1973 Wagoneer - Full Size Camping Goodness
- Thread starter Dr. Marneaus
- Start date
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
Hey man thanks for the offer.
I cannot run a centered axle because of my gas tank. The style with the early gas tank like mine had a 'slightly' offset diff, something like 3" which was fine with the centered transfer case.
Issue is that I moved over a other 2.5" of offset. I would need to find a very specific year range to work with my gas tank, or make a custom tank.
I cannot run a centered axle because of my gas tank. The style with the early gas tank like mine had a 'slightly' offset diff, something like 3" which was fine with the centered transfer case.
Issue is that I moved over a other 2.5" of offset. I would need to find a very specific year range to work with my gas tank, or make a custom tank.
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
yes simply because i dont want to get into anything custom.
Sorry, but that stuff = $$$$ and on an old tyruck like this i dont see it being worth it unless serious problems occur.
Sorry, but that stuff = $$$$ and on an old tyruck like this i dont see it being worth it unless serious problems occur.
While you may be able to get away with the standard driveshaft in the short term I'd reckon longer term it will cause you problems. I'd suggest you speak to Carolina Driveline, they will make a new driveshaft for you very cheaply <$400.
I live in Australia and it was cheaper for them to make and ship me one than to source it locally.
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
Thanks guys.
I hope to get a little more road time in this weekend, though I won't have time for a trail run.
I hope to get a little more road time in this weekend, though I won't have time for a trail run.
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
FML.
Went to pick up the jeep today. puddle of brake fluid under it. Leaking from the front of the prop valve again. google search for "proportioning valve leaking front" provides plenty of evidence that these are all just ****ty valves made at the same ****ty factory and lots of people go through 2 or 3 of them to find a good one.
I ordered a wilwood adjustable unit like I wanted to do way back at the beginning. will be here next week. finishing this once and for all.
Went to pick up the jeep today. puddle of brake fluid under it. Leaking from the front of the prop valve again. google search for "proportioning valve leaking front" provides plenty of evidence that these are all just ****ty valves made at the same ****ty factory and lots of people go through 2 or 3 of them to find a good one.
I ordered a wilwood adjustable unit like I wanted to do way back at the beginning. will be here next week. finishing this once and for all.
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
Okay. We're back.
Turns out the new prop valve only had 1 outlet for the front. got creative with some tube and a T so i didnt really have to rework or move any of the stock fittings too much.
Anyway, all installed and leak free.
Also, I'm excited, my buddy gave us a nice bike rack because he sold his jeep and doesnt have bikes anymore. the girl and I have been wanting to bring the bikes on a few trips with us lately.
Turns out the new prop valve only had 1 outlet for the front. got creative with some tube and a T so i didnt really have to rework or move any of the stock fittings too much.
Anyway, all installed and leak free.
Also, I'm excited, my buddy gave us a nice bike rack because he sold his jeep and doesnt have bikes anymore. the girl and I have been wanting to bring the bikes on a few trips with us lately.
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
So, for the first time in like 8 or 9 months, I think (probably a year), I went on a trail ride in the jeep. Everything is working well it seems, so we decided to roll out cottonwood canyon to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings. Today was the saloon's 100th birthday (they have been doing a big promotion all year), so they unveiled the anniversary monument (our names are on it for supporting them), and it was a big ole car and bike show, etc.
So, trail was normal in most spots, but we had been told the rain did a number on the washes and some of the road this summer.
Beautiful day, so we hit the trail.
Well, about 1/3rd of the way in, I went and messed up....
Its hard to see in the pics, but the rut started way back, and it was DEEP and NARROW. I had straddled it because I didnt want to drive off the trail earlier, and honestly, I stopped paying attention for a moment and slipped into it. Man, we came to a STOP. My girl in the passenger seat starts freaking out (very uncomfortable with off camber situations and anything sketchy in vehicles.) So that doesnt keep me very calm....I popped it into 4x4, and tried backing up, moving forward, etc. I got a little movement but couldnt turn my wheels because the rut trapped the front wheel. Had i been able to turn I could have driven out. The front of the rut was basically a wall, so i couldnt get out that way either. After 3 or 4 forward/backward tries, the truck stalled, then the tires just started spinning. Front driver, rear passenger. Now I gone and done it!
Basically, i got high centered the long way. My rear diff and gas tank were supporting the truck. Just couldnt get any grip. I suppose lockers could have given us a different outcome.
Had the guys hook up and pull me backwards without any trouble.
got to test the diff cover, haha.
I know its cliche to say, but pictures dont do it justice. sucker was deep and narrow.
Anyway, truck wouldnt start at that point. Weird. Noticed my e-pump wasnt coming on, and the breaker was tripping. Searched for a second and saw that when the gas tank got lifted up, it trapped the power wire for the e-pump, and split the coating, shorting it out. 2 minutes and 3" of electrical tape and It was back to moving in the right direction.
I believe you have seen my friends Willy's before, he joined on this trip because he needed a shakedown run too after having the truck off the road for 9 months.
This thing is a BEAST!
I bypassed that wash, haha. Didnt need to embarrass myself with my lack of flex.
Our group:
1 built TJ, an XJ, the Willys, the Wag, and an F150 (who invited that guy!? haha)
A few more pictures...
Riding with me was my girl, her sister, and her man.
Also riding with me was the newest addition to our family. Meet Bulleit (like the bourbon). He is a 4 year old blue heeler (australian cattle dog) and we adopted him from the shelter on Tuesday. He is proving to be an amazing dog. I think I may have given him a fear of jeeps when I hit that rut, hahaha.
Well, the rest of the trail was uneventful, we hit the saloon had lunch and a beer, partook in the festivities, then headed home.
Lil fella was tuckered out, kept passing out leaning against me, haha
So, overall a good trip. I had my first stuck, minor technical issue as a result of that, but otherwise the truck ran (and stopped!) great. Awesome day out in the desert with friends.
Thanks for reading!
So, trail was normal in most spots, but we had been told the rain did a number on the washes and some of the road this summer.
Beautiful day, so we hit the trail.
Well, about 1/3rd of the way in, I went and messed up....
Its hard to see in the pics, but the rut started way back, and it was DEEP and NARROW. I had straddled it because I didnt want to drive off the trail earlier, and honestly, I stopped paying attention for a moment and slipped into it. Man, we came to a STOP. My girl in the passenger seat starts freaking out (very uncomfortable with off camber situations and anything sketchy in vehicles.) So that doesnt keep me very calm....I popped it into 4x4, and tried backing up, moving forward, etc. I got a little movement but couldnt turn my wheels because the rut trapped the front wheel. Had i been able to turn I could have driven out. The front of the rut was basically a wall, so i couldnt get out that way either. After 3 or 4 forward/backward tries, the truck stalled, then the tires just started spinning. Front driver, rear passenger. Now I gone and done it!
Basically, i got high centered the long way. My rear diff and gas tank were supporting the truck. Just couldnt get any grip. I suppose lockers could have given us a different outcome.
Had the guys hook up and pull me backwards without any trouble.
got to test the diff cover, haha.
I know its cliche to say, but pictures dont do it justice. sucker was deep and narrow.
Anyway, truck wouldnt start at that point. Weird. Noticed my e-pump wasnt coming on, and the breaker was tripping. Searched for a second and saw that when the gas tank got lifted up, it trapped the power wire for the e-pump, and split the coating, shorting it out. 2 minutes and 3" of electrical tape and It was back to moving in the right direction.
I believe you have seen my friends Willy's before, he joined on this trip because he needed a shakedown run too after having the truck off the road for 9 months.
This thing is a BEAST!
I bypassed that wash, haha. Didnt need to embarrass myself with my lack of flex.
Our group:
1 built TJ, an XJ, the Willys, the Wag, and an F150 (who invited that guy!? haha)
A few more pictures...
Riding with me was my girl, her sister, and her man.
Also riding with me was the newest addition to our family. Meet Bulleit (like the bourbon). He is a 4 year old blue heeler (australian cattle dog) and we adopted him from the shelter on Tuesday. He is proving to be an amazing dog. I think I may have given him a fear of jeeps when I hit that rut, hahaha.
Well, the rest of the trail was uneventful, we hit the saloon had lunch and a beer, partook in the festivities, then headed home.
Lil fella was tuckered out, kept passing out leaning against me, haha
So, overall a good trip. I had my first stuck, minor technical issue as a result of that, but otherwise the truck ran (and stopped!) great. Awesome day out in the desert with friends.
Thanks for reading!
Last edited:
reece146
Automotive Artist
I always chuckle out loud when I see this differential cover.
It sounds like you are on the path to getting the last of the details sorted.
Wicked cool truck, now keep up the maintenance and just enjoy it.
Dr. Marneaus
Station Wagoneer
Haha, yeah, its okay though, for the price I paid and I'm never even gonna put a ding in it.
Buddy took a few pics too, a bit nicer than mine.
captainauti
New member
looking good Dr. thanx again for your help with mine. the twin.