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So the last piece to the puzzle is four bolts. It's easy to skip this post, but I just wanted everyone to see how thorough I'm trying to be with this build.
I simply cleaned them up with a wire wheel, degreased them, and hit them with some self etching black primer and called it a day before applying loctite. Eventually I'll get those aircraft bolts. One day. 😎
I have cleaned up many bolts in my process. I'm trying to keep original fasteners designs, shapes and sizes as much as possible. It's hard because previous owners just stuck whatever they had laying around so I'm going back to the FSM often to try and figure out what the OE fastener was.
Then there is the money. Some of the larger fasteners are $6-7. In some cases I bite the bullet and spend the money but in others, I wire wheel, etch and paint the bolts with this stainless steel paint. Supposedly it actually has stainless steel in it, but either way it gives it a nice, not painted look.
I recently bought the proper bolts to attach the factory tow hooks but when I took one out of the package it had rust on it. I sent them back. If they were already rusting in a sealed bag, brand new, no telling how they would fare installed underneath the Jeep. I'll pick some up at our local hardware store. They have them though I will spend as much for one as I did for two of the Amazon ordered bolts. It will be worth it in the long run.
Hi Travis, do you have a link to the driveshafts you bought. I plan on getting a ZJ rear shaft when I do my sye and rebuild the front and the ZJ shaft while im at it. But the rebuild kits from spicr run about 100$ each. Not sure which is the better route
As for the bolts, Im in the same boat, I rounded off the head of one of my front DS bolts and will need 5 new bolts in total
I have cleaned up many bolts in my process. I'm trying to keep original fasteners designs, shapes and sizes as much as possible. It's hard because previous owners just stuck whatever they had laying around so I'm going back to the FSM often to try and figure out what the OE fastener was.
Then there is the money. Some of the larger fasteners are $6-7. In some cases I bite the bullet and spend the money but in others, I wire wheel, etch and paint the bolts with this stainless steel paint. Supposedly it actually has stainless steel in it, but either way it gives it a nice, not painted look.
I recently bought the proper bolts to attach the factory tow hooks but when I took one out of the package it had rust on it. I sent them back. If they were already rusting in a sealed bag, brand new, no telling how they would fare installed underneath the Jeep. I'll pick some up at our local hardware store. They have them though I will spend as much for one as I did for two of the Amazon ordered bolts. It will be worth it in the long run.
I'm real big at keeping OEM hardware, but I will gladly dirch it if I know im replacing it with something better!
Hi Travis, do you have a link to the driveshafts you bought. I plan on getting a ZJ rear shaft when I do my sye and rebuild the front and the ZJ shaft while im at it. But the rebuild kits from spicr run about 100$ each. Not sure which is the better route
As for the bolts, Im in the same boat, I rounded off the head of one of my front DS bolts and will need 5 new bolts in total
I tried to rebuild mine. If you want quality parts like Spicer u-joints, etc. than rebuild them yourself. If you're okay with not doing the labor, spending about the same, and having slightly lower quality, then buy aftermarket. I haven't driven on these yet, but out if the box, they seem amazing quality with a clean finish.
Gotten this thing on the road yet? I've finally gotten the bearing housing for my swap!
There's a small chip in the speedo hole, but it's not a load bearing part of the housing, and its not too large. I'll probably use some kind of cement putty to temporarily repair it until I can get it welded. I don't want to spend unnecessary time and money on something that may not work, even though I'm confident it will. Let's see how the ergonomics of this housing interacts with the HD case and SYE kit.
Just as an FYI and because this thread is so full of good info I'll make a note on this. Having handled one of these on my own now, I noticed I have the same feature on mine. It's not damage, it looks to be a part of the machining process for one of the bolt holes that connects the speedometer bearing housing to the rear transfer case half. It's very obvious if you look down the bore axis, I think the corrosion there just threw you for a loop!
Gotten this thing on the road yet? I've finally gotten the bearing housing for my swap!
Just as an FYI and because this thread is so full of good info I'll make a note on this. Having handled one of these on my own now, I noticed I have the same feature on mine. It's not damage, it looks to be a part of the machining process for one of the bolt holes that connects the speedometer bearing housing to the rear transfer case half. It's very obvious if you look down the bore axis, I think the corrosion there just threw you for a loop!
She's not on the road yet; if you look at my profile, you can see a couple of other projects I've got going on. It's slow progress, but I am actively working on it. As far as the TC swap, it's done. Just got to put the rest of the Jeep back together 🤣
Good catch! You are absolutely right! I found out later when cleaning and painting and never went back and corrected myself.
Make sure you tag me in your post so I can see your progress! And give tips on things i did that may not have been documented 😎
Last edited by Travis Mudrich; Jun 4, 2023 at 09:18 AM.
Reason: Typo
