It has been suggested to start a thread on whats going on with my Jeeps current mods fact finding, fixes, upgrades etc….
I purchased the Jeep July 2024 from a small auto sales firm in Reseda Ca.I found Jeep through car guru search.
The last time I modified a vehicle was in the 80’s, given to me at 18 was 72 Pontiac Firebird sleeper 400, Valley Heads engine rebuild, turbo 400 shift kit etc… I pulled engine tranny all that in a car port in Venice ca. Totaled that, picked up 67 Firebird convertible, got stolen in middle of restore, Swore I would never get a hot rod again. I got a bug to get another Hot-Rod with limited funds. I loved Jeeps since I was 4? When I watched Gumby, and the Block Heads Jeep. Well I got a Hot-Rod jeep.
First day Home as purchased. 51K miles
My current findings.
After looking closely at car facts second owner purchased Jeep in Hawaii and shipped to CA 2003, believe second owner had the modifications done judging from the smog inspection reports. Probably registered for off road use and flat towed to events behind motorhome? Jeep has Manual locking hubs, tow bar mounts and with trailer light receptacle I did not get tow bar with the jeep. Believe things have been lost between second and third owner. I will take it to Smogsters when smog is required, missed the bullet this year.
I have this which I was told will help a lot when go get it smogged. Auto Union found it too late in owners manual after they got it to pass at smogsters.
ENGINE: 4.0 with Banks Sidewinder turbo system. It does not have the side hood scoop or intercooler installed.
Missing belt tensioner?
EXHAUST : well the Banks Header set up through cats to turbo out 3” to a cat and Magnaflow Hushpower muffler.
COOLING : stock, recommended per Banks owner manual.
TRANNY: 32RH 3 speed auto, stock.
T-CASE: Modified NP231 with Tera Low 4.1 low gear kit and slip yoke eliminator kit, (brand?)
FRONT DIFF: Dana 30, 4:88 (brand?) gearing with ARB locker.
REAR DIFF: Dana 35, 30spl axles with abs sprockets? Stock? (brand ? ) With 4.88 (brand?)gearing, ARB currently not functioning on rear (my err)
REAR DRIVE SHAFT: ?
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT: looks stock?
SUSPENSION: FABTCH 6” lift long arm Rock Crawler suspension, with optional front hoop kit and dual coil over 2.5 dirt logic shocks (rebuildable) with remote res, rebuild kits still available), quick disconnect front sway bar. Rebuildable Dirt Logic rear shocks, with 3 point link rear suspension. Replacement Ball joint kits still available.
TIRES/WHEELS: Cooper Discover SST 35x12.50 on 15” steel bead lock look rims, backspacing?.
BRAKES: stock ABS front and rear, ABS disabled.
FRONT BUMPER: Warn with hoop and M6000 winch.
Hood is tweaked a little, left rock fender higher? Been on her side? Adds charm…not, a later fix
Work done to winch, new rope and other goodies and new recovery gear.
REAR BUMPER: Smitty Built with swing out tire carrier and Jerry can/ highlift jack carrier. All very heavy! Currently have spare tire and carriers removed for future maintenance.
GAS TANK SKID:?
ROCK SLIDERS:?
SS DIAMOND PLATE CORNER AND UNDER DOOR ROCK PLATES: Custom?
DIFF SKIDS: Warn, rear removed.
COMPRESSOR /TANK for ARB and AIR-UP PORTS: Viair, tank mounted down under. Temporarily relocated compressor behind diver seat.
What the hoop install looks new.
Weren’t meant to put photo there, couldn’t delete.
ROLL CAGE: JC? Bolt in
INTERIOR: Later, lots of work. Seats and belts mainly first.
LIGHTS: Trash, two work, poor workmanship, wiring, switches are out. Later project
THINGS DONE
Changed engine oil with correct oil and filter. Sure enough leaks more. Oil pan has rock damage need replacement and again poor turbo oil line to pan fitting.
More later on this
Serviced Tranny, looked clean, poor gasket used first timed around. Dumped and installed pan with lube locker. So…it got a good flush. Shifting well. Wish I serviced the T-Case then when I had the FABTECH Skid Plate OFF! More on this subject shortly No Photos.
Serviced front diff no issues
Serviced Rear Diff
BOOM I found my first vibration issue as I am learning, with out agonizing details I got it fixed and buttoned up for now. Replaced pinion/carrier bearings axle seals shaved pinion gear per ARB manual. What was root cause for this to happen? Shaving necessary?
Further discoveries under torqued axle truss u-bolts and upper uniball bearing shot. Have part number for replacement ordering soon with other parts, like t-case parts.
Replaced pinion yoke u-joint, others do need service as well as the T-Case! It is now leaking more.
Started to grease suspension and reached a small bump busting a zerk fitting in bad spot. All good.
STAGE 1,
Get rid of vibes and riding a little smoother and rattle free
1) Drop skid plate again and get to T-case, can’t open fill port even, over torqued, air tank and skid make it impossible to service.
2) Cut a service port in skid plate, drain t-case, remove and evaluate t-case and shafts/u-joints etc..
3) Drop rear diff to replace truss uniball, de rust things
4) evaluate rear upper coil mount relocation
5) Research AiROCK!
Little things I have parts for to do’s
Door hinge grommets
Diver interior door handle, so…door service, both
There’s more can’t remember at this moment
FUTURE:
Interior, seats and belts first
Lighting
Bumpers? Lighter?
Tranny swap? Turbo 400?
BEHEMOTH Colossus D300 T-CASE
DANA 44 front? and rear…definitely
Intercooler and hood louvers
AiROCK ?
Update soon
/
I purchased the Jeep July 2024 from a small auto sales firm in Reseda Ca.I found Jeep through car guru search.
The last time I modified a vehicle was in the 80’s, given to me at 18 was 72 Pontiac Firebird sleeper 400, Valley Heads engine rebuild, turbo 400 shift kit etc… I pulled engine tranny all that in a car port in Venice ca. Totaled that, picked up 67 Firebird convertible, got stolen in middle of restore, Swore I would never get a hot rod again. I got a bug to get another Hot-Rod with limited funds. I loved Jeeps since I was 4? When I watched Gumby, and the Block Heads Jeep. Well I got a Hot-Rod jeep.
First day Home as purchased. 51K miles
My current findings.
After looking closely at car facts second owner purchased Jeep in Hawaii and shipped to CA 2003, believe second owner had the modifications done judging from the smog inspection reports. Probably registered for off road use and flat towed to events behind motorhome? Jeep has Manual locking hubs, tow bar mounts and with trailer light receptacle I did not get tow bar with the jeep. Believe things have been lost between second and third owner. I will take it to Smogsters when smog is required, missed the bullet this year.
I have this which I was told will help a lot when go get it smogged. Auto Union found it too late in owners manual after they got it to pass at smogsters.
ENGINE: 4.0 with Banks Sidewinder turbo system. It does not have the side hood scoop or intercooler installed.
Missing belt tensioner?EXHAUST : well the Banks Header set up through cats to turbo out 3” to a cat and Magnaflow Hushpower muffler.
COOLING : stock, recommended per Banks owner manual.
TRANNY: 32RH 3 speed auto, stock.
T-CASE: Modified NP231 with Tera Low 4.1 low gear kit and slip yoke eliminator kit, (brand?)
FRONT DIFF: Dana 30, 4:88 (brand?) gearing with ARB locker.
REAR DIFF: Dana 35, 30spl axles with abs sprockets? Stock? (brand ? ) With 4.88 (brand?)gearing, ARB currently not functioning on rear (my err)
REAR DRIVE SHAFT: ?
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT: looks stock?
SUSPENSION: FABTCH 6” lift long arm Rock Crawler suspension, with optional front hoop kit and dual coil over 2.5 dirt logic shocks (rebuildable) with remote res, rebuild kits still available), quick disconnect front sway bar. Rebuildable Dirt Logic rear shocks, with 3 point link rear suspension. Replacement Ball joint kits still available.
TIRES/WHEELS: Cooper Discover SST 35x12.50 on 15” steel bead lock look rims, backspacing?.
BRAKES: stock ABS front and rear, ABS disabled.
FRONT BUMPER: Warn with hoop and M6000 winch.
Hood is tweaked a little, left rock fender higher? Been on her side? Adds charm…not, a later fixWork done to winch, new rope and other goodies and new recovery gear.
REAR BUMPER: Smitty Built with swing out tire carrier and Jerry can/ highlift jack carrier. All very heavy! Currently have spare tire and carriers removed for future maintenance.
GAS TANK SKID:?
ROCK SLIDERS:?
SS DIAMOND PLATE CORNER AND UNDER DOOR ROCK PLATES: Custom?
DIFF SKIDS: Warn, rear removed.
COMPRESSOR /TANK for ARB and AIR-UP PORTS: Viair, tank mounted down under. Temporarily relocated compressor behind diver seat.
What the hoop install looks new.
Weren’t meant to put photo there, couldn’t delete.
ROLL CAGE: JC? Bolt in
INTERIOR: Later, lots of work. Seats and belts mainly first.
LIGHTS: Trash, two work, poor workmanship, wiring, switches are out. Later project
THINGS DONE
Changed engine oil with correct oil and filter. Sure enough leaks more. Oil pan has rock damage need replacement and again poor turbo oil line to pan fitting.
More later on this
Serviced Tranny, looked clean, poor gasket used first timed around. Dumped and installed pan with lube locker. So…it got a good flush. Shifting well. Wish I serviced the T-Case then when I had the FABTECH Skid Plate OFF! More on this subject shortly No Photos.
Serviced front diff no issues
Serviced Rear Diff
BOOM I found my first vibration issue as I am learning, with out agonizing details I got it fixed and buttoned up for now. Replaced pinion/carrier bearings axle seals shaved pinion gear per ARB manual. What was root cause for this to happen? Shaving necessary?
Further discoveries under torqued axle truss u-bolts and upper uniball bearing shot. Have part number for replacement ordering soon with other parts, like t-case parts.
Replaced pinion yoke u-joint, others do need service as well as the T-Case! It is now leaking more.
Started to grease suspension and reached a small bump busting a zerk fitting in bad spot. All good.
STAGE 1,
Get rid of vibes and riding a little smoother and rattle free
1) Drop skid plate again and get to T-case, can’t open fill port even, over torqued, air tank and skid make it impossible to service.
2) Cut a service port in skid plate, drain t-case, remove and evaluate t-case and shafts/u-joints etc..
3) Drop rear diff to replace truss uniball, de rust things
4) evaluate rear upper coil mount relocation
5) Research AiROCK!
Little things I have parts for to do’s
Door hinge grommets
Diver interior door handle, so…door service, both
There’s more can’t remember at this moment
FUTURE:
Interior, seats and belts first
Lighting
Bumpers? Lighter?
Tranny swap? Turbo 400?
BEHEMOTH Colossus D300 T-CASE
DANA 44 front? and rear…definitely
Intercooler and hood louvers
AiROCK ?
Update soon
/
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