Update your rig status here!

[ChevyKev]

Well, one leak in the gas tank was fixed, went to install it again and had a bigger one! :angry: So I mixed up some more JB weld and coated about the first 4 inches the entire width of the bottom of the tank, seeing as that looked like it was wearing thin, it now is twice as thick as it originally was, and no more leaks.

Accomplished in the last few days:
Tank is re-installed, as is the skid plate and the fuel lines.
Master cylinder is swapped out and pre-bled - now need to finish bleeidng break lines.
Rear shock mounts were fabbed and shocks installed.
Front driveline installed
Extended the rear axle vent tube up high
A few other minor things tightened up.
Fluids checked - I'll have to run and top off the trans after it starts up.
Oh - got the tires off the Blazer and put on - it has massive ground clearance... been too long... I've forgotten!



To do list:
Finish bleeding brakes
Fill gas tank
Fix heater controls
Cover holes in floor (where the t-case shifter was supposed to go)
Time and tune
Install air cleaner assembly
Possibly extend the exhaust
Front axle vent tube extended up high
Guess I should put an actual tow hook on the thing. :oops: Been using D-rings around the tubing/frame.

Future fabwork:
Next week I should get the 5000# winch and it will be installed on the back for upcoming runs.
Headache bar, down tubes, and a new spare tire mount that will also allow for storage boxes in "bed" area.
Such said storage boxes
Hi-lift mounts
Need a "slower" windshield wiper control switch - all I have is "high" for the mud boggs.
An actual t-case shifter of some sort would be good. Selectability might be nice without crawling underneath with an adjustable wrench.
Was thinking of an extra trans cooler and fan - I have several a/c condensors that would work well for this - just need to fab mount and add fan.
Maybe a set of rock sliders of some sort - thinking Rainbow Mountain
This summer I could very possibly be swapping in a Turbo 400 and 205 t-case that I have... would be much better than the 700r4 :whistle:

There'll always be more.

[SHoppe715]

Master cylinder is swapped out and pre-bled - now need to finish bleeidng break lines.

Guess I should put an actual tow hook on the thing. :oops: Been using D-rings around the tubing/frame.

There'll always be more.

-you can come grab that little bleeder bottle if you want.

-...guess so since the front brake line tabs had to be ground down and you can't use those as tow points anymore...:whistle:

-aint dat da troof.

[SHoppe715]

..Sometimes you have a little better luck finding them if you jack the wheels off the ground and put the transmission in neutral. Also if you're checking the rear make sure the parking brake is not engaged...

It was. I've never seen a u-joint blow like this one did and stay so tight. The other 3 caps were still solid.:confused: The vibration wasn't noticeable until over 25 mph or so and then only with accelleration. I got to thinking it was just the tires getting worn and rumbling. I couldn't see or feel the slop in the shaft by grabbing, shaking, twisting by hand. I just happened to see the seal was gone and the rust under the cap was barely visible.

Oh yeah, I'll now always pop the caps off of new u-joints and inspect before installing. I got one new from Napa that had missing and mismatched needle bearings under 1 of the caps. Almost didn't catch it.

[ChevyKev]

Purchased Lucas trans additive today.

Also got the stuff to do my "limb risers"

And I got a set of fog lights to further enhance the illumination capabilities - the ligths I have now are for out in front lighting, these should be wider and illimuinate closer to the rig - just when the sun is up more and more and they're less encessary... :whistle:

[sevenslats]

...Also got the stuff to do my "limb risers"...

Definately waiting for a tech writeup on this one. I remember when Lawson bought the "kit", he said they looked extremely easy to Ja-Make.

[99TJ]

An actual t-case shifter of some sort would be good. Selectability might be nice without crawling underneath with an adjustable wrench.

Just weld that wrench on it and stick it thru the floor, pure NBM Style!

[ChevyKev]

Today I:
Took Kael to the movies and shopping for his B-day.

Then this evening I ...

Extended the exhaust to the rear of the vehicle
Made my limb risers - wriote up will come sometime next week.
Extended my front axle vent into the cab
Installed a tow hook both front and rear
Filled the trans fluid - including some Lucas
A few other misc things
Then bled the brakes - which resulted in finding a dead caliper

Off to Napa first thing in the morning for a new caliper
Re-bleed the brakes - then push outside for gas fill and start-up.

Then a few minor things to get ready for the afternoon.

[99TJ]

Good

Changed the Oil in my Jeep

Greasted the steering and every other zerk I could find, not many since I can't grease my U-joints

Fixed up some sway bar disonnects, guess we'll see how those run in the future

Fixed the head unit it works again, dunno what was wrong with it to begin with, but hey, I got tunes again

Bad

I have a leaky seal on the pass side of my front diff, its leaking oil out..so I filled it up, and next weekend I'll have to pull my shafts and carrier and replace it..

[Ronster]

Bad

I have a leaky seal on the pass side of my front diff, its leaking oil out..so I filled it up, and next weekend I'll have to pull my shafts and carrier and replace it..

Why are you pulling the carrier?

[78calico]

:whistle:Kind of hard to replace the tube seals without pulling it.

[99TJ]

:whistle:Kind of hard to replace the tube seals without pulling it.

yep

[ChevyKev]

Started the morning of the 15th at 8 AM calling NAPA - they don't open until 9. Filled the gas tank and fixed the heater controls to where they sorta work right.

Got ahold of NAPA and they had my caliper - with a $55 core - so I ripped the one off and went to NAPA. Met a friend there who had bought Nates/Marks/Justins old Jeep as he ran it without oil and has a rod knocking (teenagers!) He needed to grab a bunch of stuff, but when we got there there was a line and only 1 worker. I asked "When's your help get here?" He says, you just come back here and do it yourself. So I got crash trained on NAPA's computer system and away I worked - having to explain to everyone else who walked in that I Couldn't help them because I really didn't work there and didn't really know what I was doing.

An hour later I was on my way back to the house - replaced the caliper and tried bleeding the brakes which wasn't working. The pass side forn tcaliper that I had just replaced wouldn't put enough pressure on the pads to squeze the rotor. Seeing the break pads should have been replaced as well, I went and grabbed the ones off the Blazer and re-bled them - and it worked.

Grabbed an air cleaner assembly - grabbed another air cleaner assembly that didn't bind the linkage, and then found the correct length all thread to install it.

So outside it got pushed and the battery charger was hooked up and it started fine - but ran rough. Played with the distribuotr to get it closer to being timed and kept checking the trans fluid - topped it off, started it up, moved through the gears forward and backwards, shut it off, topped it off... repeated several times until the trans kept some fluid in it. AFter I drive it a bit I'll need to check it and top it off again.

So about 12:30 I moved it via it's own power out front so the Jeep could be moved inside the garage. And my pickuptruck was running horribly bad. I popped the hood to see the carb saturated in gas. The pump seal obviously gave up and the carb was spewing gas everywhere. So I grabbed another one off of another vehicle and put it on and everything looked good, but it idles at 2000 RPM or so and the idle screw is all the way out - Dunno if something is bound up or if that carb is just junk...

Went back to move Skitzo and the starter wouldn't work.

At this point it is about 1:40 and I know the inevitable - I'm not making it on the trail as even my backup 4x4 (pickup) isn't running correctly.

Had to have one of the prospects (Frank???) who showed up to do the ride cross the starter so I could get it back in front of the garage. I think it is the fuseable link, but could also be having other issues. I never got it timed with a light, only by ear, and it was backfiring a bit as well. So I have to fix the wiring and finish timing / tuning it to run well. It was nice to move it under it's own power again.

And I need to figure out what's wrong with the pickup - before the 20th when Derrick gets back from the field and I give his car back to him!

[akram]

Chris's dodge:

33 MTR's:puke:Installed. Wiring fixed and secured up out of the way. Test drove successfully with now issue except... It runs really hot, not sure if that was an issue before or not.

73 black dodge:
Now sits on Chris's old tires two fo which go flat.

XJ:
Haven't had time to do anything with it but the list is still long as heck.

[Ronster]

:whistle:Kind of hard to replace the tube seals without pulling it.

yeah yeah, I was thinking diff cover... Its been a long week :oops:

[Fix_It]

i found some serious issues on my "new engine "and i have to tear it back down after i fired her up today she purred so smooth for about 4 minutes..

i cant seem to find a happy timing chain length for the new engine to fit at all .. if my gut feelings are right .. i think they had put a 83-83 22r head on the 85 new crate engine and that why my chain is either too long or too tight to install ..

the brand new timing set i bought for a 83 22r was too short and chain guides would not fit .. but the 85 chain guides bolted right up ,but the chain seemed too long like half link too long .. with the new chain tensioner almost maxed out already but seemed to keep the chain tight to the gear so i went with it ..

sorry i did now cause i have to completely tear the motor down to the short block again and use my old 85 head ..wich means i just lost 150 bucks in gaskets and timing sets i just did.....:mad:

sometimes im so dumb ...

[ajpthng]

Outer Bearings and seals replaced in the TJ this weekend and rotated the tires. Now I need to adjust the front control arms, install rear shock relocation bracktes and adjust rear pinion angle.

[Angler]

fish plated the frame and reattached the shock mount on the TuRD gussetted mount to the top of frame

TuRDinator: pile of parts in the garage.

[ChevyKev]

I can't quite figure out the Skitzo's electrical issues with the starter... but it is back in the garage and I'll replace a few wires and see if it starts without having to cross the posts... after it warms up that is... spring winds make me feel wimpy not liking the "cold"

[Fix_It]

kevin are you using the toyotas wiring to the starter ?

i just went thru this on my yota turned out to be the fuseable link and it goes thru the pass side cab behind glove box /heater core out in the fenders if you still had yours .. but mine did this right after i did the new engine install ..

i also have mine breathing fire but have some cooling issues and im not sure my new alternator is charging rrr,.. but its in and did some doughnuts in the yard just to make sure she works ..still not quite right on the timing might be off a tooth or so on the disributor ..but sounds good and quiet no more piston slap lol ...

[ChevyKev]

No, all that's left of the Yota is the gas tank, cab, frame, sterring wheel, and pedals - from there everything is fabbed or Chevy.

[gijoey]

a new winch guard w/light tabs thanks to Ole and his new bender.

[ChevyKev]

Skitzo is now trail proven - but needs a few things:

Transmission cooler would be a great benefit.
Rear view mirror would help with my sore neck.
Brake lights and reverse lights (which are club requirements - at least the brakes) would help those following me
Going over trail welds for a bit better strength would be good.
Figuring out choke issues with carb - or replacing it

[TJVigilante]

a new winch guard w/light tabs thanks to Ole and his new bender.

I saw pics yesterday of that, and I didn't notice the lack of triangulated support...methinks you shouldn't go playing bumper cars just yet. Looks nice though.

Me, I'm in the process of refreshing my suspension, and putting on some recovery gear.

My gauge cluster is showing evidence of wanting to give me a hard time...yesterday the voltage gauge pegged low and the check gauge light came on...I restarted it and it was fine. Oh pls mr. ECU don't leave me now.

tightened my belt again....I need some gearwrenches to make that job go much faster.

[99TJ]

Replaced my D30 Tube seal, hopefully it don't leark anymore

Next to get the brackets/gears for my 8.8

[arcticmutt]

Added some much needed pinstriping

[naturalbornmudder]

my trusty GMC power heated seat decided to quit working, out of protest, during it's first day as my daily driver.

The lil' Chief got sidelined as of yesterday. I took the brake controller out of it andwill start doing some much-needed upgrades so that it will be semi-trail ready when I get back up home.

After some speculation(and bantering by ChevyKev) I formally announce a new rig to the NBM household. I caught a train ride down to Bakersfield this past weekend and bought a 2001 Toyota Sequoia.

The highlights are:
3rd row seating for the clan
4wd of course, with part/full time, and low range
a staggering 22 mpg highway
ridiculously low price

I must say, the 6 hour drive back from Bakersfield was very nice. The Seq was averaging 22 mpg at 75 mph. Rides well, accelerates well, etc etc etc.

With the arrival of the Sequoia, the Jeep gets down time so I can modify and the truck becomes my DD. It was a win-win situation.