The build of Balder
- Thread starter Sgt_USMC
- Start date
Scratched the paint off in a couple spots on both, so I have to repaint them now. 
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
I got the linkage repainted today, and my FIL soaked it all while watering the plants that were a few feet away. I had just finished putting on the final coat. I went inside to use the bathroom and came right back out. When I saw what happened I took a rag and attempted to wipe the water off, hoping it had cured enough that the water didnāt affect it. Nope. So Iām back at square one, and very pissed off! It looks like I have to lock them up to dry in my shed to keep them from being messed with.
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
I finally got to install the ZJ swap! I canāt get over how much more beefy it is compared to stock stuff. I did reuse the steering stabilizer for now, but that will get swapped in time. Itās just not high on my list. I took most of the day to do it, but all done! I got the steering wheel centered, and all the joints are freshly greased. Iām going to hit my alma mater and see if I can do the toe adjustment on their hunter 4 wheel alignment machine next week sometime. Tomorrow Iām having a coolant flush done at the dealership. The steering wasnāt bad before, just old and had a bit of a shimmy. I havenāt gone far in it yet, just up and down my street to straighten the steering wheel. Itās very likely still off given that I have been on trails smoother than my street. It feels good though! Not hard, but by no means loose. I also ordered the ATF+4 for the transmission and tcase too. 
Hereās the old stuff. Not bad for 16 years old though!
Hereās the old stuff. Not bad for 16 years old though!
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black pearl
Hooked
Looks good!
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
I only have a few things left that I want done before the drive to Fl. Transmission fluid and filter, Tcase fluid and the OPDA. The rest of the fluids and such Iām having done for me. I was going to farm out the transmission too, but the place I called will only do a flush and no filter. No thanks. Iāll do it myself. I donāt want to flush the transmission right before an almost 2000 mile trek. At least with the coolant flush I have time to drive before I leave. The cooling system has only been serviced at dealers since I got it.
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
Looks like I may be taking it back to the dealer. I noticed there is a little coolant on the drivers side bottom corner of the radiator when I looked under today. Iām going to wipe it and see if it comes back. Iāll just have to see how that goes, but last thing I want is a cooling problem driving through the southwest in triple digit weather.
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
My ATF came in yesterday afternoon. Not a bad shipping time given I ordered on Wednesday evening. Iām going to go order the trans filter and gasket and the OPDA on Tuesday. Iāll get the engine oil and diffs done tomorrow at the lube rack, possibly the smog too. I still have the trans filter/fluid, tcase, OPDA, smog and registration to do before I leave for Fl.
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Sgt_USMC
Active Member
I did some running around to make sure there werenāt any cooling problems. Didnāt show any, thankfully! I checked the bottom of the radiator when I got home and itās still dry. So on to the next task. I have to hold off on ordering the OPDA and trans filter/gasket for a couple days. Slowly, but surely things are getting done.
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
Got the OPDA ordered and should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Iām getting it smogged tomorrow and also picking up the trans filter and gasket from Napa. I also need to pick up some aluminum square stock to do an alignment. As long as everything works out I will be doing the transmission filter and gasket, the tcase fluid and possibly the OPDA on Friday at the base. Almost done with the maintenance work. Some other stuff I need to do eventually, but I will knock that out little by little while upgrading/modding (finally).
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Good luck on getting everything done
Also got an appointment to have the tires rotated and balanced for Monday. This has definitely taught me not to procrastinate on routine maintenance!
Sgt_USMC
Active Member
Got the alignment done. I knew it was off, but holy cow! Over an inch toe in! 
It took a little fussing, but I have it set at 3/32 toe in. Centering the steering wheel took a bit, but thankfully I have a brand new school parking lot right by the house! That took a while, but I wanted it dead straight.
Something really odd happened while I was making the final adjustment. Some random person started screaming at me from across the 4 lane street. When he kept screaming as he started crossing the street I just picked up my 1/2ā torque wrench and the 7 pound sledgehammer in keep in the Jeep. Put one on each shoulder and he turned around in the middle of the street and went right back!
Thankfully I was done and everything was torqued down, so I went home in a very round about way. Now itās time to cool down and have a power aide!
It took a little fussing, but I have it set at 3/32 toe in. Centering the steering wheel took a bit, but thankfully I have a brand new school parking lot right by the house! That took a while, but I wanted it dead straight.Something really odd happened while I was making the final adjustment. Some random person started screaming at me from across the 4 lane street. When he kept screaming as he started crossing the street I just picked up my 1/2ā torque wrench and the 7 pound sledgehammer in keep in the Jeep. Put one on each shoulder and he turned around in the middle of the street and went right back!
Thankfully I was done and everything was torqued down, so I went home in a very round about way. Now itās time to cool down and have a power aide!