Post All Moab Trip Pics/adventures Here

[VX KAT]

I ditto that Gil, I dont want to tear mine up.......to me its more of a family reunion now!

Agree!!

And IMHO, there's still plenty of fun and beauty to be had running the same trails a year apart.

[Scott Harness]

Agree!!

And IMHO, there's still plenty of fun and beauty to be had running the same trails a year apart.

X2...I'm still on the fence,but ready to tone it down a notch

[mhill]

First thanks for the condolences and positive mojo coming my way! I tore into it as soon as I got home so have not been able to check the site for a few days.
Now I am the newbie so I take no offense to you all laughing and learning from my mistakes (they are numerous and significant!)

So... I was doing something I should not have been doing in 4H. We had finished all the demanding stuff on the trail and I switched out of 4L to have some fun Kirks way! (For those who have not been out with him he likes to floor the gas every chance he gets!) We came across an obstacle and those famous last words came out of my mouth..."I can do that" I tore into it and forgot to switch back to 4L I had the front wheels up when I switched to 4L. Should have backed down put it in 4L and started again. I was deep into the gas pedal when I am guessing the 4L actually engaged and it engaged with a BANG! Literally. It was getting late so Dave and I wasted no time tearing off my skid plates (freshly painted ) and disconnecting the drive shafts. Gil and Cece were life savers and towed me back to the stoop. This is where the great meeting of the minds took place Because the grinding, popping and jerking stopped when we disconnected the drive shafts the problem must be transfer case! Getting home Sunday was a must for work so I made a call to my big bro who came through with his diesel truck and a trailer. Made it home with no problems. Dove in head first tearing my beautiful VX apart top to bottom and actually got the transfer case out in about 6 or 7 hours. Not bad considering I had no idea what I was doing. I set it on the bench and spun the flanges which connect to the drive shafts and.... it was smooth as silk! WHAT THE!! I made a few calls to a mechanic friend who offered to come over and take a look. While waiting I decided to check the differentials. Opened the drain plug on the rear put a magnet in...all good. Got under the front put the magnet in and...metal bits, pieces, parts everywhere Yep took the whole transfer case out and it was the front diff that gave out.

So now its a race to find a new front diff. Oh yeah and put the transfer case back in!

It was great getting to know everyone on the stoop and on the trail.
Thanks to Gil Cece Dave Mark Joe Dub Jack Steve Mike Craig and everyone else who helped get my VX home in almost one piece.

I had a great time! I will fix it and be back next year. For the stoop and the sticker!

[nfpgasmask]

Mike, sounds like its time for you to put some time in and source some open 4.77s and install an Aussie locker in the rear.

Bart

[mhill]

Mike, sounds like its time for you to put some time in and source some open 4.77s and install an Aussie locker in the rear.

Bart

If I knew what any of that meant that would be awsome!
I like to do the work myself, that does not mean I know what I am doing. If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them. Just put it in 4x4 for DUMMIES language. I need a whole new "third member"?? whatever blew up inside almost made out! There is a star crack on the passenger side top of the case!

[nfpgasmask]

If I knew what any of that meant that would be awsome!
I like to do the work myself, that does not mean I know what I am doing. If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them. Just put it in 4x4 for DUMMIES language. I need a whole new "third member"?? whatever blew up inside almost made out! There is a star crack on the passenger side top of the case!

Yeah, the 4.77s gears came in Trooper RSes and I think some Amigos. Basically, it would be a gearing upgrade for your VX, however the 4.77s are "open", which means no LSD (limited slip) in the rear. Right now, you have an open front diff and a LSD rear diff. If you found 4.77s and installed them striaght, you would have open diffs in front and in the rear. BUT, you could install an Aussie lunchbox locker then, and you would have MAD traction in the rear.

I know, I know, when I bought my VX I had no idea what any of this meant either, but once you dig in, it gets addictive. Read this, it will help make sense out of what your diffs do, and why they are called "differentials".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differe...hanical_device)

Bart

[VX KAT]

here's my list of about 40 some junkyards with a VX and about 60 with a 95/96/97 Rodeo (not sure if our diffs are shared with them or not), maybe this will help you find a front diff.
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...ht=spreadsheet