HomerTaco's big old bucket o’ bolts build

Looks like all I got of you this weekend was on Trail 20. The downside of being the leader sometimes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-FBisyzPkU

 

Damn fine driving there Craig.

I remember the days when water poured from my doors. Still have silt underneath my carpet. Had a mud stain across my factory air cleaner....

I wonder if there is a way to plug the doors to prevent then from filling up? Maybe just some rubber plugs, which could be easily removed if necessary, perhaps?

 

The doors do have small plugs at the bottom but some holes are still open. Either way it wouldn't help much as water still gets last the door seals.

 

I've had to do 225 miles in FWD. Not fun, but she made it. Make sure you tighten everything in the front end before your next outing.

 

Hell I just did that too when I snapped my rear pinion

 

Tow pig and trailer FTW! I lost the rear driveshaft twice last year. The second time I loaded Smokey on the trailer and went home, no drama.

 

Never been stranded. I don't want to trade my 38 mpg daily for a 12 mpg daily. I still get over 15 mpg in the crawler.

Last big trip out this was my group. I was from the furthest and only one who didn't arrive on a trailer. That alone is worth it for me. PLus when you do have a failure it makes you get creative



And...I do everything they do, often more. If I drive 9 hrs I am not backing down off anything, lol.

 

Creativity FTW!

 

You should send him cookies... I think that would make him a happy homer again

 

it's getting a little hostel in here...



I'm beginning to understand why I would see you for a few weeks, and then you'd disappear, and then I'd spot you for a few weeks again... and you'd disappear.

Glad Jerry had a set for you, I tried to find my old set, they must've grown legs and walked off :/

 

On this day in history absolutely nothing was done to my truck.

 

Tail lights still waiting for u at my house.

 

Thanks Jerry, I actually ordered another set of the ones I currently have. I appreciate the offer though my friend!

 

So my fellow Gumballing Otter and wheeling partner in crime @PSU Taco85 made the trek to Pa today to help me try and get my bucket of bolts trail worthy again.



Ive never pulled a third off a rear axle before but with the exception of a 24mm socket for the drain bolt I have plenty of tools for the job...
The rear lost power on the highway driving from Rausch to go get gas. I ended up limping home in front wheel drive.
When we got it all disassembled this is what we found:



Drivers side axle shaft snapped cleanly at the shear point.
Now it's a fun paperweight!



I think I tweaked the fuck out of it on trail 20 and then whet I hit the gas to pass on the road it finally let go.
The splines are noticeably twisted but the broken end slipped neatly out of the third.
We cleaned up the third & reinstalled it. Conveniently, my father-in-law stopped by while we were in the process and said he'd track me down another axle shaft tomorrow.

We also pulled the starter (which mysteriously was missing a mounting bolt) and replaced it with a new one.

I'll likely just have Dads shop swap out the axle. After that I'll need to get the inspection up to date & an alignment.

Should be good to go after that.

Many thanks again to Ant - I'd be still messing with it now without his help!

 

Always glad to do some wrenching and help out a fellow otter

 

I knew I should've swung over, wanted to talk to you (@PSU Taco85 ) about possibly welding on some sliders, didn't know you ventured over. Just didn't get a chance to with all the painting we had to get done today.

 

Wow! Popped that axle nice and clean!

 

In retrospect knowing what you know now, could you have locked the rear and gotten home that way?