Bought an 87 Wrangler on Ebay

[mlgdave]

has a chev 3540 in it, 4" shackle lift (soon to be SOA), Winch, 3 tops etc. My question comes in on the lockers, it has full locker front and rear. Rear is full time, no cables, wires, air lines etc run to it.............fron end is different though, and I want to try figure out what I have? The seller told me they were Detoit EZ lockers. Im not so sure?

The locker is a cable type, it has a black red knob with a red push button in the middle that you have to push in, to be able to pull out the cable, and engage the locker. The cable itself runs down into an assembly that mounted on the long axle side of the axle tube, and doesnt in fact go into the pumkin itself. The locker assembly actually sits closer to the wheel, than the pumpkin. I went out with the rig yesterday and was impressed with its ground clearance and power. I was climbing sandy hills, going over big moguls, nicely banked sidehills, and creekbeds. The problem is, the front end sounded REALLY loud, the pings and pops were QUITE loud, louder than one would expect, and..............one of the guys with me on this last creekbed was able to say, "hey dude" you front wheels arent even driving.........and i kinda figured that...........so, without pictures, does this locker system sound familiar? I tired to adjust the cable down on the axle, to longer, and shorter to try get it to engage, a couple of times it did try engage, and stayed in for a second or two, but would pop right back out..........I need to know 1) how to adjust it (i will be pulling it apart) and 2) is it a detroit?

I havent had a chance to get under and wrench yet, because of a severe 2nd degree burn i got off the becool rad on this sucker..........I will never, ever, ever forget to let the rad cap bleed off, and then wait another 10 minutes AT LEAST, to take the cap off, EVER again.........

mlgdave

[nhgpnut]

ok ;the cable is going to your axle disconnect.not your locker.the popping and other noise could be from your axle disconnect not fully engaging your shafts. you dont have locking hubs so chrysler used the vacume disconnect.in cold weather and under other surcumstances the vacume stops working.someone just changed yours to a cable.wich is good .(chevy s10 had this same system).find out what the popping is.ez lockers do engage and release aggresively sometimes.they are prone to torque steer on highway also.when you accelerate or let off.get rid off the shackle lift deffinately.good luck.

[beartj]

Dude that is some funny shiat :laughing: :laughing:

If the seller said they're ez-lockers, then they're probably ez-lockers. It is not a full detroit that replaces the entire carrier. Instead, it replaces the carrier internals with a ratcheting locker mechanism. The cable, from your description of the location, is a posi-lok or something similar that replaces the stock vacuum CAD setup. If you heard lots of popping you're front ez-locker might have taken a shit or you may have broken a shaft with that chebby power or it could be the 3 tops.

After reading your post, especially the very last bit, my advice would be to delete this and find a good mechanic...it may just be beyond you.

[mlgdave]

ok, guys thanks. Im just learning a bunch of stuff, and will be myself a work in progress as well. I hope my hand aint throbbin by tommorow, so I can start wrenchin. I have had an F250 for 11 years, diesel, work truck, and not had to do much with it at all. The jeep is a toy, and as toys go, you have to play with them...........IMO that means learning about and fixing them, and wheelin them as well..............and thats why im on this forum. I wont hesitate to use a mechanic, when i see ift.

mlgdave

[ksmith]

Your noise may well be the vacuum disconnect, that is where I would start.If it isn't adjusted properly it will click and clunk and make funny noises. That cable is called a posi lock, which is an aftermarket upgrade to replace the pita vacuum disconnect motor (have one on my xj)when it is pushed in the front wheels will free wheel although one might still turn with the locker in. Basically it is a shift fork that slides a collar over the two axle ends to "join them". I would start with this, block up the front, take off the posi lock by the four bolts on the back of the housing and have a look at it. You will see how the collar works. Now start adjusting, putting back together. Rotate wheels with the lock on and off to hear if it is running quiet. Hopefully this is your trouble and not within the pumpkin. I always imagine the worst and hardest to fix scenerio but always start with the easiest.

Hope this helps
K

[Wicked_S10]

I would have to say the center axle disconect is not the problem. If there is truly a locker in the front then even if the CAD was not engageing correctly the other tire would still be driven. My guess is the locker is trashed. I had a Power Trax Loc-Right (basically the same design) in my front D60 that made similar noises. I never did figure out what was causeing it although I spent hours on the phone with their tech support but what was happeneing was the center halves of the locker were rotating and both outer halves were not engageing, so basically the carrier and center of the locker would spin but I had zero front wheel drive and a horible racket as it did nothing but ratchet (for lack of a better term). We tried more shims, less shims, ground the cross pin at an angle to help ramp the inner locker halves apart and numerous other things the boys at power trax suggested, but never got it to work. I ended up decideing that the teeth were cashed even though they appeared in good condition. I pitched it an bought a Detroit and couldnt be happier... Anyhow, sorry for rambling, but there is my .02. BTW, dont do what was said above and take this to a mechanic. I think you are doing the right thing in trying to learn how to fix/work on the rig yourself. There is nothing worse than being out on the trail and haveing 4 guys haveing to fix another guys rig because he has no clue how to do even the simplest work. Anyhow, good luck to ya.

Later,
Jason

[getstucksome]

I'm pretty sure if you wanted to you could convert your 30 to tj shafts, this would eliminate the axle disconnect and give you stronger shafts/u-joints. your wheels wouldn't free spin all of the time and the locker would be engaged all the time but the tjs do it and i'm pretty sure the locker in 2wd would be pretty much invisible. click here for writeup (http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/yjd30convert/yjconvert-1.htm) just an option and I think learning to work on your own rig is priceless. good luck :grinpimp:

[BossBuilt]

Wow it's not like this forum to be so kind to a newbie,welcome to the world of Jeep!Glad you are willing to wrench on it, that will come in handy....How much did you pay for it or may I ask?

[beartj]

I would have to say the center axle disconect is not the problem. If there is truly a locker in the front then even if the CAD was not engageing correctly the other tire would still be driven. My guess is the locker is trashed. BTW, dont do what was said above and take this to a mechanic. I think you are doing the right thing in trying to learn how to fix/work on the rig yourself.

x2, this is why i said your locker is probably trashed. You don't know how much abuse it got from the previous owner. Both of the ez-lockers that i've seen took a crap on the first run they went on (both in rears one in a model 20 and one in a d35). I've never seen issues with a front but the only front lunchbox that I've seen personally was an aussie in a 44 behind a 'vette motor.

I was kidding about the mechanic bit, digging out my tool box and lying in the mud while the owner watches gets very old.

There's more than enough info on here where if you searched for a bit you'd find everything you're looking for. Search for lunchbox, ez-locker, etc. install. That'll show you what's different about your differential vs. an open plus it'll show you how to take it apart. You'll learn how to pull your shafts too. It's very simple.

4-wheelers are a nice, tight nit bunch but pirate has it's niche. When you decide to bigger/better, you don't want to have to wade through tons of BS to find it. I, personally, like seeing buggy/truggy buildups and innovative tech.

[mlgdave]

well, i guess i really stole the sucker, from EVERYONE i talked to.
1987 Wrangler Laredo, w chev 350/turbo 350. The body is in great shape, and only has a small chunk of bondo in 1 factory door, no rust, no dents, no scratches to speak of (deep ones anyways). It came with 3 tops, hard, soft, bikini. Also came with full lockers front and rear, new toyo tires (80% rubber), 33X13.5X15 with new rims, spare is BRAND new. 8000 lb Warn winch, becool rad, optimus battery, 4" shackle lift (soon to be SOA, with reversal), came with 1/2 doors as well................i paid $4350.00 for it, and everyone thinks i got 1 helluva deal, me included.

mlgdave
ps........thanx for all the info, and by the way, i do have some very good, very knowledgable friends with jeeps, and my wife and I are both learning, she wants me to teach her how to weld next weekend (i have been in the steel business for 25 years)

[Tall Grille]

If you still have the stock axles in that thing you are going to want to upgrade soon. Your D30 front may be up to 33's if your easy on it but your D35 will not live long with 33's and a 350. I would consider upgrading the rear to a D44 or Ford 8.8 at least and the front to TJ Shafts with 297 joints at least.

Welcome to life as a Jeep owner, prepare to be broke alot. Either the Jeep or your wallet :jeep:

[cyrius]

Welcome to life as a Jeep owner, prepare to be broke alot. Either the Jeep or your wallet :jeep:

J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket.

[JEEPSKEET]

WTF........ Mo, would you please clean this shit up ?

What the hell has happened to PBB?? move this crap to the noob sec......

this is the kind of Noob ass crap that is fawkin up PBB....

Why don't you read up a little on your jeep and search around a little?
then you might know what you are talking about............ :flipoff2:

[mlgdave]

WTF........ Mo, would you please clean this shit up ?

What the hell has happened to PBB?? move this crap to the noob sec......

this is the kind of Noob ass crap that is fawkin up PBB....

Why don't you read up a little on your jeep and search around a little?
then you might know what you are talking about............ :flipoff2:
wholly fuck skeet take a chill pill, i posted a legit question, and had some legit answers come through. Obviously your god, and Im shit. i dont care if i get banned/barred from the site because of my comments either, I will just go somewhere else, and support retail sites OTHER THAN sites advertised here...........hmmm........now to find a place to buy my SOA/Reversal kit..

mlgdave

[JEEPSKEET]

I will just go somewhere else, and support retail sites OTHER THAN sites advertised here...........hmmm........now to find a place to buy my SOA/Reversal kit..

mlgdave


I have just the place for you>> www.jeepsunlimited.com

as for your buy on a SOA/Reversal kit.... by all means go somewhere else to buy that bolt on crap.... 99.99 % of the wheelers here Fab our on junk.. :flipoff2:



by the way...........




Welcome to PIRATE :flipoff2:

[mlgdave]

I was trying to make a point, by saying i was gonna buy my SOA/Reversal.........I will be fabricating my own as well, but my point is, Im a newbie, ill admit, and I figured, thius was a good place to start learning, as someday i plan on not being a newbie, and was hoping you god like characters would help in that regard...........ill try make sure my next question is a little more sophisticated............

mlgdave
ps......it appears as if jeepsunlimited is down, but thanks for the advice

[usmcdoc14]

wholly fuck skeet take a chill pill, i posted a legit question, and had some legit answers come through. Obviously your god, and Im shit. i dont care if i get banned/barred from the site because of my comments either, I will just go somewhere else, and support retail sites OTHER THAN sites advertised here...........hmmm........now to find a place to buy my SOA/Reversal kit..

mlgdave

first off dont try to THREATEN us into being nice to you.

"OH I WILL GO AND SUPPORT SOMEONE ELSES ADVERTISERS" :rolleyes: so you can fuck off just for that. If thats how you feel then its best you just leave now.

build it your own fucking self or pay stupid amounts of cash for an easy product

i have a feeling you would go for the 2nd choice.


::::edit::::: i thought it said 87 waggoneer. eather way get some thick skin and search a little

[mlgdave]

all you guys break something this weekend? or not gettin laid enough? man o man. Im a newbie, but you know what, fuck it, im not laying down and taking it, ill bitch/reply back until i get banned/barred, or until we all get tired of being childish..........fuck you guys and your arrogant attitudes, maybe you were never a newbie, but perhaps you were, and were lucky enough to have knowledgable people show you the ropes, before the internet was invented..........well now we have the internet, and this site, and this place came highly recommended by 2 of the local 4X4 shops..............so much for their advice, for now...........i got some help from some nice guys, and a whole lot of redneck attitude shoved down my throat, by others

my new nickname that I will go by for now (until i get kicked off the site) is "yourgod/imshit"

yourgod/imshit

[BossBuilt]

all you guys break something this weekend? or not getting laid enough? man o man. I'm a newbie, but you know what, fuck it, I'm not laying down and taking it, ill bitch/reply back until i get banned/barred, or until we all get tired of being childish..........fuck you guys and your arrogant attitudes, maybe you were never a newbie, but perhaps you were, and were lucky enough to have knowledgeable people show you the ropes, before the Internet was invented..........well now we have the Internet, and this site, and this place came highly recommended by 2 of the local 4X4 shops..............so much for their advice, for now...........i got some help from some nice guys, and a whole lot of redneck attitude shoved down my throat, by others

my new nickname that I will go by for now (until i get kicked off the site) is "yourgod/imshit"

yourgod/imshit

Now that's the PBB I know......Just ignore the flaming and don't get so pissed off and threaten them ,it only gets worse! I know your here to learn something,eventually this post will be moved (to the newbie section)or deleted if it gets out of hand....good luck with your Jeep they are a blast...

Hint: It might help to take some of the newbie shine off you questions,"I just got my jeep and don't know what this is" makes for a good flaming target.

[mlgdave]

cool, thanks, advice taken
shortening my nick as well

YGIS

[yager]

oh wow, your da man... telling us how your not gonna lie down and take it...

I think you already are taking it. Your new name is "ohgodilikedickinmyshitpipe"

you call eveyone red necks? Maybe its a little voice of experience speaking.. It's people like you posting crap like this that has made this place turn in to the mall crawling place to hang out and be cool... The very people your mocking are likly the ones you hope will reply to some dumb ass thread you'll start about some big upgrade your doing...

Post up when your actually doing somthing on you heep. Otherwise stick the the search button and you will probbaly find everything you need to build your jeep...

[Steve N]

:cow:

sheesh

[CINCH]

:cow:

sheesh

x2 :rolleyes:

[mlgdave]

yea, sheesh is right. I love how some of these guys tell me something is above me. I will make sure next time I post, I post a picture of some actual FAB work I have CUSTOM done on my heep. I am going to be doing a spectacular (If I may say so myself) bumper, front and rear. I will also be doing some very detailed blueprints of all I build for my, and my wifes jeep, as I am a steel detailer by trade, and thats what I do. I was a fabricator for about 20 years.............so..............lets see what this newb can do..........

[Kyron]

You gonna make some nerf bars :)

[EStenzJ4]

Scrotum?

[mlgdave]

actually no, i have some small foldaway steps on the side. No nerf bars for me. Im starting with shackle reversal (making all my own mounts), swing away tire carrier/rear bumper combo, front winch bumper (winch will be mostly hidden), diamond plate flares..............and then my wife needs some shyatt for hers so we will be building stuff for her as well

mlgdave