Lifting my 97

[Bray D]

Lets review what happened on that trip.

Drove 5+ hours to wheel. That's not too bad, I've done the same.

Losses power to the entire rearend. Not a good thing, but not necessarily a bad thing.

ASSUMES it's a snapped pinion, and doesn't pull the cover to confirm - fail #1.

Continues to wheel a locked d35, in front wheel drive only, when there's still a 5+ hour drive to get home - fail #2.

Breaks a front shaft, that was almost a given. Still wouldn't have been too bad if the situation was handled properly.

Leaves the broken shaft in and begins the 5+ hr trek back home - fail #3.

Broken, none spinning, shaft ends up wearing into the carrier and axle seal, causing fluid loss and ultimately ending his adventure.

Calls AAA and gets it towed for free - WIN


Most if not all of that could've been prevented. When the power was lost to the rear, pull the cover. He would've seen that the ring gear bolts had just backed out. Probably could've bolted the fawker back on and been fine for the rest of the trip.

After the front shaft broke, he should've taken it out and tried to seal the diff. He probably would've made it home in 1 wheel drive. Or just bring spare shafts.

All that money that's going into the tow rig/ trailer setup could pay for a LOT of spare shafts/joints/driveshafts/etc.

Not baggin on ya Tim, just sayin

 

[metalmacguyver]

Yup.... That weekend was an exercise in stupidity.


I still trailer it because keeping the TTB aligned properly is impossible with how I bend stuff so I would trailer it anyway to prevent destroying tires.



Now for an update..............

Recent work

New pivot bushings
Un-bend front driverside beam.
New Superwinch EP9
Finally built the traction bar.

Finally got around to building a traction bar/drive shaft protector.

New winch!

Went wheeling this weekend at a sick piece of private property.

Started out with some trail maintenance.
My buddy dragging in some logs to build an open top culvert.

This thing was handy. A Mog with a bucket on it.

That little project finished.

We did some other stuff but enough of that.... Heres the wheeling

Dropping off and coming back up a ledge.




Blew some axle shafts.

I let some one else take the wheel for a bit. They did fine.

Found a rock..............

We also did some night wheeling and have some other pics and video. I will post them once the other people get them uploaded.

Here is the carnage!

Steering, full set of axle shafts and 2 repairable tires.

 

[kris97ranger]

how do u repair the sidewall? and it looks like the driveshaft protector works going by the missing paint

 

[metalmacguyver]

I patch it with a regular patch kit. All I need to do is make it hold air again.

 

[Bray D]

Good to see you're back on the trail killin parts Tim!

You guys never cease to impress me with the shear volume of broken shit lol

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Jeezus! Do you every try to go over the obstacles? Or just through them??

 

[Ranger44]

That steering linkage and bent stuff looks preventable to me. Who's your spotter? Lol

 

[metalmacguyver]

Steering carnage is preventable. I have a clearance issue with the strut that keeps the drivers pivot bracket from bending when I hit stuff.

 

[Ranger44]

I really just think you like breaking stuff, maybe for an excuse to work on your truck.... Ha ha

 

[kris97ranger]

im still waiting on 60's haha

 

[metalmacguyver]

Went wheeling again this weekend. Broke something new.

I have hit the drivers beam so many times that the diff housing couldn't take it any more. it cracked pretty good.

Also broke a drivers axle shaft, both tail lights again, dented one of the rollers on my fair lead, re-bent my drivers coil bucket, and found my passenger beam pivot bracket is cracked.

 

[kennykenny]

This thread hasn't seen all that many posts in quite some time, but everytime you check back in you sure make it count.

 

[Kyle M.]

So whats the plan now??? Time to get rid of the D35, seems to me like you grew out of it!

 

[feellnfroggy]

I have to agree with Kyle M. Even Mcguyver knew when to stop tinkering and get his ass the hell out of a bad situation. LOL.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I wonder what would happen if I welded the beams together and added a trac bar................