The 2k expo rig

[preacherman]

TF transmissions are an easy rebuild, a master overhaul kit is usually around $175, a rebuilt convertor about $75, and pick up quite possibly one of the best transmission specific rebuild manuals here http://www.txchange.com/atsg.htm for about $20 and give it a shot if you are inclined to take it on. You will need access to a parts solvent tank, a small press (arbor, hydraulic-even the bottle jack style), and a couple of seal installation tools (I've gotten away with feeler gauges and a gentle hand for years). I love the build, happy trails.
Mark.

If a rebuild is in my future I may give that a try. One the one hand it looks like a big job (all those clutch packs!) but on the other hand, I love a good challenge...time will be my enemy. My summer mission trips all start next month.

 

[Root Moose]

Don't forget to swap out the first gear for something lower! (IIRC 2.45:1 vs 2.77:1)

 

[ntsqd]

The only fluid better able to find a place to leak out of than ATF is diesel fuel. Could just be a pan gasket. People have a tendency to over-tighten the pan bolts, which distorts the pan's gasket rail, which causes the leak that they were trying to avoid by making sure that the bolts were tight.

I'd try a simple trans filter service first. While you have the pan off check the gasket rail for being flat. If it is not, find a suitable workbench edge or even a wood fence post and use the ball end of a ball-pien hammer to gently persuade the high points to be flat again.

 

[dirty Bakers]

We want one too.

 

[preacherman]

Ok first let me apologize for my absence. Since I am the do mission work almost all summer long this is my busy season.

I am not going to lie, I have had some major setbacks on this build. I returned from a mission trip that was only a week long and there was about 2qts of tranny fluid on my driveway. A closer look reveled that the tranny is leaking, it appears to be from the rear output shaft seal but the only way to tell is separate the transfer and tranny, something I don't have time to do. I dropped the pan a few weeks ago and it had lots of metal shaving in it.

While investigating the tranny leak I found out why my transfer case would not shift into gear. It was a vacuum leak. My excitement in finding a quick fix was suddenly taken aback by the fact that it sounds like rocks grinding in my transfer case, no doubt something is way wrong, the sound is too hanus to be half way bad.

So I am contemplating my next move. I can either:
1 push forward and fix the transmission and transfer case
2 sell it and start over

I did some investigating and I can get the tranny rebuilt for $1,200 and the stronger 205 case for another $300. So the "fix" would be about $1,500 without drive shafts. I am told that I can reuse my rear drive shaft but that the front has to be lengthened. I figured another $150 for that.

I am really torn about what to do. I have a lot of work in this thing but at some point it feels like I am polishing a turd... right now my total investment is about $1200. It's the age old builder questions, spend another $1,500 or sell it and use the $1,000 or so I could get and get something else.

any suggestions/thoughts?

 

[Weasel Mender]

polishing the turd

IMHO you are NOT polishing a turd spending another $1500 or $2000 on that Waggie! What you are doing is taking a VERY SOLID platform to a place that you will have to do nothing but routine maintainence for 10 years or so. Selling it and starting over with a $1000 vehicle will probably leave you where you STARTED with this vehicle, is that where you want to be?:Wow1: I am at the same place with my XJ, I have the build to a place that I can breath easy for a while. then the expensive fun starts, locked Waggie 44s fromt and rear. What I am saying is hold what you've got, hover in place for a while if you need to and finish that Waggie

Weasel

 

[preacherman]

Yea I should have clarified, if I get something else I am going to use the $1,000 I could get out of it as a down payment and get something a little nicer.

 

[Root Moose]

Something nicer as in a different platform or a better example of a FSJ?

You don't have time right now. Will you have time in the winter? If so, consider rebuilding the drivetrain yourself. If that is an option go do your other more important work for the summer and re-visit in the fall.

Another option is to get used JY parts. Most places around here have some form of warranty (30 day or so). Must be similar down there?

To sell the FSJ to get a "better" one for $1k more may just mean ending up in the same place again with more drivetrain parts that need attention. If you are second guessing that you really want an FSJ then ditch it. Otherwise keep the faith as it were.

 

[IllianaXJ]

If you decide to sell it, there is another VERY clean FSJ in CA for cheap.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=102271


On the other hand, I would keep it. You have already put $$ into tires and general maintenance, who says you wouldn't have to do that to something else?

A quick search on car-part.com shows a lot of TF727 transmissions in TX around the $200 mark, it would get you through until a rebuild could be afforded/done. For the expedition-style wheeling, a NP229 would work just fine. You may get lucky and find another one or a 205 in a JY as well.

Just as a teaser, here's a pic of mine after the Rusty's 4" lift. Needs tires, but I still love it.

FWIW I have dumped a lot more into this rig than I had planned also; valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, TFI conversion, lift, etc. In the end it is still worth it to have a vehicle without a car payment.

 

[BKCowGod]

I'ma have to stay on the "keep it" side of things... I would rather have a small turd I know than a big turd I don't know.

Toss a junkyard tranny in it, rebuild yours when you have time, and call it a day.

re: the transfer case, pardon the idiot check but did you follow proper procedure? Some of those x-cases had specific rules regarding hi-lo shifts and the like, and will grind like rocks if you don't do it right.

 

[Ca. Bowhunter]

Keep that truck they take a bit of work and are a little temperamental but man they ride great. You will always wish that you kept it after getting rid of it so don't.

Here is ours.
Randy and Rhonda

 

[jeepmedic46]

I would keep it, Work on it when you can and in the end it will be worth it.:smiley_drive:

 

[evilfij]

Ok first let me apologize for my absence. Since I am the do mission work almost all summer long this is my busy season.

I am not going to lie, I have had some major setbacks on this build. I returned from a mission trip that was only a week long and there was about 2qts of tranny fluid on my driveway. A closer look reveled that the tranny is leaking, it appears to be from the rear output shaft seal but the only way to tell is separate the transfer and tranny, something I don't have time to do. I dropped the pan a few weeks ago and it had lots of metal shaving in it.

While investigating the tranny leak I found out why my transfer case would not shift into gear. It was a vacuum leak. My excitement in finding a quick fix was suddenly taken aback by the fact that it sounds like rocks grinding in my transfer case, no doubt something is way wrong, the sound is too hanus to be half way bad.

So I am contemplating my next move. I can either:
1 push forward and fix the transmission and transfer case
2 sell it and start over

I did some investigating and I can get the tranny rebuilt for $1,200 and the stronger 205 case for another $300. So the "fix" would be about $1,500 without drive shafts. I am told that I can reuse my rear drive shaft but that the front has to be lengthened. I figured another $150 for that.

I am really torn about what to do. I have a lot of work in this thing but at some point it feels like I am polishing a turd... right now my total investment is about $1200. It's the age old builder questions, spend another $1,500 or sell it and use the $1,000 or so I could get and get something else.

any suggestions/thoughts?

Used transmission and t-case can't be more than a few hundred and the TF727 is strong so I bet a used unit would be fine. You are being cheap about this thing and then thinking about spedning $1500 on fresh rebuilt stuff. I am not sure I get it.

 

[bobDog]

Just found the thread....always wanted one of these....several nice ones in town here. Keep it! Junkyard tranny! Just subscribed so waiting for you to come back! :wings:

 

[preacherman]

Used transmission and t-case can't be more than a few hundred and the TF727 is strong so I bet a used unit would be fine. You are being cheap about this thing and then thinking about spedning $1500 on fresh rebuilt stuff. I am not sure I get it.

I live in a smaller town (100,000 people) and used parts have been much harder to find than I expected. The closest used transmission I have found is two hours away (one way). Most are in the Dallas/ Ft Worth area 5 hours away (one way) So if I go that route it will be at least a half day trip to pick it up and then if something goes wrong I am out that much time again to get it warranted.
My original intention was to build a cheap wheeler/daily driver. What I am questioning is wither that is possible in my situation. If/when I get the tranny fixed I still have to replace all 4 bent leaf springs, and the ac that broke two days ago (the compressor went out last week when it was 104):sunny:
I might not be as worried about it if it was not my daily driver. If it was a weekend wheeler than I would just most likely do the cheapest option and wheel the snot out of it. I have discovered that I need it to be at list somewhat reliable. These past two months have been frustrating in that I have realized just how crucial me having a dependable car is. My schedule is simply not that flexible to have lots of time with the car in the driveway broken down. That’s what leads me to think a full rebuild might be best. It was a combination of time, effort, and reliability.