Anything I should replace while the grille is removed?

[NCLife]

So, I had to remove the front grill to give me enough space to drill out a couple of broken bolts. I'm wondering what everyone would advise I replace, if anything, while I have the front end torn apart. It has a new radiator already. One obvious thing was the rubber body mount spacer things. I'll check the serpentine belt but it looks fairly new. Any thoughts and recommendations are appreciated.

I removed all of the steering components and am doing the ZJ upgrade, cleaning and PORing the frame along with fluid film in areas I don't want to paint. I'm in NC so once I get rid of the surface rust I'm good to go. I did notice brown sludge in the lower radiator hose when I disconnected it. So, even with a new radiator I suspect it wasn't flushed. It had a blown head gasket which was repaired before I got it. Maybe that sludge is from that? Other than that I don't have any known issues to resolve, I was thinking more preventative while I have it apart. 177k miles.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Pictures and your issues would help with any helpful answers?

 

[jjvw]

Inner axle seals

 

[Woodrow]

So, I had to remove the front grill to give me enough space to drill out a couple of broken bolts. I'm wondering what everyone would advise I replace, if anything, while I have the front end torn apart. It has a new radiator already. One obvious thing was the rubber body mount spacer things. I'll check the serpentine belt but it looks fairly new. Any thoughts and recommendations are appreciated.

Good time for a motor swap...

 

[NCLife]

Pictures and your issues would help with any helpful answers?

Good call. Adding them now.

 

[Woodrow]

Good call. Adding them now.

Cooling system is the most obvious thing, especially with the sludge you describe. Good flush at minimum. Thermostat, hoses, maybe water pump are all things I would consider, at least. If you replace the thermostat, don't use the "saftey" style that lock open. Get a Mopar or stant 195 deg and make sure the bleed hole is up.

 

[Marklar1983]

Cooling system is the most obvious thing, especially with the sludge you describe. Good flush at minimum. Thermostat, hoses, maybe water pump are all things I would consider, at least. If you replace the thermostat, don't use the "saftey" style that lock open. Get a Mopar or stant 195 deg and make sure the bleed hole is up.

If the one you get doesn't have a bleed hole, add one. Drill a 1/8" hole in the outer ring of the thermostat, you can Google to see where to put it.