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I had plans to finally start working on my 2dr's "restoration" today. I woke up and watched some old 4WD Action DVDs on YouTube while drinking coffee, and thought to myself, "the 4dr runs and drives - just take it wheeling..." which is what I did instead! Didn't even dust off the bird dirt and spider webs and sure as **** didn't check any fluids. I didn't even pack a lunch lol - I just grabbed my Delorme maps and left. I hit up Hurricane Creek which is a seemingly ancient public road leading off I-40 in the mountains of Western North Carolina that's actually a 4x4 trail to get into the mountains. The Jeep kicked butt - it really earned it's keep today!
This thing is still wonderfully "a Jeep" though and had a few "moments."
I did need to use the locker twice and noticed the compressor stayed running the entire time instead of running for a bit and shutting off. It's making me think I might have an air leak.
While flexing the suspension out (I didn't need to do this - the trail literally just ended and this obstacle was just for play), not only was I reminded how desperately I need more bumpstops and more bumper trimming, but the coolant expansion tank boiled over and dripped coolant completely at random (the Jeep was shut off and had been for minutes). Also, little did I know that I was actually stuck...
I seriously could not move from that flexed out spot and for some reason, instead of just using the front locker, I opted for the winch! Good test to check that it works I guess.
Despite the coolant burpage, the Jeep ran cold for the first few miles after leaving that spot - the gauge looked like it was reading 170-180. It's always ran fairly cool when moving but this was weird. It eventually went back to "normal" but that had to have been something...
Oh, and I'm pretty sure my trans is about done. It occasionally makes a loud chattering while accelerating from low rpm in 2nd and 3rd gear... which is awesome... I think the input shaft is wearing clutches out prematurely.
sweet xj Battle! just curious, are you running 31's or 33's?
Fixed the loose wire terminal in my PDX and re-taped all the wiring up from my Big 7 Cable install. Fired right up!
Also let it run for 15 minutes or so with the coolant flush in for when I flush and replace the coolant along with replacing the T-stat, fan clutch, radiator cap and add an external cooler.
But that won't happen for awhile since my next two weekends are for other things and the coolant flush is not something I have time for during the week.
Ordered SFR SRB's, RE Sye, and got halfway installing new trackbar and bracket before I found I was sent the wrong bushings in the TB, so I need to wait until Friday to finish up. I found my death wobble is likely coming from the drivers side upper CA. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 3 link, hard to decide because all have 100$ + shipping
My poor transmission is breathing so hard this week that I pulled the trigger on a used one to replace it. I was looking at rebuild kits but the thought of cracking open a tranny case and losing half of the check ***** makes me nervous.
My local guy is going to put it in for me, but get this: I found a 98 AW4 2x4 tranny with only 80K miles on it! Now I just have to wait "7 to 14 business days". Major sigh. Guess I'll keep clearing BS codes and limping her to and from work for a couple of more weeks...
I sanded and painted my turbines I got from a junkyard. It was alot of work but I think they turned out well. I sanded to get them real smooth and get the oxidation and pitting out. Then used self etching primer, raptor liners glass black wheel paint, and then their diamond clear coat. Hopefully it holds up. I know I did not paint them like traditional turbines, but I've always been a fan of all black turbines with the chrome center cap.
Before After
Bought a set of Turbine wheels on CL today. No curb rash and all four caps look pretty decent. I'm not sure which way I'll go with them.
The back of the wheels have 40 years of brake dust to clean off. The tires are junk
Have to give credit where credit is due.
I was following 00xjfreedom's lead that is a member on this forum so.....
LOL.
I do have a question though.
Did you stick a stud into the 2 holes that were not punched through?
Figure if you did that while not bolted in the stud through the hole in the bracket helps support the weight.
Thinking that was pretty smart.
I figured that washers on both ends and a lock washer on each of those two mounting would secure it good enough but....
Also I replaced the self tapping screws that mount the overflow tank with small bolts, nuts, washers, and lock washers cause of the added weight.
Finally got my engine refresh completed today! What's funny is this was supposed to be a quick re-seal and slap in, but I got out of control and kept buying parts lol I didn't do much internal other than the oil pump, Harlem rockers, new push rods and timing chain. Engine has about 110K on it and ran great before pulled, so no need to replace anything else. Hopefully I can get 200K out of this and I'll go ahead and do a full rebuild on my old motor to keep as a backup. Next up is transfer case and new drive shaft. I probably should make a build thread lol
** Also can someone tell me how to make the images smaller? This forum like blows them up even if I re-size them smaller it still comes out huge lol
Last edited by thelonejourney; 08-22-2022 at 08:18 PM.
Test fit of the 10 spoke rims I picked up on CL last week. Do most of you run the stock lugnuts on these? The lugnuts that were used with the Limited honeycomb wheels seem to be ok.
08-15-2022, 05:38 PM
