Push on, Titania

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

Decided to start my 79 chief build. I got her after I enlisted and she is my first vehicle. As are most jeeps she is cantankerous and stubborn but in great shape. Body has minimal rust. the onle major area was the floor boards which I already cut out and replaced. A few months after I got her I had to get the tranny rebuilt so I had to put off rebuilding her because I was cashless

Titania is coming along. This is what I have already done.

rebuilt tranny
Replaced Starter along with tranny fix
had to bring starter back in because it was defective.
tore out carpet and screwed in new floor pans. <<Need to weld them in.
Replaced Neglected QT
Replaced header gaskets
Tore out remaining interior side panels
Replaced broken side mirror
Replaced belts
Replace front axle ball joints
Reseal transfer case adapter
Make sure I installed QT correctly and is not in E drive
Replace engine mounts.
Change power steering fluid
My wipers fell off so I replaced those
Replaced Ujoints in front axle and drive shafts
New 31" Tires <<yeah I know why 31's? they look great and I'm not ready to go bigger yet. yet is key
Removed an old coffee can containing a handful of screws and a S***ton of dead flies
Cleaned up and fixed worn DC joint

My immediate plans are

Replace steering shaft
replace oil sending unit/temperature sensor
Check axle shaft <<might be bent or bad bearing
Blasted clunking is still present.
Fix fuel gauge/sending unit
Repaint mirrors
Find some trails to get lost on for a few hours.

Future hotness

replace fuel/break lines
Weld in Floor pans and cover with monstaliner
replace Body mounts. Possibly body lift
Put passanger seat and seat belts back in.
custome door and interior panels. Thinking diamand plate
replace headliner
Make overhead console to hold maglight and fire extinguisher
Improve and tune up suspension and steering.
Build roof rack tire carrior
Add some lights and switches in the interior
Window tint
Pignose is cracked in some places so I'm thinking of changing it out
I really don't want the interior to look like a stock cherokee.
And Much needed AC since I'm in tucson

[Gumby]

Well Mayo it is about time, welcome aboard. You have a list like the rest of us good to see you got some progress going on this one. As I said when we met get the word out.... we are only around the corner.

[Tad]

Nice looking project, welcome aboard.

[jsinajeep]

Welcome, from Globe

[rstep]

Welcome from Tucson.

[jaber]

Welcome from the high dessert...

[will e]

Do we know this guy?

Welcome from Phoenix.

[66stepside]

Welcome to the fray from Spokane, WA.!

[twisted frame]

Nice Cherokee! No need for a heater core in AZ, huh? Just curious, do you still have the black interior door panels or were they already gone?

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

Thanks For the welcome. Looking forward to meeting everybody. I will be posting some updates soon. Just need to get the right tools this time

Yeah I tossed the heater core. it wasn't much good and was already sitting in the back.

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

Just curious, do you still have the black interior door panels or were they already gone?

Missed this part on the last post. No luck on the door panels. I may have the side panels for right infront of the wheel humps. I took them off when I did the floors but I'm not sure what condition they are in.

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

Almost done with the ball joints. 2 weeks later!!! Note to self make sure every other step doesn't require a specialty tool. I'll post pictures when I get home but it was a real pain. Got the new ball joints seated and all that's left is to de rust the hub gear and re assemble. Good news is I am staying in town this weekend so it will be finished and I can work on getting it to start again. Need an extra pair of hands to test the sparkplugs.

Bad news is the wheeling trip I was hoping to join on the 28th is nolonger an option. WrenchOn

[jaber]

Need an extra pair of hands to test the sparkplugs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... 69023.html

These are very cheap and very helpfull. Then you can reach in to turn it over, and still see it on the valve cover.

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

I may already have one of those. Thanks for reminding me.

Got some Evaporust and caliper paint for the hub assembly. Let it sit overnight and looking forward to painting it and cleaning out the bearings and hub housing.

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

I love the smell of progress in the late evening.

At long last I got the wheel back on. That is one less thing to worry about. At least for that wheel. I have yet to check the rear wheels. I replaced my wheel bearing because, let's face it, they were just a little burnt. So I know that the other wheels need to be maintained relatively soon....When I have more money. Just a little warning for anybody who is a beginner like myself and wants to do this. There are quite a few specialty tools.

Ball joint press
1/2 inch breaker bar with socket to fit lower ball joint nut and ball joint press
I used a pair of needle nose pliars to get off the snap rings but there is a better tool for it
alan wrench for the break calipers
two pickle forks. One kind is made for the tie rod end and another is made to pry the steering knuckle off via the ball joints.
There is a little screw ring thing that the upper ball joint slides into. A new one comes with the new upper ball joints but yeah its in there and you should be able to get it out with a punch rod and a hammer. it has slots for a pronged socket to unscrew it but alast a forget the name.
A large table clamp to hold the steering knuckle when removing and installing the ball joints.

Sorry for the rather shody help but I wouldn't want to prevent anybody from having a good expletive shouting time. You might find solace in the fact that I goofed up many times. Often having to unbolt things a few times because I forgot a step. I had a hard time getting the break caliper back on and was wondering if while in park the front brakes should be clamped? Picture below* Engine was off and wasn't sure whether I goofed up again.

lastly I got her purring once again. All she needed was a drink. Took less time to get her running than it did trying to get one damn spark plug back in.

Here is an immediate tasks list.

Seal transfer case leak
Install front drive shaft
Make sure QT isn't in E drive
Replace Engine mounts
Check oil and coolant levels

After that I'll feel confident about hitting the backtop.

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

Progress!!! I was able to get her on a lift over the weekend so I resealed the transfer case and it's defintely not in E Drive. So Both DriveShafts are in and she isn't leaking. But she is still popping when turning so after I get the motor mounts on I will change the power steering fluid and see if that helps.

On a side note I broke my tow strap after a big storm knocked down a few trees and I tried to move them. I didn't think they were that heavy.

[jaber]

But she is still popping when turning so after I get the motor mounts on I will change the power steering fluid and see if that helps.

Check the u-joints in the front axle inside the knuckles.

[Gumby]

Great running into you at the shop on Saturday also thanks for helping me with my rig.... late

[TitaniaDieKrieger]

U joints seem to be good. I put it on jack stands and with the wheel turned to lock I rotated the wheels and they didnt bind, pop, or show any play. The hunt continues

No problem. The day would have been much longer for the both of us

[Gumby]

Well I know you have new tires and if you had them balanced the weights may be hitting the TRE. Ask me hos I know... I had the same issue and I took a closer look just now and that weight is hitting on mine. I may just pluck it off or let that piece of lead just wear itself down.