Big Tuna's "Building the Dub!"

[BigTuna117 33]

After a year with a malfunctioning 247J, Our good friend Jeff (UnderlyVerbose) assisted me this weekend in swapping in a 242J, we pulled the input shaft and planetary gear from the 247, and to our surprise, we found that this clunky 247 actually had the highly sought after (and hard to find) 6 gear planetary! Score!

 

Before too long, we started assembling the case, with great care.

 

 

And before too long, this rebuilt case, sporting fresh seals, bearings, and a new chain, was bolted up and ready for a test drive!

 

 

I have to thank Jeff for his help here. Perhaps I could have done it on my own, but it would have taken a much longer time for me to get all of the instructions together (and the actual courage to crack the case open). I learned alot this weekend.

We also came to an interesting revelation regarding my Jeep, too. If you look at my rig and how it behaves, it drives and acts completely differently than your average WJ. My research has found that several major part numbers are actually WG part numbers. It appears that early WJs actually share a number of parts with their European brothers. Mine was likely headed to Canada or elsewhere before a last minute change where it was given the CA emissions package and then sold... in Vermont. The torque curve and acceleration on mine is completely different than others. Though it now storms up the hills and mountains with never before seen ferocity, it is still relatively slow compared to other 4.7L WJs, lifted or otherwise, Only surpassing the 4.0L equipped WJs by a pretty good margin.

 

Hella curious, ain't it?

[dzJeepChic 2,397]

Hella curious, ain't it?

 

It certainly is!

[BigTuna117 33]

Well, early into last summer the G1W-C dash cam I was using ate another MicroSD card, and then promptly stopped working altogether. All in all, I was rather disappointed because this little booger has had plenty of issues over its short service life. After research I replaced it with an Anker Roav C1. Anker is quickly becoming my favorite accessory store, as their warranty and customer service is unparalleled. I'be bought other things from them, and I was pleased with the features these dash cams come with. You don't have to actually remove the MicroSD card to access video, as the cam has Wi-Fi built in, just open the app and go! Picture quality is pretty great, too, so that's a bonus.

Seen from outside

Seen from inside

[theksmith 3,687]

Made any videos with it yet? Can it do time lapse photos, like every x seconds?

[BigTuna117 33]

So far I haven't had a real chance to mess with it. Video quality is pretty great, I'll have to download a 5 min clip and drop it on here. I'll have to sift through the settings and see if is supports that.

[theksmith 3,687]

thanks, looking forward to seeing the video.

 

i've also been pleased with several Anker brand products i have, so i was curious about the Roav when it first came out.

[BigTuna117 33]

Well, it's starting to warm up, rather quickly I might add. I just had the bad axle half shaft and hub assembly replaced today. She also got a fresh set of brake pads, and given proper bleeding, and the brake booster I installed last year, she stops on a dime again.

 

I still need to adjust front axle caster, but that will be done when I install leveling spacers, which will likely be towards the hot months.

 

Oh, and my e-brake cable snapped. So I need to replace that now too.

 

And the rear hatch lock ceased up. At least it's ceased in the "locked" position.

 

And my mini-cats are starting to clog. Imma be a busy boy.

 

At the very least, she's drive-able. I've spent the better half of the last two years getting her back to the point where she MIGHT make a trip, with anybody really. Putting your nose to the grindstone can really suck the life outta you, but it can really pay off in the long run. I'm looking forward to camping and actually using the Jeep this summer, hopefully.

[theksmith 3,687]

sell it and buy a Toyota!

[BigTuna117 33]

sell it and buy a Toyota!

 

I'm disgusted by the very thought!

 

In all reality, if anything ever ends up happening to this old bucket, my next target vehicle would probably be a Tacoma.

 

I have no complaints, she's always gotten me home, and that's something to be proud of, I think. Just keep on replacing the worn out old parts.

[BigTuna117 33]

Well, after a brief interlude, and a moment to re-think my game plan regarding all of the repairs I've been trying to complete, we return guns blazing, ready to tackle several maintenance related tasks and repairs. Today I mustered up the courage to pull the carpet and replace the parking brake cable. This job was a serious, 3 hour PITA, and the legs, knees, arms and head. 18 year old carpet is rather stubborn and doesn't like to move out of its conformed position. Also, re-tensioning the lever was... interesting. As many know, there is supposed to be a lockout which allows the mechanism to spin freely inside the lever, allowing you to easily re-tension the the spring inside. Most can't figure out how to get the thing to lockout, so they just force the spring back onto its peg. Somehow, I managed to get the lockout activated, and the system self tensioned. Don't ask how I did it, because I'm still not sure. lol

 

I also spent 2018's first 110+ degree day (Sunday) out painting the Jeep. The fenders were looking pretty gnarly given the under body coating I used had mostly worn off. Surface rust had begun to form, and I couldn't spare any more time putting it off. after careful sanding, a couple of coats of Primer+Paint was put on, and it looks pretty sharp again.

I feel like I've got a pretty good start on the summer. More cool things are coming, too!