Drahcir495's Build-up

[Drahcir495]

I knew after a guy on the interstate pulled up along side of me honking his horn, with a hand written note saying “Water vapor or Smoke,” that I had to address my 1.5 quart a week habit. I headed down to the shop early Saturday morning to finally (hopefully) cure my massive oil leak. Any time I would stop, you could watch the oil pour out between the engine and bell housing. I read some where that the O-ring in the oil filter mount could go bad causing leaks -> http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Eng ... -Rings.htm, so I took mine apart to give it a try. I disassembled the oil filter mount -> ~ you can see that the original O-rings are flat and petrified. I headed down to Napa and picked up the larger oil adapter O-ring; Felpro Part # 70301 ->

.

Napa did not have the other O-ring in the system, but they had a box full of them and we found the right size. I forgot about the middle O-ring but mine look fine so I re-used it. Well got it back together and it still leaked like a sieve. I figured it could be that I did not put the valve cover gasket on correctly when I up graded to the newer style with the full baffles verses the tower on the original cover. Re did the valve cover and gasket and still had the same embarrassing amount of leakage. I have been gathering the parts from Napa until I was ready to tackle the project. I picked up RMS Felpro part#40612 -> , and a new one piece oil pan gasket Felpro part#34308R -> . I did a search on Google to look up what was involve in replacing the seal and found this http://www.jeepin.com/features/rearmain/ to help get an idea of what to expect and headed over to the shop to move some of the vehicles to get my truck in and to start the straight forward sounding job

I was nothing like I expected. The whole undercarriage was covered in the leaking dirty oil. I bent the oil pan in a few places trying to get it off – it had never been removed. Had to take my RE control arm drop bracket support off to remove the pan. The rear main bearing came off easy enough -> .

The lower seal was as hard as granite which I imagine is not good for keeping oil in. Here is what the new lower RMS looked like -> . The lower seal took a little bit of effort but it popped out, but not with out leaving a bit of it left in the channel. I spent 10 minutes cleaning that up. Took a break and flew one of the micro-chopper we had at the shop -> ~ hovering in this picture. Spent a few moments looking ate the new parts we got in for the 1967 Kaiser Jeep M715 ->

Fun time was over and it was time to get started on the upper rear main seal. It was stupid hard to get out. I swore it was never coming out. I spent a cursed filled hour trying to tap it out with a small hammer and punch. It was 3:30pm now and I figured I hade destroyed the channel and had nothing to loose, so I broke out a real Estwing 16 once claw hammer and let it have it. After 3 or 4 hits to my surprise it budged. Got it around as far as I could safely go with out scoring the crank and then used some needle nose vice grips and a closed end wrench for leverage to pull it completely out. It was a nightmare, but it was out ->

The whole piece honestly feels like steel - not just the core. And a top view of the same seal showing the Unobtainium it is made out of -> .

 

The new upper portion ->

The upper seal went in fairly easy and I was happy. I spent at least an hour cleaning the old oil pan gasket off both surfaces. The new one piece gasket is nice ->

I got it all back together except for the support bar ~ just incase I have to take it apart again. I have no leaks as of yet. The true test will be after I drive to work tomorrow. I have to give anyone who has replaced the rear main seals a lot of credit. It is not fun.

 

1/18 - Drove around Sunaday and the 33 miles to work today with out a drop of new oil :banana: . Looks like it has worked :popcorn: .

[Akula69]

Good pictures and a great job. I can attest to the difficulty in removing the top part of the seal, I was nervous about hitting it as well. I finally chickened out and loosened the next three caps and bumped the crank with a rubber mallet. When it dropped (slightly) the top of the seal practically fell out.

 

Nice M715...I wish I had one!

[Drahcir495]

Good pictures and a great job. I can attest to the difficulty in removing the top part of the seal, I was nervous about hitting it as well. I finally chickened out and loosened the next three caps and bumped the crank with a rubber mallet. When it dropped (slightly) the top of the seal practically fell out.

 

Nice M715...I wish I had one!

Thank you - it was a bear. Good idea on loosening the caps, but I am certain mine was not going to drop out.

 

That M715 is in awesome condition. Very cool truck. :cheers:

[Drahcir495]

Hit a milestone in the Comanche yesterday - 200k

[JeffK]

Just read through all 19 pages on your build. Lots of useful information. The big lift and the 33's really make the long bed look good. Excellent work. :thumbsup:

[Drahcir495]

Just read through all 19 pages on your build. Lots of useful information. The big lift and the 33's really make the long bed look good. Excellent work. :thumbsup:

Wow, I appreciate you doing that :cheers: . I am glad you found something useful in it :thumbsup: . I still have a bit to do on it, so I will be updating it more in the future. Thanks - Rich

[Drahcir495]

I had the topper painted a few months ago ->

 

and added a 3rd brake light to it ->

 

I have finally got in the aluminum pipe for the topper rack. I just need to get some time to head down to the shop and bend it up. I will post up progress pictures as soon as I can get on that. I don't think I ever said who made the topper :dunno: - it's made by ASTRO MFG. I have also been picking up the essentials for my attempt at automotive painting. After a few hours of research I decided on a HVLP paint gun kit made by Astro Pneumatic->

It included a 1.7mm (blue one) primer gun and a 1.3mm base coat/clear coat gun. I am really excited about trying this out on my own. I am going to paint my CJ7 first. Not much to it, so it should be perfect to start off on.

[one_bad_MJ]

looking good like the build but that tire carrier gotta go thats on the rear bumper. looks way cleaner without it. on there.

[one_bad_MJ]

I knew after a guy on the interstate pulled up along side of me honking his horn, with a hand written note saying “Water vapor or Smoke,” that I had to address my 1.5 quart a week habit. I headed down to the shop early Saturday morning to finally (hopefully) cure my massive oil leak. Any time I would stop, you could watch the oil pour out between the engine and bell housing. I read some where that the O-ring in the oil filter mount could go bad causing leaks -> http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Eng ... -Rings.htm, so I took mine apart to give it a try. I disassembled the oil filter mount -> ~ you can see that the original O-rings are flat and petrified. I headed down to Napa and picked up the larger oil adapter O-ring; Felpro Part # 70301 ->

.

Napa did not have the other O-ring in the system, but they had a box full of them and we found the right size. I forgot about the middle O-ring but mine look fine so I re-used it. Well got it back together and it still leaked like a sieve. I figured it could be that I did not put the valve cover gasket on correctly when I up graded to the newer style with the full baffles verses the tower on the original cover. Re did the valve cover and gasket and still had the same embarrassing amount of leakage. I have been gathering the parts from Napa until I was ready to tackle the project. I picked up RMS Felpro part#40612 -> , and a new one piece oil pan gasket Felpro part#34308R -> . I did a search on Google to look up what was involve in replacing the seal and found this http://www.jeepin.com/features/rearmain/ to help get an idea of what to expect and headed over to the shop to move some of the vehicles to get my truck in and to start the straight forward sounding job

I was nothing like I expected. The whole undercarriage was covered in the leaking dirty oil. I bent the oil pan in a few places trying to get it off – it had never been removed. Had to take my RE control arm drop bracket support off to remove the pan. The rear main bearing came off easy enough -> .

The lower seal was as hard as granite which I imagine is not good for keeping oil in. Here is what the new lower RMS looked like -> . The lower seal took a little bit of effort but it popped out, but not with out leaving a bit of it left in the channel. I spent 10 minutes cleaning that up. Took a break and flew one of the micro-chopper we had at the shop -> ~ hovering in this picture. Spent a few moments looking ate the new parts we got in for the 1967 Kaiser Jeep M715 ->

Fun time was over and it was time to get started on the upper rear main seal. It was stupid hard to get out. I swore it was never coming out. I spent a cursed filled hour trying to tap it out with a small hammer and punch. It was 3:30pm now and I figured I hade destroyed the channel and had nothing to loose, so I broke out a real Estwing 16 once claw hammer and let it have it. After 3 or 4 hits to my surprise it budged. Got it around as far as I could safely go with out scoring the crank and then used some needle nose vice grips and a closed end wrench for leverage to pull it completely out. It was a nightmare, but it was out ->

The whole piece honestly feels like steel - not just the core. And a top view of the same seal showing the Unobtainium it is made out of -> .

 

The new upper portion ->

The upper seal went in fairly easy and I was happy. I spent at least an hour cleaning the old oil pan gasket off both surfaces. The new one piece gasket is nice ->

I got it all back together except for the support bar ~ just incase I have to take it apart again. I have no leaks as of yet. The true test will be after I drive to work tomorrow. I have to give anyone who has replaced the rear main seals a lot of credit. It is not fun.

 

1/18 - Drove around Sunaday and the 33 miles to work today with out a drop of new oil :banana: . Looks like it has worked :popcorn: .

 

 

when i did my RMS in my 89 XJ everything went fine except for breaking the factory pan sel and getting the oil pan to re seal other then that its a 2 hour job.

[Drahcir495]

looking good like the build but that tire carrier gotta go thats on the rear bumper. looks way cleaner without it. on there.

I only had it on for a day or so. I want to see how it looks with the topper on :dunno: , but I am sure I will ony use it when I take it on a trip offroad.

 

I had a real hard time getting the oil pan off to get to the RMS. It went on easy enough. I don't believe I could ever get it done in two hours though :cheers:

[knever3]

I am anxious to see what the topper looks like too!! Nice job.

[Drahcir495]

I am anxious to see what the topper looks like too!! Nice job.

I should have some free time to catch up on these projects as soon as this class I am taking is over :ack: . Thank you :cheers:

[one_bad_MJ]

I hit my parents’ property to test out the truck. They have probably one of the most unique properties in Florida. It has large oaks, rolling hills, spring fed ponds, and giant Limestone rocks. I decided to head out on Wednesday to give my Dad a hand repairing some fence and other maintenance repairs. I had a great time and the truck did well, but was never really tested in any way – yet! Here are a few shots from the day.

 

Found a new tenant in one of the ponds ->

 

One of my favorite pictures ->

 

The biggest surprise was the Camel. The neighbors have some unique pets. Sorry, it was too dark by the time I got back with the camera. I will have to snap a picture of that next time I am out there. 3/09 got it ->

 

Big arse tree ->

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no mud? i would of went through one of the ponds. get it dirty already

[Drahcir495]

:yes: , not with gators and leeches - oooh leeeches. :agree: I do need to get it dirty already.

[one_bad_MJ]

Got A lot done this weekend Some time back, I hit the pick-n-pull with a sawsall and cut out a good section of floor from a donor MJ. My floors had rusted out due to the windshield leak, door gasket leak, rear window seal leak. . . :cry: About the only thing that the body shop guy got around to doing, was welding in that scavenged floor section.

Driverside before :eek: -

Only picture (partial) of the replacement floor -

After -

Pass. side before (notice the white powder; it was insecticide. I had a "slight" carpenter ant infestation on top of nesting rodents) -

After -

Today, for a McMuffin and a subway sub ;) , I got bwatsoncj to finish the seat brackets and floor

We laid out the new seat supports -

Then bwatsoncj worked a little of his magic -

It was an awesome job, and the seat sat perfect on the new supports -

With the floor complete, I was able to start to install the new carpet I got from JC Whitney -

It is starting to look good. I will have to add a bit more detail to the write-up after I get some sleep. I will post more as the project moves along. Thanks again bwatsoncj :cheers:

2/18 Got the full center console in -

Just test fitting the seats -

3/22 I just came across an awesome write up on istalling the full center console from 88XJSport in the DIY forum here->

http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9011. 88XJSport's write-up provides easy to follow instructions, with a ton of pictures . The steps involved in his installation (in an XJ) were almost identical to the installation into my 89 MJ. I recommend taking a look at it if you are considering this upgrade- Rich

6/1 I just finished the interior and everything works - right now :roll: ->

I just need to figure out the wiring on the new switches for the Eaton lockers. I went with a rocker type switch instead of the push button switch provided with the kit. I just need to figure out the wiring on the new switches for the Eaton lockers. I went with a rocker type switch instead of the push button switch provided with the kit.

I also got around to tossing out my first bucket seat ->

I don’t think I will need it again :brows: - Rich

 

 

wow i thought my floor was bad

[Drahcir495]

I was pretty upset at the amount of rust back then :( to the point I thought it was beyond repair. Looking back on it now - no big deal! I could probably fix it myself now too.

 

:offtopic: I am almost done with my AX15 swap. Just waiting on a few more parts and I will be able to complete the write-up and share some of the things I have learned. TBC

[High2by]

:offtopic: I am almost done with my AX15 swap. Just waiting on a few more parts and I will be able to complete the write-up and share some of the things I have learned. TBC

 

 

I have to swap one in mine too. :popcorn:

[Drahcir495]

My power steering pump has been howling for a while now, so I went to the LQK and picked up a used pump and reservoir ->

 

I removed my old pump and picked up the high and low pressure PS lines from Napa ->

I get the new used pump in and, while attaching the low pressure line to the reservoir, I manage to snap off the plastic nipple ->

 

I am pretty ticked off at this point. Nobody in town had the pump and reservoir combo in stock, but they do sell just the rebuilt pump (just need to re-use the old reservoir). The new pump does not come with a pulley and I don’t have a pulley puller. I decided to see if I could remove my old reservoir and replace the broken one on the junk yard part. It is pretty simple to do. You just need to knock off two clips that look like this ->

 

Lift up the locking clip with a small screw driver and tap them off. The Junk Yard pump attached to the old reservoir->

 

Tapping on the clip ->

 

Both clips re-installed and ready to go in ->

 

And installed ->

 

Thank goodness the JY pump was good. It is nice and quiet now!

[HOrnbrod]

Nice job on the floors. That truck wasn't originally from Wisconsin was it? :D

 

Just as a FYI, Jeep Saginaw TC power steering pumps & reservoirs used on the 4.0 are basically the same from 1987-2004. They most all swap, and usually the only difference is the angle of the hose nipples. When I installed the 2004 TJ pump on mine, the pump hose was too close to the manifold, so I swapped out the old reservoir from my 91 pump to the 2004 pump. Worked fine. :cheers:

[Drahcir495]

Nice job on the floors. That truck wasn't originally from Wisconsin was it? :D

 

Just as a FYI, Jeep Saginaw TC power steering pumps & reservoirs used on the 4.0 are basically the same from 1987-2004. They most all swap, and usually the only difference is the angle of the hose nipples. When I installed the 2004 TJ pump on mine, the pump hose was too close to the manifold, so I swapped out the old reservoir from my 91 pump to the 2004 pump. Worked fine. :cheers:

That is great to know :thumbsup: . I was worried about this pump because I only had one pre-90 option at the pick-n-pull. The resivoir did not look the same on the nicer/newer XJ's.

 

Thank you - It had spent some time in CT :(

[Drahcir495]

I was driving through town a few weeks ago with the vent windows cracked open to keep me from getting heat stroke. As I am cruising along, a large bug hits the window and is deflected right into my chest. Oh crap - I hope it isn’t a bee. For the next 5 minutes I am looking everywhere for this thing, but I was not able to locate it. I get a big chuckle out of “what if” :yes: . About another five minutes into the ride I rest my arm on the center console and BAM!! I get tagged hard in the elbow. This was the biggest wasp I have ever seen and I am trapped inside with him. I kid you not, there is a cop right next to me and I almost clipped him. I pull over – he pulls over – I am freaking out like Chris Farley and David Spade in Tommy Boy. Actually, more like a fatter and shorter version of Chris Farley. The Po-Po sees that I now have a golf ball sized welt on my elbow and an eerie ability to channel the screams of a 12 year old girl. He quickly assesses the situation and decides that I have it handled. No kidding; it really hurt that bad. After this little experience, and the fact that I have not been able to keep the water from leaking into the cab from the vent windows, I have decided to try out the solid vent window for a while. I am going to try to get the originals to seal better while they are out. I went down to the P-N-P and grab a set of solid vent windows to install.

The little bugger that lets wasps and rain into my cab ->

 

The driver’s side one piece window I got from LQK ->

 

Need to take off the interior piece to get to the one 10mm nut ->

 

Two small screws on top ->

 

The old vent window out ->

 

Working the new window in ->

 

Tada ->

 

I like the look of the movable vent windows better, but I got to tell you I can see a lot more of the side mirrors now that they can’t be opened. I will have to roll with these for a while and see if I really want to go back??

[Drahcir495]

Went camping and trail riding last weekend with some friends. One guy has very cool 2 door XJ painted Kawasaki Green. We took turns pulling each other out of holes with his harbor freight winch.

Camp site in Inverness Florida ->

The sweet 2 door XJ ->

Gathering wood for the camp fire on the trails ->

I think I see big foot in this picture ->

Yep - stuck ->

After the hole ->

 

I can't wait to go again . . .

[buxmj]

Man you do great work! Those are great pictures of your family's property. I would have never guessed it was in Florida. Beautiful. Hope to meet you in person someday. Also, it's been a while since I've been to the LKQ in Orlando or Daytona. Let me know if you need anything. And that sucks about the wasp. A friend of mine got stung in his van and he is allergic to stings and called 911 on his cell phone and had the highway patrol escort him to the hospital.

 

Really like your truck and all the info you have shared with all of us. Thanks

 

Buck.

[Drahcir495]

Man you do great work! Those are great pictures of your family's property. I would have never guessed it was in Florida. Beautiful. Hope to meet you in person someday. Also, it's been a while since I've been to the LKQ in Orlando or Daytona. Let me know if you need anything. And that sucks about the wasp. A friend of mine got stung in his van and he is allergic to stings and called 911 on his cell phone and had the highway patrol escort him to the hospital.

 

Really like your truck and all the info you have shared with all of us. Thanks

 

Buck.

I really appreciate the kind words Buck :cheers: . How is that beautiful paint job of yours holding up? I have said this before, but I hope we can someday get a Southern Pow Wow to happen - then we can all meet up. I don't know how far Lake Mary is from Brooksville, but I am going to check out a new (to me) jeep club ~ the Citrus County Jeepers is having its first social at Coney Island in Brooksville ( http://www.coneyislanddriveinn.com ) on Friday 2/11. PM me if you think you might want to go - if it is not to far?

 

Yeah, please keep an eye out for the inner seat belts (dark Blue) for the factory MJ bucket seats. I just can't seem to find them anywhere.

 

That wasp was big and nasty. I am glad I am not allergic like your friend is. - Rich

[drase]

I love that grill guard.