WTF-J

Saturday, I was able to take the WTF-J out of the garage for a test "drive."  (Going to the end of the driveway hardly constitutes a drive.)  The main objectives were to:

• Hose off a year’s worth of dust
• Fill the coolant system and check for leaks
• Test
  • Gauge Operations
  • Brakes
  • Transmission and T/C shifting
  • Steering
• Determine preliminary answer to the question: "Is it done yet?"
• Be able to say that I’ve actually driven it!

The good news is that it was about a 90% success!  The not unexpected news is that it ain’t done yet.

The first aw shucks came while filling the radiator.  Sure glad this was an initial fill using plain water outside, as a couple of the under hood hose connections were loose.  Easy fix.  Seems that one of the cool stainless heater hoses had a pin hole leak.  that can probably be fixed with the welder, but that will come later, for the time being  it was easier to get some plain old rubber hose and call it done.  I was also concerned about the heater connections inside the tub, but they appeared to be fine.  So the WTF-J appears to be high and dry

I was also concerned about the temp gauge, as it had always swung to the far right as if there was a defective ground, but as soon as the water hit it, the gauge started working.  The oil pressure gauge also has a weird behavior, as it too does the far right swing, but settles down as soon as the engine actually starts.   The tach and fuel gauges are another story , but it may be something as simple as pilot error on the connections or a missing ground.  I won’t know about the speedo ’til I farther than the end of the driveway.  (more to come…)

The transmission (main) shifter worked perfectly, but the transfer case shift barely worked at all.  The only gear that would engage was LOW on the front axle.  Only having front wheel drive in low made for fun braking as the engine was making mad torque.  In all of the excitement I also confirmed that the neutral safety switch works, as it will not start when the transmission is in Drive.  (It’s a good thing.)

• UPDATE:  The next day with some coaching from the PBB Forum, I was able to adjust the transfer case shift linkage to correct the shifting problem.   The 2nd outing should be a bit easier.  The bad news is that I will have to relocate the under-dash heater vents as they interfere with the (new) travel of the shift levers.  The good news is that it is now a simple matter to move the vents to the firewall and that will actually improve the heater’s ability to keep feet warm.  (Another good thing.)

The power steering continues to have a small leak at the rear of the P/S Pump, but it turns out that I need an O-Ring on that fitting and PSC Motorsports stuck one in the mail.  I also found that the transmission dipstick is the source of a small leak, but a quick search on the LS1Tech Forum found the answer.  (Unlike most dipsticks, this one has a specific installation protocol.  I’ll fix it when I re-do the T/C shift linkage.)

So, I’ve got some work to do before hauling this up to the BMV office to make it officially a Jeep.  In the mean time, here’s evidence of the first drive:

If you look closely, you can see the tire tracks that head toward the street.  That’s the effect from the low range torque multiplication fighting the brakes with brand new tires.  The WTF-J was wondering whether we would all get on the same page.

The good news was that I did not have to drain a fire extinguisher nor did anyone have to call 911, and I was able to pull it into the garage under its own power and stop before going through the wall into the dining room, so it was a good day!

More to come…