In case anyone cares, the decision to use 22" wipers instead of 17".....didn't work quite like I hoped. Passenger side worker so-so, driver's side not so much. The passenger side wiped the water away but the noise from the additional length going over the top of the windshield was annoying. Driver's side would not sit flush against windshield. As a result, didn't really wipe the water away. Experiment/cheapo fix failed miserably. Ordered a set of frameless 17" off eBay.

 

Also discovered the passenger side arrow doesn't always light up when using the turn signal. And the turn in-function does not work on the passenger mirror either. Will deal with this later.

 

Fox shocks most definitely absorb bumps much better than the white Fabtech shocks. The recoil is much faster and smoother. Given the fact they are new, you feel a bit more feedback in the steering wheel than the worn fabtechs. The ride is smoother. Unexpectedly, some of the steering wheel play is gone. Even though fabtech told me the reservoir shocks would not fit...they most certainly did. Shock and reservoir both fit within the shock mount area.


On a side note, the fox shocks part # 980-24-961 did not come with clamps to hold the reservoirs to the shocks....what the hell?!?!?! Anyways...used 3 zip ties to hold each reservoir to the shock. Resorted to this ghetto fix while I decide which clamps to buy. Don't really want to spend $50 per Fox clamp...found non-brand name clamps on eBay for $28 - $35. Discovered manufacturers offer them in black, chrome, anodized something, etc. Who knew that many options existed?!@? I'm leaning toward the black anodized ones.
2.0" ANODIZED BLACK BILLET SHOCK RESERVOIR CLAMP- FOX, KING, FOA, ANY 2" BODY | eBay
I just want to measure the area to ensure I don't have any fitment issues.


found this as a cheap alternative:
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Comp-Rese...ESERVOIR+CLAMP


I would be lying if I didn't say I prefer the look of the anodized ones. Also think they will hold up better. Not that I plan to engage in much offroading, but a complete clamp vs a bushing with a strap of some kind....


Found these
https://www.amazon.com/Fox-803-02-04...ESERVOIR+CLAMP


Fox brand and the cheapest price online.

 

Per google:


Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminum is ideally suited to anodizing, although other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, also can be anodized.

I had no idea what it meant. I also realized the better quality clamps come with stainless steel screws.

 

Took the usual path to son's school and then work. Felt no difference in driving without sway bars. I want to say there was a slight amount of additional sway, but couldn't really tell. H2 drove great! One less rattle too since the metal washers on one of the end links are no longer clanking.

 

Well, knock on wood and all things metal...now that the weather has changed/begun changing, I most certainly hear a hissing sound. After the H2 "warms" up, it goes away. Gotta love it!

 

Bought the power steering pump last weekend and rented the pulley puller. Still sitting collecting dust. Not sure if I will change out this weekend.


Duralast Power Steering Pump 7137- Read3Reviews onDuralast #7137

 

I finally got around to installing new door panel fasteners.

 

The black fastener in the first pic is one of the contributors to noisy door panels.
Notice one of the sides is missing.

These fasteners are intermingled along with the white middle fastener in the second pic. These black fasteners were used to adhere the top section of the door panel. Given their age and length, they were no longer holding the top section of the door panel fastened to the metal door frame. This section would flap/bounce as I drove around.

As of yesterday, driver's side was repaired. As of tonight, passenger's side.

 

One additional comment about the fasteners I used, the bottom white fastner in the second pic. The fasteners' diameter was a bit small/narrow. I used masking tape to make their diameter larger and keep them inserted in metal door frame.