Pete M

adapt and overcome

1000 buys a lot of oil. as long as you can stay ahead of it, it can leak for decades and you'll be ahead of the game. My PT Cruiser leaks oil, antifreeze and r-134. eventually I'll fix it all, but I'm in no hurry because I simply keep it topped off each week

now why would you go and do a thing like that?

all it takes is rain. that's why floorboard issues are so common.

new sockets are available. I would get a hold of the wiring diagram and start from scratch with proper connections and shrinkwrap. heck, I've even replaced the bid connection under the truck with new. the old stuff just kinda sucks. I prefer the low-temp solder connections (which has its own heat shrink) and put a layer of regular heat shrink over top of it for durability.

wrestled the rollbar out today. only snapped 2 bolts (so far. the frame reinforcement brackets still need to be addressed)

those are factory with an AAL. theoretically you can clamp them back together. but it's a temporary thing at best.

also, also, that main leaf is INCREDIBLY tired. note that it doesn't follow the AAL's curve at all.

there's an AAL snuck in there below the main leaf

I got the number from Key Parts who got it from the government. I guess it couldn't hurt if you asked them if they ever got an updated number

finally freed the tank. found the vent tubes crushed from whomever last installed it. no surprise there. what was a surprise was the extra float wedged inside the slosh pan. the straps and J bolts will be replaced, but I think the tank might be salvageable with some cleaning and paint. pump looks good too. the fill hose is very soft so I'll dig up a spare for it.

if you're ever in the atlanta area, I've got a spare back with headrests

things I've learned the hard way: buy a reusable oil pan gasket so you don't need a new one each time you drop the pan again because the RMS still kinda leaks. buy 2 RMS so you have a spare when you mess up the first. I'm pulling the engine of this current truck (for other reasons) and look forward to finally doing an RMS while sitting in a chair rather than lying on the ground

I like how they used the black paint lines and the white cab vent to square up the rear door visually and get rid of that weird angles that come from smashing an MJ and XJ together.

it's the big black cylinder. need to make sure the lines going all the way back to the tank aren't crushed. even if you're venting the fumes to air, that's preferable to plugged up.