A-man930

This is a thread dedicated to my at-home overhaul of some 2wd MJ leaf springs I'll be using for an SOA conversion. I'm into restoration type work opposed to full-on replacement if possible. First I scored some junkyard springs with a nice protective layer of gear lube/dirt on them :yes: The at-rest arch measurements were within 1/8" of each other, so even if they're not perfectly up to spec. they should at least be equal. First step was to cut away what was left of the shackles and the bolt/spacers at the top of those clamp thingeys (wish I would have thought to keep the stock shackles around... oh well.) The clamps look to be riveted to the main leaf so unless I discover a problem further down the line I'll just be leaving them attached. Correction: 3rd leaf, not main leaf (thanks Eagle) It looks like I've found the replacement plastic wear pads: http://replacement-pak.com/ They sell on ebay. I'll be coating the contact surfaces with this stuff: And likely spray-bombing the final assembly with some semi-gloss black.

Love it dude

What makes it so difficult to remove the assembly may I ask? Does the dash have to come loose or what?

My drain tube is clear. I had the box apart replacing the evaporator and heater core and probably didn't get it all back together just right. Anyways to the OP check your tube first for sure.

^^ Not to mention the CAD.

Mine leaks onto the floor as well but I'm fairly certain the heater/evaporator box leaks.

There is one in the color you're describing on here and he had one heck of a build thread but its been a while.

+1. DO IT

Is it okay to say on here that I dig your s-10? [emoji13] What year is it?

I dig the two-tone!

I was referring to the rest of the engine. Yes, bell pattern is the same.

The 3800 (of any series) is a totally different animal than the 2.8/3.1/3.4 60degree family.

This may be true, but I was thinking of the standard trans options. Wasn't it just the BA10?

^^this I secretly wish I had a 2.8 truck so I could build a worked-over aluminum-headed 3.4 for it. But then I think of the transmissions that came on them and the other oddities that come with '84-'86 XJ/MJs Best of luck to you! And for the record I'd stay away from tube headders if you have the option. Grab some used cast manifolds from a Camaro/Firebird.

May I ask what the common failure is with the disconnect system? I've kept my vacuum lines clear, but otherwise never messed with the axle end or transfer case side of things and never had an issue with shaft breakage, disengagement, or failure to engage. I've wheeled the thing fairly hard on 32" tires and used it in the snow many, many times. Its nice to have the front diff. free-wheeling when you're highway cruising, though I'm not sure exactly how much MPG is gained (it has to be something,) not to mention maybe slightly less wear and tear on the big parts of the differential. If it were easy or cheap to utilize the old-fashioned manual "lock-out" hubs of yesteryear on our stock HPD30s I might consider doing away with my factory disconnect feature, but who actually likes having to get out and manually lock/unlock the hubs...:P

I have never had a problem with the CAD setup. I have yet to see a compelling argument for doing away with it on a daily driver (even with 33s). That being said I'm all ears :)

Trade to Jim for target practice? That's right!

I've got one I want to trade out. .. http://comancheclub.com/index.php?/topic/47041-WTT:-Left-(driver's-side)-tail-light-for-right-side.

You bet it is! If anyone else is wanting to look at a parts donor I can PM you this guy's info. About an hour west of St. Louis.

Direct imgur full size

Straight downloaded from Facebook no resizing.

Resized 50% "high quality"