When it rains it pours! Opinions wanted.

[Narnian]

I suspected that the worn out U-joints were part of the reason I lost reverse in my Cherokee, so four weeks ago I brought the Cherokee to Midas to have the U-joints replaced.

They left it out one night, and it got broken into. They replaced the U-joints and took another two weeks to replace my windows.

The day before picking the Cherokee up, the J20 started vibrating badly on the highway. The very same day it got in the habit of stalling at every red light.

I swapped the J20 for my Cherry at the Midas, and made a point not to park the Cherokee anywhere I could not drive forward.

Today, while idly driving the Cherry down a country road towards home, the forward U-joint popped off the shaft. Midas tells me they farmed that work out and would try to get it resolved in the morning. When the tow truck got me to Midas, they told me the J20 diagnosis - the rear end is shot, and will not last too many miles longer. They don't want to mess with it. The Carberator is also toast, and needs a complete rebuild. They can only replace it and they said it was too expensive for me at their price. (I would not have let them replace or rebuild it anyway)

I just got this J20 off of a fellow IFSJA'er last fall for $1425. I'm pretty sure it has 3.73 axles. I don't have time or space to replace an axle myself so I'd have to buy one and let a shop do it. The carb I might be able to take care of if the weather warms up soon, but I definately can't deal with it right now. Is it time to designate this truck for the parts bin and use the tranny in my Cherokee, or should I spend money I don't have to fix it?

Here is a little more on the 87 J20:
Positives:
o The engine is pretty smooth - maybe 80K?
o The body is straight.
o The frame is in GC
o The tranny feels good.
o NP208 works smoothly

Negatives:
o The interior of the doors are shot - windows and handles don't work on either door.
o The Steering column is a little loose and the PO messed up the high beams and ignition switch trying to tighten it. High beams don't work at all, ignition key is finicky.
o Heater control is busted
o Radio is junk
o Bench seat is shot - wires stick through it.
o Heater fan whines and sucks enough juice to keep the battery from properly charging in stop and go traffic.

[JeepBountyHunter]

Buddy I just need to swing by and help you out some of these days in the Spring, those are all easy fixes on your J20.....shoot...Waggy doors at a salvage yard are not too expensive, but I bet you only need parts from those, to fix yours...heater, no prob....ignition switch and hi beam switch...easy enough......Radio...geez, I can live without one...but then...there are plenty of those here and around to replace yours...likely the speakers in the doors are shot....your wiring likely has some bad ground problems...your big concern is the axle......but that can't be too much of a prob either, it'll just take some time....Hang in there, I was ready to dump my waggy a week ago...window dropped down inside, d/t broken flex track....brakes went bad.....and new gas sending unit stopped working........all made me mad enough to get rid of it, but then I stopped myself, and fixed them up....and yah it feels good when it's done.........you gotta go focus on something else right now, and when your ready go back and tackle it.........you can do it! Otherwise if you need a helping hand...get in touch!

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Get a second opinion on the J20, get AAA service, and ask for a rental car at Midas, since it is utterly their fault.

Good luck,

I'll trade you a 1989 Honda Civic for the both of them any day of the week.

Daniel

[JeepBountyHunter]

If you feel like getting rid of it though, I might be interested.......

[shambone]

Hey Narnian, i'm local, from moraine (South Dayton)if you want help or need parts.I got a wagoneer parts truck.PM me if interested.
Scott

[Narnian]

I'll have to be patient about it I suppose.

I did not buy the J20 with the intention of fixing it up. The Cherokee is my project (though sometimes it makes me pretty mad too!). The J20 was supposed to be strictly for hauling the occasional heavy or messy load.

I'll try and nurse it along till the spring. If it stays driveable long enough for me to get my house built, then I'll keep it and fix it. The new house will have a garage so I won't be so afraid of getting into a project. I'd be happy to take anyone up on offers of help and I promise to feed you. That's how Ralph and I got to be friends.

However, if the rear end explodes before the house is done, then I'll part it out or offer it up for sale cheap. I could really use a pickup while building my house, but I can't see anyone parting with a J20 rear axle for less than $150.

[ February 19, 2003, 08:35 AM: Message edited by: Narnian ]

[mdill]

If you are building a house, you will need a pickup ! Just look at the costs
$50 carb kit, outside guess axle $400 max, heater motor $30 ,

say you are in to the truck $500 to fix it, parting it you may get $500
Leaving you with $1000 for a "new" truck with a bunch of problems for
you to find, fix what you have !

Mike D.

[turtlejoe]

Originally posted by BIGYELLOW78J10:
I'll trade you a 1989 Honda Civic for the both of them any day of the week.
DanielI'll trade you his 1989 Civic for both of them too!

Shoot, hang in there - get Midas to hold up their end and take care of you. Tackle one job at a time and before you know it, you'll be profilin' down Main St. with a big ole smile.

Good luck! :D

[tuckers89GW]

You don't need a truck for building the house. I just use a trailer. My father has a new car trailer so when I need to haul anything bigger than I can on my small trailer, I just go get that.

[mechanic58]

MAN, didn't anyone ever tell you that you really do need to be an experienced mechanic in order to have any sucess driving a jeep? I feel for ya. Where is Hamilton Oh? I'm near Marietta.

[andy d]

Narnian, just make sure the axle is full of lube and that the outer bearings are ok, with the wheel up in the air put a bar under it and pry , if it moves up and down, the bearing is shot. if its the ring and pinion gears growling then just keep an eye on the gear oil and turn up the radio. BTW, i would take anything a Midas tech told me with a huge grain of salt. the door stuff is pretty easy and kinda fun, take your time, drive the corvette and concentrate on the chero 1st. maybe sell the j-20 and use the proceeds to repair the trans.

[Bob Barry]

The only things that would go on a J-20's rear D60 axle would be the pinion bearing or the outer bearings, all of which can be replaced with a minimum of fuss.

Don't take it to Midas, but rather, to a reliable place recommended by a local 4-wheel drive club, or to a shop that specializes in trucks.

[mdill]

Originally posted by mechanic58:
MAN, didn't anyone ever tell you that you really do need to be an experienced mechanic in order to have any sucess driving a jeep? I feel for ya. Where is Hamilton Oh? I'm near Marietta.You don't have to be a "experienced mechanic" to drive a Jeep, that just naturally
follows from driving Jeeps over time.

Mike D.

[Ralph]

Hmm, one more reason why I shouldn't have left Ohio. My friend neeeeeeeeeeds me! And I would love to be there to help. (cough, cough)

Look at the bright side...

Okay, give me a moment to come up with a bright side...

I got it! If you didn't have a bunch of old Jeeps in need of work, your place wouldn't look so much like your neighbors'! Okay, low blow, I know.

What it really comes down to, Narnian, is that you've got a loving eye for trucks that need more work than you can do yourself. I've suggested before that you might try slimming down your collection, or else delve into the repairs as fearlessly as you create websites. It ain't brain surgery.

Then again, you ain't no brain surgeon.

Love, Ralph

[Ralph]

Hey, one more look at the brighter side:

Think how much more expensive it would be if you were into old Jaguars and old Range Rovers instead of old Corvettes and Jeeps!

[Narnian]

Ouch! Ranger Rovers and Jaguars! That WOULD be pricey!

Andy : The cats at Midas said it was moving up and down pretty badly. I thought that meant it was toast. If the bearings can be replaced without too much hassle I guess I should get a second opinion. I generally don't expect much from Midas.

And yes Ralph, you are correct. I had hoped this J20 was mechanically sound when I got it. I can't complain too much, it got me home from Massechusetts, and I've prolly put 4000 miles on it since then.

I never intended to fix the doors or heater or anything. I just wanted to haul parts in it and carry gardening tools when I trim the bike trail in the spring. I mentioned those problem because it illuminates my lack of desire to spend $600 fixing the rear end.

Mechanic: Hamilton is between Cincinnati and Dayton.

[Narnian]

Bob Barry & Andy:

I called a "real" shop and asked them about fixing the pinion bearing or the outer bearing. They said it would still be a $800 + endeavor. Are you saying that the parts are cheap if I want to fix that myself?

If I did want to attempt fixing it myself (which could not happen before I moved and had a garage) what would the general process be, and what special tools what I need?

[ February 20, 2003, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: Narnian ]

[Ralph]

I know for a fact that Buckeye Auto Parts on McKinley Rd. in Columbus has a J20 that used to be their yard vehicle. They quoted me $500 for both axles, when I was interested in swapping them into my J10. They were passenger side diff (front), so I didn't buy them. There number is (800) 358 1234

As for fixing it yourself, sorry to tell you that this is out of your league. Even if you had the correct tools, most particularly a good dial indicator, you still need to know what you're doing when reinstalling the R&P.

[ February 20, 2003, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: Ralph ]