Used the 4x4 finally

[Josh B]

Are there new seals still available for those hubs? There's a thin rubber-band looking thing that follows a groove I suppose, around the hub and seals the outer hub when the lug bolts are tightened. Can those still be purchased new?

 

[sgtsandman]

Did you go from the New Castle side of Broad Run or the side near Mt Union? My friend in Paint Bank(the reason I built my Bronco ) just picked up an 86 EB BII and would probably love to check that road out.

New Castle is in Western PA. No where close to where Eric is.

 

[Curious Hound]

Are there new seals still available for those hubs? There's a thin rubber-band looking thing that follows a groove I suppose, around the hub and seals the outer hub when the lug bolts are tightened. Can those still be purchased new?

It's been a while since I researched replacement parts. I don't remember what's available from Warn or Milemarker. The thin rubber band thing you mention is called an "O-ring". They are common in mechanical assemblies and come in thousands of sizes and different materials. I found the dimensions for that one and ordered a bag of 25 of them from McMaster-Carr several years ago for less than 10 dollars.

 

[James Morse]

Yes I have the oem auto hubs, truck is totally stock except somebody put 235/75R15's on and it came with 265/75R15's so I'll be switching back to those (most likely 31x10.5 as there are a lot more choices and it's basically identical). I think it's lifted 2" oem I see blocks in back.

@RumPunch I go up Rt 311 past Abbot so that's the New Castle side. Seems like you can loop back to 311 on Wildlife Rd, or stay on it a long ways all the way up to County 748. Have you been on the whole thing? Mostly the road is pretty good - rough, but not challenging, and I don't think the creek crossings are bad, the water was just a bit high and with little experience I tend to be overly cautious. So I'll go back up there again when water is down.

Eric how did you end up in such deep water? I like the remote-air-tubes this could save a bunch of work.

I originally got on here because of the '99 B3000, had a bunch of stuff I had to fix on it (it's good now) then I wanted 4x4 so I asked a bunch of questions about the different gens and as a result got the '97 which so far I really like. Granted it's old, but miles (125k) not bad, seems in good shape, I need to do more checks on some things like diff levels and so on just maintenance checks I hope. The only thing I know about right now that's missing is I don't have the door jamb sticker for it and I have everything I need except the breakout of F/R axle reserve and F/R gross which I have to believe is somehow tied into the springs spec so that's kind of ongoing puzzle.

As to mods, I don't know... eventually bumpers, hitches, winch, rock bars.... just in the thinking stages about that stuff. Tires are the biggest thing, right now, and I'm pondering getting another rim so I can have full size spare, but then would have to mount it on bumper, or in bed. I don't think it'll ever be modded to the point I could go over Potts Mt road that looks really bad.

 

[James Morse]

Interesting.... McMaster-Carr is where I get brass rod and sheet for clavichord parts, they have the correct half-hard type. Very cool vendor.

 

[RumPunch]

@James Morse i have not been on it. Possibly bringing it next weekend for a maiden voyage though to the Willis area. Waiting on a few final touches.

 

[James Morse]

OK thanks I don't understand if you are in Walkerton then Willis is like 4 hrs away? If you were on the highway you'd pass right by Roanoke.

 

[RumPunch]

OK thanks I don't understand if you are in Walkerton then Willis is like 4 hrs away? If you were on the highway you'd pass right by Roanoke.

Yes I have been through Roanoke etc and down 311 but only been out there 2-3 times and always a day trip pulling either a truck or equipment. My brother lives in Willis at Buffalo Mountain and my friend in Paint Bank.

 

[James Morse]

There must be some good off roads both those places. Well if you end up coming thru Roanoke let me know you should stop by?

 

[Curious Hound]

how did you end up in such deep water?

I was on a night ride with a local Jeep club. There were 3 choices at that location.
1. Drive across the smooth concrete crossing through the creek just above the waterfall.
2. Take the bypass and cross through the creek about 100ft below the waterfall.
3. Take the bypass. But once you get in the creek, turn left and climb the waterfall.

Choices 1 and 2 are boring. I watched a Jeep get in there. So I knew how deep the water was. At that point, there was no fear. The rest of the trail ride was just easy gravel roads that a Miata with flat tires could drive on.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

It's been a while since I researched replacement parts. I don't remember what's available from Warn or Milemarker. The thin rubber band thing you mention is called an "O-ring". They are common in mechanical assemblies and come in thousands of sizes and different materials. I found the dimensions for that one and ordered a bag of 25 of them from McMaster-Carr several years ago for less than 10 dollars.

I did much the same thing, except I decided to try the X-rings since that makes for 4 points of contact instead of one. Dunno if it makes a significant difference or not. Actually ended up ordering them twice because between the time I first ordered them and when I actually went to use them, there was enough time for me to misplace the first set, so I bought another pack. Only 5 in a pack though for those. I can get the part number later.