Marital Bliss
Question: I bought an old Jeep for around our small farm and my wife is not very happy about it. She thinks it's ugly. What can I do to help this situation?
Craig Williams
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: As you know, marriage is all about compromises. At least I assume so since I'm not married like you. The first step in getting approval on this purchase is to make it a gift. Remember when we were all kids and we got Mom that dirtbike for Mother's Day since we all wanted it? The same applies here. Make the Jeep her new gift, explaining that you will take care of it and keep it running and such for her. Now if it truly is an ugly duck then you might need to get some upgrades for it, fuzzy dice and seat covers make the interior a more pleasant place to be, while a fresh coating of camouflage spray paint does wonders for the exterior (plus then you can hide it behind the barn where hopefully she'll forget about it). However, the single best way to get the missus (hi, Ellen) to embrace this new ride, her new ride, is to let her drive it. Once she gets to go mud-wumpin in the back forty she'll be hooked and soon spending her own money on tires, a lift, and lockers. Of course, I may be all wrong and you may end up redoing the kitchen as a way to get out of the doghouse.
High Pinion Upside
Question: I have a pair of Dana 44 spring-over axles under my '90 Jeep YJ. The rear is from a Scout II-stock width, 4:56 gears, and a Detroit Locker. The front is from a mid-'80s Grand Wagoneer, stock width, Lock-Right, Ford 1/2-ton outers, and hi-steer arms. I'm very pleased with this setup. The beefy 3-inch tubes, width, gearing, and steering is all exactly how I want it-except for one thing-the low pinion of the front axle. I've had to notch the skidplate for the driveshaft, I continually bang the yoke, and on a recent trip to Moab one of the ears busted. Is there a way to swap out only the centersection to a high-pinion, and transfer everything from my axles? If not, is it possible to get just a centersection with axletubes set up to my width, allowing me to use my innards?
Walt Brodzinski
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I agree that going to a high-pinion axle is a better choice. It is stronger than a low-pinion when used in the front of your Jeep, plus your driveshafts will be a bit higher, and you can swap almost everything over to a high-pinion axle. However, you will need different gears. Low-pinion gears will not work in a high-pinion housing, but your locker, shafts, knuckles, and inner Cs should be reusable. There are many qualified axle builders who can retube your housing with a high-pinion centersection. Tera Manufacturing (801.288.2585, www.teraflx.com) has its Tera 50 housing which uses Dana 44 internals, and Crane High Clearance (303.917.4851) was showing a Dana 44 centersection at a few shows. Otherwise you may need to find a Ford version and have it put into your Jeep.
Tech Letter of the month:
4-Wheel Taco Swap
Question: I have an '04 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner with a 3.4L V-6 and the four-speed auto tranny. I'm interested in doing a 4WD conversion using parts from the stock four-wheel-drive version. Would this be worth the time, effort, and money and if so, where can I find an OEM distributor that carries the necessary parts or a good used-parts supplier?
Patrick Devlin
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I think you are onto a really good idea, and you have a handful of options. Luckily the Tacoma PreRunner trucks were designed to look like a 4x4 but didn't include four-wheel drive for those buyers that don't want it (as if anyone doesn't want four-wheel drive?!). As such, the frame and front suspension are identical to a 4x4 version except it is missing the front axle and driveshafts. If you want to make it into a really capable rockcrawler you should contact the crew at All-Pro Off Road (951.658.7077, www.allprooffroad.com) or Demello Off Road (714.444.4049, www.demello-offroad.com). They have a solid-axle swap kit (see photo) that could be used to replace the independent front suspension (IFS) with a solid axle for better strength and reliability in extreme off-road situations. If you want to keep the stock IFS-style suspension, then start looking around for someone who has done a solid-axle swap to his or her Tacoma and would be willing to sell you the IFS axle parts cheap. Another option is California MiniTruck (909.622.1381, www.calminitruck.com). They are a recycling yard for Toyotas and they also do repairs and as such could help source quality new or use parts for your 4x4 swap. Finally, you will need a transfer case and front driveshaft. When it comes to Toyota transfer cases, Marlin Crawler (559.252.7295, www.marlincrawler.com) is the king, and not only can they supply you with a quality rebuilt unit, they also offer a dual transfer-case setup for Tacoma's in case you would like more gearing options.