I wish you luck, but more than that, I wish you would get back on the trails. You pretty much got a lot of us interested in this make of vehicle by pioneering the way and posting about what worked...and what didn't. I know you learned a lot and so did I, just by watching and reading.

Hope you catch a break and get a solid runner out of all of this.

John B.

Just got in a little while ago. Thanks for the support. We picked the truck up Wednesday, put out an electrical fire I created,(dont ask) installed yet another new battery as apparently sears batteries dont like to sit....And blasted out to Utah. Almost immediately on dirt we realized the valve guide seals are shot. I know, I should have replaced them with the swap since its an old engine and had been sitting for awhile, but they will have to be fixed before any other trip. I dont think the power is quite what the old engine was before swallowing butterfly's, but other then valve seals it seems to run good. I need to save up dollars for seals, skids and roof rack. As well as handle some small odds and ends. We did Hole-N-The-Rock as a break in trail, and I will do a separate write up. in the 7 years I was out of wheeling that trail has gotten NASTY and much longer due to like a 20mile long bi-pass. A few notes;

1. From a pure capability stand point its an all out monster. I had to back up a couple times and we drove in and later flopped into huge pot holes but got out, no winching.(you got to see that crazy canyon) Hard to touch anything. 4:1 t/case is barely adequate with 37s believe it or not! Off-road ride is really nice.
2. The 5" LED back up lights are the BOMB.
3. Alternator upgrade--not really tested.
4. Our new trasharoo is awesome.(rich guys lost it on the trail to the Rincon)
5. Truck is tippy, but wide stance makes it predictable, with limited tire stands.
6. Managed to get engine warm,(not hot) with back up fan not working on the dugway out of lake Powell.

Glad to hear you got out wheeling man! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> THink you'll make the sierra's this year? we got all the details pretty much hammered out still gotta update the post.

Finally put some dirt under the truck. This is great news lloyd. get the valve seals replaced and it will gain a little bit of power back. maybe down the road when the time is right you can do a dual case set up if you need more than 4:1. At least it's on the road again. Now it's time to give it hell. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

The problem with the Sierras is you guys set it up after school starts, and Dakota starts school this year. We are wanting to set something up but have to move it up.

See, I wondered that, these are worse then others I have had which I replaced soon after smoke started. So you loose a bit of compression with leaky seals? Not to mention diluted fuel....

Also need to trim some plastic I forgot to mention. Rubbing seemed to really just be catching some trim, no metal. So some plastic chopping at the rear front wheel wells is on tap.

Dont get me wrong, 4:1 will get the job done, but I could see where at this tire size more would work. I am still on the fence with 37's as well. The clearance, and the help of the taller tire on nasty stuff is wonderful, but power loss and the risk of breakage still has me wondering. I had to get on the skinny pedal a few times at a couple of spicy locations and it made me nervous....

Oh, another note. I think I am over the idea of a rear bumper. You guys are right,(again) why add another 100lbs of weight. The utilitarian function is growing on me.

Awesome, good to see you finally enjoying the rig. Makes it all worthwhile.

Yes on the valve seals. You do loose a little power from valve seals Being bad. Couldn't tell you how much though.

over the last several months I have thought about going to 37's. But the only real gain from it is the ground clearance. There is alot more negative affects going to 37's Like power loss, breakage, and the big one is cost. You already running the spacers and 17" wheels is money ahead. I would have that cost plus tires that cost 400 a peice. I'm probably going to run 35's for a while, they do the trick fine for now and I can get a tire at half the cost of a 37, almost. That 4:1 case is by far the way to roll these day. especially when we start looking at stock gearing. You would have to run 2+ stock cases to come to what the rubicon case puts out. If you did go 35's down the road that will also help the gearimg. Although, the look of 37's on a gen 2 looks bad <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />.

As for rear bumpers I've ran with out for a while. I will eventually get something on my truck. But the main purpose is to carry the weight of a 35" spare tire. I don't like that tire hanging on the back door. I know it holds but I would feel better with it supported my a bumper, not a door. I like the way Johnnys bumper sits. I would be into something similar if I can put a tire swing on it. Simple and high up. Looks clean too.

Got some projects done this weekend.

1. Pulled the AC fan out that was accidentally hooked to the positive instead of negative terminal.(not really mechanics fault)
2. Installed the hot shower, with a more user friendly under the hood mount.
3. Fixed yet more air leaks with that cursed air pressure gauge.
4. Trimmed some more plastic.
5. Finally capped the breather tubes.

Just little work on free weekends and I should begin to see the light soon...

Any offroad pics?