It's been a few months and it appears as if things have gotten somewhat back to normal. I have missed the group, and I am glad those of you who are still here have been able to stick it out. I just didn't have the time to go through all the crap.
I have been busy in my absence, however. The TJ has undergone some major work. In June my rear Dana 35 finally let go, the cross-shaft pinions broke. It was drivable but it didn't like it when I had to steer :-)
Trying to get the cross-shaft out, however, was another matter. That thing just didn't want to come out, I think when the gears let go the shaft got bent or the diff carrier distorted. In my zeal to try to get it out it's now damaged beyond repair.The only way it's coming out now is with a plasma cutter.
So when I was looking to upgrade, I was pricing out new 44's and 9" axles, which were way to pricey. Looking to eBay, I scored a set of axles (front
30, rear 44) from an '04 TJL that the owner had built with 4.88's, ARB lockers, Currie tierod/draglink, and chromoly axleshafts. It also had Spidertrax 5.5: lug adapters, which I don't need right now, but I intend to hold onto them.So the last few weeks I have been working a little bit at a time on getting the new axles in. As with most projects, it cost a little more as I had to replace the Rubicon Express LCA's. Here in the rust belt, the flex joints were completely seized, I have to put rebuilding those on my list of annual maintenance procedures. Also needed new E-brake cables and will soon replace the brake proportioning valve.
A couple weeks ago the new rear driveshaft arrived and I am now able to drive it. I have yet to hook up the air lockers but I do have most of the parts ready. I already have onboard air so I had to get two ARB solenoids, a regulator and associated plumbing & electrical parts.
So now I have a busted 35 (R &P are OK, as are axleshafts, but it will need a new diff carrier, and the drum brakes are disassembled) and a good condition front Dana 30, complete with brakes & rotors, 4.56, and a Detroit True Trac limited slip. If anyone is in need of a front TJ/XJ axle so equipped, email me at mlmacchiarolo at comcast dot net.
The old axles were ABS equipped, and the new ones are not, so I have removed the ABS controller & G-switch as well, and will removed the pump when I replace the proportioning valve. So I have those parts to, along with the wheel sensors.
At any rate, I am glad things have cooled off here and we can get back to discussing Jeeps.