Another Scrambler Purchase/Road Trip - UPDATE- BODY ON FRAME AGAIN

[spankrjs]

Made it back home safe and sound this morning with no issues

Had a great time up in Michigan with all my Scrambler friends, see you next year

Except Timmy, I'm sure I'll see him sooner

Started this trip at 71,262 miles, finished this trip with 73,863 miles.

 

[spankrjs]

I quit driving the 392 long enough to blow my Red Scrambler to pieces!!!



Looks worse then it is, needed to fix three issues.

1) Radiator bracket broke it solder joint by the upper hose, again. I might have to try a different hose, maybe the 1" body lift is causing a strain, not sure. Radiator survived quite a few years with no issues, maybe my last repair just wasn't strong enough?



2) Power steering pump is whining after running for about 10 minutes, easy enough to swap it out, but also leads into #3:



3) Power steering box is leaking, and makes the pump squeal when I turn left, time to swap it out, it survived close to 70k miles, not bad for a parts store rebuilt box. I found some metal on the magnet inside the pump......



Pulling the radiator makes it easier to get to the two lines that enter the steering box, the 1" body lift helps access, too!!




Since it was nice weather this past Sunday, tore it apart outside. Kind of a messy job, so worked out well. Pile of parts to clean:



All cleaned up:



I should get my new steering box/pump/and both lines today, so back to work tonight!!


That's it for now!!

 

[bigwalton]

Perfect example of where a 1" body lift is ideal on CJs.

 

[Chamba]

Perfect example of where a 1" body lift is ideal on CJs.

I knew there had to be at least one reason.😉

 

[jpnmaine]

Stupid question. How much did you have to modify the radiator/fan shroud in relation to the engine fan with a one inch lift. I ask because my YJ body on a TJ Rubicon platform finds the engine fan to radiator/fan shroud alignment a few inches south of desirable.

 

[spankrjs]

I knew there had to be at least one reason.😉

Fuel tank stuff, too

 

[spankrjs]

Stupid question. How much did you have to modify the radiator/fan shroud in relation to the engine fan with a one inch lift. I ask because my YJ body on a TJ Rubicon platform finds the engine fan to radiator/fan shroud alignment a few inches south of desirable.

I drilled four new holes in the fan shroud to lower it 1" to clear the fan properly.

 

[spankrjs]

I was able to install the new PS box, rehang the suspension, bolt the winch back down and get the steering box crossover brace 1/2 way installed before it got too dark.

 

[bigwalton]

I drilled four new holes in the fan shroud to lower it 1" to clear the fan properly.

This.

 

[spankrjs]

Drilled the dimple into the new steering box shaft for the Borgeson coupler's set screw. Very important IMO:



Installed the steering shaft, the two new PS lines, and secured them to the frame.



The cooler temperatures are nice, but the shorter daylight hours slow up progress.

That's it for now!!

 

[Bad Karma]

2011 posts in this thread...

 

[John N]

2011 posts in this thread...

Nope……..2012.

 

[spankrjs]

Rained out Wednesday night.

Last night I was able to assemble/install the PS pump assembly, install the radiator and hoses, put the tires back on, and do an initial bleed of the coolant system and PS system.



Someone was asking about the 1" body lift and fan shroud situation. I redrilled the shroud to lower it. Tight squeeze installing the lower radiator hose, but not really a big deal.



And at the top, slight gap around upper radiator hose:



I only need to torque the lug nuts and pitman arm nut to finish this job, that's it for now!!

 

[spankrjs]

All tightened up, road tested, good to go

My old box was not loose, steering was tight, but the new replacement box is noticeably stiffer at center. Works well, I guess 74k miles tends to put some wear and tear on a steering box.

Now, I need to install a new box on my green Scrambler, the sector shaft actually has lateral play but does not leak!!! Trying to make up my mind to take a break or just dive right into another steering box swap

That's it for now!!

 

[spankrjs]

Nope……..2012.

Nope.......2015

 

[spankrjs]

Well, that PS pump lasted about one week. Lost assist, noisy, crap. So, swapped it out for another NAPA rebuilt pump this morning:



At, first this one had no assist and was a little noisy, too. After bleeding it for 20 minutes to no avail I put it back on all four wheels, locked in the hubs, went wheeling in the yard. After climbing over a few stumps and logs, PS started working fine. The box the replacement pump was in was really old, and no fluid came out of it, maybe something was stuck inside, who knows.... Working now so good to go.

 

[spankrjs]

Driving through Transylvania, LA yesterday on my way up to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the Fall Scrambler gathering:



Went wheeling all day today, yesterday's rain made things a bit more interesting. Just two poser pics, no action shots:





Will hit some more trails tomorrow, having a great time, good to see some Scrambler friends, except Tim Shepard!!!

That's it for now!!

 

[spankrjs]

Made it back home safe and sound earlier today, no issues with the Scrambler. Had enough time to unpack/wash it up this afternoon, so it's ready to go back to work tomorrow morning!!

Closing in on 76k miles since the rebuild, that's it for now

 

[spankrjs]

76k mile service time: engine oil and filter, rotated tires, and greased the steering and suspension zerk fittings.





I also sucked out all the PS fluid I could out of the pump reservoir, refilled it with fresh fluid. No real reason, just maintenance. Since this Jeep runs oversize tires, front locker, and goes wheeling, figured some fresh fluid every oil change might help prolong the new steering box and pump. Fluid is cheap and easy.

I have been running 75-90 weight gear oil in the Dana 300, Dana 30, and AMC 20. My rear axle has a few minor seeps, mainly the diff cover gasket, Ox Locker shift cable entry point, and a hair from the drain plug. If I park it in the same spot in the garage it always has a little spot. Never have to add fluid, not really worth all the effort of pulling the Ox Cable and diff cover.

A quick look in my '85 Spring Special Owner's Manual, interesting:



Since I do frequently tow a small trailer, and drive this thing on 8+ hour highway drives frequently, decided to drain and refill the rear differential with 85-140 gear oil. Will be interesting to see if the slightly thicker oil slows the seeps. Worth a shot!!

I noticed my rear passenger wheel hub seal was leaking some grease. Cleaned it off, will monitor, might need a new wheel seal here.

I also have some new windshield wiper linkage to try out and a few other minor projects I need to do. I have been daily driving this one since July, so I don't want to disable it. Been working with my tools at work, helping the owner's sell everything off/fix some issues at the wood working shop/get ready to shut the business down. A little while longer doing this, then time to get a new money making gig!!

That's it for now

 

[Belizeit]

You had some nice weather for that maintenance work. Beats June through September.