Posted by Tim Holloway on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 22:51:04 :
Well, it has been a long and sometimes arduous journey, but I think it is coming together.
After the West Virginia Rally last fall, I was immensely disapointed with the truck. The Poly ran well but there was a haunting noise somewhere that I couldnt track down. Prior to W. Va, I had swapped transfer cases, rebuilt the transmission, removed the overdrive etc. etc.
After West Virginia I started back into it, removed the NP540DD and installed a brand spanking new NP435 that I got from Dennis Sherman. Still made the same noises. Then I rebuilt the transfer case, installed new rings and pinions and bearings in both differentials (installing the ARB locker in the front at the same time) reinstalled the overdrive and adjusted all of the driveline angles. Finally took it for a drive today, the noise is gone! I still have no idea what was causing it but I can live with that. I might even venture to say that the ride is quieter than when I had a screaming 230 under the hood. Still a few small issues to deal with but this is the first time in a year and a half that I felt positive about driving the truck. I have had many moments of wishing I could go back to the way it was. Many times you guys said "stick with it the end result will be worth it. It was hard to believe at the time, but I am beginning to believe it.
The last project before Iowa is to mount 11-00 16 XZLs on and see how that feels.
Thanks for all of the help, advice and encouragement along the way, I couldnt have done it without such a good sounding board.
Thanks,
Tim
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