4 cylinder/stick shift Dakota and other things.

[mvusse]

Was in the local Pull-a-Part yesterday collecting parts to get my truck back on the road.

 

First off was a Durango steering box. First two Durangos I spotted had rack-and-pinion steering. Third one used a conventional steering box (which I got), but it uses just three holes to mount it, not four.

 

Then off to a ZJ to get two unit bearings and both sway bar links as I got tired of waiting for someone (not JeepcoMJ) to send me a pair he owes me after 6 months. I have since been to Chicago and Detroit without them, and decided I was NOT going to Columbus, GA unless I had a pair installed. No more swaying side to side at 75mph.

 

Also got another temp sender off a 90 XJ to see if the gauge in the Purple People Eater reading low is a sender problem or a gauge problem (or possibly wiring). Have not yet installed it as it's been raining all day today.

 

While browsing around I came across a 4 cylinder stick shift (1990) Dakota. Thinking I had found the holy grail of bellhousings I looked underneath only to find the familiar NP model tag we all see on out transfer cases. Turns out is has a NP A535 transmission. Aren't they supposed to have an AX15? Or is the bellhousing from this transmission interchangeable with that from an AX15?

[mnkyboy]

1990 is too early,the AX15 came in the mid 90s.

[mvusse]

Went to install the Durango steering box and hit a snafu. The aluminum spacer between the frame and steering box needs to be shimmed out about 1/8" to clear the larger diameter box. I got some 14 gauge 1/2x7/8 bushings and will JB weld two of them on each bolt tower. Gives me just over 1/8".