No Jeep Recalls This Month

Trail Tips
In April 2010 I instituted a new feature. I call it Trail Tips, and I’ll be including up to three tips each month shuffled in amongst the questions and answers. I’ll be numbering them sequentially so if you keep a file on the tips, you’ll know right away if you’re missing any.

Trail Tip #16—Do you know your model designation? For Wrangler type rigs: 1946-1986, CJ; 1987-1996, YJ; 1997-2006, TJ; 2007-2011, JK. For the rest of the models, if you’re interested, email me a model year and I’ll tell you.

Wacky Wrangler Door
I am having a problem with my outside door handle on my 2005 Wrangler Sport. If the handle is pulled slowly, the door will not open but if the handle is opened very quickly—like a jerking motion—the door opens every time? Any thoughts? Should I take the door apart and check the rods?
Dustin
Sunnyside, WA

I’m thinking one of the rods inside the door has bent and is now not making its full movement. You should take the door apart and inspect all the pieces. You may also have to take the other door apart to see what all the pieces are supposed to look like when undamaged. However, before you tear the door down, buy a spray can of silicone in order to lubricate all the moving parts so that it won’t happen again.

Engine Transplant
I have a 1994 Jeep and I wonder if this motor will fit in a 1995 Jeep 4x4 Country Edition. The motor is a straight 6 from a Cherokee 5-speed
DJKP
Duncanville, TX

I’m sure it would fit.

Trail Tip #17—Do you know your gear ratio? If there isn’t a tag on one of the differential covers (you may have pulled one off with a rock but not both), jack up your Jeep, lower the rear axle onto jackstands, put the tranny in neutral, and spin the tires. The number of driveshaft revolutions for each full rotation of the tires will give you the ratio. For example, if it spins slightly more than four times, it’s a 4.10:1; slightly less than four times, it’s probably 3.73:1.

YJ Suspension
I have a ‘92 YJ with a worn-out suspension. I want the smoothest ride, and I’m considering OME 2.5” suspension kit. I have a soft top, roof rack, and bush bumper with winch. Should I get light springs for rear and medium for front or can a just go with light-duty kit? I run 31x10.50 tires, do I need a steering damper? Want it safe for 16-year-old on road.
George Alford
Tallahassee, FL

OMG! George, don’t go with an OME suspension. They may have upgraded their components, but about 15 years ago I tried an OME 2-1/2” suspension on my ‘82 CJ7. It was so soft it scared the hell out of me on any curve or turn and I had to reconnect the sway bars before I could keep my breathing under control. Then one of the shocks broke. Its mounting tube separated from the body. I then installed a Skyjacker 4” lift kit, which is still on the Jeep and performing flawlessly. I’ve used Skyjacker suspensions on several different occasions and trucks and have never been disappointed.

YJ Chevy?
I’m referencing the Chevy V-8 Swap into a Jeep CJ (or YJ) article. Great article, and it helped me a lot! I have a ‘93 YJ with a 4-cylinder, should I change my axles out when I put my 350 in or can I wait for while?
Tim K.
Limon, CO

That answer is pretty much up to you. By that I mean it depends on how and where you drive. I still have the original Dana 30 and AMC 20 axles in my ‘82 CJ7 and it’s powered by a Chevy 400 V8 with a TH350 automatic tranny. However, both axles have heavy-duty trusses installed, under-differential skid plates, 4.56 gears, ARB lockers, and the AMC 20 has a Warn full-floating one-piece axle kit installed. I’ve played with it in the dunes, driven it over all the trails in the Durango/Silverton area and most of the trails in northwestern Arizona without an axle problem so far. If you want your axles to live after the engine transplant, don’t stomp on the gas until the driveline is torqued up and apply the horses carefully when rockclimbing. And don’t jump it!

Trail Tip #18—Is one of your tires leaking? Spray soapy water or spray cleaner, such as Windex, all over the tire until you see small bubbles. Mark the area around the bubbles with a piece of chalk or crayon so you can find it for repair.

Dana 27 Gears
Looking for a 4.88 ring & pinion setup for a Dana 27. I’ve been told by Randy’s Ring & Pinion that they don’t make anything lower than 4.27 for the Dana 27 anymore. Any ideas? Any sources?
RG Saunders
Newport News, VA

Have you tried going directly to the source? Check www.dana.com. If Dana can’t help you, I’m afraid you may be out of luck. You may have to go with a different gear set or a different axle.

Bleeding Cherokee
How do I bleed the brakes in my 1998 Jeep Cherokee 6-cyl.? It’s a new master cylinder, and the brakes won’t bleed. Brake light still on, and brakes are high. Help!
Pam
Lynn, MA

Bleeding your brakes on the Cherokee should be no different than on any other Jeep. You may have a stuck proportioning valve that’s causing the problem. You need to consult a good shop manual for your Cherokee. This will tell you how to check/repair the proportioning valve.

Trail Tip #19—Thinking about swapping axles? You should avoid early Dana 44s and 60s. The early Dana axles have small axle tubes that can bend with big tires and easy wheeling.

Rich Carb
I have a 1984 CJ7 with a 258 motor. I would like to know a little about the electric Carter carb. It has no adjustments and the mixture is too rich.
Jay
Grandview

The explanation is too lengthy to explain here. Your best bet is to buy a good shop manual with a very good troubleshooting section. Any large auto parts store will have one.

Trail Tip Teaser—Care to guess what one of the rarest Jeeps is?

As usual, each month, I’m shouting out a huge THANK YOU to Paul Schupp at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions.