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Matthew Macchiarolo · 2008-10-13T01:33:11+00:00

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 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...

J

jbjeep 17 years ago

Wow! You have been a busy little girl. =) Bet it looks purty!

I've been busy too, but in a different direction. I bought a house! Just spent

4 days with the excavating crew who got me a nice big level area to build a shop - they took off the trees (my firewood for next year) and took out 40+ loads of dirt. Now waiting on the building permit and also for the trusses to get built and delivered. Its going to be 32x30. One man door, one 12x10 rollup door. And easy to add to in the future when I need more ventilation, access, etc. Concrete floor too (ouch! that floor is gonna cost between 3-4 grand).

However, to keep this on topic.... I am leaving tomorrow (after shoveling gravel and spreading seed all morning) for a wheeling trip down in Oregon. One I try to go on every year. I am one of those listed as a "freind of the club", but not a club member. Lots of wheeling, story telling, drinking, and sitting around the fire. =) I cant wait!!!! I took 2 days off in the middle of moving to this house so that I could get the Jeep fixed for this trip - its been sitting on the trailer broken since I got home from the 'Con in June. I just have to pack up and load up after I get stuff done at the house tomorrow, then hit the road. From the new place its about a

7 hour drive. On the way home I am stopping at my folks and dropping off fencing and picking up a display case, burn barrell, and a couple of other things I need.

Catch you all when I get back next week.

-jenn

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K

Kate 17 years ago

HEY! Congratulations Jenn!

Glad to hear your prioroties are still straight - Jeepin first - Everything else LATER!

Have a blast!

One of these days, I hope to get out on the west coast with my rig. Maybe you can show me around :)

K.

I've been busy too, but in a different direction. I bought a house! Just spent 4 days with the excavating crew who got me a nice big level area to build a shop - they took off the trees (my firewood for next year) and took out 40+ loads of dirt. Now waiting on the building permit and also for the trusses to get built and delivered. Its going to be 32x30. One man door, one 12x10 rollup door. And easy to add to in the future when I need more ventilation, access, etc. Concrete floor too (ouch! that floor is gonna cost between 3-4 grand).

However, to keep this on topic.... I am leaving tomorrow (after shoveling gravel and spreading seed all morning) for a wheeling trip down in Oregon. One I try to go on every year. I am one of those listed as a "freind of the club", but not a club member. Lots of wheeling, story telling, drinking, and sitting around the fire. =) I cant wait!!!! I took 2 days off in the middle of moving to this house so that I could get the Jeep fixed for this trip - its been sitting on the trailer broken since I got home from the 'Con in June. I just have to pack up and load up after I get stuff done at the house tomorrow, then hit the road. From the new place its about a

7 hour drive. On the way home I am stopping at my folks and dropping off fencing and picking up a display case, burn barrell, and a couple of other things I need.

Catch you all when I get back next week.

-jenn

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K

Kate 17 years ago

"Matthew Macchiarolo" wrote I was talking about all the crap. Yours included.

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J

jbjeep 17 years ago

Thanks!

Be happy to show you around the PacificNorthWet. =)

I cant wait for the shop to get started!! I was scraping ice yesterday morning before I left for work.

-jenn

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