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The grant custom steering wheel really transformed the feel of the truck which had a very rotted nasty leather steering wheel previously. The new wheel is smaller diameter, with larger grip and looks sporty. This wheel is more comfortable than the stock wheel and slightly better than the sport style brushed metal spoke wheel found on some earlier Grand Wagoneers and Wagoneers. The only problem is the foam will mark up your trousers if you're not careful. Or maybe the wheel needs a good cleaning. Left to do it over again, I'd probably get a wheel with different material, like wood, leather, vinyl, or plastic.
The original GW seats hurt my back, making me feel like I'm hunched over when driving. I like a seat that has a curve in the back offering some support and I like lateral support too. The BestTop top of the line seats offer all this, and also match the "spice" interior passably well but are not perfect. Despite the very high price tag, behind support is poor and I find myself numb after several hours in the pilot seat. The arch and support for my back is not great and the angle at which I place the seat seems very critical to my endurance.
Despite the very flimsy balsa wood construction, I like the center console for its features, namely having two cupholders in the perfect location, a top pad that is long enough to rest an arm on, and the curved front and map pocket that looks elegant and doesn't get in the way. I didn't find any other consoles that offered these features. I had to get a black console because Steel Horse's idea of "spice" is quite different from BestTop's. But I am pursuing a black and tan theme in the interior anyway so it looks pretty good, actually.
This is a conversion that is simple but difficult to implement, only because of the incredible shortage of overhead console lights in the junkyards. At least, the ones for FSJ are rare. You can find these overhead consoles with map lights in GM and Ford vehicles. If you can find one, it is simply a matter of replacing the original dome light. The results are great. If you have back seat readers as you drive somewhere at night, they're set.
Worrying about large ammo boxes impacting my occipital region during a wreck or rollover, I decided to limit movement, using two eye bolts mounted into the body in the rearmost corners of the cargo area, a section of vinyl wrapped steel braided rope, and a series of carabiners. The steel rope connects to the eye bolts and spans the width of the cargo area. The ammo boxes and other cargo is attached to the wire rope by carabiners. I haven't tested it, but I have a feeling it would slow down or stop any forward movement of the cargo.
Overview
- Grant custom steering wheel
- Besttop sport seats with manual seat brackets
- Steel Horse center console
- Rear map light conversion
- Steel cable and carabiner cargo tie-down system
Steering Wheel
The grant custom steering wheel really transformed the feel of the truck which had a very rotted nasty leather steering wheel previously. The new wheel is smaller diameter, with larger grip and looks sporty. This wheel is more comfortable than the stock wheel and slightly better than the sport style brushed metal spoke wheel found on some earlier Grand Wagoneers and Wagoneers. The only problem is the foam will mark up your trousers if you're not careful. Or maybe the wheel needs a good cleaning. Left to do it over again, I'd probably get a wheel with different material, like wood, leather, vinyl, or plastic.
BestTop Sport Seats
The original GW seats hurt my back, making me feel like I'm hunched over when driving. I like a seat that has a curve in the back offering some support and I like lateral support too. The BestTop top of the line seats offer all this, and also match the "spice" interior passably well but are not perfect. Despite the very high price tag, behind support is poor and I find myself numb after several hours in the pilot seat. The arch and support for my back is not great and the angle at which I place the seat seems very critical to my endurance.Steel Horse Center Console
Despite the very flimsy balsa wood construction, I like the center console for its features, namely having two cupholders in the perfect location, a top pad that is long enough to rest an arm on, and the curved front and map pocket that looks elegant and doesn't get in the way. I didn't find any other consoles that offered these features. I had to get a black console because Steel Horse's idea of "spice" is quite different from BestTop's. But I am pursuing a black and tan theme in the interior anyway so it looks pretty good, actually.
Rear Map Light Conversion
This is a conversion that is simple but difficult to implement, only because of the incredible shortage of overhead console lights in the junkyards. At least, the ones for FSJ are rare. You can find these overhead consoles with map lights in GM and Ford vehicles. If you can find one, it is simply a matter of replacing the original dome light. The results are great. If you have back seat readers as you drive somewhere at night, they're set.
Cargo Tie-down System
Worrying about large ammo boxes impacting my occipital region during a wreck or rollover, I decided to limit movement, using two eye bolts mounted into the body in the rearmost corners of the cargo area, a section of vinyl wrapped steel braided rope, and a series of carabiners. The steel rope connects to the eye bolts and spans the width of the cargo area. The ammo boxes and other cargo is attached to the wire rope by carabiners. I haven't tested it, but I have a feeling it would slow down or stop any forward movement of the cargo.
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