my project - TJ driver/weekend warrior [Archive]

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gobeer net

12-27-2009, 10:33 PM

'97 TJ I picked up from Craigslist.

Ran but 0 oil pressure and would pop the distributor out since the hold down was broken. - got a distributor and it runs good. gauge says 0 psi at idle but mechanical gauge says 20 psi at idle.

Rumored 2.5" suspension lift. **** Cepek springs, RE ctrl arms, sky jacker shocks. Alot of the control arm mounts on the axles had holes that were oblong. Welded the alignment "washers" solid to take care of the front lowers. Welded a few other steel plates to other ctrl arms. Relocated the track arm hole to take care of that one. At the moment it drives well, 70mph better than I could expect.

Came with a 3" body lift. Cut it down last week to a roughly 1.25" BL. After some adjustment the transfer case shifts correctly now. I couldn't find 4 High before.

35" **** Cepek tires. Good tread - leaving these alone.

15x10 Centerline Hellcats. Dirty and a little Pitted. They could clean up, but I'm on the lookout for a black 15x8 alternative.

D30/Ford 8.8 w/ 4.88's. Open diffs front/rear. Hope to change that in the future.

Power steering was a bottle low.
Coolant was a gallon low.
Tranny was a quart low.
Rear end was almost out of fluid.
Haven't checked the front yet.

All fluids topped off. I will fix each as I learn which ones leak worse.

Soft top is ragged, but the top is on and side windows zipped on after a few hours of fighting. Rear window was junk and has been trashed. I'm on the lookout for a cheap used soft top or hard top.

Warn XD9000i got installed tonight.

I'm ready to wheel so I can find out what to fix first.

gobeer net

12-27-2009, 10:41 PM

A few pics.

Before body lift was cut down.
http://www.gobeer.net/TJ/images/PIC_0155.jpg

After body lift was cut down - checking out tire clearance.
http://www.gobeer.net/TJ/images/PIC_0157.jpg
http://www.gobeer.net/TJ/images/PIC_0158.jpg

Took a heat gun to the left side fender flares. They had been spray panted before. I'm too lazy to sand it off, so the crappy paint job will remain. You can see where the heatgun turned the faded plastic below the paint black again.
BEFORE:
http://www.gobeer.net/TJ/images/IMG_2084.jpg
AFTER:
http://www.gobeer.net/TJ/images/IMG_2085.jpg

Scuba Jeepster

12-27-2009, 11:54 PM

Nice !

Those oil pressure senders go bad, can pick one up at Autozone, etc.

Thumper

12-28-2009, 12:20 AM

Electric are about as precise as mechical gauges are, but I like anything aftermarket. These newer vehicals don't have the numbers on their temp. and oil gauges that I like. I like a good mechanical gauge myself, and you can get the copper wire so it won't break and shoot oil all over everything in a matter of seconds.

Jeep looks good!

X2elite

12-28-2009, 10:20 AM

gobeer net

12-28-2009, 03:29 PM

That is a good looking jeep. Sounds to me like its just your oil sending unit as well. I would snatch up a lunchbox locker for that D30 first when you decide to lock it up. You can install it yourself, and be wheeling it in no time.

Yeah, I'm betting on a sender as well. Still rocking the temp mech oil press gauge for now.

I figure a lunchbox type for the D30. Trying to figure out the rear first. Its a drum brake 8.8 so I'm guessing 28 spline. So far I'm leaning towards swapping the guts and brakes from a 31 spline disc brake axle and then putting a locker in.

X2elite

12-28-2009, 04:16 PM

If it isn't your DD and is just a toy, I would go with a spool out back.

Tweeder

12-28-2009, 04:17 PM

Yeah, I'm betting on a sender as well. Still rocking the temp mech oil press gauge for now.

I figure a lunchbox type for the D30. Trying to figure out the rear first. Its a drum brake 8.8 so I'm guessing 28 spline. So far I'm leaning towards swapping the guts and brakes from a 31 spline disc brake axle and then putting a locker in.

could still be 31-spline. Explorers 1991-1994 had drum brakes and 31-spline shafts. you can just swap the brake hardware if you want. definitely check to see what splint count you got. one easy way to check is to see if there's any leftover marks from a spring perch on the BOTTOM of the axle since all Exploders are spring under. otherwise, you might as well pull a shaft and get to counting.

Thumper

12-28-2009, 04:25 PM

If it isn't your DD and is just a toy, I would go with a spool out back.

What's a spool? Lol just weld um up. Most people weld the rear and if your a decent welder is free labor.

Tweeder

12-28-2009, 04:31 PM

What's a spool? Lol just weld um up. Most people weld the rear and if your a decent welder is free labor.

it's that doohickey ya use in a c-clip axle to makes for a better chance at being able to change the shafts WHEN ya break em.

last one i welded, i managed to weld the c-clip to the side gear.....oopsie:embarassed:

Thumper

12-28-2009, 04:40 PM

it's that doohickey ya use in a c-clip axle to makes for a better chance at being able to change the shafts WHEN ya break em.

last one i welded, i managed to weld the c-clip to the side gear.....oopsie:embarassed:

Yea, I just thought that spool thingy was a drag race thing lol. I always thought us 4x4 guys were all about welding stuff. I spool my race cars but weld my 4x4's, kinda strange I guess but that's me.

Tweeder

12-28-2009, 04:49 PM

welded rears break before spools, too.

Thumper

12-28-2009, 04:57 PM

welded rears break before spools, too.

I've gave mine hell, and it hasn't broke yet. I'll give it another shot this Saturday and see if it breaks.

gobeer net

12-28-2009, 06:04 PM

I like the cheapness of welding it. But its gonna get driven on the street too much to weld/spool the rear end. I'm glad to hear there is a chance of this thing being a 31 spline axle. I'll tear it down after superlift this weekend.

Also installed the winch last night and swapped winch cables today with the one off my trailer. The trailer had approx 100ft, the one off the jeep was approx 45 feet. Glad I did that.

Thumper

12-28-2009, 06:33 PM

gobeer net

12-29-2009, 10:57 AM

So, are you trailering this down there Saturday?

Yup.

Thumper

12-29-2009, 04:02 PM

I'll pm you my number and you can call me if you want to caravan down there. Superd will be driving his down there but I'll be trailering mine. If I break mine I can drag it back to the trailer.

dangerousdavid

12-29-2009, 10:16 PM

you can get a mini spool for that 8.8 really cheap on ebay i paid $70 shipped for mine

Thumper

12-29-2009, 10:35 PM

I know where a locker is for $250.

gobeer net

12-29-2009, 10:37 PM

I know where a locker is for $250.

Do tell?

Although I dont know what spline I have yet so ........ :confused:

Thumper

12-29-2009, 10:46 PM

Do tell?

Although I dont know what spline I have yet so ........ :confused:

Showed up on Craigslist today, up in Alma for $250 firm. Didn't state the spline but it's a lockrite. Here's the link.....

http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/pts/1529656239.html

Thumper

12-29-2009, 10:48 PM

Lock that thing and do 4's. They do awesome turning all 4 tires. Mine will climb a wall.

Scuba Jeepster

12-30-2009, 07:57 AM

Get a mini spool don't mess with a lochright or ausie, those things don't do to well in an 8.8

dangerousdavid

12-30-2009, 09:53 AM

Get a mini spool don't mess with a lochright or ausie, those things don't do to well in an 8.8

:agree:

Thumper

12-30-2009, 10:33 AM

Little help here for a newbe lol. I have a Lockrite in my D44 front and it does fine and gets put thru all kinds of crap including the axle snapping bunny hopping. Is it just bad if for a 8.8?

Thumper

12-30-2009, 10:35 AM

After all that said I agree with these guys, they know their stuff so I would hold off on this locker.

Tweeder

12-30-2009, 10:54 AM

Is it just bad if for a 8.8?

could just be the 8.8, could be that lunchbox lockers don't hold up well in a rear axle if yer actually USING it...

Thumper

12-30-2009, 11:01 AM

could just be the 8.8, could be that lunchbox lockers don't hold up well in a rear axle if yer actually USING it...

Mines in my frontend, welded in the back and I use mine with no breakage. I also admit that I don't wheel it hard but I'm not easy all the time. I'm kinda midrange on the tear chit up meter.

Tweeder

12-30-2009, 11:03 AM

the Aussie in Scooby's D30 has lasted for YEARS. the one he tried in his 8.8 didn't last two runs before he was swapping it out (in a busted condition) for his mini-spool.

Scuba Jeepster

12-30-2009, 11:03 AM

I've had an aussie in my front for almost 5 years with no issues what so ever. Put one in the rear and it was having lots of issues. I think i had it in and out 3 times before deciding to go back to mini spool. Alex tried it had issues too. Mini spool or welded is the way to go.

X2elite

12-30-2009, 11:08 AM

Yeah but he said his is going to be a driver. Welded/spooled may not work for him.

Thumper

12-30-2009, 11:16 AM

Just depends if you want the chirping or not on the street. My drag truck is welded and it was fine by me. Couldn't tell my tires wore any faster but then again it's a drag truck and I drive it a lot on the street. My XJ is welded and I drive it on the street but only to car wash and a few little places. To each his own though.

As for the front verses the rear, the rear axle also takes more abuse especially on these heavy wagons.

ElkyRacer

12-30-2009, 11:35 AM

After driving mine around for a few weeks off and on with a welded rear, I dont think Ill do it again. Selectable is the way to go! Big money, but if you drive it a lot I can see it being worth it in the long run.

X2elite

12-30-2009, 11:44 AM

LOL yeah, but you are gonna trailer yours eventually anyway right?

Thumper

12-30-2009, 11:45 AM

On daily drivers posi's are the way to go, but that big money on one won't keep you froming tearing it to pieces on high hp. I know these guys like to wheel hard and IMO I won't lock the back with anything other than weld of spool, same goes for my fast cars. Now my tow rig is another story, it's not driven hard but pulls a lot of stuff so I'll posi it.

Basically it all comes down to what this guy wants.

gobeer net

12-30-2009, 05:44 PM

So... what about a detriot? big money but it does replace the carrier which seems to be the weak point.

ARB - possibility and I'd love to rig up on board air, at the same time I'd rather not have to deal with air.

I've been reading bad things about the electric lockers in the 8.8. Kinda like the aussie in an 8.8. Aussie is probably whats going up front, but gonna shy away from it in the 8.8.

Scuba Jeepster

12-30-2009, 07:06 PM

Detroits suck on the street, especially in a TJ (short wheelbase). You accelorate and it locks, let off the gas and it unlocks, kind giving your jeep this swishtail effect in a small way if you have a manual it does it all the time when you change gears. If you seriously want streetable, then do selectable, they work great just expensive and then you have something else to break. I think the elockers are alot better than they used to be.

ElkyRacer

12-30-2009, 11:15 PM

LOL yeah, but you are gonna trailer yours eventually anyway right?

I dunno. I used to be pretty young and stupid. I rarely EVER trailered the car to the track until I put the 3 speed in it. Then it was just a fact of towing got better mileage! Course after the 3 speed came more nitrous, bigger tires, ect ect. Knock on wood I never had anything break on me to leave me stranded at the track. It always fell apart once I made it home!

Now that Im older and/or lazier, it'll be a tossup.

A spool/welded will be put in the 9in until I can afford a big bad ARB and 35 spline stuff. It is kinda nice not having to worry getting stuck in wet grass!

X2elite

12-31-2009, 11:12 AM

gobeer net

12-31-2009, 03:28 PM

LOL My tow rig almost got stuck last night, with my trailer and jeep on it. Guess it wouldn't have technically been a stuck since I could have unloaded the jeep and pulled it out myself, but man that would have been a PITA. The next rear axle to go into my XJ will be spooled/welded.

I bought my jeep three weeks ago. I pulled into the guys yard to load it up (he said to). Well after loading the jeep on the trailer I couldnt' get out. Got pulled out by a 2wd with stock wheels/tires. 305/50R20's get stuck on wet grass!

gobeer net

01-17-2010, 11:14 PM

Jeep has another few tanks of gas threw her. Still holding up. New bestop went on last week. Makes for a much nicer drive. Changed the fluid with Amsoil synthetic in the tranny before new years superlift. It seems to be notchier in 3 and 4 and didn't help my 2nd gear any. I keep saying i'm gonna check it for water - but haven't so far.

Currently looking for a set of 15x8 D-windows and still wondering about which rear locker. Guess its wheeling till it breaks after that.

Thumper

01-18-2010, 02:32 AM

gobeer net

01-18-2010, 07:23 AM

Not real fond of ole Cody at Come Get Ya Some, but I got my black steel RC wheels for my old JK there for like $45-50 per wheel, which wasn't bad really. I'd give Accessories Unlimited a call, ask for Shawn Muck the owner and see what he sells them for. Crapslist may have a set, your 5x4.5 pattern is common on there.

Cody has the soft 8's in stock at a good price ($50 .ea) but I'm partial to the D-window. I've been keeping tabs on craigslist. So far none that didn't need a good sanding/repaint within an hours drive. Gonna keep a look out though.

SUPERD

01-18-2010, 07:26 AM

http://www.arkansascrawlers.com/main/forum/showthread.php?t=8267
these are a bargain

Thumper

01-18-2010, 09:33 AM

Good deal, unfortunatly it's 360 miles round trip for you to get them.

SUPERD

01-18-2010, 11:18 AM

its a good excuse to hit the park though!:smiley:

TJRHD

04-16-2012, 10:11 AM

What were you driving when you saw us at Booneville?

gobeer net

04-16-2012, 07:27 PM

What were you driving when you saw us at Booneville?

I was in a '04 Rubicon. Just picked it up a few weeks ago. Guess I'll post a new thread on it.

EDIT: new TJ thread - http://www.arkansascrawlers.com/main/forum/showthread.php?p=158838#post158838

http://www.gobeer.net/Rubicon/images/527218_634206204764_124301416_32289566_647551963_n .jpg