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Rebuilding An Old High School Friend!

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Fly Navy, Feb 11, 2015.

  1. Nov 29, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    That's slick!
    Love this build.
     
  2. Nov 29, 2017
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Thanks, your too kind. I consider that high praise after watching your build!
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2017
  3. Dec 6, 2017
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    361
    Waiting for parts so I can finish the drive shaft for the PTO... So I decided I would figure out the skid plate mounting. But as luck would have it I realized that having the front driveline installed would help me insure I had clearance/positioning for the skid plate correct, so I set about to shorten the front driveline.

    I don't have a lathe (maybe someday) to cut the yoke off so I had to make due with a cut off wheel on the grinder and an extra dose of patience (just like Dad and I used to shorten them... ah the good ole' days :)). Overall the operation went well, considering it was something I hadn't done since high school, and the patient survived. I did fail to check run-out before I cut the yoke off for comparison purposes, but after all was said and done run-out on the yoke was 10 thou which I consider perfectly acceptable for a front driveline. (I read online that the acceptable run-out for the rear driveline on newer chevy trucks is 20 thou so I figure I'm more than good) The rear will be professionally done.:cool:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Turning my attention back to the skid plate I decided it would be a good idea to wait until the PTO shaft was in place as well... So back to waiting on parts, I decided to start making card board templates for boxing the frame.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2018
  4. Dec 6, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Nice. (y)

    Are the circles on the template for holes? And possibly dimple dies?

    When I get to that point on mine, I'm really in the fence about which direction to go. The holes and dimples look cool and add rigidity, but I worry about being one mud hole away from there being a clogged up mess inside the frame. Any concerns?
     
  5. Dec 6, 2017
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Yep, dimple dies are the plan.

    I'm not overly concerned about mud. I really don't plan on burying the jeep in mud... not that what I plan ever really matches reality. But it has been my experience that mud and dirt are going to find their way into the frame no matter what. Without holes there is no hope of getting it out, with holes I can wash out the muck with a pressure washer.:)
     
  6. Jan 16, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    361
    Well with Christmas, deer season, and a rather brutal New Year's cold/sinus infection behind me, I am finally made more progress on my project. PTO drive line mostly complete... Nothing too fancy. I utilized the original pillow block that was booger welded to the frame. After cleaning it up and pressing in a new bronze bushing I fabbed up a simple mount that actually allows the driveline to be removed (crazy idea I know)... as opposed to the original set up which as I said was welded to the frame. I thought about buying a fancy commercial pillow block but space is kind of tight and this ghetto version worked fine before.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Of course wouldn't you know it, As I was laying down the most beautiful tig bead of my life I ran out of Argon. :banghead: I know I should have checked it when I turned it on... Oh well, I guess now I know what I'm doing tomorrow during lunch.:)
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
    75 DJ and ITLKSEZ like this.
  7. Jan 21, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Got the skid
    plate all adjusted and mounted Friday before heading out to take care of some stuff for my mom on the farm. Didn't really think it was worth a picture but now I can start stripping the frame down so I can box and paint it! Then rebuild the axles and start final assembly!!
    Very exciting to think I might actually finish this thing before summer
    :bananatool:
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2019
  8. Feb 6, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    361
    I've been slowly stripping the frame down amid some distractions (Had some maintenance/repairs on my truck that kind of snowballed) but progress is still progress, right:)

    [​IMG]

    I stripped the engine down to, more or less, the short block to get an idea of what condition it is in. My plans are to re-ring it and from initial inspection I think we are still on track. One cylinder has a little corrosion in it and there is a chance it might not hone. I'll have to wait till I have it on the engine stand but next time I head to the farm I'll grab my Dad's mic's, bore guage, hones, ridge cutter, etc... and make sure that cylinder will clean up before I put any time and effort into the others.

    [​IMG]

    I also got the front axle out and did a cursory inspection on it as well. It appears to be in outstanding shape, all things considered, except for the sloppy passenger side trunnion bearings. So I'll work to get it all disassembled & inspected this week so I can get parts ordered but I'm thinking new seals and rebuild the knuckles at this point.
     
  9. Feb 8, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    I got the front axle all stripped down and am building my parts list.

    Overall, everything went smoothly with the exception of the last of the inner axles seals which was just ridiculously difficult!

    [​IMG]
    I was a little surprised to see my seal puller bend... but was absolutely shocked when my heel bar broke. Evidently I am spending TOO much time in the gym! But the seal finally surrendered.

    I was also surprised to see some old battle scars on the carrier and was curious as to what the general consensus was regarding whether I should try and find a new one or not. Growing up I bounced this jeep all over Colorado and it was never an issue... and I don't plan on running great big tires so it might work fine. On the other hand it is a pretty good gouge.

    [​IMG]

    Otherwise my current challenge is finding bearings not made by Crown or Omix :n:. I'll reuse the old ones before I install them, although one of the carrier bearings does have one roller with a bad spot.
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2018
  10. Feb 8, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    What the heck caused that?!!

    I'm not going to offer advice on whether or not you should run that. I just rebuilt my front end with a ring gear with halves of 4 teeth missing. :whistle: You can guess what I'd suggest. :D
     
  11. Feb 22, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    361
    Got all the parts needed for the front axle so I am ready to put that together when the time comes. I decided to just run original carrier and see how it goes. I don't plan on abusing it anymore than I did in high school and it withstood that just fine.

    I drug home my Dad's valve grinding stuff in preparation for what ever work the heads off of this little engine will need.

    [​IMG]

    Of course that turned into a several day distraction as I went through everything and cleaned it up, but now my brother and I are set up to grind valves and seats. Some of the valve guide tools seemed to be missing so my brother and I may have to go looking for those. I spent many and hour doing head work for my Dad in our shop but I can already tell there is going to be some relearning required... some of the tools look familiar but I can't quite remember exactly what we did with them or how to set them up. :confused: With luck it will all come back to me when we start using it. In the meantime I just need to get some water soluble oil for it.

    I did get the front cross member shaved down/modified and the bolt holes for the steering gear sleeved. The cross member didn't require a lot of work for the radiator to clear but every inch counts in these little jeeps.

    [​IMG]

    Next step is to get the pedals apart and see how worn that idle shaft is and get the rear end out from under it. Then I can go whole hog boxing the frame.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2019
  12. Feb 23, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    361
    Managed to get all templates made for boxing the frame this afternoon. And although I am quite sure that boxing high performance frames with cardboard will be the wave of the future... I don't think we are quite there yet, so we'll see if I can get these transferred over to some 1/8" plate this weekend.
     
    ITLKSEZ and Bowbender like this.
  13. Mar 3, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
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    Jun 6, 2014
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    Took advantage of the 60 degree day on Tuesday and got the bare frame cleaned and pressure washed. Now busy checking all the old welds, adding bumpstop extensions, boxing the frame, ect... With any luck the weather will nice when I get it finished to so I can paint it right away.

    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ and Focker like this.
  14. Mar 14, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    The frame work is almost complete! Frame is boxed, bumpstop extensions have been added and all the factory welds have been closely inspected.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Now I just need to get some steps figured out for my wife and I can get this thing painted (assuming the weather ever warms up). Taking some inspiration from my tractor, this is what I came up with today but I can't decide if I like them or not.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    What does everyone think? Run with it or hit it with a big hammer and start over?? I could always cover it with a little diamond plate but I thought this would trap less mud and dirt.

    Of course a smart man might have figured this out while the tub was on and it was sitting near ride height. :oops:
     
  15. Mar 14, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    Frame looks awesome. That's some serious eye candy.

    The steps.... I like the tread design, but they look very solid and permanent. They make the off-roader in me cringe.
    :shrug:
    I'll go back to my corner now. :D
     
  16. Mar 14, 2018
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
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    I know, they are definitely a compromise. Should have married a taller wife:banghead:. I doubt they will bother me too much. I've never really been a "rock crawler." All those years in high school bouncing around Colorado I don't ever remember a situation I was in where they would have been much of an issue. They don't hang down as low as the skid plate... so that has to be worth something.:shrug:
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  17. Mar 14, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    If it's at all a concern, how about tubing clamps or roll cage disconnects that would allow them to at least be removable if the need arose? Or if your wife finally gets that growth spurt? :D
     
  18. Mar 14, 2018
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
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    451
    or just let the earth be the BFH and try something new if it happens...i like the clean look and if your lady is happy...you can always try something different down the trail as it were
    I vote yes
     
  19. Mar 14, 2018
    OldKooT

    OldKooT New Member

    I80
    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2018
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    15
    The frame boxing looks great. I just read the entire thread...learned plenty thank you.

    I have a large "collection" of NOS Spicer stuff on a shelf or 5.... I know there are a dozen or so carriers in that collection. Quite possible I have one for your Jeep if you need/want one. Feel free to PM me if you want me to look.
     
    Valentino84 likes this.
  20. Mar 15, 2018
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    Rope steps.
     
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