So I got a good break in this past weekend at Jeep Jamboree. List of to dos has grown with some parts giving up on this trip.

Burned up PS pump
Steering box is leaking like crazy again
Bent a wheel
Bent the rear anti-wrap bar
Ball joints are shot
Front locker is popping very loudly
Motor is running warmer than usual

I'll be going through everything in the coming weeks to make sure nothing else is hurting. I'm searching for steering options for the pump and box. I've also started pricing out D60 fronts. Looking at an 02 SD D60 this coming week. I'll redrill the unit bearings/rotors for 8x6.5 pattern. I've already priced it all out for swapping in/gearing/3 linking the front. It'll be costly but I should be able to recoup about half the cost selling the 44.

 

Check out the WJ power steering pump mod. There's also a way you can increase the pressure in the pump as well.

 

Here's the only pics I have from this weekend. I still have more fender trimming to do. In the last pic I have circled the bend in the antiwrap bar

 

I've been reading up on the WJ pump. My only hesitation is either having to modify the pump to work with 95-below mounting brackets or switching to 96+ brackets. At the cost of all of that, it nears the money needed for a bolt on PSC pump.

 

The line I had on the D60 fell through as the guy stopped responding to me. So, I think I'll just run the 44 for the remainder of the season. I've already found an XJ steering box and hope to pick it up this evening. I've also ordered a rebuild kit for the box and a new non-keyed pitman arm. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do with the rest of the steering. I may end up welding up some bracing on the stock chevy knuckle for now.

Tear down of the motor for a rear main seal and new header will begin this evening. I hope to start the tear down on the new-to-me steering box tomorrow and have it drilled and tapped by Wednesday night. I'm debating about throwing new seals in the tapped Durango box I currently have and putting it up for sale. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a spare box already tapped just in case.

 

Header, water pump, and thermostat removed last night. Got the block cleaned up and all of the cooling system flushed. All parts have been acquired/ordered. Work will resume Thursday evening.

 

I can't wait until mine's no longer a DD so I can do major projects like this.

 

haha just a warning...once it's no longer a DD, it'll spend most of it's time in pieces. Or at least that's how it's been for me the past 3 years.

 

I’m with him ^ when I had a daily my jeep got ripped apart and sat for months... but now it’s back to daily duty and it isn’t happy...

 

Just means it'll get wheeled about as much as it does now...

 

Put in a little more wrench time last night. The Durango box has been removed and I inspected the frame for cracks. It's still nice and clean. I got the new thermostat installed and a couple of the hoses hooked up. I then started disassembling the new to me XJ box so I can drill and tap it for hydro assist. I'll end up rebuilding the Durango box and selling it most likely. I also removed the steering shaft and welded the shaft to the coupler at the the steering column. There's an overmoulded rubber bushing there that likes to dry out and crack. Once that happens, it creates slop in the steering.

 

No pictures but the new box is assembled and installed. The whole right side of the motor has been reassembled. Below is the to-do list. Hopefully this week I'll get it all finished.

Replace oil pan gasket
Replace rear main seal
Fill and bleed steering
Replace heim joint at pitman arm with high angle TRE
Drain and fill rear diff (break in oil is still in there)
Replace air filter
Install harnesses
Tie B and C pillars together

 

Well I finished the jeep before the Veteran's Ride a few weeks ago. Didn't take any pictures at that ride. I did go back out to Uwharrie Saturday. My fiance drove majority of the day and we took the pups with us. She ran the front side of Daniel for the first time and did great. The dogs really like riding in the jeep and love being out in the forest.

 

Nice pictures! And that Comanche is badass!

 

Got some G Force harnesses installed. A buddy and I went to Apex to pick and some 36" tires for him and I picked up some new(to me) wheels and tires(39s). I'm hoping to find time tonight to mount the new tires on the jeep.