Because we all need another build thread...(Goodbye, Clifford)

jjfred2112 · Feb 2, 2022

Early December 2021

Good morning!
I bought the Fox ATS Stabilizer from @Jericho . We met up at a Walmart and talked about Tremors for a good hour. This guy knows his shit! Very knowledgable. Loved the mods he has made and is planning to make with his Tremor. Honestly, when it comes to certain mods I feel as if they are more of a "placebo" effect. I didn't think that a stabilizer would make THAT much of a difference. Holy shit was I wrong.

Price
This part new retails for about $450 (before shipping + tax). Morris 4x4 center has them for $440 right now here.

Installation
The installation of the Fox stabilizer itself is quite easy. However, the removal of the stock one is the difficult part, especially if it has been on awhile and has accrued dirt and grime. I had to acquire a Pitman Arm Puller to remove the stock stabilizer. A couple videos show them beating the bolt out with a hammer to get it loose. This may work, but know that if it takes a few good hits you could f-up the bolt, thus making it difficult to remove. This video helped me out. Honestly, I was worried I had installed it incorrectly because of how easy it was to install.

Overall Impression
I am extremely happy with this product. I have noticed a significant difference in the stability of driving the Tremor. It is a smoother ride for sure. I don't feel as many vibrations in the steering wheel. One concern I do have is that, when it is cold and I am running vehicle for first time in awhile, there will be a squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel. Not certain if it is due to the temperature, but it goes away after the vehicle's steering wheel has been turned a few times. I do not notice anything when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a cheaper alternative, if you are not wanting to upgrade the entire suspension system.

jjfred2112 · Feb 8, 2022

December 2021 / January 2022

Been wanting to buy BuiltRight Industries' MOLLE panel for the seat in the cab. I have the one's in the bed, which are great, so I figured this would be a home-run. The installation instructions are trash. If it wasn't for my wife, I probably would have chunked this thing in the garbage, because I was so frustrated of not being able to get it secured properly. The wife heard my frustration, came outside, and made one comment about how I should set it up. Amazingly, she was correct and it worked. Plus, her small fingers were better to fix the issue. I've only put a few items on this, such as tourniquet, flashlight, and pouch for whatever I want. It doesn't rattle when driving. It is quiet.

Since I purchased my truck in December 2020, I had been toying with the idea of getting a cap / camper. However, the cost and my wife's comments deterred me at the time. Well, after months of window shopping I decided to really start looking and considering purchasing if I found a good deal. I went to ARE website and found a good one on there. Contacted a local place for quote, but they never returned my calls. Did the same for Leer, and no call back. @Claytor_GFT was selling his RSi SmartCap because he had his eye on another cap / camper (Go Fast Camper here) . Not gonna lie, but his new one looks sick.

Anyways, we met up in Houston, and did the exchange. He already had it installed, so we merely took off the clamps holding it down and picked it up and placed on my truck. Took 4 grown men as it was pretty heavy. I love the cap. I have gotten so many compliments on it. I love what I am going to be able to do with it in the coming months. Planning on taking it camping. The cap came with the fold-out table that has a storage spot on the ceiling. He also included the load bars that go on top to help with securing gear, bikes, kayaks, etc.

The only con I have, and it is not Clayton's fault, is the harness to connect the brake light was incorrect. I contacted SmartCap and they are aware of the issue. They don't have an immediate fix. I find this kind of odd that they would release a product and not disclose that the brake light cannot be connected yet.

Priced new the cap is $4,295. They raised prices 1 January 2022 by $300 on all of their caps. They are, and have been, on back-order for quite sometime. Be expecting a few months of wait time, unless a shop near you happen to has one in stock.

jjfred2112 · Feb 14, 2022

February 2021

Almost have all of the chrome removed! I found a video on YouTube of how to paint the door handles. Have to sand down the chrome, adhesion primer, color of your choice, then clear coat. Not that difficult of a process. Will give updates on its longevity.

kfvintx · Feb 14, 2022

Door handles look really good! Would you recommend for bumpers too?

jjfred2112 · Feb 14, 2022

kfvintx said:
Door handles look really good! Would you recommend for bumpers too?

Oof. I can't testify to that. Honestly, I'd reach out to a local shop to see how much it would cost for them to do it. You will have to sand all of that chrome off, prime, coat, etc. I'm certain there are some YouTube videos on it.

I'd almost just recommend getting a whole new bumper if you want to get rid of chrome.

jjfred2112 · Apr 28, 2022

Mid-February 2022

Was fortunate enough to find someone on this forum (which I don't think is on here anymore) who was selling their Morimoto XB LEDs. On Headlight Revolution website, these go for almost $2,000. This nice gentleman sold them to me (almost brand new) for $1,000. I could not say no to this deal, especially since they would be replacing my pathetic halogens.

I did not install these myself, due to the aftermarket bumper being heavy and I'm only one-person. Took it to my local shop and they took care of me.

These lights are absolutely phenomenal. I have received a lot of compliments. The light projection is stunning. Such a clear and consistent light beam. I do get flashed by other drivers who think my high beams are on. The turn signal has two settings: standard and sequential.

SImple plug and play. No extra wiring that needs to be done.

I recommend these for anyone wanting new headlights to replace their weak halogens.

ccw · Apr 28, 2022

jjfred2112 said:
I do get flashed by other drivers who think my high beams are on.

Looks great! Have you checked the headlight alignment to make sure they aren't set too high?

jjfred2112 · Apr 28, 2022

ccw said:
Looks great! Have you checked the headlight alignment to make sure they aren't set too high?

they were installed professionally by a local shop, so im trying to give benefit of the doubt. I did look at how to adjust and it seems very inconvenient in the tight space to get a tool in there. Seems almost impossible for the instructions said. May take it back and ask them to lower it. But, honestly, I think it may be due to the fact of how the vehicle sits. Most people flashing are in tiny late 90 early 2000 Corolla sized vehicles.

ccw · Apr 28, 2022

jjfred2112 said:
they were installed professionally by a local shop, so im trying to give benefit of the doubt. I did look at how to adjust and it seems very inconvenient in the tight space to get a tool in there. Seems almost impossible for the instructions said. May take it back and ask them to lower it. But, honestly, I think it may be due to the fact of how the vehicle sits. Most people flashing are in tiny late 90 early 2000 Corolla sized vehicles.

Fair, though FWIW I haven't been flashed yet with my factory LEDs, other than the one time I forgot to turn off my high beams (

).

Sucks that they aren't easily adjusted.

jjfred2112 · Apr 28, 2022

ccw said:
Fair, though FWIW I haven't been flashed yet with my factory LEDs, other than the one time I forgot to turn off my high beams ().

Sucks that they aren't easily adjusted.

These Morimotos ain't no joke. They're bright as a MOFO.

jjfred2112 · Sep 26, 2022

@OffroadAlliance had a 4x4 and Friends meetup months ago. Won some new fog lights (have yet to install because I suck at electrical work) and purchased some Treaty Oak Off-road recovery gear.

jjfred2112 · Sep 26, 2022

Moved to Lockhart, TX back in July. BBQ Capital of Texas!

jjfred2112 · Sep 26, 2022

Clifford on some of the trails at Camp Mabry, Austin, TX.

jjfred2112 · Sep 26, 2022

Snagged up a new camping trailer. Found a good deal with an already build trailer with a RTT, 10'x8' canopy, shower system, and other goodies.

I will be installing a RTT rack system onto my Carry-On 8'x5' trailer. Custom made for that trailer. Then, I'll transfer the Smittybilt tent to that trailer, upgrade tires and axle, then try selling as a bundle if anyone is interested. I have a larger RTT I plan to put on the military trailer.

Explorerinil · Sep 27, 2022

jjfred2112 said:
Snagged up a new camping trailer. Found a good deal with an already build trailer with a RTT, 10'x8' canopy, shower system, and other goodies.

I will be installing a RTT rack system onto my Carry-On 8'x5' trailer. Custom made for that trailer. Then, I'll transfer the Smittybilt tent to that trailer, upgrade tires and axle, then try selling as a bundle if anyone is interested. I have a larger RTT I plan to put on the military trailer.

Nice set up, I few years ago I wanted to build one of those. I was going to run the same lug pattern as my truck and get some factory take off wheels and tires and run them on the trailer. Then if I had a flat. I had a spare.

jjfred2112 · Oct 17, 2022

Truck has been at the dealership the last week. Having a transmission issue. Some others on here have talked about the transmission jerking from Park to Drive/Neutral/Reverse. I had the same issue. It was rough. Hoping it gets resolved soon.

jjfred2112 · Oct 20, 2022

Truck is still at the dealership. They called yesterday and said I should be able to pickup today, hopefully. Will definitely be getting all of the details to share on here. Truck has been at dealership since Monday Oct 10th.

jjfred2112 · Nov 24, 2022

From late September 2022. Took the stepson camping for his first time. I was able to test out the new trailer and tent system. Easy pulling.

jjfred2112 · Nov 24, 2022

One year and one month later I was able to wire up these rear bumper pod lights from Rough Country. Hooked them up to AUX Switch 2. Didn't want them being activated every time I reversed. I wanted control of these, especially if I'm out in brush and need extra light.

jjfred2112 · Nov 24, 2022

jjfred2112 said:
Truck is still at the dealership. They called yesterday and said I should be able to pickup today, hopefully. Will definitely be getting all of the details to share on here. Truck has been at dealership since Monday Oct 10th.

Here is the bulletin from Ford regarding the harsh transmission shift from Park to Drive, Park to reverse, reverse to drive, etc.

Edit:. Link https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/21-2323

Because we all need another build thread...(Goodbye, Clifford)

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Attachments

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Attachments

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Tremor Buff

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Attachments

Carpet Delete Missionary

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Carpet Delete Missionary

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Attachments

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Attachments

Tremor Junkie

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Attachments

Critter’s Truck

Debonnaire Build has Begun!

Tremor Forum Fav 👍

Ford Tremor Photos

Ford Tremor Photos

Forum List