Spankrjs' 1984 Long Term Project

[spankrjs]

Got to love AMC!

LOL


After a little "internet research", it would appear to be a "key buzzer" switch:

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forum...puzzling-little-switch-in-CJ7-steering-column


Must be a '84 and up thing, I have never seen this part in an earlier column

This would make sense, there is a metal tang that touches this part and the key cylinder. So, I guess you leave your key in the ignition it makes noise, but what makes the noise, don't see that part

 

[b2esq]

Did you notice that the person who answered that question on that 2011 JU thread was "jerseyjeepsnet" of Morris County, NJ? Seems like that name might be familiar.... lol.. JJ is EVERYWHERE!

LOL


After a little "internet research", it would appear to be a "key buzzer" switch:

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forum...puzzling-little-switch-in-CJ7-steering-column


Must be a '84 and up thing, I have never seen this part in an earlier column

This would make sense, there is a metal tang that touches this part and the key cylinder. So, I guess you leave your key in the ignition it makes noise, but what makes the noise, don't see that part

 

[spankrjs]

Did you notice that the person who answered that question on that 2011 JU thread was "jerseyjeepsnet" of Morris County, NJ? Seems like that name might be familiar.... lol.. JJ is EVERYWHERE!

Yep, I saw that

Does anyone here have a working "key buzzer" on a CJ

 

[MrBeep]

I don't remember ever having had or heard of one that worked on a CJ. 1995 YJ and TJs , but never a CJ.

 

[spankrjs]

I don't remember ever having had or heard of one that worked on a CJ. 1995 YJ and TJs , but never a CJ.

Me neither

The other "funny" thing - this is a BASE model, not a "optioned" model. But, it also came with the locking glove box and either the tach or clock

Like BigWalton said - that's AMC for you

I'll ask JeepAddict if any of his CJ's have key buzzers that work

But, I don't see how this one would work. It has the two contact prongs that stick out, then it has a metal contact on the back that touches the key cylinder. I "think" the prongs make contact with the turn signal switch, but where is the buzzer? Or, does it only buzz if the headlights are on/key off But, where is the buzzer

This one is an '84, I haven't seen this before on '83's, '81's, or '78's, but that doesn't mean that earlier ones couldn't have this, too Or, maybe only '84 and up

 

[spankrjs]

Here we go, this is it:

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/jeep/kb1-key-warning-buzzer-contact.php


Looking at the above picture, I now understand. Half of the plastic piece is still in the column, and the little bent metal thing shown in the above linked picture; the metal bendy thing that runs along the bottom.

Only part of mine came out, so it might be broken, will look and see if it broke; not sure if I will replace it at this time

The part number linked in the JU post, J321-1423, is for NON-Tilt columns, mine is tilt.

Looks like the same part is used in Cherokees/Commanches/FSJ/YJ's/and CJ's.

Might be worth fixing, I will be the cool kid with the key buzzer


I would "assume" that the same thing that makes the "turn signal ticking sound" makes the "key buzzing sound", so something in the turn signal switch/flasher things in the fuse box

 

[gr8dain]

Mine obviously never worked since I have owned it. I have never heard it. I had to add an aftermarket buzzer for the lights as I had a habit of leaving them on.

 

[spankrjs]

I reassembled the column last night. I reinstalled the buzzer contact thing. I noticed the back of the turn signal switch has two contacts that the prongs of the buzzer contact hit. I did not take note of what color wires came off the contact, but they joined up will all the other turn signal switch wires. So, I would assume, somewhere under the dash, is where the sound module would be located I guess it plugs into the turn signal switch wire plug

I will take a look tonight and see if this Scrambler has a sound module behind the dash, maybe a previous owner unplugged it

 

[spankrjs]

I reassembled the column last night. I reinstalled the buzzer contact thing. I noticed the back of the turn signal switch has two contacts that the prongs of the buzzer contact hit. I did not take note of what color wires came off the contact, but they joined up will all the other turn signal switch wires. So, I would assume, somewhere under the dash, is where the sound module would be located I guess it plugs into the turn signal switch wire plug

I will take a look tonight and see if this Scrambler has a sound module behind the dash, maybe a previous owner unplugged it

EDIT - More information on the turn signal plug wires:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/85-cj7-key-buzzer-1454777/

 

[Kane]

I never even knew we had those. I have never owned a jeep with one that worked. huh go figure.

 

[b2esq]

Ok, so you're not imagining this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Mopar-K...4-For-81-95-Jeep-Wrangler-CJ-TJ-/331840636164

It looks like most cars use the same "buzzer" for key and headlights... but I've never heard of that in an AMC-era Jeep (but that doesn't mean anything -- I learn new stuff every day in here).

 

[spankrjs]

I finally feel like I am gaining ground on yet another last minute wrench fest before a trip

I got the steering column reasembled:

For some reason the hazard lights are not working, I'll figure that out later. The horn still does not work, but I can hear the contacter parts in the column working now, so I might just need to swap in another horn unit. Everything else is working as it should, so happy about that.

I spent a few minutes looking under the dash/around the base of the column for the "key buzzer sound module thingy", I did not find anything. So, maybe the column came with the switch, but the Scrambler did not come with the buzzer sound thingy


I put new brake shoes and hardware on the back:

After disassembly, found out that one of the drums has some deep grooves, so I will replace both drums, too. The wheel bearings/hubs feel great, so happy about that.

The old pads got wore out fast due to excessive mud riding when I first got the Jeep back together. Sand and grit got caught up inside the drums and ate the shoes up:

I also was able to check all the u-bolts tightness, they were all still to spec. I am going to put new brake pads on the front, check the front wheel bearings, then rotate the tires and get this thing back on the ground. Then, I can re-check all the other suspension bolts torque. After that, grease all the u-joints, steering linkages, suspension pivot points, check a whole bunch of other fasteners for tightness, change the engine/Dana 300/rear axle oil, air filter............................Then, alignment and maybe exhaust shop. I also need to "borrow" the other '84 in my yard's 1/2 hard top The 1/2 soft tops get a bit noisy for two day 70+MPH trips

When I first started working on this Scrambler when I brought it over for Baton Rouge, all the work was done out in the yard. Figured might as well continue that trend

I hope I don't find any "surprises", time is running out. This Scrambler just successfully completed a one day/300+ mile trip with no issues, South Dakota and Michigan are a bit further, so

 

[chico1105]

Be careful when working around or under a vehicle "up on blocks". A former schoolmate of mine lost his life when the concrete blocks supporting the car he was working under gave way. You're too valuable of a resource (and a heck of a nice fella I hear) for this forum to lose that way!

 

[MrBeep]

Mud and sand in the brakes??? Where in the world woud you get sand in your brakes???

 

[MrBeep]

Be careful when working around or under a vehicle "up on blocks". A former schoolmate of mine lost his life when the concrete blocks supporting the car he was working under gave way. You're too valuable of a resource (and a heck of a nice fella I hear) for this forum to lose that way!

First off Welcome!!

Secondly, I couldn't agree with you more. If you need more hight Raymond, Harbor freight has the "Tall" ones on sale this weekend. You are much too valuable of a friend to have anything happen to you. Be safe. You can use my hoist if you would like. It is well trained in lifting Scramblers, even Red ones that used to be Black.

 

[zr10054]

Please!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spankrjs]

Be careful when working around or under a vehicle "up on blocks". A former schoolmate of mine lost his life when the concrete blocks supporting the car he was working under gave way. You're too valuable of a resource (and a heck of a nice fella I hear) for this forum to lose that way!

First off Welcome!!

Secondly, I couldn't agree with you more. If you need more hight Raymond, Harbor freight has the "Tall" ones on sale this weekend. You are much too valuable of a friend to have anything happen to you. Be safe. You can use my hoist if you would like. It is well trained in lifting Scramblers, even Red ones that used to be Black.

Please!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the concern guys

YES, the "jack stands on top of concrete blocks" is not the safest thing to do. But, I was not working under the Scrambler when it was "lifted" like this. It was a quick and dirty way to get all four sides off the ground to rotate the tires/re-check the u-bolts torque. I do really need to get some taller jack stands. Or, a nice lift and AC, it is getting pretty toasty down here, 86 degrees with 100% humidity at 6AM this morning

Mud and sand in the brakes??? Where in the world woud you get sand in your brakes???

Yes, don't know how that happened

 

[spankrjs]

Rear wheel hubs/bearings are good to go. I installed the new drums last night and adjusted the shoes.

On the front end, hubs/bearings are good to go. I went ahead and installed new front pads, rotors were fine. I only put new pads on the front because I replaced the rears, dang OCD

Only "surprises" up front, not the best picture, showing the bottom of the front caliper/brake pads:

And of coarse, the new front pads did not come with these "anti rattle" springs. But, I found some new ones in the garage, so good to go.


And this:

The picture was after I shoved the bolt back through the hole. No wonder I had a slightly weird "bump steer/uneven pull/feel kind of wonky cornering" feel to it

But, that's why I try to go over the vehicle pretty thoroughly before these long trips, to catch the "little things". If this is all I find, I will be happy


After installing the new brakes, rotating the tires, and greasing the steering linkage, back safely on the ground:

The only other "issues" I found so far: All of the sway bar end links/shock attaching nuts/bolts were a hair loose. I had not rechecked them since the lift install, so that kind of explains that.

Still need to:

Change engine oil/filter
Drain/refill Dana 300/Rear Diff
Grease the driveshafts/u-joints
Grease all the suspension bolts
Change headlight switch
Swap on a 1/2 hard top
Fix hazard lights/horn
Slightly trim the skid plate up front for front driveshaft clearance at full droop
Alignment check/re-balance tires
And maybe fix exhaust if there is time

Would love to install a winch, but probably not

Wont be too bad of a weekend, unless I find some more "surprises", but I am not anticipating any

 

[spankrjs]

Busy Weekend:

Finished the following:

Change engine oil/filter
Drain/refill Dana 300/Rear Diff
Grease the driveshafts/u-joints
Grease all the suspension bolts
Change headlight switch
Swap on a 1/2 hard top
Fix hazard lights/horn (fixed horn, hazards still do not work, not worried about it)

Still need to:

Slightly trim the skid plate up front for front driveshaft clearance at full droop - TONIGHT
Alignment check/re-balance tires - THIS AFTERNOON


Then pack it up, head out Friday afternoon

A few quick pictures.

Stole this ones nasty/dirty 1/2 hard top:

Spent an hour de-funking it:

And installed it on my tan Scrambler, should be a quieter highway ride

Two more pictures, not that interesting, but we all like pictures.

84 Laredo with 2005 LJ Rubicon:

I put my tan full hard top on this one temporarily, does not look too good, but fits great!!!!!!!!!!

This will be my last update for awhile, see y'all in South Dakota

 

[spankrjs]

One last update.

I was able to get the alignment checked, tires rebalanced, and the one leaking tire fixed. Not sure how all that mud got stuck between the rim and tire bead

With the old Superlift springs, that did not move, the front drive shaft never contacted the stock skid plate. With the RE springs on, that actually allow flex, the front drive shaft was touching the skid at full droop. I thought just a little would need to come off, I was wrong.

I cut this much out to allow clearance at full droop, you can see the contact marks on the drive shaft where it was rubbing before:

And at normal ride height:

Not 100% happy with this cut out. It works, but is kind of meh. When I get some time, I will probably build a metal "gusset" out of plate under the cut to regain some strength to this area. The good news, the transmission mount, and all the weight/load, is concentrated on the back 2/3 of the skid plate. This front part does not carry any weight, just for protection.

Using the 4L60/700R4 and a Dana 300, no way to "clock" the transfer case up to get the front drive shaft above the front lip of the skid plate. If I clocked it, I would have to run a two piece front drive shaft, don't want that. The transmission case is too wide to allow a regular drive shaft to clear if the Dana 300 is clocked.

One last picture, ready to load the bed up, and hit the highway, hopefully ready for the first of two cross country trips this summer, no trailer queen here, I hope