Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift
- Thread starter Wildman
- Start date
OP
You're a little behind the times buddy...
When I came out of the garage today when it was time to quit I had some visitors watching me.
Damn how did I miss that!! Hell yes good work it sounds great!
Almost stole it from you and posted it tagging you, until I heard the notification.
OP
Good job... Since they are all female you know there is going to be problems.....
No "Hold My Beer" situations any time soon. I'd like to get a few years out of it before I break it again.
OP
Thanks. I'm trying to get all the other things done so I can actually move it and drive it and then work out any bugs that come up. I'm getting close to where I should be able to get the rear axle back under the Jeep. The front has to come back out for some final welding and then I can hopefully have it sitting on the air springs.
Still hoping I can make the Moab run in June but I ain't gunna commit to anything yet.
OP
It took me a while to get this figured out since I have some fuel in the tank so it wasn't as easy when it was empty. But I did finally get it figured out by using two jacks this time so I could get one side a little higher than the other.
Once I got it up high enough I put the spacer in place and finished jacking it up into place. Then I got the 4 nuts started on the carriage bolts.
Next was to move it around until I could get the two front bolts thru the frame & then the skid.
Not a lot of room where the filler hose will sit but it'll work.
I'd had this idea in my head of how the fuel lines would route from the tank to the filer but I'm MORE than happy with how it all turned out.
I think the routing turned out GREAT but as always I'm open to suggestions if anyone sees an issue with how I have it routed.
Here's the spacer in place and the nuts tighten down.
A side shot just cause.
I'd noticed after looking at all the bolts in the rear that one wasn't showing as much thread as the other 3 so I went back and loosened it up and spun it a little until it fell into the hole like it should be. I'm glad I caught it.
Can you tell which one it was?
Hope to see you there and that rig on the trails.
OP
Buddy I'm trying... Been having some health issues lately which has slowed me down. But I'm hoping I'll have it ready and out on the trail with all of you.
OP
Was able to get out to the garage today. Found out that the hose I'd installed on the t-case was leaking. So I got some new hose and installed it.
Then worked on the t-case crossmember. I'd had to clearance it for the drain fitting on it.
So I'd ground down a spot to clear the fitting and then welded the spot.
Shot it with some paint.
Once it dries I'll get it installed.
Then worked on the t-case crossmember. I'd had to clearance it for the drain fitting on it.
So I'd ground down a spot to clear the fitting and then welded the spot.
Shot it with some paint.
Once it dries I'll get it installed.
OP
While I was watching the paint dry I swapped out drop lights. The one I'd installed last month started smoking and making a buzzing sound. So it was unplugged and I ordered a new one.
This is the old one. I'll contact the vendor about it and see what they say.
New one installed.
While I was at it I also hung up a triple tap reeled extension cord. This should help to get some of the extension cords off the floor.
And now the paint is dry so I can install the crossmember.
This is the old one. I'll contact the vendor about it and see what they say.
New one installed.
While I was at it I also hung up a triple tap reeled extension cord. This should help to get some of the extension cords off the floor.
And now the paint is dry so I can install the crossmember.
Awesome. I need both of those and a retractable air hose.
OP
Don't get the cheap hose reel from Harbor Freight. Mine is only 3 years old and I've already had to replace the hose end.
My other hose reel I'd bought at a yard sale has been in my garage for 10 years and I just replaced to hose end because it was getting cracked. The HF one was leaking.
OP
Here's the good hose reel I have. I don't see any brand name on it though.
Rear crossmember is in.
Clearance around the drain fitting. I'll have to pull the crossmember to drain the t-case. Or pull the hose out of the upper fitting.
The crossmember
I know there's debate about if it's necessary but that thing weighs 150 lbs.
Next is getting the rear axle ready to be installed.
Rear crossmember is in.
Clearance around the drain fitting. I'll have to pull the crossmember to drain the t-case. Or pull the hose out of the upper fitting.
The crossmember
I know there's debate about if it's necessary but that thing weighs 150 lbs.
Next is getting the rear axle ready to be installed.
OP
Huston we have a problem!
I'd ordered a RuffStuff diff cover for the rear axle. I'd wanted to use the heavier cover as a possible help for the housing flex. Right or wrong my thoughts were it might help.
Well I'm not sure if it's the Super60 ring gear or? But it doesn't fit.
So I'm just going to install the stock cover for now and will contact RuffStuff about it and see what they say.
Not a show stopper but still a bummer.
None of you can understand the frustration when the pin lock won't line up when you're trying to put your leg back on....
I'd ordered a RuffStuff diff cover for the rear axle. I'd wanted to use the heavier cover as a possible help for the housing flex. Right or wrong my thoughts were it might help.
Well I'm not sure if it's the Super60 ring gear or? But it doesn't fit.
So I'm just going to install the stock cover for now and will contact RuffStuff about it and see what they say.
Not a show stopper but still a bummer.
None of you can understand the frustration when the pin lock won't line up when you're trying to put your leg back on....
Time for a billet spacer and some ARP studs
J/K
I think he is a master at adapting!
OP
I think he is a master at adapting!
I talked to RuffStuff about it and they asked me to take some pictures of it. And then put grease on the ring gear & the bearing caps. So come to find out it isn't the ring gear that is the issue but the copper line for the ARB. I'm going to send them the pictures to see what they say. Might not be a solution but I appreciate that they are willing to look.
OP
My daughter made me a GREAT cake for my birthday today. Tastes great too.
