ok with and then I could haul my boat and camp too!

I have been trying to sell the girlfriend on a huge trip outwest in one of these things. I have gotten mixed buy in since we don't have one for her to test out. The most buy in I have gotten so far is she said, "You drive out west and I will fly out, then we can stay for 7-10 days in it, I will fly home and you drive back home."

 

[Xti04]

This is a really nice setup. Is the top of the system strong enough to mount a roof box on top if you need extra storage when going with the kids? That would be really nice if it was.

I believe they have small roof rails as an option. With the 8 ft bed and the built in truck boxes I made last year I have plenty of room for all our gear. The guys on YouTube who are running this setup are just tossing gear into the bed of the trucks or building out setups with slide out drawers etc.

Heres a video from the manufacturer showing how this one sets up. Plenty of room inside.

 

[Xti04]

Its been a busy weekend here. Friday I picked up my JK and had quote the trip home. Its started a death wobble that I have to correct before I sell it. I checked tire pressures when I got home and they were all about 20 psi. I noticed some movement in the tie rod ends and a bit in the drag link so I ordered it all. I swapped the tie rod end first and took it for a drive. I had to swap over this sleeve to the new tie rod end for the drivers side.
Test drive did not go well.
Drag link parts will go on next and see if that helps.
I need to get it cleaned up and still need to resolve the transmission solenoid code. Once thats done it can go up for sale and fund my next project.
If you look in the background you can see the drum in the back of the Acty. Thats 55 gallons of washer fluid I have to find a way to get out of my truck and in place beside the shop. Another project for next week.

I went ahead and pulled my truck in for a quick service before I head to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for an EMS conference next week. Its due for an oil change after 2 years I finally accumulated 5k miles on it. I warmed it up and once it was nice and hot I racked it and poked a hole in the filter to let it drain. Left it to go inside and hang with the wife. When she went to bed I came back, added a new Motorcraft filter filled with oil and cleaned, tightened, and marked the drain plug with viz torque. I need to get my diesel heater ready for next week along with cutting out a lexan insert to run the heater duct through. I also picked up some magnets to install my side curtains.

Lastly I fixed a Crv I had an issue with last week. Jeff did a 30k maintenance and she had complained of a cvt transmission shudder. I had driven it and could not reproduce it hot. We changed the cvt fluid and when I test drove it before returning it it was awful. I told her I would look into it further. She called the next day and said she now had a check engine light on. She dropped by after work and I found it had a P0171 system too lean code in it. After a quick inspection my fingers disappeared into a huge tear in the air intake duct. I removed the airbox lid and intake hose and found it actually had 2 tears in it. I grabbed this plastic stretch wrap for pallets and wrapped the intake hose tightly to seal it up.
This repair held up for 2 days while I waited for the new hose to arrive. I got it changed out and she was thrilled as it stopped the shudder and didnt require the trans rebuild she had already convinced herself she would need. Weekend has been busy but productive. I still have a project for my wife to finish hanging new curtains and she is busy organizing everything as a bit of early spring cleaning. Getting ready to lay down some more sealant in the shop and call it a day and relax inside while it rains.

 

[SilverJimmy]

To unload that 55 gallon barrel you could use a couple HF nylon lifting straps and the arms on your two post lift. It’s not just for lifting cars!

 

[Xti04]

@SilverJimmy the only reason I can't use the lift is because the drum is gping outside the shop and I cant get it to its landing spot from inside. The cirrent plan is to drive the truck around to my back yard, back up to my breezeway and then use a few long scrap 2x8s to make a ramp to slide it down. Once its in place I just have to put the pump in it and I will be good to go. Its pouring rain and a muddy mess right now, missed my opportunity yesterday to get it done.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Perfect excuse for another lift! One for the big stuff that doesn’t fit on the inside lift. This is the GarageJournal!

 

[swsman]

Engine hoist and rig up the straps like a basket around the barrel.

Hand truck with foam filled tires and keep it strapped to it. For the ease of moving it about...

 

[Xti04]

Getting a few more things ready for my campout/ work conference this week. With the truck squared away, I finished a couple of quick mods to my interior. I glued in some magnets for my reflectix window shades. I finally spent a few minutes to make my lexan window insert sp I dont have to use cardboard. the first one cracked so I made a second one that turned out much better. The diesel heater stand was reinforced with a few more screws to make it more secure, and hit it with a quick coat of paint to make it less obvious.

I got my washer fluid out of the truck without using a lift, sorry guys. I used a 2x4 and a 2x6 to come from the side of my acty and rolled it off the side. Score for fold dowm bedsides!
Once the drum was on the ground I rolled it onto place lifted it enough to get a 4x4 and a paver block under it, then strapped the 2x4 to the drum and used it as a lever to get it up and into place. I need to level it a bit to make me happy but its out of the way.
Drag link arrived for the Jeep but Im not sure I will have time to get it installed before I leave.

 

[Xti04]

I have had several inquiries with the company selling the truck topper/ RTT units. The communication from them has been excellent and surprisingly clear. They have a host of options you can add onto them from solar panels to roof vent fans, crossbars, exterior Molle panels etc. the kitchen that folds out from the side is one of my favorite options, gives me a place to place my stove thats not my tailgate. They break down price by truck bed length and my 8ft bed puts it right at 4099 before shipping. I found a guy in Canada selling the same one with his name on them for 9k, so I think I will come out well ahead by purchasing it myself and having it shipped to my buddies shop to get unloaded by forklift. The youtube reviews and customer reviews seem strong, and wife gave me the greenlight on it so I am currently awaiting a shipping cost breakdown and then I have to give the specific measurements for my truck.

 

[Xti04]

Last week I spent 3 days in Gatlinburg at a work conference. On the way up there I took the beautiful Foothills parkway. Not as much fun to drove the winding road in my truck, but I did get to drag a few trees out of the road so I got my good citizen points.
After I got my booth setup for the conference, I went and setup my truck for the next few nights.
I made my bed, installed my window shades I made, setup my Jackery for power, and had all my gear stowed away. It was a low of 55 overnight so I didnt use the diesel heater, but I had it just in case. Early Friday morning the mountain got hit with a wicked windstorm and heavy rain. The trek onside to the hotel was made worse by a trip back out to the truck when I realized my phone was missing. Found it laying in the parking lot undamaged luckily. I grabbed a shower in my friends hotel room and then wrapped up the conference and headed home.

Nothing exciting going on in the shop other than working on the expansion joint project. I did a service on my parents f150 for the transmission and diffs. The lack of drains on the transmission pan and diffs still bugs me to this day. Ran up to Kentucky yesterday for work and stumbled across another obscure Ford in my travels.
I dont even know what to do with that one.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

There a several of those out in the wild. I forget where the shop making them is located but my buddy loves crazy vehicles and actually considered a used one that is listed for sale in OH right now.

 

[Xti04]

There a several of those out in the wild. I forget where the shop making them is located but my buddy loves crazy vehicles and actually considered a used one that is listed for sale in OH right now.

The one in my pic is at a Dodge dealer in Middlesboro,KY. It looked good bit I have mo idea about the quality of the build. Might have less rust than an Ohio truck.

 

[Xti04]

Jeep steering is all replaced finally and first test drive went great. No more death wobble, but needs an alignment. But... in true Jeep fashion when I drove it the next day the dreaded death wobble was back. I need to get back under it and see whats going on. I have a suspicion that the 315/75/16 tires are playing into this after sitting for the last 4 years in the same spot. Jeep is a hard sell with death wobble. Im going to recheck all the control arms as well. It has a 2.5 or 3 inch lift on it, nothing crazy but with the oversized tires its definitely compounded the issue.

 

[zmotorsports]

The #1 place I see slop or play is at the front track bar mounting locations, both frame side and axle side. I usually machine weld washers that are thicker and utilize the existing bracket thickness plus a little. I also upside the bolts to 9/16" rather than the 14mm OEM fasteners, which takes up some clearances.

Next common places I've found are ball joints and tie rod joints followed lastly by control arm bushings/joints.

I did a video several years ago on how I repair the track bar play, it's on my YouTube channel if you're interested.

 

[Xti04]

The #1 place I see slop or play is at the front track bar mounting locations, both frame side and axle side. I usually machine weld washers that are thicker and utilize the existing bracket thickness plus a little. I also upside the bolts to 9/16" rather than the 14mm OEM fasteners, which takes up some clearances.

Next common places I've found are ball joints and tie rod joints followed lastly by control arm bushings/joints.

I did a video several years ago on how I repair the track bar play, it's on my YouTube channel if you're interested.

Thanks for that reminder Mike. I was planning to pull the track bar this evening, when I replaced the track bar for my brother in law a few years ago, the bushing was severely deformed and dry rotted. I will swing by the hardware store on the way home this evening and grab a new bolt and some larger washers in case it has damaged the bolt hole on the axle. If that helps I will order up some weld washers and repair it before I send it down the road.

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm sure you are aware of this, but using a standard washer usually won't correct the problem due to the designed in clearance between the washer ID and the bolt OD. There is usually quite a clearance between the washer and bolt which won't really correct the slop issue. You can purchase weld washers for various sizes, but I have found no two vehicles have worn the same amount so that is why I generally have had to machine the weld washers to the exact size for the vehicle I'm working on. Plus, I like to machine a step into the weld washers the thickness of the OEM material as this gives sometimes twice the surface area for the bolt to engage with. I have had a few come through my shop door where the owner had a standard washer welded onto the bracket and it only made matters worse trying to properly correct the worn-out hole.

Another way to correct the issue of worn-out fastener holes is to completely cut the OEM bracket off and weld on one of the various aftermarket bracket assemblies that are commercially available.

 

[Xti04]

I'm sure you are aware of this, but using a standard washer usually won't correct the problem due to the designed in clearance between the washer ID and the bolt OD. There is usually quite a clearance between the washer and bolt which won't really correct the slop issue. You can purchase weld washers for various sizes, but I have found no two vehicles have worn the same amount so that is why I generally have had to machine the weld washers to the exact size for the vehicle I'm working on. Plus, I like to machine a step into the weld washers the thickness of the OEM material as this gives sometimes twice the surface area for the bolt to engage with. I have had a few come through my shop door where the owner had a standard washer welded onto the bracket and it only made matters worse trying to properly correct the worn-out hole.

Another way to correct the issue of worn-out fastener holes is to completely cut the OEM bracket off and weld on one of the various aftermarket bracket assemblies that are commercially available.

Yeah I had come to that conclusion after typing that out, and then watching your vid confirmed what I was thinking. I ordered some weld washers which were pricey and a larger reamer to get the holes close to size. I will still pull it in tonight and see if the hole is elongated at either end and make my plan of attack.

 

[Xti04]

I got home this afternoon and pulled the Jeep in for examination. I pulled the rrack bar and found the holes were not as bad as I had anticipated. I did find that the lock nut on the lower heim joint had come loose. I tightened the locknut and then reinstalled it once I dropped it off the lift. Torqued it all down and went for a spin. Its still sketchy as hell with the alignment so far off but no death wobble. I hope the locknut being loose was allowing some movement, but the heim joint on the end seemed to have a bit of play in it as well. There not been a lot of miles put on this jeep since I installed this track bar a few years ago, maybe this will have it handled.

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say the alignment is so far off? There's really not much to the alignment on these things that can be adjusted. Toe in/out and if it is equipped with adjustable control arms, maybe a little caster but that's about it. And caster has to be a balance between front driveshaft joint angle and handling. Stock they come around 4.5* of positive caster, but with oversize tires and lift I usually try to get around 7-9 degrees of positive caster into them for handling. Unfortunately, this is seldom possible due to front driveshaft angles becoming a problem. I've had to cut and re-clock a few knuckles to compensate in order to get the amount of caster I like, but with oversize tires and even 4" of lift, with the factory hardware these can approach 1 to 3 degrees of caster and become quite "twitchy" at speed. Then any, and I mean any, little play or clearance introduced into the equation just magnifies the possibility of death wobble.

Make sure to check each and every joint and ensure there is absolutely no clearance at all or it can induce death wobble.

 

[Xti04]

Mike, by alignment being out I meant toe. I had measured the drag link to get it close when I replaced those joints, but I was being rushed when I did the tie rod ends and took a SWAG and the toe is way off. I can feel it at speed, and I can feel it in low speed turning coming in and out of the shop. I am taking it to get an alignment done tomorrow, but both of my test drives last night went well with no death wobble. I went ahead and checked my ball joints on the knuckles last night while it was in the air and all were tight. All other ball joints are new.

I pulled the measurements for my truck last night and sent them to the manufacturer for the truck topper RTT setup. They messaged back and asked for pics with measurements in them. Might be kind of hard to do with the current topper on the truck. I may have to back in and pull it off with the lift to get what they want. They are telling me delivery in late May, which would be perfect for us. We are trying to plan some trips this year for the family, and centering it around camping is something I am really excited for.

 

[SilverJimmy]

I was always told to “Set the Toe and let it Go!”
Basically scribe a line on both front tires and then use a tape measure to put the toe-in where you wanted it to be. Easier to do than the description!

 

[Xti04]

I was always told to “Set the Toe and let it Go!”
Basically scribe a line on both front tires and then use a tape measure to put the toe-in where you wanted it to be. Easier to do than the description!

Thats the plan if I cant get to my buddies shop to do it today. I went ahead and posted it as the anxiety of having extra vehicles at my house is eating me up right now.

 

[Xti04]

I got a pretty rough alignment on the jeep today. I put it in 4wd high and scribed a line with a razor. Then I measured it out front and rear and got it to a level where I am happy. Its driving much better. I picked up a Klein laser measuring device for the truck bed. I was happy to see that I was really close to what the laser measured with my tape. Im almost ready to finalize the topper and get it on order.

 

[Xti04]

It feels like its been a productive weekend here but I am realizing as I type this out how little I actually did. I hauled off scrap from the last couple of weekes worth of work, took and recycled my waste oil, and moved a ton of vehocles between here and the lot where my buddy keeps his cars. I also got some more backer rod and caulk into my expansion joints and even moved my freezer to finish the joint underneath it. I also delved into my newest obsession which is making cold brew coffee. The first few batches were a mess, so I bought a dedicated cold brew maker with a filter. Its basically a 2 qt mason jar with a handle/ lid and a stainless mesh filter. First batch seemed ok, making it a bit different the second time to see if it improves the quality. I do know that it gives me the shakes after a big glass so its got more kick than my hot coffee! Also beats using the little 1 qt bottle I had been using. Lastly is I am loving this Klein laser.
Just stick it against on surface and boom it gives a perfect masurement to the next surface. Its expescially helpful in places like this truck bed, where I was having issues getting my tape to cooperate. This week is looking kinda rainy, but highs of almost 81 by Friday. Looking forward to getting out and enjoying the warmer weather this week!

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

I love cold brew but the store bought stuff always tasted weird compared to the fresh made at the coffee store. I just into the make your own two years ago and never looked back. Started with a 1qt setup and actually just added an additional 2qt one to my setup last week.

 

[loganb]

It feels like its been a productive weekend here but I am realizing as I type this out how little I actually did. I hauled off scrap from the last couple of weekes worth of work, took and recycled my waste oil, and moved a ton of vehocles between here and the lot where my buddy keeps his cars. I also got some more backer rod and caulk into my expansion joints and even moved my freezer to finish the joint underneath it. I also delved into my newest obsession which is making cold brew coffee. The first few batches were a mess, so I bought a dedicated cold brew maker with a filter. Its basically a 2 qt mason jar with a handle/ lid and a stainless mesh filter. First batch seemed ok, making it a bit different the second time to see if it improves the quality. I do know that it gives me the shakes after a big glass so its got more kick than my hot coffee! Also beats using the little 1 qt bottle I had been using. Lastly is I am loving this Klein laser.
Just stick it against on surface and boom it gives a perfect masurement to the next surface. Its expescially helpful in places like this truck bed, where I was having issues getting my tape to cooperate. This week is looking kinda rainy, but highs of almost 81 by Friday. Looking forward to getting out and enjoying the warmer weather this week!

And that will cost me 40 bucks....thanks! Hadn't looked to see that the lasers were that small now. I've got a bigger Bosch in the truck when I know I can't easily use a tape but that would be super handy to be small enough it stays on the vest or truck dash

 

[Xti04]

I love cold brew but the store bought stuff always tasted weird compared to the fresh made at the coffee store. I just into the make your own two years ago and never looked back. Started with a 1qt setup and actually just added an additional 2qt one to my setup last week.

Funny how that happens, I bought some to try, next thing I know Im grinding beans to try and make my own, and now its a whole thing. Downed a big cup this morning and happened to have a post arrest show up while I was hanging inside the ER. Got to put that sudden rush of caffeine to work doing CPR when the patient coded again. I got her back so that proves that coffee saves lives right?

And that will cost me 40 bucks....thanks! Hadn't looked to see that the lasers were that small now. I've got a bigger Bosch in the truck when I know I can't easily use a tape but that would be super handy to be small enough it stays on the vest or truck dash

Your welcome! As always, GJ will provide what we didnt know we needed!

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

You had one heck of the morning that is for sure. I don't even bother trying to function without coffee in the morning.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Double shot of espresso and almond milk and some ice

Repeat as needed

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Double shot of espresso and almond milk and some ice

Repeat as needed

Another solid option although I drink most things straight these days. Still do enjoy a good Cortado once and a while. Rotate between pour overs, cold brew, and straight quad shot of espresso.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Certified caffiene junky.

The place is no longer open, but I used to get a drink there called "the Duke" 6 shots of espresso and half and half with a little vanilla syrup over ice.

I often make a decaf maccihato at night during the winter months.

 

[madison069]

Maybe I've just had bad experience, but coffee always taste like Cigarettes ashes in a hot coke can with 1/4 can of coke still in it.

Oh, you want to know how I know what hot coke and cigarette ashes taste like. Cause I drank my Dad's coke that he was using for an ashtray when I jumped into the truck after getting out of school thinking it was coke and found out the hard way it wasn't.

I've tried different brands of coffee and even tried adding cream and other flavoring to it, it's just that harsh taste of coffee I can't get over!

Maybe it's the roasting of the bean that gives the flavor and I'm just doomed to not drinking coffee due to my childhood experience.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Certified caffiene junky.

The place is no longer open, but I used to get a drink there called "the Duke" 6 shots of espresso and half and half with a little vanilla syrup over ice.

I often make a decaf maccihato at night during the winter months.

I have gone off the deep end with coffee like my craft beer in the last 3-4 years. I have always been a caffeine junky though. Used to drink 5 shot lattes in college. Kept a supply of a high caffeine soda called Bawls in the fridge back then too.

I have not tried full decaf but did buy some half and half blends to make in the late afternoons.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Maybe I've just had bad experience, but coffee always taste like Cigarettes ashes in a hot coke can with 1/4 can of coke still in it.

Oh, you want to know how I know what hot coke and cigarette ashes taste like. Cause I drank my Dad's coke that he was using for an ashtray when I jumped into the truck after getting out of school thinking it was coke and found out the hard way it wasn't.

I've tried different brands of coffee and even tried adding cream and other flavoring to it, it's just that harsh taste of coffee I can't get over!

Maybe it's the roasting of the bean that gives the flavor and I'm just doomed to not drinking coffee due to my childhood experience.

I started my love of the coffee flavor from a weird place, coffee flavored ice cream, that my grandmother would always have in the freezer. Then progressed into stronger and stronger.