We've been working at wrapping up my build and hope to be done in a couple weeks.  I shot a new coat of Raptor on my Jeep with Jodi's great masking help and we got the Atlas 4 speed put in although we ran into an issue.  We wound up pulling a  ground wire off that wound up causing us some crazy issues including a no start situation.  It took about 10 hours of diagnosing the problem to get it to start and we still have some communication issues with the ABS which we hope is a tripped or blown relay.  We should have that figured out shortly with a relay tester.

My driveshafts are ordered and I'll be putting the armor back on in the next day or so.  I'm looking forward to being able to drive it.  Here's some pics.

 

Last week, we got to the point on my build that it made sense for me to bring my Jeep home for cosmetic stuff while we wait for the Atlas.  The good news is that it will be here Tuesday.  We won't install it until at least this coming weekend so in the mean time, I am going to shoot a new coat of Raptor on the exterior, shoot the cargo area and then install Armor Lite flooring in the front and back seating areas.  Today i repaired some body damage on my B Pillar that I damaged on the waterfall at SMORR in prep for the Raptor.  

I will also be installing a new windshield (cracked), followed by the light bar.  The rear bumper will need to be installed along with the new Metalcloak sliders.   

When we loaded my Jeep on the trailer, I wasn't happy with where it had to sit now that it has wider axles and strapping it down was very difficult due to limited points to secure it.  So, I went down to Springfield, MO yesterday morning and came home with a 28' Gooseneck deckover.  Now we are all set.

We got our hardwood flooring installed and it looks really nice. That's one big project out of the way.  Tearing the old floor out was not fun but it saved over $2000.  

We are only two months away from JD and Megan's wedding.  They are pretty excited.  

 Nemesis has officially seen daylight as we rolled it out onto the street to make some adjustments to the three and four link and get a look at it from a distance.  Everything seems to be looking good.  The brakes still need some additional bleeding but we are on to the rear inner fenders next and then mounting the air compressor and running the air lines for the lockers.  We should have that completed this weekend I suspect.  

My Atlas is being built this week.  I was beginning to wonder if it was going to happen or not but it is confirmed.  I hope to have it mid-next week, get it installed the following weekend and then order driveshafts.  Once those are in, it is drivable.  

Here is some pics from the other day when we took it out of the garage.

 The rear brakes are installed and the ABS and brake lines all routed.  The setup looks really good and clean.  Things should be moving pretty quick going forward and hopefully by next weekend we will be flexing it out and checking clearances and ensuring all the brake lines, etc are long enough.

Jodi and I have been working on cleaning out and straightening our dressing room in the studio.  We sold about 150 items from it to other photographers as we do a refresh for the coming new season.  Yesterday, we went shopping and came home with 4 full bags of new clothing and shoes.  While we were out, Jodi happened to get another Louis Vuitton purse to add to her collection.  Happy Valentines Day to her.  :)

Jayson is with us today and spending the night.  His 8th birthday is fast approaching on the 25th.  He is growing up fast.  He really likes Jodi's cat and has been playing with him much of today.

 With my buddy out of town this week, no work on the Jeep.  We will get back after it this weekend.  Some wiring of the evap cannister and fuel tank is next and then on to the brakes.  It won't be long until it's ready to roll.

 Well, we didn't get it running but we are close.  We have decided to go ahead and get the brakes knocked out.  We got some painting done yesterday as well.  Lots of small tasks remain but the finish line is getting closer.  

I may have mentioned previously that I wanted to order an Atlas transfer case but they were at least 12 weeks out and I couldn't wait that long as I need to get my rig rolling and that means I have to get driveshafts made.  To put them in now and an Atlas later, I'd have to cut the shafts down to fit. 

As luck would have it, I ran across a builder who had a client that decided to hold off on installing an Atlas.  Rather than let his build date go to waste, he posted that he had one available that could be built to suit.  I was the first to message him so supposedly, my Atlas will be built on the 12rth of this month.  Fingers crossed.

Tomorrow it's going to be a long 12 hour day working on my Jeep.  The stretch goal is to have it running tomorrow.  That means fuel lines plumbed and brake lines installed, bled, etc...  We shall see.  Still much to do.