Operation 'Basket Case MJ'

I've been busy sorting through pics from an automotive archaeology dig on Sunday, forgot to add these from Saturday...

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I originally said I was going to build this thing mostly to go pretty places (and light to moderate trails). Had her first outing on Saturday - 30 miles or so round trip, close to the house. First stop was an old traditional picnic spot from the 1800s, Flower Hill, which sits literally on the Piedmont to Coastal Plain fall line.

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I can feel the lack of caster, and the tires are a little overinflated, but it holds the road well. I may dial back the uppers a couple of turns and check for front shaft vibes soon but it's fine for now. No DW noted over some bumpy secondary roads between 45-65MPH. Cruise control does not work at the moment but that should be easy enough to figure out. Zero issues with clutch and gear engagement, such a relief to leave CSC stuff behind.

I stopped on the way back for hot dogs at the local store. This is Percy Flowers' old land, all of it out here where I live. He was a legendary bootlegger. He made so much white lightning the sugar to make it arrived in rail cars...

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That D35 looks tiny under there...

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Made an adjustment to shorten my upper arms while on lunch break from job #1. 4 whole turns in on both sides, arm is 1" - 14 so that makes them .2857" shorter. Angle finder tells me I got back 3* of caster. Front pinion to shaft angle difference is 4.3-4.5* static now. By extension, that puts my caster at about 4.8-5.0* now. I've driven it about 70 miles all in so far. At low speeds it's felt wander-y, more stable at 55-65 but not ideal. I'll drive it to job #2 later today and see how much of an improvement it is.

This truck will never see much time in the left lane on the highway. I need to look up the cross-caster spec (technically set a hair less on the driver's side for right lane driving/ road crown). I'll probably lengthen the left upper or shorten the right upper a half turn for that once I'm happy with road feel.
 
Gojira94 said:
Made an adjustment to shorten my upper arms while on lunch break from job #1. 4 whole turns in on both sides, arm is 1" - 14 so that makes them .2857" shorter. Angle finder tells me I got back 3* of caster. Front pinion to shaft angle difference is 4.3-4.5* static now. By extension, that puts my caster at about 4.8-5.0* now. I've driven it about 70 miles all in so far. At low speeds it's felt wander-y, more stable at 55-65 but not ideal. I'll drive it to job #2 later today and see how much of an improvement it is.

This truck will never see much time in the left lane on the highway. I need to look up the cross-caster spec (technically set a hair less on the driver's side for right lane driving/ road crown). I'll probably lengthen the left upper or shorten the right upper a half turn for that once I'm happy with road feel.
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You need 5-6 of caster if you can do it to have the wheels self center
 
Been busy with work and travel, meant to post back with results. I'd say what I got is a 60-70% improvement in return to center. I think it's possible to squeeze another degree of caster out of it without inducing front shaft vibes. None noticed with the recent adjustment.

Next steps:

1) Diagnose cruise not working - most of this I can do in the garage (pretty wet here in central NC last few days/ next few days).

2) Figure out whether I want to try to adjust the doors to get rid of a significant gap at the top of both, or trust a local body shop to do it. I had a guy who retired about 1 1/2 years ago that I trusted with absolutely anything, Philip Lee of Lee's Collision in Garner, NC. He recommended me another local shop that could do it last time I spoke to him. I can't drive it in wet weather or leave it outside until that is addressed.

3) Find a spot where I can assess 4WD functions. I believe I may need a small cable adjustment to engage 4Lo without it possibly slipping out into neutral.
 
Gojira94 said:
Been busy with work and travel, meant to post back with results. I'd say what I got is a 60-70% improvement in return to center. I think it's possible to squeeze another degree of caster out of it without inducing front shaft vibes. None noticed with the recent adjustment.

Next steps:

1) Diagnose cruise not working - most of this I can do in the garage (pretty wet here in central NC last few days/ next few days).

2) Figure out whether I want to try to adjust the doors to get rid of a significant gap at the top of both, or trust a local body shop to do it. I had a guy who retired about 1 1/2 years ago that I trusted with absolutely anything, Philip Lee of Lee's Collision in Garner, NC. He recommended me another local shop that could do it last time I spoke to him. I can't drive it in wet weather or leave it outside until that is addressed.

3) Find a spot where I can assess 4WD functions. I believe I may need a small cable adjustment to engage 4Lo without it possibly slipping out into neutral.
Click to expand...
Are the door pins worn? That’s an easy fix. Did it on a 2 door xj years ago and it was loads different, shut better instantly
 
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