As promised, here are some more crappy shots that I took today after I got done replacing the rear main seal. It was leaking quite profusely. Otherwise, I've replaced the gear oil with Redline MT90 and it made the syncros feel a little better, however there is some mechanical damage to 2ng gear syncro. I might look into replacing it all together.


Pardon the greasy jeans. Like I said, I just finished with the rear main seal.


Surely, this is a 5-speed.


Just about a quarter million miles!










This is with the oilpan off, getting ready to pull the rear main. Thanfully trans didn't need to be removed to get to it and it's a 2-piece design. This made the job fairly easy. The motor look in decent shape, especially considering the miles. There wasn't much sludge at all! I did break off an oil pan bolt when I was putting it back in, however I was lucky and was able to get it out with an extractor.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

Oh yeah, I inadvertently took a bath in gear oil today. My head, my glasses and my shoulders.

I still smell like it after a long-ass shower.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

My condolences, that stuff smells teeeerrrrrible.

Nice Jeep! Glad you finally got what you wanted.

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1986 Mazda RX-7 sport ^ blown engine
1986 Mazda RX-7 base > Project car

Awesome. That is a do want.

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1994 Corolla - 1990 Miata

Yes, thanks. I'll take that, considering that what I really want is a TJ Rubicon with a 4.5" longarm kit, 2" body lift, sliders, skids, a 36" tire carrier, winch bumpers (with said winch in the front) running on 36" Iroks.



Just like this:

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

Give us the lowdown on the rust situation with this beast

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1994 Corolla - 1990 Miata

The driver side rocker seems to have suffered more than the passenger, however mainly just surface rust. However, there is some significant rust underneath both rockers. There are no holes, however. The XJ is known for the rocker rust issue and I remember last year looking at one that literally didn't have any rockers left. If looked at from below, there's some peeling like a layer cake, but not bad.

The Cherokee is a unibody, however there are structural rails that support the platform and the drivetrain. Those are in great shape. Even the undercoating still remains on both in all areas. It seems that the Jeep has been washed well in its life and this warded off some of the rust issues.

Frankly, the rockers are weldable and this is common fix. You cut the rockers, weld pre-formed ones back on and herculine the damned things. Looks good.

I feel that the jeep is wheelable, even given some of the rust. I don't believe that having the truck "crossed up" and putting torsional tension on the body would impact it negatively.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

I think you should fix what there is of the rust, then bedline the shit out of all it. Win.

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1994 Corolla - 1990 Miata

I'm actually considering tearing out the carpet and belining the entire interior. I will also find any rust this way if it's present.

The floorboards feel solid but it's an issue with the Cherokees as well, especially on the passenger side, where the exhaust is closer.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

But first, I want to see if I can score some Liberty wheels with stock tires. The truck will need new tires after the winter anyway.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

Now I want to see and experience this thing

Elaborate on the mad-tyte jdm yo transmission, please.

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1994 Corolla - 1990 Miata

Oh and I'm gonna make a trip to a junkard for a new driver's seat, front grille and other trim pieces. The front grill is cracked and rattling and the driver side seat does not lock in in the all the way back position. I have to go up a notch. Annoying because there's not that much room to begin with for me. Like in most cars anyway.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

The trans is an Aisin AX-15. I believe they were putting it in the 4.0 Jeeps from like 92 to 2001 or something silly. It's regarded as very reliable and tough, however it does seem to develop issues with a second gear syncro once it gets up there in mileage. This is the issue that I'm currently having. Sometimes the syncro just doesn't wanna go in without a gripe. If I deem this truck as a keeper, I will be looking at rebuilding with new syncros.

I've been reading about it and it seems that it's not that outrageous if only syncros need rebuilt. Can be done for less than $400 at a shop.

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'12 Chevy Sonic 1.4T 6MT
'08 Giant Trance 1

The ad's still up:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/2108841187.html

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1994 Corolla - 1990 Miata

$400 for a full rebuild or just the 2nd gear synchro?

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1994 Corolla - 1990 Miata