Builds Dirt J "Dirt Cruiser" Build

[Dirt J]

Next project:

Marlin Crawler 70" DIY sliders! Hoped to have these before Cruisers on the Rock 3 at Windrock but waited to the last minute to order and they made it a few days after I got back.

Legs (3 each side):

Cool gussets:

Got these scab plates from Trail Gear:

 

[FamilyCamper]

Thanks for the paint write up!! I followed it and it went great. Now I need to buff it to get the shine to come out. Did you end up buffing yours in the end??

 

[TLCPNW]

How are you liking the underdrive gears (and the low)? Thanks for the detailed part list, part location pics, and walkthrough of the problems you encountered. Will be super helpful once I jump into this myself.

 

[Dirt J]

You are welcome! The tcase was a fun project. Access to a press and large pullers was key for me. Let me know if you have questions when you dive in on yours.

I'm really enjoying the underdrive together with the 2WD kit. It's turned driving the tank on the road into a much more pleasurable experience. I have a 50-mile roundtrip daily commute, pretty much all highway. Setting cruise at 70 has me actually running a bit high, IMO (~2800-2900 RPMs) -- excuse to size up to 34s-35s! Hardly ever downshift from OD. Towing my UTV to hunting camp is much more enjoyable too; no constant hunting for gears.

There was a slight radio frequency type whine on first test drive. It has lessened substantially over the last couple thousand miles. Still just perceptible if you listen for it but not distracting or an issue for me at all. My tires are much louder/annoying.

The low gear was amazing at COTR 3 at Windrock. Compared to others with stock gearing, I think I had more control on crawly areas.

 

[Land Shark]

2k primer going on. This stuff was very strong/chemical smell. The 2nd can that I used on the center portion was either bad, I didn't shake well, nozzle clogged, or something. It spit and spattered and ended up with a rough texture unlike the rest:
View attachment 3461760

Used some 1000 grit to get the primer smooth-ish. In hindsight I should have sanded down the bad/rough in the middle all the way out and resprayed.

Base going down. Safety 3rd:
View attachment 3461775
Finished product after few coats of 2k clear. Pretty pleased with it. Some splotchy spots but it is a glossy smooth finish, which is what I wanted. Matches good enough for me.
View attachment 3461782
View attachment 3461785

Looks great. Mine was as bad as yours but I had a shop do it for me.

 

[Dirt J]

Replaced the PCV valve today and associated hoses. Noticed oily dampness around valve a while back. Had been putting this off bc of the potential headache of dropping the valve seal into the valve cover. Fortunately everything cooperated and it wasn't much of a hassle.

My seal came out with with valve, and it boogered up the edge a bit.

 

[Dirt J]

Shiny new rubber. Old ones were hard as a rock.

 

[Dirt J]

New fan clutch and idler pulley today too.

Also did a pressure test of the cooling system. Had slight leak down at first but on 2nd attempt appeared to hold. Very slight drip from condenser drain and oil level and color is good. Also changed it today.

 

[Dirt J]

Bit the bullet and have a new OE steering rack on the way. She doesn't want to drive straight or return to center, and I'm getting the VSS light and beep fairly regularly. Not to mention is still weeping from the boots after a couple rounds of AT205.

Going to replace the engine mounts and transmission mount while I'm at it, and also the oil filter/cooler seals (Oil Filter Cooler Seals Fix Thread). I have some gunky build up there on the housing. Suspect some oil seepage and maybe coolant too. Could be my slow coolant loss culprit.