cbreiter Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I’ve had the truck about 4 years now, it’s a 4.0, ax15, 2wd truck. Did a few things on it when I got it, until I discovered the windshield was leaking. It then got parked, and I even thought about selling it a few times, but finally in light of my trip (Alabama) have decided to fix it up (way better mileage than my ‘86 Dodge Ram). An original picture of it. Roll bar was just set in, unsure about keeping it or not. After pulling the mouldings off around the windshield, found out that it must’ve been a problem for a while, had about 3 tubes worth of bathtub caulking to “seal” it. I started taking the truck apart, and got a spare fender (driver side was pretty dented) and painted them.plan was to paint the whole truck, but that got stalled on me now is back in my shop for a complete outfiting. Originally when I got the truck, had swapped to a Cherokee steering wheel (had a cheap aftermarket), and put a deluxe cluster in it with the proper sensors. Front hubs and bearings had been done just before I bought it. The 225’s on it were almost bald, so they came off, and I put some 215/70 R15 on it. Also swapped out the rear shocks, and fuel filter. Put a tape deck from a ‘95 Cherokee in it, and different speakers in the doors. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Well, yesterday, I swapped in new front shocks, and front brakes. Also pressed in new bearings into the idlers.Also added a ground strap to the battery Checked the driveshaft too, u-joints aren’t really bad, but have a slightly stiff spot on both, even after greasing them, so I’ll swap them out.Today’s tasks included, pulling out the old front sway barAnd swapping in a new one from a v8 grand Cherokee, with good end links.I also, decided to take a look at the track bar, as I had some “death wobble” when I drove it. Think I figured out why. Bolt wasn’t tight in the bushing at all, probably 1/8” slop, that plus the bolt was too long.I pressed the old bushing out, and put in a new moog one. Also found a correct size bolt for it.After that, figured I should do the water pump. It definitely had some wobble to it, so it was time. Got it off, but that’s as far as I got tonight.Just a quick question for you guys, what do you think about the radiator? It doesn’t leak, but it’s looking kinda brittle to me?It’s got Chrysler numbers on it, so I’m gonna guess it’s probably the original.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Wow, that track bar bolt, no surprise you had death wobble. That radiator looks a little crusty, and like it has seen some trauma (cores squished together at the top). However, I would be tempted to leave it... At the same time, you should look at your coolant pressure bottle, if it's looking like it's starting to crack (they all do eventually) it might make sense to just order up a newer style radiator, a universal overflow bottle, and convert it to an open system. Maybe. Maybe throw some new loom over that wiring harness that's exposed (in front of the radiator), if that gets chafed it can easily short out and melt the whole mess into a blob... Make's for a bad day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 I’ll order a new coolant bottle. Was looking at a triple core aluminum rad, maybe that’s overkill though.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 4 hours ago, cbreiter said: I’ll order a new coolant bottle. Was looking at a triple core aluminum rad, maybe that’s overkill though. Better too much radiator than not enough.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 2 hours ago, HOrnbrod said: Better too much radiator than not enough.... Especially when you're going from a cold place to a hot place... All the problems of your cooling system are suddenly exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinkrun Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Great start !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Didn’t get much done today, had a huge amount of snow to move before and after work. Did get the new waterpump on thoughThis is the radiator I’m thinking about getting.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lthompson741 Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 On March 5, 2018 at 10:03 PM, cbreiter said: Didn’t get much done today, had a huge amount of snow to move before and after work. Did get the new waterpump on though This is the radiator I’m thinking about getting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Looks like the radiator is for a closed system..... I'd convert to an open cooling system if your going to change the radiator. I was in the same boat radiator wise and found a the open style radiators were cheaper then the closed style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted March 19, 2018 Author Share Posted March 19, 2018 Got myself a used open style rad, and a overflow bottle from the wreaking yard. Got a few things done over the weekend, took my starter and alt in, went through them, and replaced a few parts, although they pretty much just needed a cleaning and a few new bushings. Pulled the timing cover and replaced the gears and chain. OldNewPut stuff back together then. Also got the valve cover gasket replaced. Gapped and put in new plugs, and “windowed” the old cap so I can make sure the rotor is hitting the right spot in it. Replaced the thermostat, and put on a newer style housing, so I could thread the probe for my electric fan controller in.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted April 4, 2018 Author Share Posted April 4, 2018 Well, got the rad put in, and all the closed system stuff removed, I’ve got a heater valve from a ‘95 XJ to plumb in. Been slow going. My redline mt-90 showed up today, also got a daytime running light relay. Plugged it in, and now the high beam indicator works!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted April 27, 2018 Author Share Posted April 27, 2018 Got a few more things done, new U-joints, and driveshaft is back in. Also got the cooling system finished up. Got a nice shiny reservoir, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Looking better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJCARENA Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Looking good, but it is a bad habit to lay tools on the battery. Don't want to short the terminals together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted April 29, 2018 Author Share Posted April 29, 2018 I realize that, a bench is in the works for my shop, right now every flat surface gets used. I got a few more new parts, but I’m off this next weekend to Alabama. Decided on taking a different route to get the car home. I’m going to drive down with my Honda Fit, (mileage is waaayyyy better, lol) fix the car up, then fly there this October, go to classic Honda’s on the dragon, and then drive the car home. Once the Comanche is all done, I do want to do a longer trip with it, however I’d kinda like to add cruise to it before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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