05 Flame Red TJ Build

[JMT]

Ordered a new mod today. This will be it before Moab, I think.

Installs will be all that's left. I'll hopefully get that done in the next couple of months. September is looking busy, but I can probably carve out one of the last two weekends. Then I can :coleman:my TJ.

 

[Mike_H]

Ordered a new mod today. This will be it before Moab, I think.

Installs will be all that's left. I'll hopefully get that done in the next couple of months. September is looking busy, but I can probably carve out one of the last two weekends. Then I can :coleman:my TJ.

View attachment 51634

Front or rear? Easy install, though getting that diff out the first time is a bugger. I've done two of them in a Dana 30 now...Last one, my buddy and I got it done in 2.5 hours, I think. We used Spartan though...

 

[JMT]

Front or rear? Easy install, though getting that diff out the first time is a bugger. I've done two of them in a Dana 30 now...Last one, my buddy and I got it done in 2.5 hours, I think. We used Spartan though...

It’ll go in my front Dana 30. I’d prefer a selectable in the rear. I’ll have to wait on that. I think once I regear and get the BS correct, I can do the selectable myself. Probably an E-Locker. Sounds fun pulling the carrier. I’m assuming that diff is the proper name for the carrier.

 

[Rob5589]

It’ll go in my front Dana 30. I’d prefer a selectable in the rear. I’ll have to wait on that. I think once I regear and get the BS correct, I can do the selectable myself. Probably an E-Locker. Sounds fun pulling the carrier. I’m assuming the diff is the proper name for the carrier.

Piece of cake. Dip the springs in some grease to hold them in place, makes it easier to keep it all together. Throw in some inner seals while you are there.

 

[KCsTJ]

@ jmt From what you learn during the regear and locker install, you will be able to install the rear locker when the $$$ is available.
Since your buddy will be setting the backlash during the regear, you may have 2 hands free to document the install fully with pics, that way you will know how to add the rear selectable locker later.
Those 4.56s are really going to be nice

Is that Powertrax electric?

 

[JMT]

Piece of cake. Dip the springs in some grease to hold them in place, makes it easier to keep it all together. Throw in some inner seals while you are there.

You’re talking about the little springs that come with the lunchbox locker, right? Thanks for the advice. That will make things easier.

And you’re talking about the inner main seals on either side of the diff, right? If so, those look easy to remove but difficult to install.

 

[JMT]

The differential includes the ring and pinion gears and the carrier, basically the whole 'pumpkin'.
The ring gear bolts onto the carrier. The carrier is what you will shim to the right or left to bring the ring gear to proper position with the pinion.
It is fascinating to watch how this is precisely done. Take good pics ! Or maybe even video some of the.procedure.

Thanks. I will try to document as much as possible. I want to help him at the same time and not look like a media crew! I hope to learn well-enough to be able to do it myself the next time. Hint, hint; another TJ someday.

 

[JMT]

Today I finished prepping the Dana 44 and had enough time to paint it with the Zero Rust Aerosol that @bobthetj03 recommended. I really like how this paint goes on. It’s not as glossy as I expected, it has more of a slight sheen, but it seems pretty hard for an aerosol paint.

Here’s one pic from before.

The rest are after.

I also cleaned out the axles with brake cleaner as well as the shafts. Hopefully planning to install and re-gear and lock the front Sept 21 or 22.

 

[KCsTJ]

Today I finished prepping the Dana 44 and had enough time to paint it with the Zero Rust Aerosol that @bobthetj03 recommended. I really like how this paint goes on. It’s not as glossy as I expected, it has more of a slight sheen, but it seems pretty hard for an aerosol paint.

Here’s one pic from before.
View attachment 51799
The rest are after.
View attachment 51800
View attachment 51801
View attachment 51803
View attachment 51802

I also cleaned out the axles with brake cleaner as well as the shafts. Hopefully planning to install and re-gear and lock the front Sept 21 or 22.

Hey thats beautiful work @JMT

 

[JMT]

Hey thats beautiful work @JMT

Thanks brother! I’m sure I’m just getting it all primed and ready to mess it up! Why do we do that? Why do we make it so nice and then go scrape it up? I don’t understand me!

 

[bobthetj03]

Thanks brother! I’m sure I’m just getting it all primed and ready to mess it up! Why do we do that? Why do we make it so nice and then go scrape it up? I don’t understand me!

It's a Jeep thing. You understand it.

 

[Rob5589]

You’re talking about the little springs that come with the lunchbox locker, right? Thanks for the advice. That will make things easier.

And you’re talking about the inner main seals on either side of the diff, right? If so, those look easy to remove but difficult to install.

Yes and yes, they can be a pita to install. I use a socket that fits in the seal, a flat bearing driver plate, and a small ballpeen hammer. Get it in straight and make quick smacks and drive it in. Adding a light layer of gear oil on the outer lip will help it go in easier.

 

[bobthetj03]

I thought I mentioned to you that the Zerorust gives you a satin finish. If I didn't, my apologies. I think it looks great brah!

 

[JMT]

I thought I mentioned to you that the Zerorust gives you a satin finish. If I didn't, my apologies. I think it looks great brah!

No worries, I'm really happy. Besides, I think you did say satin. The guy at the paint store said it was the cap color, which is gloss black. It almost looks like a flat satin to me. In any event, I'm very pleased with the results. My only concern is I didn't get enough surface rust off and it will come back. The before pic is pretty indicative of the rest of the axle. But that's all I could get off, using wire wheels, angle grinder with sanding wheel, wire brushes and anything else I could come up with. I hope it lasts...I don't think I could have done a better job.

 

[JMT]

It's a Jeep thing. You understand it.

:headbang:

 

[bobthetj03]

No worries, I'm really happy. Besides, I think you did say satin. The guy at the paint store said it was the cap color, which is gloss black. It almost looks like a flat satin to me. In any event, I'm very pleased with the results. My only concern is I didn't get enough surface rust off and it will come back. The before pic is pretty indicative of the rest of the axle. But that's all I could get off, using wire wheels, angle grinder with sanding wheel, wire brushes and anything else I could come up with. I hope it lasts...I don't think I could have done a better job.

That's the beautiful part of the Zerorust. It encases the surface rust so that oxygen can reach it. The only place it will rust will be where you scratch the Zerorust off when rock humping. Just touch up and rock on!

 

[tomtaylz]

That's the beautiful part of the Zerorust. It encases the surface rust so that oxygen can reach it. The only place it will rust will be where you scratch the Zerorust off when rock humping. Just touch up and rock on!

Good to know about this stuff. I’m getting very light surface rust from the fog on some components. Sounds like this might be my friend for the future.

 

[JMT]

That's the beautiful part of the Zerorust. It encases the surface rust so that oxygen can reach it. The only place it will rust will be where you scratch the Zerorust off when rock humping. Just touch up and rock on!

HAHA. So awesome. It's hard to get 1 up on rust. I love it, and I hate to admit, but I love rock humping too.

 

[KCsTJ]

What's next, schedule a weekend for your regear ?

 

[JMT]

What's next, schedule a weekend for your regear ?

Studying. Got know what I need to re-gear, what tools, the process, etc...I'm getting closer. I can at least converse about these things and know what I am getting into.