What Did You Do To Your Jeep Today?

Well, I welded the exhaust manifold for now. It's holding after towing the camper and doing a little wheeling this weekend. It sounds great for the first 5 minutes of driving. After that it makes you want to nibble on the pistol barrel. I scheduled an appointment to get the exhaust back into 2 into 1, y pipe into Dynomax super turbo, like I had before. Almost as quiet as stock, but the exit will be on the passenger side now. If it didn't have the crossover right where the output for the Dana 20 was, I'd have left it alone. The glasspacks were fun for a bit but obnoxious after a short time.

 

Got quite a bit done since last post in this thread. Pulled the left fender and grille off the wagon for use on the panel. Also yanked out the wiring harness.

Then I pulled the left door and installed it on the panel. Actually opens and closes now and now there is some glass on the panel.

Last night I used my needle scaler to clean off some of the front frame on the wagon getting it ready for the Tornado engine and then a swap under the panel.

 

Stared at the poor thing on the other side of the garage as I ignore it to sweat and cuss the timing belt on my wife's Honda Pilot. As much as we love the Pilot, I seriously hate working on it.

 

Yes, as much as we get used to modern vehicles seemingly lack of a need of maintenance, when they do need repaired it turns to dreaded labor. On the other hand, fixing an old car still has a sense of labor-well-done satisfaction even though there might be a few cuss words or blood leakage during the process! My favorite part of fixing old cars is when I can removing a non-working part, disassemble it, find the stupid reason it quit working and fix it without having to open my wallet or visit the parts store. That alone is why I love my Jeeps and Willys the most!

 

The transfer case is quiet, but there is a whine that kind of comes and goes from what seems like the transfer case input bearing which is captured in the adapter from the SM465 to Dana 20. It is new as of the xcase change and a sealed bearing. It isn't there when cold, the noise comes and goes, is quite smooth, like a husky or a malamute softly howling. It's only in third and 4th, and I can make it happen in neutral in the t-case. I wonder if I got a bad bearing. I seem to remember seeing China on the bearing when I got it from Advance Adapters. I should've seen if there was a substitute bearing from Timken for it.

 

Removed the poly gas tank that’s been in the Jeep for about 10 years and replaced it with a metal one from Quadratec. I was never really keen on the poly tank especially how the sending unit was attached with wood screws. The tail pipe was scary close to the poly tank as well.

 

Hmmmm. After driving it on a long ride, the noise has gone and won’t return no matter what I do. Oh well, I will just drive it!

 

Maybe the Chinese bearing adjusted itself to being put to use in the USofA!

I always check any replacement parts made in China, especially bearings. I have sent a few back to the parts store because they felt rough checking rotation by hand. Just had to re-do a clutch on a Ford due to the Chinese throwout bearing disassembling itself into 5 pieces. Totally uncalled for. Was a complete clutch kit with both bearings, a new ball pivot, new fork and had the flywheel resurfaced. The failed throwout bearing killed the fork, which gouged and killed the ball pivot and it also wore into the bearing retainer of the transmission as well. That part was hard to track down, discontinued by Ford because it was a 98. Dealer told me he's lucky to stock parts for a 2008, let alone a 1998!

 

Yeah, I am thinking if we go to war, we won’t have the capability to manufacture enough ball bearings or support parts in this country if it’s an extended war.

 

I got my tub back from sandblasting in Post Falls and epoxy priming from itlksez primers, inc:


Now it's time to tackle the rusted out floor pans:


The front of the toolbox was rusted away, so I cut that out, too. I ended up cutting out much of the toolbox floor.


I wanted to start by replacing the floor pan, but the passenger side of the tub, where the floor pan attaches, was rusted out, too. I cut out the rust.


Cutting and grinding the patches to the exact fit is the most time consuming part so far.


With the side welded up, I'm ready to start on the floor pan.


I'm going to have to readjust my expectations. It's going to take me longer than I thought to fix the tub and with a dark rainy northwest fall/winter/spring on the horizon, this driveway project is going to take a while.

 

In return, I got an advanced copy of his forthcoming new book:

 

I started removing the 3b drivetrain today.

I have a feeling that the tub will end up being held together with sheet metal and screws. I would like to get the thing thrown together so I can take it to cruising the coast but I have my doubts.

 

How about using a flanging tool?

 

Rebuilt the carb and replaced a hood latch

 

The f134 is out. I think I’ll name the 3b “Bad Habit” (if you have seen my past posts you'll understand)

Next time I’ll remove the tub before removing the engine and transmission.

 

Well, the Jeep made a successful trip towing the camper to the beach (about a 3 1/2 hour ride) and back, after the driver side manifold cracked for a second time, this time about an inch above where I welded it. We were only 10 minutes from home, so we ran back to the house, and welded it up again in the new spot, and added some reinforcement all over it. It held for the whole trip, and didn't leak at all. I can't believe it didn't warp with all the welding I did on it. I think I am going to make two manifolds out of DOM tube. Other than that, it was nice to have the quietness of the Dana 20. The bearing noise did come back. I will yank the case and check and probably have to change out the bearing. The Jeep made it to the exhaust shop today for a y pipe and quiet muffler again.

 

I like how you used the engine hoist to lift the body I’m thinking it has no problem with this task as long as it’s rigged well.

 

I got the engine hoist idea from ITLKSEZ. He used his engine hoist priming the freshly blasted parts;





(I just noticed those horizontal tree trunks on the edge of the hill. Without them, a basketball or anything else would roll off there and not stop for a mile or two)

 

I've had to knock on the lady's door who lives way down the hill across the road to ask her if a runaway wheel of firewood did any damage more than once. I'm sure she has a collection of our baseballs too.

 

Pounded the passenger door hinge screws outta the 63 wagon for eventual transfer onto the delivery.



Finished wire brushing and treating the driver quarter panel on the delivery (except for the rusted out section that will need replaced).



Got the pedal and column floor surrounds off the 63 wagon too. Eventually the 4x4 chassis from the 63 wagon will wind up under the delivery making it a "period correct" upgrade and it will still be all Willys!