Incommando

I think their point is... You do not have to remove factory paint to re-paint or bed line a vehicle. All that you need is a cleaned up surface. This can be accomplished by sanding the truck without removing the factory paint: think of it as "scuffing it up" to give the new covering a good grip. And that does not reguire taking the vehicle to bare metal and starting over.

I know they are, I'm just making light of the reputation these axles have on Jeep forums like ours. Its crazy to imagine just how many millions of vehicles these axles have been put under over the years. I know with the 35 it was at least still in use through 2006 on the TJ. I'm not sure if they were still used after that in the KJ's or not, pretty sure a bunch of them got the 8 1/4's. Anyways, my Comanche with all of its 348,000 miles did it all with a 35 underneath of it. can't be all bad, but then again we all know they arent all good either. 4wd 4cyl KJ's got the D35 until '03 or so, but 99% of them have a 29-spline 8.25. The '08- newer KK Liberties use an AAM axle, IIRC.

Was thinking about using the ballsitic fabrication combo bracket --- http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/XJ- ... _1542.html --- if I went with a front axle upgrade. However, with their apparent hari kari and order woes is there another similar option without spending $500?

These are not my experiences in my union, since people tend to lump all unions together, taking the worst from each, many are getting an undeserved bad rap. I could be laid off today, and the boss could hire his brother in law, cousin, or dog groomer tomorrow if he wanted to. No protection for me. Again, if what you state about the type of union that you belong to is true, you do not work for an individual company at all but the union itself. How can you be laid off from something to which you do not belong? Your services are hired through your union and not the individual company, true? It's more difficult to outsource construction costs (though not impossible), so a Switzerland mailbox isn't going to change anything in construction, and as I said, every single company I have worked for came into the union of their own accord. A Switzerland mail box is exactly how more and more companies avoid the US's stupid 35% corporate tax and union extortion deals. Bowing to organized labor does not mean third world wages and benefits. The rural areas of this country are showing job growth, and have been for decades, by providing good jobs at fair salaries Feel free to ask questions, or poke holes in my story. I am not hiding anything, or lying about any facts. I work hard, I have no protection, there are no legacy costs to my employer beyond my hourly rate. and I am a Union Member with a Pension, and an Annuity. And that works very well for me. :thumbsup: I am not implying that you personally extort anyone, but again the histroy of organized labor in America is plain to see. Don't use teamsters for your trucking? Hmmm...too bad about that fire. Especially in the east coast strongholds of organized labor. Again, a theme that keeps getting repeated: Is your employer your union or the actual company? Those companies contract with your union for your services, I am betting, and do not hire you directly ( see claims about "signing the work sheet" etc...) . If I am wrong I am wrong. If I am right than you actually work for your union and a contracted job site, yes? You have worked at various job sites for your UNION or the basic element of my definition of the two types of union s has been missed in your argument and you should self-identify as someone working for a company who has a union bargaining unit. And are you honestly saying that many places are not required to hire only union workers and, if they try to avoid that, work stoppages are the least of their worries? Rural America has seen steady job growth by avoiding union strong areas and still providing decent jobs at fair wages. Not bowing to unions is not the same as third world wages. Compensating unskilled labor nearlyy $100 an hour when benes are factored in and only being allowed to work them 45 minutes of an hour and them barely doing work then or else they "call the union dog on ya" ( true story often bragged about by a neighbor who is a retired auto plant worker) existed for far too long and still exists today. And it is killing us. IMHO

Oh I am interested. I have no rancor involved with this at all. Yes, there are certainly two main types of unions: Those that act as a bargaining unit for a group of employees that are directly employed by a company and then those that are "collectives" that basically employ all of the workers in a field and force companies needing workers within those fields to use their people at their prices and woe be to anyone who tries to bypass their collective. My experience is with the first group. Many view the 2nd type in particular as blackmail and extortion, and it is no secret that many of these groups are closely tied to groups who make blackmail, extortion, smuggling, etc... their main business. ;) Just as I should have the right to work where I want, a company should be able to hire who they want and not be forced to use one collective's labor pool IMHO. If the wage and benefit package the company is offering is not competitive, they will not have employees. This is a simple economic fact but the collectives refuse to even entertain such competetion in most venues indicating that they realize the collective cannot compete without extreme measures. Of course companies do not get the chance to refuse to bow to the collective as it invites extortion at the least... The tactics employed by the collectives over the decades to support their monopolies ( nicest word I could think of) are obvious. If they cannot protect their monopoly they cease to exist. So they borrow tactics from their "family" business partners to insure their monopolies. Unions have done a world of good for American workers but like any good thing they have gone way too far in the opinion of growing numbers of Americans. Certain IUE workers getting caught selling crack, heroin, oxy... to fellow auto workers cannot even be fired on the first offense in cases I am very aware of due to the collectives protection racket. No, not using drugs on the job: selling them. As I mentioned before, only time will tell whether the unions price themselves out of the market. It is easier now to disband a company, re-incoprate in a mail box in Switzerland, and start over without being under the collectives' thumbs. There are also plenty of reasons that new jobs avoid the "organized labor" areas like the plaque yet the employees getting the new jobs are getting good pay, good benefits, and fair working conditions without making the upper level collective thugs rich off of their racket. People complain about the CEO's salaries but turn a blind eye to the above and below table compensation of their collective's overloards. :wall: And the collective strong holds, areas whose notations for crime and corruption go far beyond the labor issue not incidentally, lose jobs and population while the other areas show what little job growth their is to be seen. I am certain there is a direct connection.

I was referring to physically adjusting them by moving the star adjuster through the access hole in the backing plate. Worn out or misadjusted rear shoes will destroy your pedal feel. If the shoes ride too far from the drum the system does not physically move enough fluid to provide adequate clamping pressure even when perfectly bled.

May be a stupid question but have you adjusted your rear brakes? That can make a world of difference in pedal feel....well, it does on vehicles without that rear valve thingy, anyway.

:peek: Doesn't having 'bama stuff on your car automatically qualify you to park in handicap spaces? :peek: We all know that my beloved Ohio University Bobcats will rise up and smite all of the pretenders to the NCAA throne, anyway.... :yes:

My point is not that anything is one side's fault but that expecting benefits that were the norm from 50,40,30, etc..years ago without expecting pay grades from the same era is not at all realistic to today's economy. Adapt or die. Many unions refused to adapt and the American economy is littered with the corpses of entire industries that died as a result. I don't see that companies have the time to take 50, 40, 30, etc... years to slowly adapt to the new reality. That means wholesale changes must be made expediently. Example: A low or no co-pay insurance policy decades ago may have cost an employer 5% of an employee's pay. If that policy now costs 20% of base pay, why should the company be expected to eat that 15%? If the unions were truly being "fair" they would consider the cost of the program, not the benefit level, as well. But I have rarely if ever seen them do it. Either way, failing to adapt and holding a company hostage by work stoppages is a tactic from the great economy days and I don't think it will work out as well as is hoped in today's climate. Folks need to remember that a company does not exists to provide jobs, or a service, but that their main priority is to make a profit for the owners/shareholders. It seems harsh put out there so plainly, but that is also a reality whether it is a pleasant reality or not. I also cannot get on board with the fact that the policies are dead wrong for public employees but not for private sector ones. If the policies are outdated they are outdated and I think that people who expect them to continue will soon be outdated in the job market. This is not what I want so much as what I see as inevitable. :dunno:

It sucks, ' but finding another solution might be in your best interest (FWIW, I despise Comcast, but you have to do what you have to do :yes: ) Here's what the demand list the Union says Verizon asked for: • Wages - both annual and progression increases will be tied to your yearly evaluation. If you receive a "Does Not Meet Position Requirements" you will not receive an increase. • Eliminate Night and Saturday Differential • Eliminate Sunday premium pay. • Eliminate Double Time for hours past 49/week • Eliminate all Overtime Caps. • Eliminate city allowances. • Create new job titles for the consumer and business call centers that would work on a commission-based wage schedule. Pensions • Eliminate pension accruals. For anyone currently on the payroll your pension will be frozen as of December 31, 2011 and after that, there will be no more pension plan. • Eliminate the Pension Cash-Out option. • Modify the 401(k) Plan and the CPS. • Eliminate the Sickness Death Benefit. Benefits • Eliminate the current health care, prescription, dental, and vision plans and offer plans with high deductibles and contributions. • Eliminate accident disability benefits. • Cut in half the sickness disability benefits. • Reduce sick time pay to 5 days per year for those members with 20 or more years; 4 days for those with 15-20 years; 3 days for those with 7-15 years; 2 days for those with 2-7 years; 0 days for those with less than 2 years. • Reduce Paid Holidays to seven. Job Security • Eliminate the Job Security Provisions for all employees. • Eliminate the Movement of Work Protection • Eliminate the 35 mile transfer provision • Eliminate provisions in Force Adjustment Plan • Eliminate New Contracting Initiatives agreement - which would allow them to increase the level of contracting Other • Eliminate the Next Step Program • Eliminate the half day on Christmas Eve • Reduce the notice to the Union on Major technological changes from 6 months to 30 days • Eliminate the Dependent Care Reimbursement Fund according to this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/art-brods ... 24898.html and the CCW: http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/ver ... kfr24KP-_I I wonder how much negotiation has happened this week. Looks like another union gravy train is being derailed. I don't think they would have much trouble filling jobs even at the new proposal listed above. 7-day a week schedules that do not make weekends "premiums" are the norm. Heck, stores aren't closed on Sunday anymore, why should the work week be considered as m-f only? Some people may have sun-mon or fri-sat off or even tues-wed off and still give 7 day a week coverage without uneccessary premiums. Fokls want decades old work conditions like premiums for shift work but certainly don't want to do it for decades old wage scales. If the pay must keep up with modern times, so should the working conditions IMHO. The previous economic fortunes will not return for the foreseable future and the sooner that "organized labor" gets on board with the new reality the better their workers will be in the long run. Just one dude's opinion but whether it pans out or not will just take a couple of years of observation.

The only fix is to replace the piston. Depending on any potential cyl. wall damage a rebuild may be in order. If the engine was knocking or something which lead to you dropping the pan i'd say you need a replecament engine or engine rebuild most likely.

I picked up a matching set of '98 XJ axles ( big u-joint front and 29-spline rear 3.55 ) for $100 for both. XJ axles deals are out there. The differnce in price from a 8.25 to a D44 could probably buy you a lunch-box locker.

Good not great IMHO. If the gear ratio matches what you need for the front all the better. Only MJ rear axles are a direct bolt-in. XJ 29-spline 8.25's are a great bargain, nearly as strong as the D44, and only need the axle perches placed in the proper location for the MJ. Any rear axle is a much easier swap than a front axle. The Explorer 8.8 is a popular swap but requires driveshaft mods and spacers because it is narrower. XJ front axles are the best bolt-in. TJ's will bolt in but are a weaker low pinion design. Any upgraded front axle is mildly to widly expensive depending on what you want to go with and how much you can do yourself. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31628 <- just one of the hundreds of threads a search on this topic would turn up

I thought the Sportruck ended in like '88? Are you maybe thinking of the squiggly "pioneer" graphics from '91 & '92? I have never seen them re-popped. My suggestion would be have a set repro'd by a local graphics shop.

I don't have any pics of it but I tried to match the flare line by putting a factory flare against the TJ flare and cutting it. It left the gap from the body line too wide for my tastes. If I was to do it again I would just trim the flat mounting face of of the backside of the TJ flare and not touch the part the shows. The MJ does not reside at my house. Next time I get to it I'll try to remember to take a pic or two of the seal against the body.

Again: That engine and tranny combo routinely lasts for a quarter of a million miles. :thumbsup:

So, what are scrap vehicles going for in your area? You could probably get $300 or so for it by junking it. So if you think i neary DD-able truck isn't worth another $200....? I own a 2wd MJ so I feel ok saying having a 2wd MJ is not really the same as the "jeep madeness" thing. If you need/want a smaller pick-up with a proven dependability factor ( often breaking 250,000 miles easily) that also has some sentimental value and are willing to have $700 or $800 bucks in it, go for it. If not, don't. It would have to be a really nice example to flip one for a profit economically, it can't really be 'wheeled, so all that really matters is it worth the cost to you?

I re-did the rear flares. IMHO 4 rear TJ flares make good looking "aftermarket" flares when trimming an MJ. Did a quick "cut & fold" while I was at it.

Got some new rear flares mountedup and I think that they look better: Also did a cut and fold behind the rear wheels

Yep... Someone just left the script and removed the crazy stripes. If you just want the lettering about any custom decal place should be able to make a set that is close wothout much issue. Thos broken wavy stripes are unavailable as far as I know and may be harder to duplicate.

Jeep says my empty '91 2wd is like 2898 and 3090 for a 4wd.

If it's too loud your too o... :D

I am not sure they will ever be worth much. Withoutmods that thing had better not try to go stop light to stop light with a V6 Accord or Taurus or it will get eaten up pretty handily. They were lucky to get out of the 17's in the 1320. That body style was not the sure hit that the earlier and later models were, to boot. There was technically no '83 as the '84 C4 was the first of the generation.

If you need an M/T, only an M/T will do. If the conditions you wheel in do not require them, A/T's are probably a better bang for the buck IMHO. - M/T's generally perform less then great on wet or snow covered pavement or on ice ( none of which may be an issue where you live) with a few exceptions. Their large void areas and lugs that generally have little or no siping are the reason. - M/T's are generally louder than A/T's if that is an issue for you. Blame those same large void areas for cupping air and slamming it against the pavement in simplistic terms. - in the same size M/T's generally weigh more than A/T's effecting a number of performance items - in the same size M/T's generally cost more than an A/T However, even the aggressive A/T's tend to suck badly when it comes to muddy trails or pure mud. Anyone who says a BFG or Yoko or Nitto A/T do well in mud hasn't been in the kind of mud to which I am referring. Remember many of the off-road rags are Kali-based and that area is not known for mud. JP or a silmilar rag once did a "mud tire comparo" using a two-car length section of ditch along side of a parking lot... :roll: A 31" tire only gives up 1/2 of an inch to a 32" tire in actual ground clearance as 1/2 of the difference is above the axle centerline at ay given time. 31x10.5 is a good choice for a smaller lift I think.

You left out the option where you send it to me on your dime just so you don't have to make that hard decision. Yes, I would be willing to step up and take it off of your hands to save you from agonizing over this. Yes, I am that good of a guy. :D