Messages

1

Technical Advice and Questions / central display and interior lights

« on: June 03, 2017, 07:09:52 pm »

Recently removed my central display (irritating thing in the lower central part of the dash/console on my 97 ZJ) - noticed the other night that my interior lights don't work and my CEL is on constantly - could there be a connection?

Cheers

Steve

2

Technical Advice and Questions / Steering wheel replacement

« on: December 03, 2016, 11:09:01 am »

Ok - I know that this isn't sanctioned by the government but that's their problem not mine - were I to replace the steering wheel in my ZJ with a Grant aftermarket wheel would it be possible to jumper the airbag plug so that the passanger side airbag would still be functional and so the airbag light wouldn't come on?
I'd really like to change the wheel on my Grand, don't give a hoot about cruise control and have never been a fan of airbags.

Cheers

Steve

3

Technical Advice and Questions / 97 ZJ coolant sensor resistance

« on: October 06, 2016, 07:42:24 am »

Anyone know what the resistance should be for a properly operating coolant level switch on a '97 ZJ?  If I leave it plugged in I get an occasional "coolant sensor bad" message; if I disconnect it the message is constant; if I jumper the plug (complete the circuit) I get a constant "coolant level low" - obviously the correct resistance is somewhere between zero and infinity.
I check my underhood fluids every time I fill up (habit my father instilled in me 50+ years ago) - if I knew what resistance was "normal and correct" I'd just buy a resistor and put it in the circuit, abandoning the switch.
thanks much


steve

4

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: transfer case ID

« on: August 07, 2016, 06:04:18 pm »

Larry

Thanks for the info - I'll pop her onto the ramps tomorrow and take a peek.

All the best

Steve

5

Technical Advice and Questions / transfer case ID

« on: July 20, 2016, 07:50:20 pm »

Ok - potentially dumb question - I have a '97 ZJ - the shifter would indicate that it's a 242 tcase - I've never been able to have it 4WD all time - now a "technician" at sprawlmart made a mistake, thought the t-case shifter was the e-brake - since then the "part time" light has been illuminated on the message board above the console.
I assume that adjustment different for the 231 or 242 cases - from under the jeep what's the easiest way to figure out which t-case I have and what's the best way to make the adjustment?
It is NOT in 4WD - I drove it through some mud and gunned it - only the rears turned - then pulled the lever into 4WD H - fronts spun as well - then 4WD Lo - again - one front and 2 rears spun (it's got the factory LSD in the rear) - but I'd like to fix the indicator in case someone other than I needs to drive it.

Thanks in advance

Steve

6

Technical Advice and Questions / 1997 ZJ 4.0 5spd conversion

« on: June 28, 2016, 09:58:13 pm »

Question - do any of you have experience replacing an automatic trans with a 5 speed?  I drive my '97 ZJ about 190 miles a day commuting (yes, that's right, 190 miles a day at 18.3mpg) - given the roads I'm on I'd prefer a manual trans (most of the vehicles I've owned were manuals) - other than the obvious (flywheel, bell housing, clutch assembly and the transmission itself), given how "computer bound" these vehicles are is it even possible (without resorting to a mallory dual point ignition and a holley 2bbl carb), thereby ridding the vehicle of all computer dependence)?
I suppose that re-gearing would be in order as well, as I'd lose the multiplying effect of the torque converter .... as full  disclosure it's sitting on a 2" lift with 31's - not dedicated to the idea (been considering a diesel swap with a manual as well) - but just pondering the probability - as this isn't going to be as cut and dried as plugging a 454 into a '67 impala ...

Cheers

Steve

7

General Discussion / Vintage Jeep wagon spotted at Adams Rescue Mission on route 30 East of Gettysbur

« on: May 15, 2016, 12:27:29 pm »

Spotted this at the ARM East of GB on Route 30 - it has been there for quite a while (> 6 months) - looks great for 20 feet - paint shows some orange peel when you get up close and personal - anyhow - if this isn't the appropriate forum relocate it -

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/stevehorn1/library/Jeep%20Wagon%20For%20sale

8

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: Jk Heater Woes

« on: January 09, 2016, 05:24:33 pm »

Had a slick un-seat itself at ATCO in Jersey back in the late 70's (after which I ran sheet metal screws through the rims and into the beads) - one of the guys in the pits demonstrated how starter spray could help the situation - it garnered the attention of a lot of officials ..... '63 Impala, 409 dual quad SS, 4spd, highly modified - "street legal" and ran low 10's .....

9

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: Jk Heater Woes

« on: January 08, 2016, 05:24:33 pm »

The heat flapper doors are typically controlled by pneumatic valves (vacuum) - I'd suggest that they check under the dash - either a vacuum tube is disconnected OR the membrane upon which the vacuum acts to open the flapper valve is knackered.  A fun way to determine this is to use starter spray (have a fire extinguisher VERY HANDY) with the engine at idle - shoot it at the vacuum hoses under the dash - if the engine revs up you either have a bad line OR a knackered membrane - replace as required and get heat to BOTH sides of the transmission tunnel!

Again - if you opt for the starter spray make damned certain you have someone nearby (preferably leaning in on the passenger side) with a fire extinguisher at the ready (pin pulled, hand on trigger) just in case -

As an aside, starter spray can also be used to mount or re-seat tires on the trail - nifty experiment in physical chemistry!

Cheers

Steve

10

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: 97 ZJ OBD1 code 12

« on: January 05, 2016, 04:29:28 pm »

Curious about this - it still happens from time to time in my ZJ - apparently it means that the ignition has lost power sometime during the last 50 key cycles - it tends to go away after a couple of start cycles without disconnecting the negative terminal - has no impact on performance but I'm one of those irritating people who likes to know why something is happening - weather doesn't matter, velocity doesn't matter, road (or lack there of) doesn't matter - I can be pulling out of an ACNB onto 30, it'll come on; I can be doing 75MPH on I81, it'll come on, rain, snow, hot, cold - any ideas what I can check to eliminate this occasional fly in the ointment of what is otherwise a very trouble free ride?  My wife says don't worry about it, my friends say don't worry about it and my mechanic says don't worry about it (maybe the best thing to do would be to remove the CEL bulb!) -

Thanks in advance

Steve

11

Work In Progress / Re: New shocks and a boost for the ZJ!

« on: December 15, 2015, 04:05:46 pm »

Jack

Thanks for the info - the old shocks were the original (200K on 'em) - offered no resistance after I took 'em off - handling difference is amazing - did not use the skyjacker bump stops (why would I want to decrease articulation??) - if anyone in the club wants/needs them they can let me know - no cost - otherwise they'll occupy space on a shelf in the garage (along with a lot of other "stuff") - sometime in Jan or Feb I'll replace the tires - planning on 31's - will take/post some pics tomorrow -

Cheers

Steve

12

For Sale - NON Jeep Related / Re: FREE SAAB WHEELS

« on: December 10, 2015, 08:43:36 pm »

They're free for the taking - sorry for not getting back to you sooner - drop a text at 7174792754 - we can figure out an exchange location - won't be in tomorrow morning but will be around tomorrow afternoon and Sunday -

13

Work In Progress / New shocks and a boost for the ZJ!

« on: December 10, 2015, 06:30:21 pm »

Will post pictures tomorrow (when it's back together!) - new shocks and a 2" budget boost (spacers) for the ZJ - not "radical" but hey - we're only in the 2nd year of our relationship!  Vacillating between 30/9/5 and 31/10.5's on stock wheels - leaning towards the 31's sometime after the holidays (come on Santa!!!!).

14

General Discussion / Re: Happy Thanksgiving

« on: November 29, 2015, 07:01:20 pm »

Hope you all had a great holiday - I found out that I'm going to be a grandfather in June!!!!!  First grand child - guess I'll put that lift kit on hold and buy a swingset instead!

Steve

15

General Discussion / Re: Schedule 40 pipe

« on: November 23, 2015, 05:15:29 pm »

I'd use DOM (drawn over mandrel) tubing, not schedule 40.  When I was in high school a friend built a "roll cage" for his topless home built dune buggy out of pipe (didn't know how to weld so he juts bought 90's, street 90's an T fittings) and got really lucky in a roll over - he got thrown clear and the cage collapsed.  Schedule 40 is fine for its' intended use - transfer of gas or liquid from point A to point B - it doesn't have the structural integrity of a good piece of DOM chrome moly tubing ...
Just the opinion of an old fool - but I've survived a LOT by listening to myself ...

Cheers

Steve