Otis

[JeepFreak1234]

Hi guys, my name is George and I'm 15. Ya im a youngling but don't leave just yet. I'm not too bad with my hands but we can get into that later.

I'm gonna begin with introducing my Heep. This is how Otis looked when I first got'em.

Why Otis? Well, once upon a time I was standing in an elevator and I looked down at the door entrance and it said Otis. Now this was all long before I had my jeep. I thought Otis would be a fitting name because my jeep takes me up and down mountains etc. A little cheesy but hey, I couldn't think of anything else.

Ok so it's a 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo I6 5 speed. Yes I know how to drive stick.
I bought Otis November 2, 2014.

Here's a list of the things I've done since then.

Plasti Diped the Grill. (I hate chrome on jeeps)

There was a ghetto rigged aftermarket sunroof installed by the PO. So I took that out and filled the hole.

I built my own rock sliders

I made my own trannsfer case skid. More on this later.

I hurculined my interior, bought a hi lift and winch kit.

Used Rustoleum Bedliner on my my bumper. I HIGHLY recommend this stuff.

 

[JeepFreak1234]

I installed a Zone off-road 3"aal kit. I'm cheap

DIY Quick Disconnects

Got some front tow hooks

The 32s from my dad's JKR now on 37s going there place on Otis with some 4.4 to 5.5 adapters. I had to cut the fenders a lot to do this.

I used the Pool Noodle idea for the inner fenders

My new "flares"

Gotta love JB Weld

These little black grill things broke off

That's pretty much it for now. Here's the JK for your viewing pleasure

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I'm going top build a roof rack so I'll keep you guys updated on that.

 

[goodwilljeeper]

Welcome man. 3" is a great place to start

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

Nice build so far!! Always good to see new people joining. I would say next on your list should be SYE and some new non eom steering (so you dont blow through tons of money on alignments and tires).

 

[JeepFreak1234]

Thanks guys. I have a t-case drop that I put in that I forgot to mention. I also want to do the zj track bar swap. The steering box in it is toast so that is my next mechanical fix. I might do both at once tho. BTW I got the Jeep for a reasonable $1100 so in case anybody was wondering there you go.

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

Just a heads up, steering box disassembly is not as challenging as everyone says, so if you want to rebuild it then its semi easy.
Also if there is a lot of play in ur steering wheel, then try tightening the adjuster plug on the box where the steering wheel input shaft is. NOT the little shaft you turn with an alan key, you need a spanner to tighten it.

also yes, track bar is super necessary to not get death wobble. While your at it you might as well pull and put on full steering from the zj (i think it is stronger), but I would still recommend custom or aftermarket.

 

[JeepFreak1234]

Thanks for the info Rudolp, I would like to rebuild the box if it's not that bad like you say but I have no idea what to look for or if it will eliminate my play. I tried tightening the Alan key shaft a quarter turn with no change in the steering play. So I'm definitely gonna try the adjuster plug. How much do I need to tighten the plug? When I turn the wheel, the input shaft turns but the pitman arm doesn't move so I don't know if that helps. I think the PO tried adjusting the Alan key shaft and messed it all up. Do you know how to "reset" the Alan key shaft by any chance? Like is it 3 turns out from all the way in or something like that?

My steering wheel wants to fight me when making tight u turns almost like its jolting in the opposite direction. I can see the tires doing it as well.

As far as the track bar situation, I don't really have a ton of money being only 15 so the ZJ track bar will have to do for now. I don't have any death wobble yet so when that happens I'll pull the trigger on nice aftermarket one. How hard are they to build and how expensive?

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

Basically for the adjuster plug you take a flat head screw driver and a hammer to a tabbed locking ring (jam nut) that is around the adjuster plug and loosen it. The you take your spanner wrench and tighten it as tight as it can go, then back off just a hair (id say 1/64th to 1/32nd of a turn). Then use the flat head and hammer to tighten up the lock ring then you are all set!! The alan key shaft can mess up you box, it has something to do with the engagement of the pitman gear which can cause issues. I do not know how to reset the alan key shaft unfortunately

If you are handy with a welder, then you can go grab some metal tubes and fab something up pretty quick. Look through the "my hero" build by jeep450r, he has made all his own custom steering. The most expensive part of building your own steering is going to be the hemi joints

 

[JeepFreak1234]

As you can see I need to get a rebuild kit so I am going to pull the box and we will go from there

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

Sounds good. Steering box just takes a lot of patience so have a buddy over to keep you sane while you are putting in the ball bearings.

 

[JeepFreak1234]

Haha ok. Any tips for removing it?

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

Pull your efan, and be very careful of the spacer against the frame, they break super easily. Also take off the high and low pressure lines at the box and not the pump. After that find a youtube video, bleepin jeep has a good one

 

[JeepFreak1234]

I can't seem to get the low pressure line out (right). Any advice?

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

Lots of pb blaster!!!

Its guna take some serious work to get it off

Try laying on the floor and torquing on it

 

[Boostwerks.com]

I would be very concerned about that loose pin. Loose hardware has very little shear strength.

 

[JeepFreak1234]

I know. That pic is from a long time ago it's all good now. Thanks for the concern tho.

I don't have a Pitman arm Puller so I have to go get one.

I got all the lines disconnected btw

Is there a specific type of PS fluid that I need?

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

I use ATF in mine, people use autozone PS, it doesnt really matter as long as it is a light viscosity hydraulic fluid. I like the way ATF feels, and if I loose fluid on the trail people are more likely to have ATF the PS fluid. Just dont mix the two!!!! And you are going to need the biggest pitman puller autozone has. Where are you located in CA?

 

[JeepFreak1234]

San Jose (Campbell) to be exact. This is what I picked up from auto zone. I had to bike there because I'm home alone. I hope it works.

 

[XJ_Rudolph]

nice nice!! Make sure you disassemble the box in a big tub so you dont loose the bearings.

 

[JeepFreak1234]

I just noticed the guy gave me the wrong one. Now I have top go all the way back there on my frickin bike. Sigh