[CrackerJack]

When I bought my jeep I noticed that my vacuum lines were all broke. My first thought was to repair the lines but I've heard so many horror stories about the design of the system I decided I wanted to do something else. I don't have $200 to shell out for a posi-lok right now. Brian sent me a write-up where a guy had installed washers to keep the shifter fork in the engaged position so I figured I'd give it a shot. I then cut the 4 vacuum lines just above the plug on the tc. I pulled off the plug off, filled with rtv & replaced. I did the same with the plugs on the vacuum shift motor. I might go sunday over by 8th street & 137 ave to test it out a little. Here's a couple of pics.

[floppy]

Make sure your front driveshaft is pretty well balanced before you lock the collar over. If you don't you could have bad vibrations from the front. I put a heavy duty cable on mine so I can lock it over manually.

[CrackerJack]

floppy, on Jan 15 2010, 05:26 PM, said:

Make sure your front driveshaft is pretty well balanced before you lock the collar over. If you don't you could have bad vibrations from the front. I put a heavy duty cable on mine so I can lock it over manually.

I jumped on the palmetto & did 55. There was some vibration but not too bad. For me this is just a temp solution so I can start going on some wheeling trips. Hoping I can find a good deal on a posi-lok or maybe I can get w/ you & check out your setup for the long haul.

[TranyDoctor]

the factory vacuum setup is very simple and works very well. also cheep to repair, hoses and possible switch
i used the cable on my jeep cause it was a diesel with no vacuum. also installed a few for customers. its ok but personally i like the vacuum better.
if you need info let me know

[CrackerJack]

Thanks Dino. pm sent

[Brian]

looks good! anxious to do this to mine.

[CrackerJack]

I'd recommend following Floppy's advise if you plan on leaving it that way permanently. I am experiencing some vibration. Not overly bad, but noticable.

[Brian]

I will look into it. thx!

[92SquareEye]

-dave

[CrackerJack]

Thanks Dave. YJAY92 sent me a pm telling me about it also. After speaking w/ Dino today, he has convinced me to give the vacuum disconnect system another try. I can get new tubing for free & the shift motor works fine. I only wish we would have spoken BEFORE I filled the plugs with RTV I spent 2 hrs today digging it out of everywhere. Should be a fun little project & worse case I can always go the posi-lok route later.

Brian- the more I drove the jeep, the more the vibration started to bother me. I don't know how much balancing the front driveshaft would reduce this but you should look into it before spending the time to bypass it & wind up unhappy at the end.

[TranyDoctor]

LrdJeffson, on Jan 18 2010, 11:33 AM, said:

-dave

the housing was not machined for an axle seal on the location that will now be needed with a one peice axle. it seems to work on some but not all.
you might have to ginny-rig it

[92SquareEye]

CrackerJack, on Jan 18 2010, 07:25 PM, said:

Thanks Dave. After speaking w/ Dino today, he has convinced me to give the vacuum disconnect system another try.

what? you're gonna take dino's advice over mine?!?!?!

-dave

[TranyDoctor]

LrdJeffson, on Jan 18 2010, 07:54 PM, said:

what? you're gonna take dino's advice over mine?!?!?!

-dave

balancing a d/s cost not to mention the one piece axle. he will be into it for not less than 400 if he does it himself

ps i do like the one piece axle better than the two piece.

[CrackerJack]

LrdJeffson, on Jan 18 2010, 07:54 PM, said:

what? you're gonna take dino's advice over mine?!?!?!

-dave

Don't take it personal. The man does go by "doctor"!!

[CrackerJack]

UPDATE: OK, following Dino's advice I decided to try to get my vacuum disconnect system back in service. What really sucked was I had filled the plugs w/ RTV. It took me several hours to get everything cleaned out. Another problem I had was that I cut the hoses close to the plug so I didn't have alot to piggy-back on to. I got some 3/16" hose & clamps from work (with permission) & found the schematic HERE. I first connected everthing with the shift motor on the floor & started the engine to ensure it was sliding back & forth when I went from 2WD to 4WD. Then installed it. I don't have any pics, but I did test it out last night at Howard's & I am sure it is working properly.

[Brian]

niiice. congrats bro. hope it works out for you!

[Derek]

I have a posilok I can sell you, located in summerfield, floirda 352-502-2110

[Wardie]

Jack--I have a posi lock Dino installed on my jeep and I liked how it worked--Easy to use and heavy duty--Trail brush will not break the cable as easy as the hoses. $125

[Brian]

We ended up just locking mine this past Saturday. Jack had a few washers a nuts and it isn't going to pop out anymore. I would be all over this Wardie, but I HATE this system all together. Too much to go wrong. Fork, cable, clips, etc. All of the above are bad on mine.

I was worried about the drive home whn I was flat towing it. I guess my front DS is balanced pretty good. Was going 65 an I didn't noticed any vibration from the towing vehicle. Also, I'm lucky to go 60 downhill driving the YJ. Hah

[92SquareEye]

FWIW...i have the Posi-Lok cable system also and love it. i like being able to put in in Low Range and leave the front disconnected...can have a lot of fun in 2WD Low!

-dave

[Wardie]

I would think that keeping the front wheels locked all the time could do damage to the diff gears. While turning on a paved or asphalt road. the outside wheel is turning at a different rate than the inside wheel--that is not a good thing.
Seems you wil do DAMAGE DAMAGE DAMAGE but what do I know?

[CrackerJack]

Thanks Steve, but I will live w/ the vacuum system for now. I ran all new hoses & for now is working pretty good. Also I do not have the funds available to put toward it.

[Brian]

Wardie, on Mar 9 2010, 11:42 AM, said:

I would think that keeping the front wheels locked all the time could do damage to the diff gears. While turning on a paved or asphalt road. the outside wheel is turning at a different rate than the inside wheel--that is not a good thing.
Seems you wil do DAMAGE DAMAGE DAMAGE but what do I know?

never thought of that. good info, thanks. but say I was to put in a TJ shaft or similar (one piece) I would have the same problem then wouldn't i? why is this a known upgrade? your probably right, never thought of that but now I am confused. it would be the exact same issues with the diff with it locked and only have to put it in 4wd to engage it.

dave, I see what your saying about the 2wd fun. but if I do not engage it and only leave it in 2wd, wouldn't only the rear spin? obviously if I have 4lo or 4hi engaged it would turn the fronts…. ???

[CrackerJack]

My understanding is that as long as you dont have a locker in the front it is okay. Similar to installing the TJ shaft. But then again I am a rookie & still learning.

[Brian]

CrackerJack, on Mar 9 2010, 03:22 PM, said:

My understanding is that as long as you dont have a locker in the front it is okay. Similar to installing the TJ shaft. But then again I am a rookie & still learning.

as long as we are on the same page and I wasnt missing anything.

off topic, Jack did you get those pics sent to my server yet?

[BlackOpsPete]

I just put in the Posi-Lok and love it too. You know when it is engaged!

[dgray69]

my poss axle engagment worked great till the day the cable broke just glad I had vise grips on hand.

[Wardie]

I have a posi loc cable if anyone is interested

[dgray69]

i would buy that off ya but decided to go one piece axle instead and eliminate the issue all together