74weld stage 1 steering upgrade DIY install

[SierraBronco]

@SierraBronco I think I just found your install vid for your NVM belly skids. Thank you for that! The NVM instructions are not great. I'm doing the 74weld stage 1, e-swaybar disco, and NVM skids all in the same install, so that will be very helpful. Thanks!

Awesome! That’s why we shared it! Started off recording just to help us remember what goes where but figured might as well share the little helpful bits we discovered too! Glad it helped

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[userdude]

@SierraBronco I think I just found your install vid for your NVM belly skids. Thank you for that! The NVM instructions are not great. I'm doing the 74weld stage 1, e-swaybar disco, and NVM skids all in the same install, so that will be very helpful. Thanks!

It's probably not fair to compare any instructions to the NASA-grade ones you get from 74Weld... lol

(But yeah, a lot of these fab shops don't do instructions at all or well.)

 

[Roofus]

It's probably not fair to compare any instructions to the NASA-grade ones you get from 74Weld... lol

(But yeah, a lot of these fab shops don't do instructions at all or well.)

Yep 74weld instructions are just fine. But when I was going through the NVM instructions, I thought "They really shouldn't let the engineers write up the instructions for us normies."

 

[bkfit]

I like the gas carrier/tailgate reinforcement combo. Can you share where it's from?

https://hpbuilt.shop/collections/bronco/products/hammer-built-bronco-tire-support-kit

 

[Roofus]

You guys think I’m good to go? Missing anything?
Standard tools covered… wrenches sockets etc
18” adjustable wrench
28mm crescent
1-5/8 crowfoot for putting on the Icons
Lock ring pliers
Thread locker/rtv

 

[SierraBronco]

You guys think I’m good to go? Missing anything?
Standard tools covered… wrenches sockets etc
18” adjustable wrench
28mm crescent
1-5/8 crowfoot for putting on the Icons
Lock ring pliers
Thread locker/rtv

Seeing those snap ring pliers make me want to replace the 40 year old one I have that’s been abused mostly doing anything but snaprings

I spy NVM boxes

That’s all I have to contribute. I haven’t done the stage one. I’d be interested to know how tight the passenger side tierod is though. I removed the driver side with normal channel locks but the passenger side was a whole different animal

 

[Roofus]

Seeing those snap ring pliers make me want to replace the 40 year old one I have that’s been abused mostly doing anything but snaprings

I spy NVM boxes

That’s all I have to contribute. I haven’t done the stage one. I’d be interested to know how tight the passenger side tierod is though. I removed the driver side with normal channel locks but the passenger side was a whole different animal

Good eye, Popeye!
I've had giant boxes sitting around for weeks to get everything ready. I am very lucky to have a wife who is into overlanding! ha!

E-swaybar disconnect went on Saturday in the parking garage. That one was an easy 40min job. 6 bolts, swap, 6 bolts, done. Now just need to do wiring to the aux switch.

We work out of state so I just have a condo parking garage to do my small projects. We're driving home this weekend and I'll have my garage to do the rest. So once I'm in the garage I'll do the Stage 1 and the NVM belly skids. And the NVM rear diff and shock skids are at the powder coaters, so I'll do those whenever I get them back.

I'll buy a 4 foot Roam awning for the back of the roof rack on labor day sale and I think I'm done for the year. Next year I'll do king shocks and storage system in the rear and I think we'll be set for our trip to Moab next year. But first up is Vermont in October and Georgia Traverse in either November or next Feb/March.

 

[Brostango]

You guys think I’m good to go? Missing anything?
Standard tools covered… wrenches sockets etc
18” adjustable wrench
28mm crescent
1-5/8 crowfoot for putting on the Icons
Lock ring pliers
Thread locker/rtv

Gasket scrapper or razor blades and compressed air to blow the crud out.

 

[Roofus]

Gasket scrapper or razor blades and compressed air to blow the crud out.

Good call. I'll have those at home.

 

[userdude]

Safety glasses and perhaps some mechanix gloves, I smashed my hand pretty good getting it out and stuff will fall on your face as you're working. Also, I don't know if you're planning to use jack stands, but I found some pretty good tire ramps online if you're interested. Delivered in two days.

 

[WalkerTR]

Good eye, Popeye!
I've had giant boxes sitting around for weeks to get everything ready. I am very lucky to have a wife who is into overlanding! ha!

E-swaybar disconnect went on Saturday in the parking garage. That one was an easy 40min job. 6 bolts, swap, 6 bolts, done. Now just need to do wiring to the aux switch.

We work out of state so I just have a condo parking garage to do my small projects. We're driving home this weekend and I'll have my garage to do the rest. So once I'm in the garage I'll do the Stage 1 and the NVM belly skids. And the NVM rear diff and shock skids are at the powder coaters, so I'll do those whenever I get them back.

I'll buy a 4 foot Roam awning for the back of the roof rack on labor day sale and I think I'm done for the year. Next year I'll do king shocks and storage system in the rear and I think we'll be set for our trip to Moab next year. But first up is Vermont in October and Georgia Traverse in either November or next Feb/March.

Wondering if you purchased the 4 foot awning. I'm very interested in doing the same. I am debating between the 4 and 5 foot. You don't see many mounted this way, but I think will be perfect for my needs. Any lessons learned?

 

[Roofus]

Wondering if you purchased the 4 foot awning. I'm very interested in doing the same. I am debating between the 4 and 5 foot. You don't see many mounted this way, but I think will be perfect for my needs. Any lessons learned?

I’m literally in the process of installing the awning, roam rugged mounts, and my Starlink on the rack this weekend. It has been a freaking jigsaw puzzle. I’ll try to snap some pics today. I was at it all day yesterday and had to change my original plan on mounting the awning brackets and didn’t realize at the time that would change the mounting position of how far out I needed to extend the bracket. So after spending all day with it I had to pull the awning brackets off so that I can drill new holes in the “L” bracket. Such a pain. I think it will all come together. It’s just been a nightmare because the brackets are steel and keep melting my drill bits.

 

[WalkerTR]

I’m literally in the process of installing the awning, roam rugged mounts, and my Starlink on the rack this weekend. It has been a freaking jigsaw puzzle. I’ll try to snap some pics today. I was at it all day yesterday and had to change my original plan on mounting the awning brackets and didn’t realize at the time that would change the mounting position of how far out I needed to extend the bracket. So after spending all day with it I had to pull the awning brackets off so that I can drill new holes in the “L” bracket. Such a pain. I think it will all come together. It’s just been a nightmare because the brackets are steel and keep melting my drill bits.

Thanks for the feedback. Are you okay with the four foot awning? I was considering the five knowing that it would extend about 6 inches on both sides of my roof rack. Do you plan on keeping the awning on all the time or just when you travel/need it.

 

[Roofus]

Thanks for the feedback. Are you okay with the four foot awning? I was considering the five knowing that it would extend about 6 inches on both sides of my roof rack. Do you plan on keeping the awning on all the time or just when you travel/need it.

I used these: https://racksbraxusa.com/hd-racksbrax/ They allow you to remove the awning when you're not camping without having to remove the brackets.

The 4ft was perfect for our needs and the fit is exactly what I hoped for. I think a 5' would be too big and hang off the sides too much. I unfortunately don't have a straight on shot from the rear and I've already taken it off. It's hard to tell, but it hangs off about 1.5" past the edge of the rack, but does not push out past the pakrax on the sides. I'd knock off a Rotopax before I'd clip the edge of the awning by a good margin.

Attached some pics of the starlink mini mounted and the awning.

 

[WalkerTR]

I used these: https://racksbraxusa.com/hd-racksbrax/ They allow you to remove the awning when you're not camping without having to remove the brackets.

The 4ft was perfect for our needs and the fit is exactly what I hoped for. I think a 5' would be too big and hang off the sides too much. I unfortunately don't have a straight on shot from the rear and I've already taken it off. It's hard to tell, but it hangs off about 1.5" past the edge of the rack, but does not push out past the pakrax on the sides. I'd knock off a Rotopax before I'd clip the edge of the awning by a good margin.

Attached some pics of the starlink mini mounted and the awning.

Great Information. I'm also using a half roof rack and the same roam gear. Looking at you awning pics I believe you are correct about the 5 foot poking out a little to far. Saved me a return, and thanks for adding the links for how you attached the awning. Perfect response for me.

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