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View Full Version : The Jalapeno STILL Isn't Running, Updated 3/16/12



SuicideTireZJ
07-08-2005, 04:56 PM
I guess I'll start a page dedicated to my POS. Been on here a while and always like reading what other people have done to their rides, and since nobody has updated their Members' Ride lately, here's mine:

93 ZJ Larado 5.2L V8

First vehicle ever. Got it a couple months after I turned 16. I had been looking at Rodeos and Pathfinders, and to some extent 4Runners and even Land Rovers (my dad's had 3 Rovers but didn't want me to have one because they fall apart regularly). Eventually decided on the ZJ becuase there was a red one in my HS parking lot and I thought it was the shit. Little did I know it actually had a live axle, which proved to be a damn good thing.

So, drove it for a year stock, did a little wheeling:http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/f9826aa3.jpg

then finally saved up $500 to buy a SWEET procomp 3" kit. I threw this on in my auto class, where I actually started to understand what was going on with cars. A couple months later, after looking like a damn goofball, I got a set of used 32" MT/R's for free from a guy in New York. I thought I was ballin.' This is me and my roommate's 81 Yota before a trail run near Breckenridge
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/f9826a92.jpg

So I drove it in that condition during the rest of HS. I eventually got sick of ripping the rear bumper plastic off so I deleted it permently. I also threw in a remote start, a must for cold Colorado mornings.

Then came college. Even though I didn't have a job my freshman year, I was on a ROTC scholarship that gave me $300 pocket money each month, so I started doing some more mods where I could afford them. I swapped the bald MT/R's for a set of used BFG MT/KMs from a guy on the Co4x4 board, and got a ViAir from someone parting out a ZJ on the ZJ mailing list from Off-Road.com. My dad got me half of a Milemarker 9K for my birthday, and I bought a custom tube front bumper with integrated reciever hitch from a shop in Boulder that recently went out of business, and had the winch mounted to a reciever plate. Looks like this:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/cc0e767c072a.jpg http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/1589e187c7ca.jpg http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/c95e0a67fb1b.jpg

The above pictures are more recent, but you get the idea. Sorry for the shitty quality, I only have my phone to take picutres with.

Anyway, pretty much ran around with it like that for about a year. Took a couple trips out to Moab where I ran Hells Revenge, Fins n' Things, Lockheart Basin and Elephant Hill. Here's a pic of me on E.H., eh?
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/ElephantHill.jpg

End up blowing up my 3rd set of tires in as many years, and get a set of 31" Truxxs MT's. I wanted to go bigger but my mom was sick of me getting used tires and helped me buy these.

A couple months later and I do this:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Image04.jpg

That's a stock front coil next to a 3" rear ProCrap coil. So guess which one went back into the Jeep? Oh and by the way, this is what having no UCA's connected, a floor jack, and a lot of boredom look like. Kinda dig the lowrider look: http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Image02.jpg

Bought some 2" front spacers to even it all out and give myself a half-assed alignment. Spring break rolls around and I head out to Moab with my dad and some friends. Some extended ProComp cheapo shocks arrive the day I leave (I was scared shitless they wouldn't get there) and throw them on at the campsite. Hit Hells Revenge (3rd time, never gets old) and make it up tipover challenge (my goal for the trip). Next day we run PSM and have a blast as it was our first time up it. Got video of mad flex in the wedgie, and make it up everything with no problems. 3rd day we go to run Kane Creek and I blow up EVERYTHING on a pussy little hill. Tow it back to Denver (while I drove that white Toyota, roofless, in a blizzard up Vail Pass) and get it into a shop. Requires a full tranny rebuild and some new parts for the 249. Buy a 231 with a SYE and a Tom Woods rear shaft, and $3000 later I have a Jeep. Most of you have probably seen a similar image, but this is a ZJ with shit underneath:http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/d1058e0ee5b2.jpg

That's about it! Couple other minor things, like some hood scoops (see above bumper picture) and a bigass air tank in the back, but for the most part, there she be. Ugly as hell and usually broken. Cooling system never has worked right, so she's always running hot. Add that to the green paint, and you get Jalapeno.

Future mods? None. I'll never be able to pay for any upgrades at the rate I keep repairing whats already there.....

But I would like a full long-arm system with airbags on all 4 corners on 39's and fullwidths. No roof, dovetailed tube rear, full cage.... blah blah blah. Eventually.

Right now I gotta work on hacking/boatsiding the rockers and getting a rear bumper. Then probably swap in a 8.8 rear with some sort of locker and 33's. Should get me around well enough from there.

norton
07-08-2005, 07:32 PM
cool ZJ man.

mine too always seems to be parked on the street with damage/entrails coming out. its a slow process for a broke college foo, eh?

o well, its fun to wheel the piss outa it :supz:

SuicideTireZJ
07-08-2005, 08:53 PM
THIS POST HAS BEEN DELETED BECAUSE I SUCK AT THE INTERNET, SEE BELOW

SuicideTireZJ
07-08-2005, 08:56 PM
fo sho mang

It's stuck somewhere in the mountains with a huge hole in the radiator, replacement won't be here until Monday, and I'm kinda scared it'll be stripped by the time I get to it.

I'll ride my motorcycle up there tomorrow and maybe move it down the road a little so people don't think it's abandoned. It's funny because now that I have a job I almost have LESS money to wrench on it and get shit fixed up.

Here's another shot on Carnage Canyon, Boulder. The rest of the images are scattered on like 4 different host sites but the main one is www.tmobilepictures.com/seandogg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/a1bfe367c43f.jpg

SuicideTireZJ
08-17-2005, 01:38 AM
The heep sat around for a while in the last week because the battery was completely toast. I knew it was going for a while now, but it would still start the Jeep after I cranked for a little while. Then, all of a sudden, it just quit. So, I dumped almost the entirety of my last paycheck on this:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Picture005.jpg

In case you're too dumb to know what you're looking at, that's a $170 Optima Yeller Top. A little overkill for my purposes, yes, but Sears was out of Red Tops, I needed a battery, and I wanted an Optima. So I ponied up. What the hell, you only live once.

And since my motorcycle just got ran into (but barely damaged), I've got some bumper/rocker replacement money in the way of an insurance check coming my way this week. Stay tuned to see what Cory at Rockin' Rods is gonna whip up for me!

MaineZJ
08-17-2005, 09:24 AM
decent ride man.

One thing - a ZJ isn't a car.

JeepinHank
08-17-2005, 09:42 AM
Don't let that yellow top die. They don't like to sit up for a long time.

If it does die by chance, don't let those one of those idiots behind the parts counter try to put it on a fast charge. If they do, it will kill the cells in the battery. Also read the fine print on that warranty - if its anything like AutoZone, you'll be sorely disappointed in the coverage.

SuicideTireZJ
08-17-2005, 07:00 PM
Sit up? Like, should I mount it horizontally on its side?

And if it does die, should I throw it on the slow charge on my battery charger overnight?

SuicideTireZJ
08-17-2005, 07:05 PM
decent ride man.

One thing - a ZJ isn't a car.

Unibody=car. If you look it at right, it looks like a lifted station wagon. I love it just the same though.

But I get your point, and fixed above.

JeepinHank
08-18-2005, 10:13 AM
Sit up? Like, should I mount it horizontally on its side?

And if it does die, should I throw it on the slow charge on my battery charger overnight?

Sorry, Sit up as in sit with out being used for long periods of time.

And yes - Slow charge if it does happen to die, or better yet put it on a small 1 amp trickle charger for a couple of days.

My optima sat in my Jeep for 7 months while I was doing the current build, and like a dummy, I didn't unhook / remove it. Of course, it died. I made the mistake of taking my Yellow Top to auto zone and the tech put it on a fast charger (ignoring the little sign right above the fast charger that said not to put deep cycle or gell cell batteries on it) - TWICE!

Fast charging ended up killing one of the cells. I couldn't get more than 6-8 volts out of the battery with my multimeter. Then when I asked about the warranty - they looked it up in the computer, and said they'd give me $7.58 plus the $8.00 environmental impact / core charge. $15.58 for a battery I paid $150.00+ for 2 years ago. My battery was almost 2 years old to the day. So based on that - the warranty is for 2 years - 1 year free replacement and 1 year pro-rated. I told them I'd rather use it as a door stop.

The shitty part is - their $50.00 "duralast" batteries (or whatever they're called) carry a full 5 year warranty with just as many CCAs. The parts monkey told me that they don't warranty the Optima deep cycles as long since they're used in offroad and performance applications where they experience a lot of amperage draws.

SuicideTireZJ
08-19-2005, 02:36 PM
I've got a 2 amp setting on my charger so that should be cool enough.

Fortunately (well, unfortunately, actually!) I don't think the Jeep will be sitting around for any extended period of time because I don't have enough money to build it any more!

Thanks for the advice.

SuicideTireZJ
09-22-2005, 02:22 AM
My deal with the fab guy fell through, so to get me through the anguish I took the deposit I gave to him for the bumpers and sliders, and bought these bad boys:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Fatrubber.jpg

33x13.50x15 Superswampers. Can't WAIT to get them mounted, but I've got to bust out the sawzall before any of that can happen. Oh, and buy new rims too.

SuicideTireZJ
10-18-2005, 01:27 AM
Finally got the 33's on a couple weeks ago. Test flexed for clearance issues and had to trim the rear a little after these pictures were taken. You get the idea. I ran Carnage Boulder later that night but my flash was inadequate to get any decent shots off.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Flexage002.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Flexage001.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Newtiiiiiirs015.jpg




It's nice to have some real tires. And that swamper sound from 25MPH all the way up to 80 is music to my ears!


Next on the list, axle upgrades (read: replacement) and HOPEFULLY some armor. Might take out a student loan to get it where it needs to be for the rest of the time I'm in school.

Kraqa
10-18-2005, 01:52 AM
nice tires

SuicideTireZJ
10-18-2005, 02:49 AM
tanks mang

guess I should say the same to you. Your build thread is my daily source of escapism

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
10-18-2005, 08:35 AM
looks good, i'd say you might wanna invest into some sliders but you may be past that point now. :finga:

SuicideTireZJ
10-18-2005, 12:57 PM
looks good, i'd say you might wanna invest into some sliders but you may be past that point now. :finga:



Bwahaha yeah pretty much... It never was an issue when the plastic was on there but I took 'em off and found the nasties that they had been hiding. When I do, I'll opt to cut out the rocker completely and throw some tube in there instead of just going with a rocker guard....

...it's pretty obvious I need all the clearance I can get!

SuicideTireZJ
03-20-2007, 02:29 AM
Ahh, back fromt the dead... I've been suffering from a terrible alignment and worse ride quality for so very long now that selling the Jeep was a daily thought. Ended up selling my motorcycle instead which I really regret now that it's warm.

Anyway, my birthday is in a week and my present from my parents arrived today: brand new Currie steering! Also, I've been sanding down and truckbed lining the bottom half of my doors as well as the fenders, so pics to come on both of those pretty soon. Heading to Moab in exactly a month so I need to get the Jeep in some sort of order before then! Stay tuned...

1fox2go
03-20-2007, 04:37 PM
what suspension setup do you have to clear the 33s? and where did the front bumper come from?

BlueXJ
03-20-2007, 08:52 PM
what suspension setup do you have to clear the 33s? and where did the front bumper come from?


He said it came from a shop in Boulder that went belly up for the bumper and ProComp on the springs IIRC.:D

1fox2go
03-20-2007, 11:34 PM
Hes got more that just the procomp lift, it looks like a spacer in one of the pics, im asking if he changed control arms and what not

SuicideTireZJ
03-21-2007, 08:12 PM
As it sits now I'm running a F/R swap and 3" Procomp coils with the 1.75" spacer in front. The front LCA's are RE adjustable, the rear LCA's are Teraflex (I think) adjustable ones. All UCA's are stock.

Yeah, the bumper was from a shop in Boulder called Terraliner. He wanted to start into the Grand market and used my rig as a mule. I think it was Keith- MountainWJ or somthing that also got a bumper from them, but I don't remember if he's still running it. The shop did shut down a little after I got it and one of the guys started Tubewerx in Denver but I think that closed down too.

SuicideTireZJ
04-23-2008, 12:37 PM
Back from the dead... well sorta. After my latest mishap documented in this thread: http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15165&highlight=handle

I've pretty much been driving my sisters Scion while she's in school in NYC. I was given the ultimatum by my mom to get my shit drivable because she's coming back for spring break and needs her toastercar. So, despite all the other shit I have going on (school, work, part-time alcoholic), I drove down to Windsor to JSteve's house who was kind enough to sell me a 249 and stock drivshaft on the cheap. Finally got it all swapped in last night. Here's some pics.
The carnage:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass012.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass013.jpg

In the other thread someone told me it might have been caused by a front driveshaft failure. So I tore apart the double cardan, and lo and behold:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass017.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass018.jpg

They were right. Can anyone tell me why there is a ball and cup on my front shaft? I'm assuming it has something to do with it being full time 4wd, but the fucker failed and took my $300 231 with it. I'm not sure what my options are from this point, it looks like I need a new shaft. If I were running a part time case I would just cut the ball and cup off and run it like a normal double cardan but with a 249 in there I don't think so. So for now I'm just going to run it with no front shaft and hope it holds up for the week.

Also, the case Justin sold me was missing some studs so we had to scavenge them from the 231. Pam works wonders as a PB blaster replacement.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass015.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass014.jpg

As usual, it took us about 3x longer to drop the case in, mostly because I had this stupid idea that I could bench the case into place. We eventually caved and grabbed a floor jack. Working in a dirt parking lot in the middle of the night BLOWS. Thank god it was still somewhat warm.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass020.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass021.jpg

It's in! Still need to figure out the speedo and swap shifter tabs over since it's stuck in lo-range right now, but I took it for a spin around the block for the first time in a couple months.

Major modifications are on the way as I'm sick of it in it's current form. I'm moving into a house in June with a big garage, my welder, hopefully a bender, compressor, drill press, etc. For specifics, see other thread.

ATL ZJ
04-23-2008, 12:45 PM
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Tommyneedssomeass014.jpg



Next time use two nuts so you don't tear up the threads... :D

SuicideTireZJ
04-23-2008, 01:28 PM
Next time use two nuts so you don't tear up the threads... :D

Yeah i know that looks bad but there's actually ~3/8 of unthreaded on the top we gripped off of. Don't worry!

SuicideTireZJ
04-23-2008, 01:30 PM
Oh and i was wondering... if I did decide to swap in another 231, would there be any problem swapping over the SYE to a new case as long as it isn't damaged? Or is it a one-time use only sorta thing?

jsteves
04-23-2008, 03:59 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot I had taken a couple studs as my 231 has some broken in shipping.

Anyway, the pic is hard to see but it looks to me like the "ball" is the middle of the centering kit on your double cardan. In otherwords, I think half of it got torn off in the case explosion. I would just grab a front shaft from a junkyard.

zj95
04-23-2008, 09:06 PM
whats that shit on your windows? looks like it says "HOMO" on the drivers window

SuicideTireZJ
04-23-2008, 11:52 PM
whats that shit on your windows? looks like it says "HOMO" on the drivers window

Nice catch. Yeah someone took window paint and wrote a bunch of dirty shit on my window and on my roommates Tundra. Left the other two roommies and my neighbors cars alone, which was weird. Then they left an elmo doll under my wiper and a Bob the Builder doll under my roommate's (he's a construction management major).

Took it to the carwash today and all is well. Probably the first time I've washed it in over a year (I still had some red dirt from my moab trip last april!)

BLK97ZJ
04-24-2008, 07:28 PM
If you cut the cup out, the double cardon shaft won't work at all. It has nothing to do with the transfer case.

Tommy
04-30-2008, 03:08 AM
hey were right. Can anyone tell me why there is a ball and cup on my front shaft? I'm assuming it has something to do with it being full time 4wd, but the fucker failed and took my $300 231 with it. I'm not sure what my options are from this point, it looks like I need a new shaft. If I were running a part time case I would just cut the ball and cup off and run it like a normal double cardan but with a 249 in there I don't think so. So for now I'm just going to run it with no front shaft and hope it holds up for the week.

Wasn't that shaft making a shit load of noise? I have replaced the socket a few times on my front shaft. They get really loud when they start to fail. Mine does anyways.

Rebuild the CV. You can buy those parts from TOM WOODS or any driveline shop. Buy all new u-joints, and make sure you stay on top of greasing that shit. I do mine after every run. Is the ball stuck on there? Hard to see at least for me...

Is that the only damage to the shaft?

My garage is like a five star hotel in comparison to your working conditions. Nice flip flops and cargo shorts.... j/k

SuicideTireZJ
04-30-2008, 03:53 PM
Haha yeah in hindsight i should have towed it to my friends house instead of my parking lot, but his thunderbird was getting a motor swap and there would have been no way to get mine into the garage. I'm moving into his place soon and the garage is getting a once-over so our working conditions should improve significantly (but still won't hold a candle to your shop... :drool:)

I'm not sure how that ball held up. The cup is trashed, obviously, and if I remember right the ball has a little scoring on it. Would it have to be perfectly smooth to work right?

SuicideTireZJ
06-16-2008, 02:59 AM
Well, I finally took my parents and girlfriends advice, and got a job waiting tables. The money is leaps and bounds better than all the other jobs I had being a chef and such, so there's a little spare cash for upgrades.

I ripped out the beat-to-shit procomp shocks and replaced them with some $30 specials my buddy at VatoZone helped me source, bought a steering box brace and rear tracbar from Kevinsoffroad.com, finally ripped the exhaust out from the muffler back and now I'm running a cat to turndown.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary017.jpg

The steering box brace
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary020.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary016.jpg

Next major mod is still replacing the rockers, but I want to brace the unibody first so I can weld them on. Here's the worst of the damage so far, getting prepped for bedliner
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary018.jpg

And, yes, I'm still running the procomp drop tracbar bracket on the front. The holes ovaled out over the last ~5 years it's been lifted so I JB welded it together, but it's starting to crack. I'll get Claytons setup as soon as I can afford it.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary019.jpg

I still need to get my welder wired up, but my anniversary was a couple days ago and I blew $200 on dinner at the Melting Pot instead of on the Jeep... it was worth it.

zj95
06-16-2008, 03:19 AM
that TB bracket scares me...

SuicideTireZJ
06-16-2008, 03:44 AM
Hahaha God don't I know it.

tywilson88
06-16-2008, 12:40 PM
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary016.jpg

boobicon jk shocks?

SuicideTireZJ
06-16-2008, 05:55 PM
No clue. Just found 'em in a couple boxes collecting dust underneath some other stuff. Didn't even have a logo on them, but they were the right length and definitely the right price, so...

dirty
06-16-2008, 07:35 PM
Nice ride...I remember college, hobbies (other than drinking) are tough to afford. Give plasma every month, that's how I financed the drinking...I make money giving fluids...and then I spend money replacing them with beer. :smt003 Keep at it!

By the way, is that steering box brace from Kevins too? I need one desperately.

SuicideTireZJ
06-17-2008, 01:12 AM
Hahaha I hear ya on the plasma. I tried to donate that once but they found out I'm at high risk for mad cow disease... shit! Now I just work, and waiting tables is pretty lucrative although I don't have much downtime to wrench. I certainly picked the wrong hobby while in school, but I love it too much to care.

And yes, the box is from Kevins. I didn't have the time or patience to try and throw a four bolt box in there so I figured this would be a pretty good alternative. I got mine for just over $100 shipped, and it's a quality product. Here's a link: http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/zj/zj_steeringgearbrace.html

zj95maxx
06-17-2008, 09:59 AM
i guess he changed the design a bit..mine looks like this
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/chewning37/alongarm013.jpg

jsteves
06-17-2008, 10:21 AM
i guess he changed the design a bit..mine looks like this
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/chewning37/alongarm013.jpg

Yeah, that is the older one. Mine looks like that as well.

SuicideTireZJ
06-17-2008, 01:20 PM
I think with the way the tube is bent it's a little stronger. Is that tab that connects the curved bit on yours braced with anything?

SuicideTireZJ
07-24-2008, 02:50 PM
Got a bit more done yesterday. The UPS guy came and dropped off the Clayton's adjustable trackbar and drop bracket, and I've got to say that shit is BEEFY. Very impressed with the design. It's supposed to be stitch welded in a few locations to the unibody but I need more practice with my Lincoln before I'm willing to try that. About five minutes later the fedex truck arrived with an OEM skid I bought from a board member, but that's a project for another day. And finally, I'm heading down to Denver to pick up a 77' HP Dana 44 I'm going to slowly build up as funds allow, and eventually pair that with a big-bearing 9-inch when I can find one. I'm not sure how far I'm going to go with these axles before I swap them in because I'm not going to run anything more than 35's before I switch to LA's, and that's way down the road. Onto the pics...

Clayton sure supplies a lot of marketing devices... err stickers with his stuff:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary075.jpg

My two rides. Fort Collins is small enough you can pretty much bike everywhere, and I got the scooter for free, so back off!:best:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary076.jpg

Old shit
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary077.jpg

Bracket had a pretty big crack in it and the bolts had loosened considerably. Wonder why I had some severe DW?
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary078.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary079.jpg

New bracket painted and installed. That's a LOT of drop. I didn't take a picture of both of them side by side, but I think it's something like 3". I'm running just under 5" of lift, and 5" is their reccommended minimum height, otherwise the axle could contact the bracket under full flex. I haven't flexed it out yet so I don't know if I need to extend the bumpstops.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary080.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary081.jpg

Everything put together:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary082.jpg

And the compulsory flipoff to the ProComp trackbar bracket that's been under there for about 5 years. Scary stuff...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/IPAMSTripRobertsBBQAnniversary083.jpg



The new bar made a big difference, there's a lot less play in the steering, and it made me realize how far off center the axle was. I'm still running no swaybars, but I dare say this thing almost handles like a normal automobile again!

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
07-24-2008, 03:00 PM
Nice 6" of leverage on that bracket. :poke:

SuicideTireZJ
07-24-2008, 03:23 PM
Yeah that's why it needs to be welded

Ok State Cowboy
07-25-2008, 02:29 AM
How wide are those 33s you're running? TSL's or LTB's?

Never mind i guess if i had read the whole thread i would have seen they are 13.50s.

SuicideTireZJ
07-25-2008, 03:08 AM
Yeah, I love the stance they (LTB's) give the rig and the noise they make at speed. They hook up off-road on all surfaces, even at street pressure.

On-road, though, they're a disaster. Packed snow/ice is hopeless, wet traction not much better. They're impossible to balance and are bias-ply so vibrations are killer. If I can find a good deal on some AT's or something to run on the street and just use these strictly off-road, I will.

SuicideTireZJ
07-28-2008, 04:17 AM
Picked up some old iron down in Denver from a fellow MC'er yesterday. It's not a 60, but it is from a '77 so at least the wedges are weld-on. It's going to be built slowly and carefully, so don't expect to see it under the heep anytime soon.

SuicideTireZJ
11-26-2008, 03:13 AM
I crawled around under the jeep the other day attaching some rear UCA's I've had kicking around my garage for a couple years and never got around to. While down there, I noticed this:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Drinkingisgood002.jpg

There's a thread currently going on in the General Grand Talk forum about how to fix it, and I think I have a pretty decent plan. I went out and made my first steel purchase today and got some 11-gauge that I'm planning on plating a significant amount of the "frame" with. I then set about fabbing up a new UCA mount out of the same 11 gauge, which is OEM thickness for the mount. I'm not sure if I'm going to use it yet, but at least it was some practice with the red box in my garage. For my first major fab/ welding project, I'm pretty stoked. The quality of the welds is, well, pretty shitty, but I have a guy that will be doing all the finish welding for me.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/1stweldingproject002.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/1stweldingproject003.jpg
And one next to the old one that ripped off.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/1stweldingproject001.jpg

SuicideTireZJ
02-22-2010, 03:03 AM
I re-read this thread the other week and got motivated to revive the jeep. So I did. No major pictures of the work but I picked up a front driveshaft and lengthened it, installed a Kevin's Radiator Support, registered and insured it, and other minor stuff. I wasn't able to tie my bumper into the radiator support like I had hoped so that's probably the next thing I really want to do as winching is a little sketchy still.

Anyway, we've been getting a grip of snow up here so I took it for it's maiden voyage after being mothballed. Here's a couple pictures.

New Shaft
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/2010-02-20151901.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG1494.jpg
Stuck!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG1502.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG1517.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG1528.jpg

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-22-2010, 12:19 PM
The death machine is back in action... sweet!

FortCollinsZJ
02-22-2010, 03:20 PM
Lookin good. That front shaft vibe any more than it did before you lenghthened it?

SuicideTireZJ
02-22-2010, 04:44 PM
Yeah I'm thinking about changing the name from the Jalapeno to The New Cesspool since that kid in Boulder (forgot his name) got rid of his. She actually did pretty well, all things considered.

Neil, the driveshaft didn't vibe any more than before because, well, it wouldn't fit before (look how much I had to extend it!) I had heard that XJ shafts were about the right length for a ZJ and I hadn't had a shaft since the exploding transfer case event a couple years ago. So I picked up an XJ shaft, but even fully extended it was 2" too short to fit. That's when I read that 93 V8 ZJ's were oddballs and had far longer (~3") front shafts because of a different transmission layout than all the other years.

That having been said, I did notice a vibe after I put it in under engine braking (Np231 and auto-hubs) but it was so slight I couldn't actually blame it on the shaft. And today it's gone anyway.

FWIW, a 1.75" .120 wall hrew to0b fit's very snugly inside a 1992 XJ shaft.

FortCollinsZJ
02-23-2010, 12:49 AM
Good to know, I will likely be lengthening my own sometime, I plan to stretch the front out a few inches more.

I am going to be building new front LA's soon, going for a true four link front. That means the Claytons radius arms are going bye bye. I may have to offer them to you for a low price, you seem to need them, and I wouldn't have to ship them :D

SuicideTireZJ
03-11-2011, 01:52 PM
My once-a-year upgrade bug has hit again, and now I'm kind of at a crossroads as to what to do to this thing. I have a Moab trip planned for the week after EJS (and maybe GSW???), and my tax return will be substantial enough that I can throw ~$1000 or so into this thing in the next 6 weeks.

The tires are worn out, so I've had my eye on a set of 315/75/16 or 315/70/17 Treadwright Guard Dogs (old MT/R tread). Problem is, I'd need new rims for either of these. 16's are easy enough to come across with the ZJ bolt pattern, but the tires are backordered 5-6 weeks from treadwright. 17's are hard to find for my bolt pattern, the only thing I can think of without buying new is KJ wheels, and they're not cheap.

In addition, to be running (metric) 35's, I'm not going to put up with the Dana 35c anymore, and I would like to run a locker of some sort. Again, there is no ideal solution here. A junkyard not far from my house has a good selection of axles for $150 each, but deciding what to run is proving to be a challenge. I COULD grab an aluminum 44 out of a ZJ, truss it, and buy an aussie. That would be the quickest solution, but it's not much of an upgrade. I could ALSO grab an 8.8 from an Explorer, run a mini-spool, and have a much stronger axle, but I'd have to fab up a bunch of brackets. This would be slightly cheaper but more time consuming.

I also have to do a bunch of work just getting it able to make the 6 hour drive. Fix my cooling issue (fan clutch gone, maybe e-fan upgrade?), fix my falling off front bumper, finish installing my in-dash CB, install t-case skid, fix steering/death wobble, maybe fab a gas tank skid, fix my busted-ass liftgate, maybe new front shocks, better tool/gear storage... crap.

So, what should it be? Run easier to find 16's, wait for the tires (jeep's gonna be in the garage until Moab anyway), polish a 44a, and hope for the best? Or drop some coin on the rims, get the tires now, and spend some time whipping up an 8.8 swap? Or just say fuck it, pony up, get new tires for the existing 15" rims?

Oh and here's some recent pictures to thank you for reading and helping me out with the dilemma.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG5969.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/mobcore911/crown%20point%2010-28-10/IMG_8917.jpg
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m568/bkbroiler000/Kelly%20Flats%20Four%20Wheeling%20Oct%2024%202010/08ce682e.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/kblach86/kelly%20and%20crystal/DSC04506.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/kblach86/kelly%20and%20crystal/DSC04534.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/kblach86/kelly%20and%20crystal/DSC04613.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/kblach86/kelly%20and%20crystal/DSC04617.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/kblach86/kelly%20and%20crystal/DSC04625.jpg

FortCollinsZJ
03-11-2011, 05:04 PM
Sean, come get my gas tank skid, 30$ if you want it.

I vote stick with 15" rims, and just find some tires for 15's.

Oh, and for the 8.8, if you need somebody to burn on some brackets, let me know.

biggoofy
03-11-2011, 05:25 PM
Stick with a 15" and I have an e fan ill sell cheap it does have a broken tab though.

SuicideTireZJ
03-11-2011, 10:07 PM
Neil, I'll definitely take you up on that gas tank skid! 4 Wheel Parts has an $80 mail in rebate for Kevlar MT/R's so I'm thinking I have a set of 35's on the way pretty soon.

I'm also thinking since I'm spending more money on tires, I'll have to be a little cheaper with the rear axle plans, and since a mini-spool is vastly cheaper than an Aussie... probably going to be an 8.8. It's long overdue anyway. Not sure if I'll spend a bunch of time fabbing my own brackets or spend a bunch of time cutting the ones off the 35c (or if I'd trust these to hold up). I know I WON'T be buying the grossly overpriced bracket kit from Claytons.

Lotta work going on in the next few weeks, most of it boring, but I'll post pictures up if I do anything worthwhile and to get this thread to multiple pages since I'm sick of looking at shit I posted 6 years ago.

FortCollinsZJ
03-11-2011, 11:08 PM
Clayton is vastly overpriced for what it is. I'd just get upper and lower brackets from ballistic, and make your own spring pads, and shock mounts.

Are you going to keep it on short arms for the 8.8? Or do the wise old triangulated uppers? Building a truss is much simpler than building upper mounts, a tracbar bracket, and a trackbar too.

SuicideTireZJ
03-11-2011, 11:21 PM
Honestly, I'm totally fine with my suspension as it currently sits. I'd love to upgrade, but with all 10 of my links adjustable, it's dialed in pretty well right now (see flex pictures above). Although 6 weeks seems to be plenty of time to do everything I need to do, I work and usually sleep 75 miles away in the mountains, so I'm really not around enough to get in over my head fabbing a new suspension. I've got enough on my plate so I'll probably buy some tabs off diy4x, reuse the coil buckets on the 35c, and try and burn it in over a weekend.

SuicideTireZJ
03-11-2011, 11:32 PM
The to-do list as it currently sits, in approximate order of importance:

1. Replace fan clutch
2. Tie front bumper into KOR rad support and unibody
3. Fix oval'd out front axle side trackbar bolt hole (actually was loose bracket)
4. Purchase and mount new rubber
5. Cycle suspension with 35's to find out where they rub, trim and add bumpstops as necessary (In progress)
6. Replace front brake lines with longer ones (shocks limit downtravel within brake line length)
7. Install t-case skid and gas tank skid.
8. Buy and install Ford 8.8 rear axle (probably weld tubes and truss if possible) (not gonna happen before Moab)
9. Install mini-spool into said 8.8 (See above)
10. Finish putting together dash around new CB
11. Add auxiliary electric pusher fan in front of radiator (probably not necessary with new fan clutch)
12. Buy and install new front shocks, or maybe just new bushings
13. Weld liftgate back together (again)
14. Find and mount spare tire
15. Tweak winch mounting
16. Change fluids in t-case and axles

That ought to keep me busy. Oh, and IOP2 woot!

downtowncb
03-12-2011, 12:42 AM
Neil, I'll definitely take you up on that gas tank skid! 4 Wheel Parts has an $80 mail in rebate for Kevlar MT/R's so I'm thinking I have a set of 35's on the way pretty soon.

I just compared 4 Wheel Parts' prices to Tire Rack and for the size I need, (315/70R17) Tire Rack is $30 cheaper per tire. And they also offer the $80 mail in rebate. Should save a lot of money.

biggoofy
03-12-2011, 12:51 AM
I got my 35 MTRs from discount tire with free shipping for a great deal maybe give them a look as well

SuicideTireZJ
03-12-2011, 04:11 AM
Thanks guys, I'll check them out. I do have a 4 Wheel Parts relatively close though so I won't need them shipped. We'll see what the other places can do.

SuicideTireZJ
03-12-2011, 04:22 AM
Tire rack sells them for $202 each, discount sells them for $235. Trying to see if Discount will price match and I can just pick them up. That would be rad. Might also have a buyer for the old LTB's too.

biggoofy
03-12-2011, 09:07 AM
sounds awesome man! I had to have mine shipped since there is no close store location.

ElkyRacer
03-13-2011, 11:14 PM
Treaddepot.com has 35in MTR-Ks for 195 plus shipping. And offers the 80 rebate. They dont have any in stock right this second but they may get them in soon.

SuicideTireZJ
03-31-2011, 08:38 PM
ElkyRacer- Thanks for the tip. Went and picked up the new rubber today. Discount matched treaddepot's $194/tire and with all-around mounting and warrantee, the set of 4 ended up just over $1K. It will be just under with the rebate. Definitely a bit more than I originally wanted to spend, but smart money management was never my thing anyway.

Progress is moving a bit slower than I'd like it to with this thing due mainly to work, but also to a little birthday present I got from my buddy, who won a cat-snowboarding trip at Monarch with guys from Never Summer and Snowboardmag.com that he invited me to. Moab should still be achievable, though, and I'm really looking forward to the end of my ski season to start cranking shit out on this thing.

Besides the tires, I have ordered a new fan clutch, front UCA bushings (crazy death wobble, hopefully this is the cure), and a new battery, so I can cross those off the list when I slap them on tomorrow and get to trimming for the new tires. Here's some shots... really looking forward to putting a new rear axle in now!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG6025.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG6024.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG6023.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG6022.jpg
And a couple shots from last weekend.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG6005.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/CIMG6008.jpg

FortCollinsZJ
03-31-2011, 09:03 PM
Looking good mang. The 35's look bad ass!

Let me know if you want that Gas tank skid soon. I can bring it by.

BigDaveZJ
03-31-2011, 10:05 PM
Dude that Terraliner bumper has seen some better days!

SuicideTireZJ
03-31-2011, 10:14 PM
Neil, I've been meaning to take you up on that. You gonna be around tomorrow or Saturday? It's gonna be a full wrenching weekend and I'm kinda bummed we still haven't met. I'd like to talk to you about your 8.8" swap too as that's hopefully in my near future.

I agree, the Kevlars look sweet. I've got my work cut out to make the rest of the rig look worthy of them.

jfowlzj95
03-31-2011, 11:28 PM
SHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD-D-D-D-DDD-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D--DDDD-DD-DD-D-DDD!


:D


The new tires look good!

SuicideTireZJ
04-01-2011, 10:57 PM
Dave, didn't see your post. That Terraliner bumper, I've said it before, was a major disappointment. I'm really starting to regret keeping my winch on the hitch mount since in the 8 years I've had the bumper on there, I've never wired the winch for the rear. The mounting is starting to peel the bottom of the unibody rail down like a tin can, and the rotation of the bumper (especially when winching my buddy's 7,500lb Suburban out of 3' of snow) has totally fucked up my fenders. As a result, the entire undergrill section that the lights and grill mount to is completely destroyed. I pulled it off today and it came out in at least 4 different pieces.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the junkyard to get a new undergrill (hopefully there's still one there), some D35c shafts in case I don't get the 8.8 swapped in time, and some other little things if I can think of them (rear bumpstop, spring retainer, other little shit). Then it's flex, trim, flex, trim, bumpstop, do the bumper right this time, skid install, put dash together, and weld the shit out of my liftgate in hopes that it holds up this time. You know, if the day is long enough.

SuicideTireZJ
04-06-2011, 11:46 AM
A quick update:

35s are fucking huge when they're brand new and you're comparing them to nearly bald 33's. Even compared to my roommate's worn 37" TSL's, they measure about the same. I'm going to have to bumpstop more than I'd like, which is going to limit my flex more than I hoped. Also, I need to slide my front axle backward ~3/4" and/or redrill my upper trackbar bracket because the bar is contacting my pumpkin. I may also need to back out the steering stops to keep the tires from contacting the brake line at full stuff and lock. Spacers have crossed my mind, as have wheels with less backspacing. Suffice it to say that the ~4" of lift I'm running is pushing the limit of where you should be with 35's, but we all knew that already. Haven't even started on the rears, but I'm hoping that won't be as bad.

New header panel ($42 shipped from eBay) should be be here today, can't wait to get it all put back together so I can try driving it to work.

UTChavok
04-06-2011, 01:14 PM
A quick update:

35s are fucking huge when they're brand new and you're comparing them to nearly bald 33's. Even compared to my roommate's worn 37" TSL's, they measure about the same. I'm going to have to bumpstop more than I'd like, which is going to limit my flex more than I hoped. Also, I need to slide my front axle backward ~3/4" and/or redrill my upper trackbar bracket because the bar is contacting my pumpkin. I may also need to back out the steering stops to keep the tires from contacting the brake line at full stuff and lock. Spacers have crossed my mind, as have wheels with less backspacing. Suffice it to say that the ~4" of lift I'm running is pushing the limit of where you should be with 35's, but we all knew that already. Haven't even started on the rears, but I'm hoping that won't be as bad.

New header panel ($42 shipped from eBay) should be be here today, can't wait to get it all put back together so I can try driving it to work.

Yeah I had 4.5 in the front for a couple days with the 35s and they rubbed a good bit. Would of been able to make it work with a lot of effort with the sawzall though. I like how mine sits now with the 5.5 coils.

FortCollinsZJ
04-06-2011, 01:35 PM
Yo Sean, the fire looks to have stopped about a mile from Moody, the trail was spared!!

If you need help with anything, I have the room, and I am seriously itching to work on something. Its just plain boring to have my jeep "done" early.

Wanna cut out your rockers and to boatsides? :D

SuicideTireZJ
04-08-2011, 12:05 AM
Neil, that's awesome news about Moody!! I really want to boatside the bitch, the rockers are completely toast. Probably won't happen until after Moab though. Is your jeep "done" done? Wanna go wheeling Saturday?

UTC, I could use a little less backspacing or a little more lift, that's for sure.

FortCollinsZJ
04-08-2011, 03:18 PM
I am working on a TJ's bumper tomorrow, not sure how long that'll take. Where do you want to wheel? All that's open is 7mile.

I know of a guy with access to Kelly Flats, I'll see if I can get a hold of him.

SuicideTireZJ
04-09-2011, 03:53 PM
Yeah we gave up on wheeling today. I would like to have a shakedown run before Moab though, so I'll keep you updated.

SuicideTireZJ
04-11-2011, 09:57 PM
Finally got to work on the bumper today. I can't lie, I wasn't really looking forward to it, mostly because I don't have a gas setup for my welder yet and flux core wire is a bitch. Not 100% happy with my welds, but they did show signs of improvement as the day progressed.

When I bought the bumper from Terraliner, who is no longer in business (small wonder), it was intended to be a prototype for an expanding range of Grand Cherokee products. They mounted it using the two holes my tow hooks were mounted to.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6026.jpg

Either they didn't realize, or care, that those two holes were drilled, unsupported, through the sheet metal frame by a dumbass 17 year old kid (me) to hold those hooks in, and were really unfit for any heavy pulling or anything. To their credit, Terraliner tack welded a strip of ~1/8" plate inside the frame, most likely in an attempt to beef it up, but it was never near enough. Every time I would winch, the bumper would rotate downward and tear the bottom of the frame rail.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6027.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6029.jpg

I started the mods by welding some 1/4" plate to the outside of the frame rail where I can eventually drill through, tack a nut on the inside and bolt through my KOR radiator support.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6032.jpg

Then I realized I should probably get the mounting surface sorted out before I figure out where to drill the plates. I wanted to tie the bottom bolts holding the bumper in place to the radiator support as well, but the rad support doesn't come forward far enough. So I welded a few inches of 1/4" to the radiator support where it would come all the way to the front of the front crossmember and added a vertical gusset to where the clevis holes are on the support. This would prevent the bumper from tearing the frame again and rotating down. I'm not finished yet, but even with 2 bolts holding it in place, it's much more sturdy than when I pulled it off.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6030.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6031.jpg

I'll attack it some more tomorrow.

SuicideTireZJ
04-22-2011, 11:25 PM
Got a bunch of crap done over the last couple days and there's still 6 days left before the trip starts. First, I FINALLY met Neil (FortCollinsZJ), who sold me a stock gas tank skid to go with the t-case skid I picked up off of a member here a couple years ago. I had waited to put on the t-case skid because, since mine didn't come with one from the factory, there was nothing in the body to bolt it to, although there were holes there. Fixed that by drilling out the holes and welding in some flange nuts.

Just a couple stock skids, nothing too special except now I'm thinking I'm losing a disgusting amount of clearance under that t-case! So I don't know how long that thing will last until I rip it out and build something new. I'm starting to enjoy the hell out of fabbing...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6104.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6100.jpg

Since the gas tank was now protected by the skid, I could move my hitch and improve my departure angle quite a bit. It's nothing special for now, but it's a decent starting point. Just some 2x3 sleeved into the unibody, bolted into the stock skid/hitch holes, with holes punched through for the hitch to slide into. I'll add some bolts to the outside of the framerail later when I do the same on the front.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6099.jpg

Then I attacked something that's been driving me crazy for as long as I can remember: my liftgate. The area around the hatch has just been torn to shit. In reality, I should just go pull a new one from a junkyard (will one from a 97+ with the separate glass hatch fit on a 93?) but I'm broke and I figured I'd take a crack at it. Let's just say 0.035 flux core and sheet metal were not meant for each other.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6101.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6102.jpg

It's fugly, but I did what I could and the difference in interior noise is incredible. We'll see how it holds up.

Finally, I got to work on the rear fenders, which were damn close to rubbing. Cut, pounded and welded the seams to maximum clearance without getting into the doors. It was a lot of work for ~.75" and I hope I don't have to do it again soon (might eventually go all the way around), but it turned out ok.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Jeep%20Build%20Pictures/CIMG6103.jpg

I'm having trouble thinking of things within my budget of, ummm... not much, that I can do before Moab. My list currently sits at:

1. Change fluid in axles, t-case (new differential gaskets too).
2. Finalize bumpstops front and rear, possibly steering stops too.
3. Additional bolts on front and rear bumper, paint rear bumper.
4. Buy and install shock bushings
5. Drill new hole in winch plate so it doesn't stick out so much
6. Purchase passenger side spare D35c axleshaft
6. Grab beer, help roommate finish his shit?

jsteves
04-23-2011, 11:12 AM
My old man might have some 35 shafts laying around he would let go cheap. I will check.

biggoofy
04-23-2011, 11:16 AM
I have a d35 passenger side disk shaft I will sell ya $15 plus shipping I also have a driver side drum ill throw in for $10 more.

jsteves
04-23-2011, 11:24 AM
Also have an 8.8. it has drums, 3.73 and LSD. not the most desirable but $50 and it is yours.

SuicideTireZJ
04-23-2011, 11:29 AM
JSteves- Is it Justin? It's been a while. How'd it go on those shafts? I already have a drivers side I pulled out of a junkyard, but found out they're unequal lengths. I might also take you up on that 8.8 but I'm newly unemployed since the ski season has ended, and I gotta save my pennies until a new job comes my way.

Biggoofy- if I can't find one locally, I'll let you know.

biggoofy
04-23-2011, 02:08 PM
I would just do the 8.8 man it would be a great upgrade.

FortCollinsZJ
04-23-2011, 02:37 PM
Sean, What do you think of this tube work?

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa231/NEILZJ/RearBumper1.jpg

jsteves
04-23-2011, 04:05 PM
Yep, Justin. I have not checked on the shafts yet...don't know where the old man is at. If you want the 8.8 come get it and pay me when you have a job and a few bucks.

SuicideTireZJ
04-23-2011, 06:11 PM
Goofy- Just re-read your post and a disc 35 shaft won't work, it'll have to be drum. Thanks though!

Justin, not sure I'll be able to do an axle swap in 3 days, but I'll talk to my buddy and maybe we can make it happen. Might hold off until I get a job though, I'll let you know.

Neil, that's pretty much what I was thinking but while flexing out the rear today I'm sort of convinced I need to "comp cut" my rear like you did yours because the tire rubs a bit. I played around with sketchup to show what I want to do but I'm still learning, I'll play around with it a bit more tonight. Essentially, the upper tube would stay where it is and get welded under the rear quarter panel, and the bottom tube would run the length of the hitch and be bent to run directly underneath the upper one.

Gotta get a job so I can afford some tube first.

jsteves
04-25-2011, 10:07 AM
Sean, I have both D35c drum brake shafts in my garage now. Which ever you need for $25 or $40 for both.

SuicideTireZJ
04-26-2011, 01:09 AM
Justin, you have a PM.

As soon as I get a job, I'll attempt the 8.8 swap but I think I'm going to hold out until I find a disc brake axle with an open carrier. I have a feeling I'm going to want to regear pretty soon too... 3.73's are pretty rough with 35's, even with a V8.

SuicideTireZJ
05-06-2011, 11:27 PM
Got back from my Moab trip a couple days ago. As per my tradition, there was a lot of beer, and a lot of 5-hour energy. And a lot of driving at 4AM.

Jeep was an unquestionable success! The highlights: not having to use my spare axleshafts, going 92 miles an hour on 35's, my buddy driving the exit of Upper Heldorado, watching my other buddy get swamped crossing the Dolores River, completing Kane Creek (that killed my transmission/t-case last time I tried), spraypainting my roommate's Sammi purple, and of course, not breaking anything.

The lowlights: The weather sucked (lows in the high 20s one night, and even a bit of snow), and cutting my brand new tires up due to not trimming the fenders enough. Oh and not being out there long enough.

A few pictures:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/CIMG6139.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/CIMG6146.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/CIMG6134.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/CIMG6130.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/CIMG6129.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/CIMG6119.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/226281_10150169114551973_516441972_6874506_5058515 _n.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/225706_10150169117721973_516441972_6874566_139494_ n.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/224166_10150169115926973_516441972_6874531_494333_ n.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/210554_925840675893_19201381_45853917_4823412_o.jp g
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/209842_925846224773_19201381_45853995_3962774_o.jp g
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/204449_924692441963_19201381_45836714_2586284_o.jp g

A video from Top Of The World, if you're interested in getting vertigo:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/th_CIMG6150.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/ZJBuilder/Moab%20Trips/?action=view&current=CIMG6150.mp4)

FortCollinsZJ
10-31-2011, 09:11 PM
Looks like you had a fun trip! Jealous.

You done anything lately? Cut out the fenders to save the tires I hope?

I'm itching to get out again, its been too long since I wheeled. I'm gonna try to plan something before December.

downtowncb
11-03-2011, 01:59 AM
I normally don't care for hummers, but that thing is freakin SICK!

SuicideTireZJ
12-09-2011, 07:14 AM
I forget what that Hummer thing is, but I know it's a custom job that shares pretty much nothing besides maybe the windshield with the Hummer. It was in Petersons a couple years back, but it's pretty sick.

Neil, sorry, I don't update this thread, or even check it much unless I'm wrenching. I have been wheeling plenty lately, at least once a month since wrapping up this portion of the build, and driving it to work some too, even drove the thing all the way out to Lake McConoughey, NE to wheel on the beach there. The tires have been good to me, but the gearing is making itself a priority... 3.73's are just too high for 35's, even with a V8. I was getting ready to swap gears and do a rear axle swap at the same time, but unfortunately it's stopped running and I need to address that first. When I get it running again, you should come take a run with us Neil!

It happened last weekend while out wheeling. Through the day, the idle became rougher and eventually the motor would stall when I would come to a stop. At first I thought it was just the deep snow we were in confusing the torque converter or something, but it got progressively worse, and took longer to re-start after it would stall. When we finally got back to the trailhead, I shut it down while everyone aired back up, but when I started it back up, some of the members in our group noticed flames shooting out of the exhaust. Before noticing this, we had assumed it was a vacuum leak, water in the distributor, or maybe bad gas/water in the fuel, the latter being likely as the jeep was on empty before I filled it up that morning. The exhaust flames and it sounding like a drag car with a hot cam indicated the timing was off. It stalled several (maybe 10x) more times on the hour or so drive back home, but at least it didn't strand me on the side of the road (in a blizzard, at night, in the mountains...)
-Could the timing chain have jumped a tooth all of a sudden? Maybe, but like I said, it seemed to get progressive through the day.
-I did a full cap, rotor, plugs, wires and seafoam tuneup in April, so that should be solid (and wouldn't explain the flames anyway).
-The engine isn't throwing any codes (or didn't when it was running, won't start now), so I don't think it's fuel management related.

-Only thing I can think of is that the Camshaft Position Sensor is failing, so barring any input from you guys, that's probably where I'll start. Is the Camshaft sensor different from the Crankshaft positions sensor? I think it is. Hopefully it's not a tough fix (and hopefully it works, not looking forward to replacing a timing chain if that's what it ends up being).

1ABrian
12-09-2011, 01:34 PM
Doesn't appear to be a Hummer chassis in that pic. Body sure, chassis not so much

AgitatedPancake
12-09-2011, 02:15 PM
Were you pushin your truck HARD in the snow? Give your catalytic convertor a tap and see if it still sounds solid. Earlier this year one of my buddies pushed his 4runner so hard in the snow holding WOT he ended up blowing the cat out the back of the tailpipe, if that were to happen and piss off your O2 sensors I could see funky things happening. The fact that raw fuel is getting through the cat is another thing that made me wonder.

Other then that, pull a few plugs and see if it looks like shes running alright.

No check engine light?

SuicideTireZJ
12-09-2011, 03:15 PM
No CEL and no O2 sensors downstream of the cat, which was replaced a couple years back. Wasn't flogging on it, probably never exceeded 3500 RPM. Smells rich, but that's obvious. I'll have to check some plugs and see what's going on in there.

I did notice some plug wires were kinda loose on the distributor cap, but pressing them back down onto the terminals didn't help. Then again, it was like 15 degrees so what do I know.

SuicideTireZJ
03-15-2012, 08:22 PM
Alright! I survived moost of ski season so and sold my DD so it's time to put some thought back into the heep. Until I get it running, I'm commuting on my bicycle. That's fine, but riding at 2AM across town gets old. Anyway, I put in a new battery and started cranking it to see what would happen. Yesterday, it would just crank and crank and crank. Today, I added a pint of Seafoam and it would crank and crank and then sputter, but never catch enough to run on its own. Ok, so the gas is winter blend that's been sitting for 3 months, that makes sense. I took my coil into autozone to have it tested since I don't have a multimeter, and it's within spec. I haven't been able to pull a plug and verify spark like I wanted since I've been working on it solo, but I'll make sure that's not my issue tomorrow. I did find that I'm throwing a CEL and have a bluetooth OBDII dongle that I'll check the code with tomorrow. Hopefully it's CPS like it seems to be with everyone else, as I bought one today. If not, I've got a new dizzy on order.

While at AZ, we tried finding a camshaft position sensor in the computer, but it didn't come up as being equipped on a V8 in 1993. For some reason I remember it being part of the distributor, is this correct? I gotta dig up my chiltons.

ajmorell
03-15-2012, 08:25 PM
If the cam sensor is set up like it is in the 4.0 then yeah its under the rotor on the dizzy

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

SuicideTireZJ
03-16-2012, 02:21 PM
Forgot my '93 isn't OBDII compliant, but I'm getting error code 13 Fault in the map sensor pneumatic circuit. Also, pulled a plug and checked, and I DO have spark, so that rules out CPS/CKP, right?