Doggo doesn't get many car rides these days, so lifted her in and took her for a ride which she enjoyed. Other good news is I can still front squat a ~130# live load from the negative position while wearing Jesus cleats.
This twisted, coated wire was done to test a theory
on wind noise- sure enough, it works-they do this on some tower wires for that reason.
I use these on my truck ladder racks to lash loads down, going to get 4 black for the rack.
View attachment 428180
I’m happy with this 2004. It’s tight, quiet and drives excellent. Going to be a fun one. It should see some kayak trips this summer.
View attachment 428184
Got the U-joints out of the driveshaft. I had to use my ball joint press, and a 30 inch breaker bar. This was on the first "side" of the first U-joint I tackled. The 2nd "side" as well as the other U-joint could have been done with the hammer/socket technique - but that first one was NFW.
View attachment 428266
As it was, I had to work it back and forth a couple of times, plus slather it with penetrating fluid, to be able to get it to come out at all.
When I got the 2nd "side" pulled, I found my "smoking gun":
View attachment 428267
Looks like the needle bearings got so hot they fused together... (??)
Guess which cap was "the one":
View attachment 428268
Sprayed some flat black paint at the driveshaft, hope to get it reassembled tomorrow.
Old U-joints seem to be the same as the new ones.
View attachment 428269
Windshield looks a little on the dirty side for your standards
I forget, why were you checking/changing them? Vibration or noise? Or both?
I replaced the battery with an Interstate from Costco. I really need to clean up some of my wiring. I think I will start with some new upgraded cables from JEEPCABLES.COM A little pricey but isn’t everything nowadays? Has anyone here used them?
Thanks,
View attachment 428104
After a really great with day @Hog ..visualizing success as usual ..... We got his rock bars on and I got my 2004 dialed in- Some brake noise and new plugs. Spark plugs are funny- You’re sure you don’t need some until you put a set in, then wow.
After that my wife and I went to the Alabama Jubilee balloon festival- It was really one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen- Right until they took the Tweety Bird balloon down. Boy It was sooo over then.
Next year I’m going to bring a 22 caliber rifle with rat shot.
Those look great for target practice.
View attachment 428102
View attachment 428103
I have said this before and still mean it- get to know a forum member. Becoming friends with @Hog has been a bright spot in my life these past few years.
View attachment 428570
Here is the finale of the flipping of the rock rails.. they were on the other sides.. with the bars downward..