Work is cruising now! PS, 12si, drive shafts, and more

With the Vintage Iron run looming, I am resurrecting this thread for the sake of getting some updates going. Since the last update she has been a fun wheeler and a daily driver. I did get a rear bumper built, same design as the front. I installed a highsteer setup from R&P which officially made my the old girl not a death trap. A variable ratio 3.25 turn steering gear and all new lines round out the steering.

But since december she has been a garage ornament. The transfer case has some play in the rear yolk, the front end needs gone through, and the last trip to Tillamook state forest resulted in a really nasty rear end vibration.

Much thanks to the folks at R&P I picked up a CJ 6:32 T18/20 combo. Also a new trac-loked high pinion 44 is in progress for the rear. With a little luck a HP44 front will be in the works next month. Also on the too do list before July is either a front hoop and some tie in bars or a full cage, skid plates, lengthening and shortening drive shafts, replacing the rear springs, shocks, shoulder belts and some tunes.

Honestly committing to this Rubicon trip is the best thing that's ever happened for this 5. All the wish list items and then so much more are finally happening. The fire is officially lit under my behind.

Rubicon or bust!8)

 

We need some pictures of rear bumper you built and the other stuff to catch us up.

 

Alright here are a few!

The high steer installed last summer. One ton rod endshellokitty Also the bottom of a fresh 3.25 turn variable ratio sagi with new lines and pump, also done last summer.


The high pinion 44, 3.73 gears (for road use) rear


New brakes. Maybe I will try to get my E-brake working now.


The Trak-loc, set up nice and tight.


The axle should go in next weekend. The transfer case is also being repaired by R&P so it will take the Rubicon and many more years of use. My one month plan is to have the tranny/t-case and rear HP44 swapped in, and a high pinion 44 front in the front. After that it will be cage, skids and misc stuff. Extra credit ya know

 

Looks like you have your hands full getting ready for July. I hoping to have a new rear axle ready as well. But it doesn't have to be in for me to make the trip so no pressure.

 

Hey BigJohn, that's a Powerlock . I know, I built it. And yes, nice and tight :: I added an extra Belleville clutch to each side.
Your transfer case parts were glass beaded today and about half are waiting for paint to dry. The other half should be painted tomorrow if work allows then waiting on rebuild parts to assemble. If you like I'll post a pic of it after assembly. Unless you want to do that which I would understand perfectly. It is your Jeep after all.
Glad to see you are getting it ready to go!



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Thanks Nick and that is a Powerlock isn't it Haha, anyway that would be awesome if you would post the T-case pictures!

Also let me know if you need a hand getting your tranny out/in. If nothing else it would be a great excuse for a reunion and check out your Jeep farm I was planning to give you a ring this weekend but time sort of got away from me. Ill call you up tomorrow evening.

 

The rear axle will be in next weekend but won't burn in the perches until the tranny/t-case is in. At the very least Ill put a lunchbox locker of some sort in the front and cut/clock the knuckles to fix the pinion and caster angle on the front. I am getting really excited to run the trail and meet the rest of our group!

 

Chalk up another addition to the transfer case. 2.46 it is. Thanks in advance Nickmil

 

Got some great progress this weekend. Got the old tranny and t-case pulled last night and the T18 tranny is bolted up as of now and the tranny tunnel trimmed out. The transfer case is in progress. Next weekend the plan is to install the transfer case, get the linkages hooked up and install the new high pinion rear 44 and maybe even take her for a spin. Not likely though. Slight change of plans. I am going with 4 wheel discs so it will likely take some time to get the hydraulics put together and dialed.

More to come next week. Sorry, didn't take very many pictures.

Here is the mile marker synthetic rope I that came in last week. I forgot to snap a shot of it spooled up. Its really nice to deal with though, light and pliable.

And the T-18 ready to go in

And giving the T-14/D20 a last little bit of love before they become soup cans.

 

Here's BigJohn's 20 with the 2.46-1 gears and factory '76-'79 T-18 shift linkage...
Finished it up today. Touched up the paint since the pic was taken.




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Oh nice Nick, that looks great! Now that's going to make my frame look rusty...

 

. It's sitting up at the shop waiting for you to install .


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I wasn't there but...



Almost a caption this pic
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Don't happen to need anymore die grinders, do ya?

That's a nice Jeep, I can't wait til mine is further along. Maybe by winter.

 

Another very productive Sunday. All I have to say is thank the Lord I was working with somebody that knows far more than me when it comes to this business. I am learning a ton though!

Anyway, wrapped up a few things today. The starter is in, clutch linkage is hooked up and mostly adjusted, and even got a the new blue top optima in!

Next we moved to wrapping up the rear axle. Got the calipers mounted, the brake lines done and the pads burned in.

Next we pulled all the high steer off the old axles and dropped it out of the way, put the new 44 in, put the high steer stuff back in and then loaded on the Ford hubs, discs, calipers and new front brake lines.

At that point we called it a day. Just a little left to do to get her moving. Retubed drive shafts, mount plumb and bleed the new master cylinder and it onto a trailer to start on all the little things that need to be done before July. At this point I am thinking she will be ready for a few shake down runs by mid June.

The rear wrapped and planted


The old 30 out


The new 44 in


Ready for wheels


Front axle before


And after

 

Saweeeeeeet! Can't wait to see it on the Rubicon.

 

Sweet!
Now to keep the tires from going flat


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Thanks Posi, I can't wait to get it there

Nickmil, those tires are a never ending headache. Took it over to shwabs to get the one leaking tire fixed and balance the rest, got it back with two leaking tires. I may need to replace all the wheels before the trip, all 4 are bent up...

 

pinion bearing failure at some point?
love watching this build ,go Go GO!!!