AeroNautical

I got a quote from a mechanic today. I would provide the gasket and oil, and it still costs $400 in labor. That's a big negative, so I think I'm just gonna clean up the sides of the pan as best as I can and RTV the hell out of it. It's cheap, incorrect and improvised as hell, but if it works, it works.

We have a panel on our 64s that covers a gearbox leading to the tail rotor. During our daily and 25 hour inspections, we have to remove it to check grease plugs and oil levels. It is the single most difficult panel to remove and replace on the aircraft because you are standing on pegs that extend from the tail, holding on for dear life with one hand and removing screws with another, and it's called the b*@$£ panel for good reason. Today, I've found that panel on our trucks. The 4.0 oil pan. I've replaced transmissions, t-cases, axles, suspensions, motors, electrical components and even fixed rust holes for Gods sake, and I've NEVER had as much trouble as I've had on this oil pan and gasket. Holy hell, I scared myself with how angry I got. I did it the first time by myself, and the gasket didn't seat quite right near the RMS. Attempt number 2, the same thing happened. #3, I had a buddy to help me and I got the gasket to seat properly, but what's this? Only use RTV on the front and rear of the gasket? OK... Leaks from the sides. 3 $20 fel pro gaskets and an oil change, and I'm done. This truck has never seen a mechanic, but I think it's time. I'm losing years of life because of this, have any of you had this much trouble with this damn pan? Haven't gotten a quote from a mechanic yet, how much do you think it'd cost? Plus, I'd need to pay for another oil change and gasket. I hated my money anyway.

Installed just fine for me and matched the hole size at the axle. However, if the mounting hole is wallowed out at the axle then it needs to be repaired. Just installed mine, I am impressed. Built solid and no more clunking. Bolt matched perfectly to the axle side hole, zero play. I suppose the true test'll be on the trail, but so far I'm happy with it.

I've had a great experience with my RC lowers, gonna get the uppers later on down the road. They've got rebuildable flex joints to allow for more axle articulation, run for about 180 for a pair. Adjustable, also. Very happy with mine, and they've been beaten.

You just missed a trip last sunday. We didn't get to wheel together, but did get to BS for a few minutes about toyota prius'.

Interesting bumper. Never was a fan of stenciled camo, looks too clean and predictable.

I didn't take any, but the TJ guy with me took some, but none actually on a trail. Workin a CB with a manual on technical trails is tough enough, can't hold a camera, too, haha. Look forward to seeing them.

Hell of a trip man, just a shame that WE didn't get to wheel together, haha. Get any pictures?

Wow, those arms look like a hell of an upgrade over the stock tacos the factory gave us.

Well, it's a no go on friday and saturday. Asked for the time off a few weeks ago, and kept reminding my manager, but it's a no go. I still plan on heading up sunday with a couple buddies, but meeting up would probably be pretty tough. Maybe we need another meet up in concord.

Exactly, a few weeks ago I was driving on a highway and I see one comin the other way, I get excited and not 3 minutes later I see another one headed the same way. Figures I wasn't in mine.

Installed just fine for me and matched the hole size at the axle. However, if the mounting hole is wallowed out at the axle then it needs to be repaired. Nope, wasn't wallowed out, just the bolt that came with the bar I have now and the hole on the axle side of the bar are odd sizes. No matter how tight you get it, the track bar will still shift side to side, but the bolt stays stationary. So you do recommend this track bar with no issues?

Hope he gets back to you, man. Leaving work today, I actually saw an MJ drive by in front of me, didn't notice it until it was passed. What really made it stand out was the CAMO! Another camo MJ around here, freakin awesome!

By far my favorite comment I've ever had on my truck was from a little girl asking if she could ride in the "Army Jeep". Kinda brightens your day, y'know? Plus, she could read better than most adults around here who think the truck is an s10 or toyota.

What are your experiences with that iron rock double shear track bar? http://ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-STBCK&Category_Code=PFX I need a new track bar to replace my other new track bar that's crap, and it can get a bit overwhelming with all the options. Price isn't really a problem, it just needs to fit tight and strong. I'm sick and tired of my current track bar shifting when I turn steeply, or hit the trails. The bolts are tightened down so much I'll need to cut em to get em back off, I swear. I've heard mixed reviews about this bar, saying the holes aren't properly matched to the bolt size.

The soviet union was officially disbanded in 92, is it weird to see an American vehicle from that era in a place that thinks higher of potatoes than the US as a country? I'm sorry, I'm just mad because I want it. bad. That is a beast of a machine right there.

Check to see your compression in the cylinders. If you have a cracked head, your SOL until you replace it. Happened on my sisters TJ, she didn't catch it in time and it overheated to the point where the oil was like water and the coolant evaporated. Poured bottles of water directly in the radiator and it boiled immediately back out. That 2.5 was shot. I suppose yours didn't get that hot, though, right?

Well, still about a 90% chance I can't make it friday and saturday, but sunday... we'll see. Problem with that is you guys would probably be 20 miles out on some trail, so we couldn't meet up until you got back. Whadya think?

I installed my bumper, not my first choice, but a good choice no less! The old aluminum steering spacer vs the new steel reinforced spacer from JCR: The uni-frame tie in brackets: You can see the beefier tie rod I installed a few weeks back: 12,000 pound winch in a few more weeks. I'm very happy with this bumper.

Did you have the price and location in the title? Usually the mods here let you know what was wrong with the add before they delete it, but I'd imagine they get tired of telling everyone. It's easy to miss if your not looking for it, but there is a thread in the for sale section with posting rules on adds. Edit: Mvusse beat me to it

Just because RPM is higher does not necessarily mean worse gas mileage. If the RPM is low, but your straining the engine, your still pouring alot of fuel into the engine to keep it running, versus running at a higher RPM with less engine strain. There is a balance, and I think ideally it's best to keep with stock rpm to speed ratios to maintain fuel economy to some degree. With bigger tires, you have more mass to move, you WILL lose efficiency, plain and simple. Go with the gear ratio that gets you closest to stock RPM to MPH.

How difficult was it to get the aluminum spacer out? Steel, aluminum and water is an awesome way to naturally weld, so did it take some prying, or did it slide out?

Goin to the JY in sandles? You live dangerously.

Alright, from the experiences you guys have had, it sounds like I would benefit from the steel spacer and a metal plate to reinforce the gearbox bolts and the frame, but don't need the brace. I am getting a front bumper with reinforcing 'tie in' uni-body plates, with all new grade 8 hardware. That, plus the steel spacer, sounds like I'm set. Opinions?

There's no doubt that with bigger tires you need a beefier steering system, tie rod, tie rod ends and dampener. But what about the gear box? I know the aluminum spacer from the factory likes to break under the load of bigger tires, but would buying a beefier spacer like this one: http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJMISC/STSPC.html be enough to strengthen the box, or would a brace still be required? I'm running 33s and my steering is fine, but I know it'll probably shear something the second I hit a big rock a little too hard. If you feel a brace is required, which braces do you recommend?