I got the evap leak fixed last Thursday. Jeep is running good now. My dad bought a TJ last Wednesday so I drove back home to give it a look over. He really scored with it. It came with an extra set of wheels and tires which I sold for him today. I have also ordered everything I need for hydro assist with the exception of fluid. I'm going to attempt it with the Durango box I have currently. I really wanted to do it with a stock XJ box so I could have the additional steering throw but I stumbled across a thread that explained how to remove the spacer in the Durango box which will allow for more travel. Hopefully all this works out and goes smoothly as I'm going to attempt to have it all done by the Jeep Jamboree which starts Oct. 6th. I will be out of town this weekend so I'll be doing what I can after work everyday to get it finished.

 

Last night I got the box drilled and tapped. The sector shaft bearing, ram, hoses, and fittings should be here today.

 

^^^^^ Now THAT'S a vise!

 

x2! what mill?

 

Not sure on the brand. It's one at work.

The ram, hoses, and fitting arrived. Had some issues with the shipping of the sector shaft bearing so I'm still waiting on that.

 

Got the box rebuilt tonight and got the fitting on the ram. The weather has postponed any work outside for now. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the axle side mount made and start bolting everything up.

 

Got the ram mocked up tonight. I also got the steering box, and cooler mounted. I ran the lines for the low pressure side of the system as well. No pics of the box, cooler or lines since it was dark. I'm going to pull the diff cover tomorrow and fully weld the tabs on.

 

It's an ACER E-Mill

Just bought a second one last week for the shop.

The vices are Kurts, I keep both setup on the mill and indicated together for when we have long parts.

 

Angles Looks good man, I assume this means you got the welder back working at least half way enough.

 

Why are you mounting it to the diff cover and not to the axle housing?

 

Clearance issues with the track bar.

 

Hydro assist is finished. It is a little more touchy than before. It doesn't seem to be any easier turning when going down the road. I did test in 4 low with the hubs locked and was able to turn lock to lock just fine whereas before I struggled to turn. So far I'm pleased. I do believe a higher flow pump will be needed in the future with all the added volume of the ram.

Also, I found that the flex joint on the track bar needs to be rebuilt. I've ordered a rebuild kit and a track bar brace. Brace will be here tomorrow and the rebuild kit should be here Tuesday. I'll have to hustle to get that done as I'm leaving Wednesday for Jeep Jamboree USA. I'm going to be one of the trail guides. I also have to reinstall the front skid and do an oil change.

 

Got the track bar brace and front skid on Saturday. Also got the oil changed. The brace was a complete pain to install. Initially I thought it was the brace that was way off but had forgotten that I had cut and rewelded the track bar mount and moved it slightly. This is why the brace fought me so much. But, it's on and works great. No more creaking or popping. With the front skid on, it could not have been much tighter on the hydro assist. Everything clears just fine and I am very happy with it. I am currently looking into pump upgrades because the factory pump is pretty much maxed out with the extra fluid use by the ram.

 

The most economical pump upgrades are the PSC Pulley or the 4.7L WJ V8 Pump.

Both are bolt on mostly, the WJ Pump cost more than a standard pump and you have to use Mopar fluid or it will squeal like a banshee.

 

I've been looking at the WJ pump. There are a ton of write ups on it. They say not to use trans fluid as the added detergents cause the whining. Also been reading that the rebuilt WJ pumps are crap so I have looked at the inventory at pull-a-part and they have 4 4.7L WJ's on the lot. I may go pull one of those next week.

I'm also going to drill out the high pressure fitting on the pump and see if that helps before going to a new pump. I'm not sure it will. This pump is the factory one from '92 and with it's age, I don't think there is much help for it.