Big Tuna's "Building the Dub!"

[BigTuna117 33]

A few months later, but another Moab vid!

[BigTuna117 33]

SO the Jeep continues to have A/C shenanigans!

 

So The Compressor died as well, (Internal seal failure), So I ended up just replacing the Liquid line, Hi-pressure line, and compressor all in one go.

 

-But-

 

When they sell you the liquid line, generally they are supposed to either tell you (or sell you) a system flush for the A/C. When the compressor grenades, it spreads tons of metal shavings throughout the system, hence the flush. Since I wasn't told about the flush, we charged 'er up, and we were working good for about a day. Then the new orifice tube clogged up and the pressure spiked. The good news is, the relief valve on the new compressor works, so the distinct smell of freon alerted me to the problem. So, yeah. Chemical flush is in the A/C system's future. And yet another new liquid line. At least they're not super expensive.

 

The good news is, she's healthy otherwise. Just waiting on some new front lower control arms, since I pretty much wallowed out those (and dented one of the arms) in Moab. They were the last stock set of arms on the Jeep, so hopefully having full bushings again will mean that it'll ride better.

[BigTuna117 33]

Well, the Jeep got New front lower control arms. Core 4x4 Fab CAs just like the upper and lower rears. The stock bushings were fatigued and cracked enough to warrant replacing them. The factory, stamped sheet metal arms themselves were dented and rusted pretty well. The new, thicker control arms oughta hold up better.

[BigTuna117 33]

So, not too long ago, I picked up these super beefy motor mounts from IronMan4x4Fab:

 

They'll go on Wednesday. I'm pretty excited to get rid of the saggy OEM ones.

 

In other news, I appear to have blown one of the "connector" fuses on the dual battery system. Replacements are incoming, but I'm guessing it probably shorted the last time I had it in the shop. I will investigate more tomorrow.

 

The Jeep also got a fresh new transmission pan, given the old one got dinged in my recent transfer case mishap. While I was at it I saw fit to replace the filters, and it now has an actual gasket. If I ever have to drop the pan again, it will be much easier, as the new pan has a drain plug. no more ludicrous covering myself with ATF!

[theksmith 4,019]

nice! i didn't know anyone made beefed up motor mounts for the V8 WJ.

[BigTuna117 33]

nice! i didn't know anyone made beefed up motor mounts for the V8 WJ.

 

This set was one of the first 10 production sets. They made 10 production sets because they weren't sure if they'd sell, and wanted to "test the waters" as it were. They sold out of all 10 in less than a day. Needless to say, they've put it up on their side for round 2, and have started development on a WJ 4.0L set, and on beefed up Trans mounts.

[BigTuna117 33]

Well, been a couple of days with the new mounts on. It makes a bit of difference, as the old mounts were snapped and completely worn down. the engine "jitter" that I've come to know is completely gone now. The new mounts are pretty firm, so there are some vibes felt, but only really noticeable so far around 2K RPMs. Once you hit 2200, it settles back down. Very manageable.

 

With any luck, that should be the last set of rubber bushings I need to replace for a while. The A-Arm still has some life left in it, so now I can get on to other projects that I've been planning for a better part of the last year!

[BigTuna117 33]

I came across a curious problem today and promptly fixed it.

Back when I installed the upper control arms and the new axle bushings, I had to buy my own hardware. Not too long ago, Core 4x4 started offering a hardware packet in their kits as an extra. I contacted them and had them send me out new nuts/bolts/washers for the upper control arm/axle bushing connection. I found that the old hardware I had previously installed was bent up and probably not useable anymore. Turns out, I made the rookie mistake of using 8.8 (equivalent to Grade 5 in SAE) hardware in their previously.

 

D'oh!

 

The good news is that the new hardware is much sturdier, being a 10.5 set (Equivalent to Grade 8or 10, or automotive grade). We shouldn't have any more issues from down there.

[Russell84 1]

That's good to hear about the new motor mounts. I'd heard of them, but this is the first I've read of first-hand experience with them. I just placed my order for a set about a minute ago. I'm pretty sure mine are still factory original and I know they're very very cracked and brittle.

 

Nice looking WJ! I'm digging what you've done with it, both modding and wheeling!

[BigTuna117 33]

That's good to hear about the new motor mounts. I'd heard of them, but this is the first I've read of first-hand experience with them. I just placed my order for a set about a minute ago. I'm pretty sure mine are still factory original and I know they're very very cracked and brittle.

 

Nice looking WJ! I'm digging what you've done with it, both modding and wheeling!

 

Thank you! Yes the motor mounts were worth the money. Be advised, though they are MUCH firmer that the OEM mounts - a bit more vibes from the engine because of it. I feel like this is a good tradeoff for not wrecking a set of motor mounts once every few years. These'll probably last the life of the dub. If not, well these can have a new bushing pressed into 'em. Although it's a high density rubber bushing that shouldn't show any wear for years to come.