Rob's 97, nothing crazy

Hanging onto these axles until they're destroyed. Then we'll see...

If you do not beat the 35 it should get many a mile out of it especially on the street.
Wheel hop, Dumping the clutch, things like that combined with other bad driving habits will snap an axle in a 35 in a flash so keep that in mind that's all.
It's just a roll of the dice, there are many out there with many miles on them, some axles snap some don't or just haven't yet. LOL
I snapped an axle on my 35 with 33s on it, got a bit of wheel hop while attempting to climb a large rock..
I wouldn't worry about the 30.

Yea I'm sure the shock load is awful for it. But it's so much fun to beat on!

Swap the rear brakes to disc, it's real easy and you can get most parts from a Grand Cherokee.
Simple straight forward swap and if you happen to snap an axle it may get you out of the woods.

I had just swapped mine over to disc and then BOOM.
I drove it home because the caliper and rotor kept the axle in place.
Semi insurance policy kind of thing.
Try getting a tow truck in the woods to get you in the middle of no where.

SO...

I never really liked drum brakes. Yesterday solidified my absolute hatred for them. Took me most of the day to fight with them and make a couple trips to the store. STUPID! But, now it's done and it stops SO WELL! Also, I have an e-brake. Bonus!

I haven't really updated this much recently. Well, that's mainly because I haven't modified anything recently. I did get this sweet Rugged Ridge rear bumper though:



I had to open up the holes in the rear cross member a bit to get it to fit. And lower the gas tank. Taking the tank out actually went much better than expected! You don't need to completely remove it, but just lower it a few inches to get some room to work in there between the frame rails. I supported it on a milk crate so I only had to disconnect the trim piece around the filler and the nuts holding the skid plate up. Do it when your tank is near empty. I didn't plan well and my tank was half full (or half empty?) and well, I'm glad I can bench press a good amount of weight because getting the tank back up without a jack was...fun.

I'll probably get frame tie-in brackets in the near future which should make this bumper significantly stronger, but I'm pretty stoked with it as is. The only thing it doesn't have is a textured finish. My Jeep is far from showy, but it would match much better if it were textured. When I get around to finishing the interior, I'll probably apply bed liner to the bumper too, while I'm at it. This bumper is super beefy though, and seems very well-built. The finish is pretty rugged and thick, too, because I've already beat it up some and it only shows minor scratches.

What I want to know is where can I get a corner patch like that ??
Bumper looks great, the one I have here is holding up well.

Hahaha I can make you some custom to order extra special friend prices.

Twice the price with 50 percent off sounds like a deal.

You want five finger discount?

Finally an update.

Got some lights a long while back from Josh. I sat on them for quite a while trying to figure out how to mount them, but finally pulled the trigger on some parts this week. I got them installed yesterday with the help of my new neighbor Taylor.



Wire 'em up tonight, hopefully.

So...I think this will be getting a new frame, at a minimum. But perhaps a for real overhaul. Should I start a new thread if I go down that road?

Rob, I Found this on CL, hope this helps.
I paid 800 for my frame, it is from an 02, exact fit 97 to 02 6 cyl frame..

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/4413293916.html

Thanks Mark! I noticed that there are a fair amount on Craigslist. I think that's likely where I'll end up getting a "new" frame, if I decide to do it. It seems they're somewhat obtainable there. Based on a limited amount of searching thus far, it seems all I need to worry about is that it's a frame for a 6 cylinder, correct? Everything else is the same?

Yes, 97 to 02 6 cyl frame, doesn't matter if auto or manual.
I would opt for a southern rust free frame as the ones around here are mostly junk and full or wet mud, road debris and salt.
Get one while you can.

Sweet.

How the f did you come to accrue all this useless (just kidding, totally useful!) information!?

I think that I worked in a jeep shop, HMMM Let me check,, yup I did., I'll post pics of my frame swap soon.
It's alot of work but I did it myself in my garage.

Nice! I haven't decided whether I should keep this thing and do something of a restoration (there's a lot of little stuff I'd love to address) or just let it go. Part it out and send it to the junkyard. I got some time to decide anyway, I got to get the other car working first.

I guess it comes down to if you want to buy another used rig with unknown issues, a brand new rig with a big payment, or fix the rig you know what the issues are.

Sometimes starting fresh is the right answer, but only you can make that decision. Either way if you need a hand, let me know.

dongalonga wrote:I guess it comes down to if you want to buy another used rig with unknown issues, a brand new rig with a big payment, or fix the rig you know what the issues are.

Thanks for this. Very concise. I'm tending towards the last, but another stumbling block is defining "fix". I could just patch it up and carry on about my business. And then do it again in some indeterminable amount of time. And again. I've already patched the midsection of the frame rails. Now It's one of the control arm mounts. Perhaps it's time to do it right.

I repaired Carols frame twice and it's come to the point of needing more repairs soon, so she is trading it in and getting an AWD car that gets good mileage.

I've been thinking about a project car for a while now, though my intent wasn't to start it so soon. I didn't even think it'd be one in the current stable, but it seems to make sense.

I can say from experience you will instantly regret getting rid of the Jeep for a car. I don't think that is your intention, but just wanted to pass along my experience. I regretted trading the JK right after I signed the paperwork. Sometimes the excitement of haggling and the thought of something new clouds your better judgment. Luckily, I have an awesome wife that rolls with my stupidity from time to time and gets me back on track. She is more of a Jepper than I am in a lot of ways.

I miss every car I've sold from time to time. I already have a car, so it wouldn't be sell Jeep to get car. If I DO sell it, I'll probably get a pickup. It would be really handy a lot of times.

But anyway, I think I'm gonna just do it. Does anyone have an experience with/recommendations for internal frame rust prevention? Looking at you, Mark.

Rob Cote wrote:
But anyway, I think I'm gonna just do it. Does anyone have an experience with/recommendations for internal frame rust prevention?

I haven't gotten around to using it yet, but I picked up some internal frame coating product from Eastwood. Heard its a great product. I pulled a decent amount of rust chips from my frame and have been doing my best at washing it out after wheeling trips and when I drive it in the winter.

Link to product. http://www.eastwood.com/internal-frame-coating-w-spray-nozzle-qt.html

Also my buddy has been coating most of his LJ in lanolin oil (edit: its called Fluid Film) and it keeps all the grime from sticking to any part he sprays. It comes from sheep wool and is a wax basically, so it doesn't harm the paint either. Every time I see his Jeep I get jealous how mint the frame is..