1963 Us Navy Dj-3a

[Fireball]

Got the passenger side back together this morning:

Then it was time to fill the axle with oil and do some testing with the test engineers observing:

Test engineers seem happy with it:

The front locker definitely helps up and down:

Test engineers in their happy place:

After an afternoon of yard work, we drove up to the top of the hill with the camp chairs and some Champagne to celebrate the major projects being done on the Jeep:

I'm really liking how the winch turned out:

We took it for a longer drive out on the roads to the Post Office too. The front oil leak seems to be fixed, and there was no puddle under the Jeep when I parked it. I did keep the RPM under 3000 which seems to help. Maybe keeping the RPM lower prevented the big puddle or maybe the puddle was coming from the front cover leak? There's so much oil everywhere, it's hard to tell.

Next is some more carburetor tuning for the open road, trailer light wiring, and extended bump stops. All pretty quick, easy things.

 

[Fireball]

Had the carburetor apart many times last night working on the highway tune:

I did manage to lean it out noticeably by dropping thee Jet sizes. It was still running rich at cruising throttle on the highway. I decided the 8.5 power valve was adding fuel at cruising loads. I switched from the 8.5 to a 6.5 and it really helped.

It's a but lean at times now, but It's still hovering on the edge of the power valve opening going down the road, so I have 4.5 and 5.5 valves coming. I'll richen up the jets one number when I swap in the 5.5 power valve. I think that's going to get it pretty close. Probably close enough anyway. It's not all that bad where it's at now. At least it's not running an AFR of 10 or 11 going down the road anymore.

Did I already say I'd rather be adjusting VE tables with a laptop than messing with carburetors?

 

[Fireball]

Easy project last night. I made a trailer wiring harness that plugs into my existing tail light plugs:

Verified to work with the handy little tester:

 

[timsresort]

Easy project last night. I made a trailer wiring harness that plugs into my existing tail light plugs:

Verified to work with the handy little tester:

When you get close to the end, the projects get easier and faster.

 

[Rich M.]

When you get close to the end, the projects get easier and faster.

What is this "end" you speak of?

 

[ITLKSEZ]

What is this "end" you speak of?

The end is when you start over

 

[Fireball]

Speaking of neverending projects, I popped a 30 spline spartan into the empty carrier last night to consolidate some of the junk on the shelf:

Now I'm contemplating swapping it, the 30 spline full-float axles, and 30 spline capable spindles into the Jeep before the Rubicon. I have all the parts and it won't take that long.....

It's not really necessary though. The 19-spline Detroit Locker with 19 spline inner/27 spline outer full float shafts it has right now are probably adequate for the trip.

 

[timsresort]

The end is when you start over

Yeah maybe. I consider the "end" for this year's prep, then you go to the Rubicon.

 

[timsresort]

It's not really necessary though. The 19-spline Detroit Locker with 19 spline inner/27 spline outer full float shafts it has right now are probably adequate for the trip.

Completely adequate. I ran 19 spline floaters with Detroits and 33's for years, and never broke one. I would, however, carry spares. And a bored spindle. Come to think of it, I have a pair of those axles you can borrow as spares if you want.

 

[Fireball]

Completely adequate. I ran 19 spline floaters with Detroits and 33's for years, and never broke one. I would, however, carry spares. And a bored spindle. Come to think of it, I have a pair of those axles you can borrow as spares if you want.

Yeah, I'm kind of leaning to leaving the rear axle alone until after the Rubicon. If you bring spares for me to pack along, that would make it much safer.

 

[Mr_Vaughan]

the axles i get to play with at work are the bees knees, like a ford 9 inch hit the gym and started taking life - threatening amounts of steroids. full floating, monster shafts, threaded adjusters on the bearings, deflection bolts for the ring gear, and factory available air lockers. of course, a set weighs as much as your jeep does. i just can't look at a dana 30 the same anymore.

 

[Fireball]

I didn't really do anything with the Jeep last night, but I'm starting to figure out how to pack it for the Rubicon.

As I've stated before, I don't want a tire rack on the back of this Jeep. It's much nicer to use around the property and neighborhood without a rack, getting the dogs in/out the back on the like. Plus a rack would mean doing away with the original flip down Tuxedo Park adjacent license light.

For long offroad trips, I need pile it all in the back.

When I joined up with ITLKSEZ to do Denver Creek last fall, I ratchet strapped the tire in vertically. I had a spares/jack bin and the toolbox under a cargo net:

Along with a jerry can ratchet strapped to the rollbar:

The general idea worked fine, so I'll do something similar again.

I'd like to haul another gas can because the rear tank is only 10 gallons. One option:

I think I like this better with them both on the same side. I'll make some mounts to attach the Jerry can holders to the roll cage bolts:

I'm going to blow apart the tool box and fit all the tools under the seats or in the bin. That leaves room for the cooler behind the bin. I'm trying to decide if if's worth making a removable shelf/rack to retain access to this bottom layer when all the camping gear is piled in and strapped down. It probably is.

This $100 Harbor Freight roof basket isn't far off in the needed size:

 

[neohic]

I love figuring out that puzzle! Storage solutions are obviously difficult in as all rig. Laying everything out and connecting the dots is always fun!

CJ is looking great. You’re building a hell of a good little wheeler!

 

[Jw60]

Thoughts on a 15 or 20 gal rear tank?
20gal total doesn't seem like enough.

 

[Fireball]

Thoughts on a 15 or 20 gal rear tank?

Not before this year's Rubicon.

 

[homersdog]

I'm very impressed on how much you have gotten done with the DJ. For extra gas maybe put in an underseat tank and rig up a fuel transfer system if you don't want to deal with a selector valve. It will help keep your CG lower.

Also I like roof racks for on road use but off road they could make you top heavy.

 

[Fireball]

Also I like roof racks for on road use but off road they could make you top heavy.

The rack would be mounted mid-height above the fenderwells in the cargo area of the Jeep.

 

[Ohiowrangler]

I did the mid mount basket (aluminum bumper basket from HF). I'll see if I can find the photo's. Ron

 

[timsresort]

It's always a puzzle. Man, trying to get everything in the bed is admirable. I can barely do it with a rack. Especially if you have 2 people, and or a dog. In my experience, with a 2 barrel V6, 15 gallons is bare minimum for a trip from Meyers, to Loon, and through to South Shore. If I do any backtracking, winching or welding, I am very close.

 

[Fireball]

15 gallons is bare minimum for a trip from Meyers, to Loon, and through to South Shore. If I do any backtracking, winching or welding, I am very close.

Planning on bringing 20 total. Hoping that's enough.