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Free Jeep. Ya Get What Ya Pay For!

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Buildflycrash, Jun 15, 2022.

  1. Apr 24, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Tucson, AZ
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    It doesn't look like it sticks out far enough to even clear the grommet. My steel tank is out right now , but I would guess
    it is about an inch or more. If the tank can be moved more to the drivers side, it looks like it would center.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  2. Apr 24, 2023
    amboynut

    amboynut Member

    Chelatchie, WA
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    Plenty of stick-out, just not obvious in the photo. I'll check. but I believe the tank is a snug fit and can't move at all.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  3. Apr 24, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Tucson, AZ
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    OK. If you haven't put fuel in it yet you could use a heat gun on it to align it to the hole. I have used mine to offset pvc water and electrical conduit.
    Just spread the heat around the area to be bent and keep pressure on the fill neck. When you feel it give, it is done. You could pull it, fill up to the neck
    with water and do the same.
     
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  4. Apr 25, 2023
    amboynut

    amboynut Member

    Chelatchie, WA
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    Pretty much what I was thinking, except for the water part.. I've used the heat gun to good effect on other plastic bits, like removing dents from bumper covers, etc. i got the fuel tank in "as new" condition (it was), but not before having fuel in it, unfortunately. As for purging gasoline vapor, I intend to fill it with argon or CO2 because I suspect a tank full of water would be a huge heat sink, preventing getting the plastic warm enough to bend.
     
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  5. May 27, 2023
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Cynthia and I are visiting Old Greg up in Atlanta this weekend and there just happened to be a CJ swap meet across town. Across town in Atlanta is 2hours! I blasted over there this morning and picked up a late 70s D30 for $100. Look for axle upgrade on the Free Jeep soon.
     
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  6. May 27, 2023
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    Where was the swap meet? I had heard about it.
     
  7. May 27, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Tucson, AZ
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    Hope you got a disc brake unit.
     
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  8. May 28, 2023
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    There’s another one in late September.

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. May 28, 2023
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    Ah yes, I have heard about this one, just forgot. been planning to go. I think they have it twice a year. Located on the sponsors farm.
    If you have a dog don't bring it with you they will not let you in.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2023
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  10. May 31, 2023
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    nice
     
  11. Jun 1, 2023
    OldGreg

    OldGreg New Member

    20895
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    Little man’s first rip through the woods! An update below.

    [​IMG]

    Before I get into the upcoming axle project I've got an update on my fuel tank issues and my, at best questionable, solution.

    I ordered a metal tank but it wasn’t a perfect fit. There is no return port by the filler neck and all the sizes are off.

    The fuel supply line at the pump is 5/16 and the supply line at the tank is 1/4. The return line at the pump is 1/4 and the return at the sending unit that I installed was 3/8. Everything was hard lined and I tried everything that I could think of to keep the hard lines but couldn’t find the fittings I needed. I ended up running 1/4 hardline to the supply port on the tank which I connected a 1/4 rubber line to. I connected the 1/4 rubber to a 1/4 x 5/16 double ended barb fitting to which I connected the other end to 5/16 rubber that I connected to the remaining portion of 5/16 hardline that went to pump. Here’s a pictures. I hate it but it’s working for now, and it’s tucked away behind the clutch gear so it’s sorta safe?

    This is the supply line, you get the idea.

    [​IMG]

    I did the same thing with the return line.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Please let me know how reckless this is.

    So onto suspension. I’ve got this 1979 dana 30 that Scott picked up for me. As much as having two young children allow, I’m cleaning it up and tearing it down. My goal is to replace all seals and bearings, any damaged/warn parts, rust removal/rattle can paint and install lockers. Any advice, tips, or kits that you’ve had success with would be awesome.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks all!
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2023
  12. Jun 2, 2023
    OldGreg

    OldGreg New Member

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    Looks like I’ve got some compatibility issues with the Dana 30. It has 3.54 gears and my rear Dana 44 has 3.73. I am now trying to figure out if there is a viable re-gearing option for the dana30 or if I should just clean it up for practice and figure out what to do with it while I hunt for a d30 in 3.73.

    my big goal with this Jeep is to eventually try and install hydroboost brakes in it. This is mostly just for experimental purposes. This will require, at the least, power steering and 4 wheel discs. So maybe it makes sense to look for a used rear axle that has disc brakes that matches better with the 3.54 front. I figured I’d just put a junk yard disc brake conversion on the rear but I’ve seen new axles that have them.

    Also, if Install lockers on the front doesn’t that replace some parts? If I do lockers, what else would I need to convert the 3.53 to to make it a 3.73.

    Anyways I’m still gonna play with this rear diff and give it a make over but would appreciate any advice on most budget friendly logical way forward here. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2023
  13. Jun 2, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    My $0.02 Hydroboost will be a bit excessive.
    To change ratio If you want a locker all you need is the gears and locker. Not a lunchbox locker where you gut the spider gears but the full style like an ox and you pull all the gears still bolted together (call them what you want)

    When I was younger I mistakenly scrapped a 3.54 axle because I got confused with the terminology. You need matching ring, pinion, and ox would be my pick if I could afford one.

    The difference in "series" is in the position of the flange on the locker where the ring bolts on moves to allow for larger diameter pinions.
    (I mistakenly thought the pig's snout was offset different. boy i'm still mad at myself)
     
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  14. Jun 5, 2023
    OldGreg

    OldGreg New Member

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    Okay so I did some research, talked to the folks at Yukon Gears, and have sent a pricing inquiry to an authorized dealer, a 4x4 shop, here in ATL.
    1. The cheapest option for off the shelf products, not junk yard digging, is to re-gear the rear dana 44@3.73 to 3.54 to match the front dana 30@3.54. This is the cheapest because it will only require a ring and pinion gear set for the rear.
    2. The stronger option is to regear the front D30@3.54 to match the rear at 3.73. this is more expensive because I will have to replace the front carrier.
    3. The strongest option is to regear both the front and the back to 4.10 or 4.53.
    I am estimating that #1 will cost 100-150, #2 200-250, and 4 600-1000. But we will see. I am leaning towards #2 because I am running 33s and intend to wheel the sh*t out of it. Obviously, I'd love to go big and go 4.53s but $$$ is a factor. I looked into those OX lockers and wammy they are $$$. So i'm going to probably go lunch-box style for the front.

    In the meantime, I'm tearing down the D30. Stay tuned!

    Greg
     
  15. Jun 7, 2023
    OldGreg

    OldGreg New Member

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    Alright! I have a plan. After much internal dialogue and deliberation, I have decided to regear the front 1979 front D30 3.54 to 4.88, the same for my rear D44 3.73. However, I want to do a sanity check with y'all on price and parts to ensure this isn't a dumb way to do this.

    I am justifying the cost by thinking I am getting a major upgrade to my stock setup. The Dana 30 is replacing the D27. Bigger Axle and Disc Brakes. A locker in the front. and more stalwart gearing for rock crawling but just low enough a ratio to play in the Georgia mud and ride trails. Correct me if I am wrong, these Yukon Gear parts are also 'stronger than the stock parts,' so a durability upgrade from the perspective of it being a better ratio for overall wear and tear on the whole jeep based on my planned usage and from the stronger materials themselves.

    Total for both regear to 4.88 is $933.00. Will order parts over time and start by doing the front and then the rear.
    Now The cheapest possible option would be to just regear the rear D44@3.73 down to match the stock front D30 3.54. If my jeep wasn't currently driveable, then I would probably do this. But because I have the luxury of having the D30 on the bench to work on while I enjoy breaking the existing D27 front, I am not in a hurry. With kids and family, It's realistically going to be at least 6 months before I'm able to do a wheeling trip. Plenty of time to space out and hide parts orders from my wife;).

    In the meantime I'm inhaling Scarface amounts of rust as I beautify and tear down the D30.


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2023
  16. Mar 23, 2024 at 10:39 AM
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Cynthia and I were up in Atlanta a few weeks ago and the Free Jeep is going strong! Greg and I went down to a muddy construction site and ripped around a little bit.

    Got this photo yesterday and it looks like another generation is onboard to keep this hobby going another 50years!!

    [​IMG]
     
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  17. Mar 23, 2024 at 11:54 AM
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    (y)(y):clap::beer:, My daughter has her eye on my jeep rebuild, keeps me posted with photos of other jeeps with accessories and colors she likes. :sneak:.
     
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