Kept going through wiper motors. Got tired of that and decided to try changing out the wiper linkage. Of course that's long obsolete as far as Dodge goes but there is this Dorman replacement part claiming to fit all years. Not cheap but fresh and hopefully ready. Well just like aftermarket always goes for me it of course doesnt' fit exactly the same. In this case it's the damn wiper motor shaft is keyed. The problem is the Dorman arm is just a hole and does not fit the motor shaft key. My solution was to cut off the keyed end of the stock arm and cut off the end of the new one and booger weld the stock end onto the new linkage motor arm. It's Ugly1 as hell and seems solid. I couldn't break it with big pliers. The wipers move alot faster now too. Maybe my wiper motor moprtality rate will go down now.

 

Think I would have been more tempted to disassemble the existing linkage, clean and lube everything, and call it a day.

 

When I got in there and noticed there wasn't obvious damage I was definitely tempted but also worried about damage I couldn't see, you know, slightly bent shaft at the joints or something. But it was a couple extra nights after work this week futzing around with it. Since I have gone beyond the return period for the new one, figured I may as well go through with since the new one is indeed silky smooth and I spent all that money. If I quit burning up new wiper motors, then I'll be happy with that.

 

Replaced my grill and headlight housings. The grill was damaged when I purchased the truck. The headlights were bad yellowed. My next prodject will be fixing the tear in my bumper cover, which was also damaged when I purchased truck. Thanks to this forum I these repairs are solved easily!

 

Ordered 4.88 gears and master install kit. I want the 4.88's for the 35's with some grunt, 91k on truck. If I go to 37's or taller I'll build another ZJ Jeep that I can scratch and beat to hell. Big engine, big axles (1 tons), bigger lift, bigger tires, etc. Lockers, yes I want them. I had them, Detroit f/r, in my ZJ Jeep as a daily driver and 82 Toyota. They are not needed as a pavement commando. Track lock in the back right now/open front. I might get a posi for the front or lunchbox locker.

 

If you do much highway cruising, may wanna stick with 4.56 for 35's.... I have those with 33's, and it's just too much gear.

 

It's driven maybe 1000 miles every year. I was thinking about the 4.56 gears then thought about my first sentence. The ZJ had 4.88's /w 35's and 5.29's /w 35's in the Toy. I'll have a better exhaust note with the engine turning faster, lol.

 

New single din deck installed. A pillars with tweeter pods done. Just the start of the upgrade.

 

Picked this up couple of months ago, 01 5.9 R/T goes along well with the Mistress.

 

Hiya Merc! Long time no see. I want the ATV with the tracks. That's awesome.

Do they not use salt on the roads there? That Rango appears to be in REALLY nice shape.....