Repair and Replace 90's YJ

[dougiet]

After reviewing many YOUTUBE videos, installing the distributor gear into the camshaft gear at TDC at the Harmonic Balancer with the #1 cylinder on the power spark stroke with both valves closed is job number one.
To adjust the spark timing simply rotate the distributor clock or counterclockwise with a timing light.

 

[dougiet]

Waiting for gas tank parts to arrive I decided to pull the distributor and insert a long flat-tipped screwdriver into a drill and charge the oil system at the oil pump. As the rockers got stiffer with oil in the lifters installed the rocker cover and jerry-rigged a gas can to the mechanical pump and put the distributor back in.
Well as God had been lurking to strike me dead the wife turn the key and that ol motor fired up! she idled with a touch of throttle tuning the idle screws then rotated the distributor a pinch.
Now it's a turn-key operation, the motor sounds good with no smoke out the pipe.

I pulled some plugs after 10 minutes of idling

Thanks to Wendy and wifey Sonya.

 

[Twinkie]

and jerry-rigged a gas can to the mechanical pump

Roadkill style!!!!

 

[Richard]

Glad to hear it's finally running!

 

[dougiet]

Drained diff oil from the front pumpkin and the stamped #'s ring and pinion ratio is 43 x 11 = 3.91

Did the same for the rear axle, the stamped #'s ring and pinion ratio is 40 x 13 = 3.07

What should be done? is this set up ok? or what would you do?

There is a sandwich locker in the rear, the front looks open. Gear condiction is smooth.

 

[Richard]

Are you sure that's not 43-14 on the front ring gear? That would also make it 3.07.

 

[dougiet]

Good thinking Richard!
Looking into it asap.

 

[dougiet]

Future plans are to gut the Dana 35 -30 's and build the shit out of them. At that time the axle ratio will be determined to go with new tires. Install a yoke eliminator kit and double C joint driveshaft.

Looking for any kind shop to do this re an re.

This YJ shit box rig is lightweight and I like that!

 

[Kunker]

Skip building the D35 and get an 8.8. Check out @2Greys build thread on his TJ, he went through all of this. Ottawa Driveshaft can build the shaft, you can do the eliminator kit yourself, or Mike/Mlorint (who I can't tag for some reason).

 

[dougiet]

Thanks Kunker, the thinking for building the Dana's was to keep the brakes. The extra $$ for buying and fabrication of other axles like a Ford 8.8 could be spent on constant velocity joint axles.
Just a thought.....

 

[2Greys]

Skip building the D35 and get an 8.8. Check out @2Greys build thread on his TJ, he went through all of this. Ottawa Driveshaft can build the shaft, you can do the eliminator kit yourself, or Mike/Mlorint (who I can't tag for some reason).

To be honest at this point, I would probably do a Super 35, the 8.8 is a pig and a rock magnet but since I wanted a locker and I was also willing to do the regearing and the bracketry as well as I didn't go that way then as Superior had gone under and Revolution didn't exist yet .

If I had a YJ and was looking for plug and play and no interest in a locker I would have gone with the 8.8.

Actually looking back and the fact the dollar was on par with the US at that point, for me the ideal should have been buying an empty TJ Dana 44 housing it would have been about $150 more than the 8.8 from Kenny's and the truss. I didn't realize you could order them any more.

The irony is about 6 months after I finished the 8.8 a TJ showed up at Kennys with a 44 under it. Sigh...

 

[2Greys]

Thanks Kunker, the thinking for building the Dana's was to keep the brakes. The extra $$ for buying and fabrication of other axles like a Ford 8.8 could be spent on constant velocity joint axles.
Just a thought.....

For the TJ and I assume probably the same for the YJ (may be wrong though) brakes are plug and play. Nothing changed from stock for mine (although I replaced all of the brake stuff with 8.8 stuff on the actual axle as the Explorer I pulled it off of was 10 years old at that point)

 

[dougiet]

This aftermarket resource of build options for jeeps is the reason I bought one!
The fact it is leaf sprung is ok with me.
Combinations of the right parts in the right place is a Jeep thing!

J>E>E>P> Jeeps empty everyone's pockets

 

[Richard]

I ran 33s on the stock D30 and D35 for a few years with little issues. I broke the rear spider gears once (before getting ARBs) and a front u-joint which took out other things, but I was doing a fair amount of rock crawling. The only serious issue I had is the rear housing started bending, so you may want to consider trussing it.

 

[dougiet]

You must be hauling cases of beers to bend axles! lots of beers!

 

[Logan]

I think the exploder 8.8 with drum brakes is basically bolt in for the YJ I believe. When I threw one in the blazer I had to cut and move the spring perches, but had to put the back where I cut them off when I put the axle in my old yj.

 

[dougiet]

Thanks Logan.

 

[dougiet]

Installed the tank with a new gasket and pickup screen, new lower steering shaft.
took some pics of the underside and splashed some paint on the body.

 

[Twinkie]

Looks cleaner underneath than my JK!

 

[Richard]

It's looking good!