Swamp Donkey Progess

[redcagepatrol]

what is that supposed to do? i can't believe there is a wedge stuck in there too...

[DRAGOONRANCH]

I believe he put that on there to keep the springs lined up. IIRC he was having them spread out at one time.

[85cj7]

I did this but in the opposite direction (ie. smarter )

[JB]

Changing out steering columns is a pain in the ass. I got the new junkyard one in, and the tilt jaw gear thing was broken, so had to rob parts off of the old one.

I do still need to do something about the rear springs spreading apart.

[KrazyKarl02]

Changing out steering columns is a pain in the ass.

Yes it is, I figured it would be like an hour job, it is more..... Unless you are Clarke, who is going to post up how much faster he could do it than me. God I hope one day I can be a man like Clarke and change Ford water pumps in an hour....

[RCcola55]

Yes it is, I figured it would be like an hour job, it is more..... Unless you are Clarke, who is going to post up how much faster he could do it than me. God I hope one day I can be a man like Clarke and change Ford water pumps in an hour....

Damnit Karl

[JB]

somebodys butthurt

[JB]

both sides look like this. The upper has pull out close to 1/2". Not sure why.

[bcolman]

if you still have the receipts check and make sure they are the correct application.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

[karl]just do a few sweet jumps and once they are back in place, weld them in...[karl]

[KrazyKarl02]

[karl]just do a few sweet jumps and once they are back in place, weld them in...[karl]

Good idea!

[JB]

Maybe wrong camber bushing? Stumped. Anyone have a balljoint 60 they can take pictures of?

[JB]

I am going to chalk it up to either bad balljoints or I did something pretty dumb/****ing sweet at Shiloh and just do not remember. New XRF balljoints in and ready for Clayton. Just need to deal with the trans mount and I am ready to go.

[JB]

I am going to chalk it up to either bad balljoints or I did something pretty dumb/****ing sweet at Shiloh and just do not remember. New XRF balljoints in and ready for Clayton. Just need to deal with the trans mount and I am ready to go.

Must have been bad balljoints(spicer). After some much harder wheeling in Clayton, the XRF joints stayed put.

Pulled the front cover off to drain and reseal it. All the bolts were loose, so I will just need to remember to tighten them up after each run like I do with the Sterling shaft bolts. I am almost positve that my front gear fluid is gettting water in it from me washing it off after runs through the axle tubes. I am sure it needs new inner axles seals, but that is a huge PITA, so might just keep changing the fluid ever couple of runs.

My next expense is going to have to be some sort of t-case with lower gearing. I really found myselft two-footing it alot at Clayton. Ideally I would keep my drivetrain length the same, thus avoiding new driveshafts and changes to x-members, skids, exhaust, etc. There are plenty of used Atlas' on POR, but they still want close to 2k. Staks are pretty high dollar as well.

The bumper/stigner worked very well in Clayton pushing smaller trees out of the way on the tigher trails. The cheap 1/2" Tuff Stuff syn winch line also worked well aside from the protecting sleeve that would get stuck in the fairlead.

Would like some legit lap and shoulder belts as well as a rear bumper/winch sometime in the next year.

[85cj7]

link to winch line please.