Louie4's YJ by Louie4

8 minute(s) of a 411 minute read

I also have a Warn hub with a bolt sheared off in it. I drilled through it with a 1/16" drill bit but realized I have no extractor that small.

2-9-2021

A rare site where my windshield is down.

8-7-2021

I thought I would post an update since I've been driving my jeep regularly for the last couple weeks.

My father in law has my truck because he moved out here to AZ but no car until my mother in law drives out. So I bought a back seat and got the new rotating car seat in. I blast the AC and it keeps up in that morning for kiddo drop off but the afternoon it just makes it barely tolerable. It's only a 10 min trip so it's not bad.

But when I have to drive across the valley for work on the interstate…it's rough. Overheated of course.

The temp above was with heat on full blast.

8-9-2021

I noticed when I popped the hood there was some fluid on it around the power steering pump. The hose was leaking at the reservoir. I had to find that hose from the back at Autozone because the return nipple was pointed up, not down. I think I will put my OEM pump back on and get a new hose. The hose now looks pinched and my old pump seemed to work better than this one anyway. When I need to upgrade the steering stuff I will just go to PSC.

I also had to get both girls today from daycare. It was cool here in Phoenix, 93F and my A/C was working great. To think if my motor ran cool I could do this more often

9-16-2021

Went to Moab last weekend from Friday to Monday. Too short but it was amazing! Best wheeling and landscape in the country.

Here is my rig and Gladiator leaving my house in Phoenix. The Gladiator did better than expected but was really working on the uphill grades. My Redarc brake controller worked great.

On the way up my buddy who flew in from Raleigh wanted to stop by the Grand Canyon so we did.

More to come.

So we rolled into Moab around 10:30pm. Our wives got us the Airbnb which was flippin' awesome. Since it was pitch black dark we had no idea what the landscape looked like until morning. View from the Airbnb.

On Saturday we ran Hells Revenge which was my main goal and it was great. We did the entire trail and I climbed Hells Gate.

Here is me coming up Hells Gate.

9-17-2021

Yes I went by Escalator and The Tip Over Challenge. I had fixed my driveshaft but my springs were bent bad enough that the pinion angle was inverted. I didn't want to get too crazy after that and it was only the first day. Later we went to Shaffer Trail to finish out a long day. It was a beautiful ride.

Here's my rear spring. The other is the same.

My busted rear driveshaft. I used my Mac Vise and got it fixed.

The next day my steering locked up coming out of the Maverick gas station so I just drove it into the landscape to get it off the road. I replaced the pump but it still locked here and there. Not sure if it's the box or not. Replacing behind the O'Reilly's in town.

9-19-2021

Yeah, I noticed it after a u-joint in the double cardan snapped in the rear driveshaft. Sounds like 4.88 is the way to go.

9-21-2021

Yes I would. I looked at Golem but not sure I want to drop $5k on it just yet. I still need to fix my springs and 8.8 pinion. But I need a motor.

Here is how I broke my rear driveshaft…

Here is me going up Hells Gate

10-1-2021

Picked up this gem for $30 today. Dude was younger military guy who said it was damaged.

10-8-2021

This ain't good…

I actually don’t have any issues with my brakes they way they are. I don’t have to jam my foot through the floorboard to stop at all but I don’t think I can lock up the tires but I haven’t tried. Given what I need it for, I may pull the MC and see how it compares to the TJ one.

I emailed West Texas Off-road and they said to give them a call to discuss. I think having them rebuild and drill and tap the box is the way to go. Otherwise I can just pick up a new one from Napa given my OEM lasted this long.

I’m finding this stuff out because my niece and nephew are in town and my truck is needed for transporting kiddos so my brother in law is using it while he’s here. So I have my YJ for kid pickup and getting around…however seeing the brake reservoir and dealing with the steering is making me wary.

10-12-2021

So I'm thinking about the rear leaf springs and if I want to go with Deaver or with RE's SOA springs. While I know Deaver will be custom and quality, I also know I will only use my YJ for an occasional ride here and there. I also have a steering box, master cylinder and engine to replace. While I want quality, I am weighing the pros and cons of spending extra cash on something I won't use frequently. The downside to the RE SOA springs is how tall they are. I know they will settle but it will be higher. The plus side is I has to install 2 degree shims due to the sag before Moab, so I'm confident I won't need those anymore.

Pic of my pass side spring. It's actually in an S shape now.