photo #2594493

Zen, and the art of shade tree, off road maintenance Or constitution is a well worn and very significant concept. However, it requires a constant attention to perform the things that we -all- want it to. I could compare it to a well used and engineered as well as sturdy platform that (in one opinion) is far from being 'cost effective' to replace. Still, as with all machinery, even with careful maintenance (and our foundations are secure, if not attended to all that well, admit it), parts break, from age and abuse (off road after all). Parts break, and they (in a well designed machine) are designed to, to be able to be replaced. This may seem a bit dramatic in the particular choice of vehicle in this demonstration, but it is matched to my fixed retirement income, compared to where most of the US GNP budget goes. This approximation also includes the political contributions and backroom agreements in this particular part(s) replacement. There are other parallels to be considered in this kind of definition of activity as well. We, in our government allocations, have only invested in that which -almost- absolutely had to, hence the 'shade tree' definition. Thus, only the tools and parts on hand will be used. There is no 'going to the parts store for replacement of mistakes1/2 way through the repair. You will not have transportation unless you can fix it with the current parts on hand. Ya, I'm not interested with a total revolution/government replacement at this time. This about replacing a definitive non functioning component (in this case a completely buried and integral part in the center of the mix, gearing in the transmission. In this case, (and I would like to think the original engineers on this model) designed the gearing to fail in such a way to be able to get on home (and to the parts store), until the complications can be taken care of (4th gear, high low only). The 4WD and 2WD, for about a decade here, have very compatible parts when the aged parts were designed to fail. In this 'case', Th overdrive gearing (with the most stress) was placed on a short input shaft into the second shaft drive, consistent in all similar models, to allow the primary drive shaft to remain intact, if/when the 'stress gearing' failed. My complements. Honestly, I thought a set screw in the shift arms yoke had fallen out, until I opened the case. Being an old car ('90) there is always complications that have to be adapted for, until the amount of maintenance, lack of cost effective parts , and operating conditions make total replacement necessary. Yes it will happen. Want to be a cow all your existence? Anyway, I found the (at 30 years attachment) some of the bolts over a #14mm drive had to be cut. Having lost some tools over the years didn't help either, but even WD-40 won't work. To this end, order any replacement components in excess of the parts that need to be replaced, especially when using a 2WD to repair a 4WD system. Don't cheap out here. I had to cut the studs on the clutch bell housing, and a couple other bolts. Also, clear out as much work space as is comfortable under to work. The leverages to maneuver big assemblies closes in quick. Let me say one more thing here: EACH of the assemblies was a thorough PAIN IN THE ASS, AT EVERY STAGE, to make work properly (a lot like the media today). It's just one of those things one has to deal with. To make a long story short (too late, I know), it (in my opinion) was quite worth it, if the ECU lasts until it 'radios out' (most simple silicon from this era have significant longevity, even in 'safe' mode). The clutch and car will last economically until I can sell it to a teen/shop to let them completely bastardize it. One more thing; I made an initial sounding a while back (presented on wimkin) of a video of farting in Biden's face, 2(?) days before the bike incident. You will have to find, it, make up your own mind in a comparison of the sound to the bike events, if I may have been responsible (through all the 'coolers' any president would have around them). Regardless, we need ALL the gears in our government to work correctly, not just enough to get to the supermarket and back under good conditions. IF (on my mother's side typically) I am a witch most foul, I am obligated to test these things, if for no other reason, than to make responsible contributions to ALL our environment. We will see in this “Harvest Season”.