Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

i had just grabbed 200 off the shelf n half-ass'd it, paper kept getting clogged ... 40 or 80 sounds like a much better plan for next time!

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

on an oil pan or other steel sheet metal stuff I have had good luck cleaning parts with oven cleaner to get rid of anything that will limit paint adhesion. super clean from castrol is another good degreaser but some products that degrease well aften leave a residue that needs to be removed after before painting. another thing I have done is to heat the steel a bit with a propane torch to see if anything other than condesnsation comes to the surface. that trick works pretty good for aluminum stuff as oven cleaner and aluminum are not the best of friends. then the wax and grease remover and a clean rag to wipe that off. even the rags tough, I find if the wife has laundered my dirty rags she has used an anti static sheet in the dryer to "help them smell better" and then they have some kind of stuff in them that must get on the surface when wiping and the paint won't stick there. I use paper towels with the wax and grease remover or some painting rags that I buy as paper towels tend to leave their own little fluff tags behind if the surface isn't really smooth. sometimes on little things I will spray some gun cleaner on the part and simply blow dry before painting. i always leave a bit of time after doing that or wax and grease remover so the parts are actually dried off. spraying too soon after the wipe down can sometimes show where the wiping rags were used so the solvents must not have totally dried. that causes craters, nobody likes those after all that prep work.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

in a shop I worked at long time ago we had a new fleet of diesel delivery vans to outfit, like the UPS style of delivery vans. the diesel engines were so loud the drivers complained constantly and the company asked us to spend some time (and money) on sound deadening. we ended up doing rubber curtains on each side of the engine, hung on rods that removed for easy access to the engine like an inner fender sort of, and used some hot water tank insulation on the firewall and hood. it is a foil backed (or fronted) material that seemed to work pretty well. a lot like the firewall insulation found on newer vehicles. some thick felt underlay under the carpet also works well. one old ford truck I rebuilt for a guy we sprayed the inner part of the cab with box liner, the kind that is sprayed commercially. we asked the sprayer to do several coats on the floor and under the dash so it would have a smoother floor because the truck was intended to be used for muddy off roading as well as daily driving and the guy wanted to hose out the interior. that was a really quiet truck inside and I have to think it was due to the thick layer of box liner inside the truck. the smooth floor was really quite nice too without any carpet. he thrwe down a carpet floor mat under his feet and it stayed put pretty well and was easily taken out if going into the bog.
just some ideas, sorry for the short novel. haha

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

haha, i read the entire novel :thumbsup:

always nice to hear a success story to know it's possible. i don't want to get too intrusive, but i figure if i do a bunch of little things i can probably make a noticeable difference.

the plan:
-coating valve covers, oil pan, and tappet cover with LizardSkin Sound Control
-coated outside of firewall n floor with LizardSkin Heat Control
-coating inside of firewall, floor, and lower rear cab wall with LS SC
-coating underside of hood, and engine bay side of fender skirts with LS SC
-coating inside fenders with Raptor Liner bed liner
-exhaust manifold TI wrap + heat blanket for sound and heat retention
-probably LS SC on roof skin and inside doors.

Extras for the full Monty:
-maybe carpet? would have to be pretty custom for the huge tunnel/doghouse
-oil pan and valve cover thermal/sound blankets

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

somebode prolly makes a thermal blanket or cover for the engine since it a pretty popular engine. some that I have seen in the colder climates where I am from look like they could easily be made in a home shop. use some 2 sided studs on the oil pan to bolt up the brackets that hold it in place. should be pretty easy with your skills and tools at hand. nice work so far.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

maybe i'll try n find some thermal sheets n talk the wife into stitching something up. i need to get her involved in this somehow anyways.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Maybe look at the foil backed hot water tank insulation. I think it is a fiberglass insulation with a foil sheet on 1 side. That way if it gets wet it doesn't take forever to dry and drip dirty water all over. Fiberglass is also not really affected by heat.
Good idea to get the wife involved, some skin in the game can help the budget maybe, haha.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I did not find out about this stuff (Flex Seal) till after I did my interior, but I think it would be good for a noise damper inside the cab.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

found some sheets to custom cut/stitch!

the real stuff from DEI:
https://www.designengineering.com/he...esive-36-x-40/

the DIY Harbor Freight welding blanket option:
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-ft-x...ket-63484.html

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I have the solution to your potential noise issue...........
sell the truck to me and buy a Prius. ;)
But really, just own that you are going to drive a wicked truck with an old diesel in it. I have been told several times over the years that people thought a old diesel transport was coming down the road with my truck. But really when driving it around the turbo and wind noise are louder than the clack of my 7.3L idi diesel.
I do agree with what you are doing though, the lizard skin is great stuff to keep sound out, but when I had the custom carpet made it soaked up the sound that was inside already.
Hope that makes sense.
I too am interested to see how coating motor parts will work.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

1) NOOOooooo ... no no no

the 6B really just sounds like a school bus, so that's less fun :lol: as for just owning it, i fully intend to, but if i can make ppl wonder how i made it different i enjoy that. between the sound deadening, twins, and the weird 5" muffler and piping it should take on a different tone.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

so i did a 2nd go-around of 2 coats on the oil pan, partially to fix the pealed bits and partially to just add more. it's much less "tinny" this time and i'm feeling hopefully it'll make a difference. 2 of the valve covers re-do's came out perfect this time, and one still cracked the coating a bit on the top :facepalm: good thing i only need 6 of the 7 covers i painted, and the one that's different for the oil fill came out great this time.

https://i.imgur.com/dYExhoE.jpg

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I just riveted some of this stuff to the underside of the Jeep tub. I did it more for heat from the transmission and exhaust than I did for sound, but I'm sure it would make a difference in sound too. It is nice and pliable and not itchy. This could be riveted to the underside of the hood too to absorb a fair amount of noise.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CINa...cJ4OzAdLxzdECz

https://www.amazon.com/Thermo-Tec-14...ps%2C84&sr=8-2

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

first the good news, parts ready for install! i really like how thuddy the oil pan is now.

https://i.imgur.com/umpMtVS.jpg?1

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

and then the bad news ... i'm guna blame Gregski cuz he had such a great day with his truck, he stole some of my luck :lol:

so i knew there was a small bit there and i was hoping to just dab some urethane on the pin hole outside n be good for a year or 2. but decided to pull the windshield for new rubber and to paint the inside easier, that's when i found the mouse nest filling the upper bulkhead over the windshield and had to actually investigate the extent of the rot.

i ordered patch panels, gunna fix it all, just sux cuz i thought i was done with sheet metal 'til after i drove it. roof skin is totally solid, very lucky there, it's just the eyebrow filler and upper inside structure that are compromised.

https://i.imgur.com/0cD384I.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/vwSwwW0.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/Y5qLRVt.jpg?1

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Nobody likes surprises. It is best to tackle it now even tho it sucks.

Marc

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I know that problem. Been there, fixed that. Had the same mouse nest problem in my truck.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

same here, mouse condo in the eyebrow. luckily I had a donor cab that had been in an accident so I didn't mind cutting parts off of it.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

The good news is that you discovered it before doing your interior, so it looks like you just gotta yank the seat and not have to worry above sparks wrecking stuff. That location is a PITA (I had the same problem on the Fargolet with the inside panel above the windshield, and in hindsight I should have pulled the cab and rolled it into a better position for fabbing and welding). Looking forward to seeing how you fix it!

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Those parts look great. Man, at least the inside isn't rotten too. I just found above the rear window on my 72 K20 is rotten on the inside. I started looking closer and above the windshield isn't far behind. Great.

Do you know what engine is stupid loud? An ISB non CR 24v. Then stick a VE pump on it. Yeah, she loud. :lol:

I doubt you need a muffler with compounds. I have compounds on my Longhorn and no muffler and the exhaust is never loud. It doesn't resonate like straight pipe single turbo does either.

I'm probably going to coat the oil pan, and tappet cover on the wife's burb. She has grown to hate our excursion because the engine noise is so loud. I plan to add sound barrier on the outside of the firewall as well as the inside to help. From my experiences on sound deadening the diesel trucks, it seems like you can put sound deadener everywhere but the darn sound comes through the glass. It is weird.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

i was shocked when i went to look at my 93 Ram how quiet it was with compounds and straight 4". that second turbo is better than any muffler for sound AND gives back the PSI's! i have that twisty muffler/resonator for under the cab in the 55, but i probably skip the Donaldson now. see how towing with either goes before i sell it though.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

so the glass it all out, anyone who doesn't have a 2-handed box cutter is crazy cuz that was easy. good news is the rear pinch seam barely needs cleaned up! a little cleanup, some fresh paint, and she'll be ready for the slider. the front however is totally kerfukled across the top. thank god for re-pop'd panels, hopefully they show up soon (and in decent shape).

so around the glass was this hard seal(er) stuff. seamed like it might have been factory to the glass, but so much was chipping off no way it would ever seal with what was left on there. i chipped it all off, but do i need that? there was also a putty of sorts in the gasket to the body. i didn't expect either of those. while the rear was exactly what i expected with painted metal, rubber gasket, clean glass.

now that the front is all clean glass i can just toss it back in there dry with a new gasket right?

i also HIGHLY recommend the mouse-de-nester 3000, works amazing for that hard to reach spots like deep back in the eyebrow thru a rust hole! also works on rusty packed in shmoo too! 3ft of nice flexy 1/2" hose, some rags to make a seal, and suck.

https://i.imgur.com/R03H8zW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wB16xcR.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jId1n9t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xdmxhs6.jpg

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I think the assembly manual said something about a sealer on the front winshield, maybe not factory after having a few replaced though. one i took out had what looked like plumbers putty or glazers putty between te body and the rubber.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

ok, so maybe it wasn't a shade-tree leak fix then. more research needed i guess.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

the assembly manual is a free download. google 55-50 assembly manual and pick the tri5 site.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

sorry, 55-59 factory assembly manual

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

The black stuff on the glass almost looks like the primer glass guys put on glue in windshields. It's supposed to help the urethane stick to the glass. I'm betting that stuff was added in attempt to keep the windshield from leaking. I totally agree, the 2 handed utility knife is money to cut those old gaskets and get your glass out without a big fight.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I'm going to have to make me one of those "mouse-de-nester 3000" is it patent pending? :lol:

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

EXCUSE TIME! seriously though ... chit hit the fan, it's project vehicle related, thought some might get a kick out of it. it's long and not 55 related at all. (i did order the patch panels i need for the eyebrow! they are collecting dust on the 55)

last fall i picked up a 2000 2Dr Jeep Cherokee from a buddy. stock, super clean, I6/auto, had been overheated really bad and sat for 2 years. he drove it off the trailer though! drove it into my shop (note that i drove it) where i replaced a cracked head from it overheating with an updated casting. polished the surface, lapped the valves, ready to rock. ran it, (note running), but ran only at like 2000RPM at idle so something was off. outside to flush the coolant where i found it leaking coolant from the bellhousing. i guess there's a freeze plug behind the flexplate that likes to rust thru. decided that if i'm pulling the auto, i'm putting a stick back, and didn't want to drop the time/money right then. decided i would work on the 55 and move the XJ out til spring, had to push it cuz i couldn't get it to run. (foreshadowing) never to run again.

ended up i bought a parts jeep, parted it out, and made money keeping the 5spd swap "kit". even ran it's I6 with 2 rods hanging out the block. swapped some sensors, still no-run on my good XJ. pile the parts into the back and let it burry with snow.

well i then bought that big 12V ram, doing good, sold my GMC, but was pretty sure the trans was going to need rebuild really pretty soon. 2 weeks ago, out of nowhere, 4th gear synchro just up and cuts bait, it's gone gone. well i need something to drive to work while i rebuild it and i have that Cherokee, so i pushed it into the shop.

NEXT DAY! next freaking day ... heading to a vendor with a co-worker in the ram and the trans locks itself in 3rd as i merge onto the turnpike. it's now 11miles to the next exit for me to get off, get back on, and come back to work. 2700RPM, 45mph ... fail. at least it wasn't a super critical meeting.

actually drives pretty well in only 3rd around town. i get home, my driveway is crazy, can't get up it in 3rd. smoke the dual disk clutch trying, and even air-lock the injectors over reving it. more fail. blead the injectors and realize i can just put it in 4-low to get to get up it fine. wish i had thought of that sooner :facepalm: pull the shifter stub, and even pry bars and hammers can't get it out of 3rd, gota pull the trans. order the G360 master rebuild kit, shifter rebuild kit, and an NP205 rebuild while i'm there cuz i'm sure it has 337,000 miles.

back to the XJ though while i wait on parts, lets get this going! 3 evenings of trying EVERYTHING, and everything is fine, it all works. i even jumped the fuel pump on, pulled the fuel rail, and jumped the injectors to see the spray patter they each have. checked cam timing n chain slop, signals at sensors and total circuit resistance. i had fuel, i had air pumping, i had spark! finally go buy the adapter i need to check compression just to rule it out the last and final "known" i could. all cylinders and pistons looked great while i was in there. i even ran it, no way all 6 are now somehow trashed. good thing i didn't buy a lottery ticket!

#1 - 20
#2 - 25
#3 - 15
#4 - 30
#5 - 40
#6 - 20

threw some oil down #3, cranked and no reading, cranked and no reading, cranked and 180psi! relieved, cranked, 150 ... relieved, cranked, 120 ... 90 ... 50 ... fawk. going theory is that it overheated bad enough to un-temper the rings and they all relaxed.

so lets have a vote:
1) in-frame rebuild with a dingle ball, new rod bearings, and new rings
2) swap in a whole new 4.0 with the 5spd since obviously everything else is fine.
3) TDI swap it

shoved that little turd back outside and limp the Ram in. i'm used to working on jeeps and there was SO much room for activities between these frame rails! drop the trans and find this fun nugget. rear input shaft bearing died and apparently allowed enough play for the synchro to wipe out the extended splines on the synchro gear. smeared metal so no way the shifter was moving thru the gate. the race for that bearing is machined into the input shaft, so also need a new one of those. parts shipped, just waiting ... all-in it's only going to be like $400 and that's so nice vs loosing a modern auto and costing $4000.

https://i.imgur.com/WzRFuUN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xMm4Jw0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B3zSgcr.jpg

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Good thing you know the things you know. Imagine how expensive all of those things would be, individually and collectively, if you had to pay someone else to do those repairs. That's one of the reasons I became a mechanic, I was too broke to pay someone to fix things. Also because I enjoy the challenge of giving things myself, but being poor was a huge motivational force.

-Josh

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

right! this truck is supposed to be my reliable DD ... but obviously still working thru the PM's n repairs to get there. i'd rather have 4 bad-ass occasionally reliable rides than one new something!

while dropping the trans i was thinking "if i had just ordered a new truck like the wife suggested, i wouldn't be under it right now". but i'd have to deal with a Stealership for warranty work, and would have paid $40,000 more for an equivalent truck. plus depreciating vs appreciating. not worth it.

then i started thinking ... i saved $40,000, i could have just paid my mechanic guy to just take care of it, been done, and still been way ahead. but i'd have been paying $4000 for what i'm getting done for $400. not worth it.

luckily the snow is gone, and the salt is almost gone. i'm driving the wife's winter beater, and her summer ride got street insurance re-instated. made it to work, still waiting on parts.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Plus the pride of fixing it yourself. It sucks during the repair, but afterwards, you get that little pat on the back when you think "yeah, I just fixed that..."

-Josh

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

When it rains it pours! With all the goings on with your vehicles, as far as the vote for the Jeep, I vote #2 and be done with that part!

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Ya it never fails, one of the reliable vehicles has a problem then they all get a problem. It's like they are kids at school and they all get sick at the same time. I have the same thing happen.
I second that Josh!!
I would really like to see you do #3 but in realty #2 could be done in a weekend.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I agree, #3 would be cool but #2 would be the quickest to get it up and going I'd imagine. Be sure to run that Getrag a quart over full. I'm sure you were already aware of that though. I'm right there with you on the having 4 cool rides vs 1 new expensive newer ride. I don't miss a truck payment and they are double or triple what mine used to be. Yikes. :lol:

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

#2 - 1 vote
#3 - 2 votes

nothing i do is about quick or easy (unless it's roadkill quick/easy). i don't have nearly enough time, so no time to waste doing things twice! ... the TDI is the correct choice, but the other 2 are significantly cheaper/faster. i suspect that the cheapest/fastest option will win out. maybe once the 55 is on the road i'll circle back

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I say do what you want to with the Jeep. If you throw it back together as is, but you're really wanting the TDI, you're not going to enjoy the Jeep when it's running. If the new 4.0 and trans is what your really want, then go that route.

My dad wanted to throw a drive train in the panel truck so he could drive it before I cut it up and did what I'm doing. I told him I wasn't going to build it twice. I learned so much with the Jeep/trailblazer build, the panel truck is almost putting itself together. Even I can believe how quickly it's coming together.

What I'm saying is build it the way you want the first time.

-Josh

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

As I do totally agree with you! I also like the idea of changing thing up to keep it fresh.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I vote #2. Once it’s done you will be happy you went the simply bolt in route vs spend way more time doing the tdi swap.