CJ-5 Riddle

Spoon? as in the Tick?

 

OK! I hope you all had a bit of fun with this riddle. I got a kick out of some of the answers. And, yes, there really is a Jeep, it wasn't mad at me, or chained to a tree. It doesn't resent the Ford tractor, etc, etc.

Acutally I thought it might be more of a puzzler, but perhaps gave to many clues. I had planned to let it go unanswered for at least one day, but...no sense in delaying any longer.

First to answer correctly was the first to respond, mb82, Jeff. He caught on right away that there was water in the transfer case (and transmission, too), that froze in winter, immobilizing the drive-train. He gets the prize, a mini-thermometer that clips to jacket zipper so he can always be aware of the temperature, and better protect against an immobilizing freeze than I did. R) And, it also has a compass if you lose your way, and a built in whistle so you can draw attention to your riddle & prize winning status. PM your mail address to me, Jeff, I'll drop this trinket in the mail to you.

Many others agreed with Jeff, seems water freezing in the gear boxes isn't such an exotic problem after all. Seemed odd to me, but then there isn't a whole lot of water in Utah. Bone dry here most of the time. Except, and this was a "key" clue, I thought, when the Jeep was backed up to the fence next to the alfalfa field, which is sprinkled by the way, with a heavy duty agricultural grade sprinkler system. I guess we "watered" the Jeep for at least four seasons, and the ratty old shift lever boot let the water in a few drops at a time.

I captured the water and lube when I drained the transmission and transfer case and let the two separate out. See the photo. Now I suppose I'll need to open them up and inspect for damange. Anyone got suggestions on what indicates major water related trouble?

Oh, well. Just another item on my growing list of "fix-its". I'll just keep a or two always handy for when I tend to get discouraged.

 

with that much water, better check the gears efore you drive it.

 

the gears most likely would clean up
maybe a little noisier depending on how deep the rust went
I would worry about the bearings more, mosy likely they are junk

 

Definantley check the bearings, once mine froze up I drained the fluid like you did and added fresh oil.After i was running it around for a while the countershaft bearings went out and 350$ later i almost have it back together.

 

I'd put new 90 weight in with a jar of slick 50 for manual transmissions and drive it locally for a while... see what happens. I wouldn't rebuild it until I tested the functionality. The rust may wear off while driving (change oil frequently) and if it works ok why rebuild the tranny and transfer case? Especially since the quality of some replacement gears and parts can be questionable (soft).

Now if you plan to drive it cross country that may be a different story!

 

This is what I would do... but then again I have been called a redneck R)

 

as I am probably the only person to catch a tick reference, I was referring to the matrix movie in bending a spoon with your mind.

 

okay but i think i would still keep it away from that tracter.

 

Little pitts in the gears just hold more gear lube and make them QuieterR)

 

Yes sir, it is from the Tick.
Big, blue, and nigh-invulnerable, kind of like a jeep (i guess if its painted blue LOL).