Tinfoil Trouble
Question: My Jeep was making a soft, tinny sound like tinfoil or a rattle, then it started to make a grinding sound when I backed up. When I looked under, I saw that the heat sheet was rubbing on the driveshaft. As I crawled under to bend it up, I saw that both were completely loose and just floating on top of the exhaust system, rattling around. Do I really need these?
Ben W.
Via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Yes, without heatshields there is the possibility of heat passing through the floor and melting carpet or the soles of your shoes. This may not be common on snowy winter days, but if you drive long distances on hot summer days, it is possible. I've seen it happen in an older Jeep Cherokee. Either replace them or get some long metal hose clamps or wire and tie them back into place.
Axle ID Please
Question: I have an '82 CJ-7 with the stock Dana 30 front and AMC rear axles. I recently got a set of axles from a friend who used to own a towing company and who, over the years, collected a lot of vehicles and parts. The front axle is a Dana 44 with the differential on the passenger side, and the rear is a full-floating eight-lug that I think is a Dana 60. The problem is that I don't know what vehicle these axles came out of, and I don't want to start getting parts for them if I'm not completely sure what these axles are. So do all Dana 60 rears use matching ring-and-pinions? And do all Dana 44s with the diff on the passenger side use matching parts? Is there some way I could run the numbers in the axles to find out exactly what they are?
D. Baker
Answer: Hopefully both your front and rear axles are eight-lug variants. This will be good because then you don't need to change the Dana 44 over to an eight-lug hub. The internal components for both a Dana 44 and Dana 60 have stayed somewhat the same for many years; however, a high-pinion front axle uses unique gears, and some of the late-model variants like those found in the new Jeep JK Wrangler use unique gears as well.
Since you said the front differential is on the passenger side, I will guess it is from a Dodge, GM, or Jeep vehicle. Knowing exactly what you have is important, yet even if you run the build numbers (they're stamped in the axletubes) with a Dana parts house such as Six State Distributors (800.453.5703, www.sixstates.com) or National Drivetrain (866.427.0080, www.nationaldrivetrain.com), it is hard to know what has been changed inside the housing as far as gears and lockers go. Looking on the differential cover for a small steel tag near one of the cover bolts is a good first step, as the ratio is usuallly stamped in it along with possibly a mark denoting some sort of traction-aiding device like a locker or limited slip.
Another method to determine if there is a locker inside is to put the axle on jackstands and paint a mark on the pinion flange and on one brake rotor or drum. First turn one of the wheel ends and watch the other wheel end. If they turn the same way you may have a locker or limited slip of some sort. If not, you most likely have an open differential, a worn-out limited slip, or some sort of selectable locker.
Next, line up the paint marks on your wheel end and have a friend hold the other wheel end tight if you have an open differential. Slowly turn the marked wheel end two complete rotations and count the number of turns the pinion makes. (If you have a locker, turn it just one revolution.) This is the ratio of pinion rotations to ring-gear rotations. For example, if the pinion turns just a hair more than four times, you probably have 4.10 gears. If slightly less than four times you might have 3.73. This is just an estimate, but it should verify if your front and rear ends have the same ratio. The best method is to pull the carrier, have it identified by your local axle parts house, and count the ring-and-pinion gears to verify ratios. But by that point you will also have the bearings and parts out and can start looking for worn parts and the stamped part numbers to replace them.
More Than Just Stickers
Question: I drive an '04 Ford Ranger 4x4 with the 4.0L, a 5.5-inch RCD coil lift, 33x12.5 Pro Comp M/Ts, a full exo-skeleton, 4.10 gears, a Superchip, a K&N air intake, and a Flowmaster exhaust. I'm really big into rockcrawling, mudding, and running trails. I was wondering if you know of any sponsors that would like to help out with my vehicle. I want to start putting it into competitions and trail groups.
Brennan Wright
Via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I discussed your question with some guys that get sponsorship for rockcrawling, and here is their advice.
Getting sponsorships is tough, and unless you know the right people in the right places, you need to start at the bottom. Most people have to get out and compete in a few events, spending a great deal of their own money long before any companies will consider them. Once you have somewhat of a history, you can put together a packet with pictures, finishes, and a little team background. One thing sponsors like to see is how big their name will be on the side of your truck, what type of coverage you are going to get them, and how much it will cost. The bigger the sticker and the more you can offer, the more likely the company will be interested.
Once you have landed your major sponsor deal, you need to keep your sponsor in the loop. Press releases and updates after every race, competition, or show will keep the company informed and feeling like they are getting their money's worth paying you to advertise for them.
Good luck with your sponsor hunting. It is difficult, and you will be let down many times before something comes along. It will take a while, but the best place to start is at the bottom. Slowly work your way to the top without burning bridges on the way.
Just remember, the best way to make a million dollars with any motorsport is to start with two million. Racing isn't cheap. As for getting into trail groups, I'd say you're ready to go. Just hit the trails and have fun.
Warm Wrangler
Question: Does anyone make an interior insulation kit for a four-door JK hardtop?
Rick P.
Via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Not that I can find. You might just put an old packing blanket up between the cage and the top. If any readers know of an insulation kit for the four-door JK Wrangler, please email us so we can check it out.
Military Muddies
Question: I recently purchased a '97 Chevy Silverado with a 9-inch lift sitting on 38.5-inch Super Swamper Boggers. This truck is my daily driver so I know the Boggers are not going to last long. I want some tires that look good, are mildly aggressive, but also ride smooth. I'm a high-school student so I can't spend a lot of money on tires. What do you suggest? Also, what bolt-on performance upgrades can I put on there to get more power out of the 350?
Name withheld
Via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Look into some military surplus Michelin tires. Many of these are cheap, have an aggressive tread, and are built to last a long time under a heavy truck. You'll probably need some 16-inch wheels. The ones I have seen are 325/85-R16 Michelin XMLs and they measure about 38 inches. I know that a place called 100-Dollar Man in California had some (760.248.6214, www.100dollarman.com), but being surplus they might be sold out, and when they're gone, there might not be more. Otherwise look into a tall all-terrain like a 37-inch BFGoodrich (www.bfgoodrich.com). These will give a smooth, long-lasting ride, but they cost more than the surplus tires.