cdjflyslow

LOL, i feel stupid now! that's probably why my searches are not turning up much! thanks for all the input guys. Still hoping for some pictures of a relatively simple DIY solution. Ill try searching again with the correct spelling.

Hey guys I have been wanting to get a wench for a while for my 97 but the cost of a bumper has always held me back. Found out recently my neighbor is handy with metal and he is willing to build me something relatively cheap. I have reviewed the posts I can find but some of the older ones don't bring up the pictures. So my questions are: if I don't care about looks (this is just a trail rig) whats the simplest way to mount a wench up front? Is there some practical reason to build a whole bumper or can I get by with just a mount and leave/modify the existing bumper. Can he just weld it on or should have him build the brackets I see in some posts ? Any tips, links or pics of your solution would be appreciated. thanks!

thanks for the comments, i replaced the oil filter so thats not it. tried cleaning it too but that stuff can only take off a surface layer! looks like its been leaking slowly for a long time and building up a nice thick layer of gunk.

it had a slow leak, a few drops a day, then last trip we went in a deep mudhole and had to wench back out. engine seemed fine until noticed huge spot on the driveway next morning. now leaking about a quart every 10-15 minutes. seems to be on the left of the motor thanks guys for the input !

this sounds exactly like what happened to my 97. It would just quit while driving and then start back up and go for a while then randomly quit again. I took it to a shop and they found a connector leading to the distributor was loosing its contact. they taped it together and it went for a while then did it again. So i put a zip tie around it to hold the connectors together and no more issues. Sorry i don't know what the wire is, but the connector sits just in front of the distributor and the wire runs to the left side of the distributor.

ok I thought it might be the source of my oil leak. at least i can rule that out. thank you!

I have found a lot if pics & info on the 2001 oil cooler location but when I look there on my 97 I find nothing. Maybe it was moved in later r50 models? Can anyone describe where to find it on the 97 model? thanks !

thanks, ill do some more testing and see if I can pin down the behavior

As I drive my steering wheel seems to be re-indexing relative to the wheels. I have no significant play, no clunk, and no damage was done to the vehicle that I know of, Everything will be normal, then after going around a curve the steering wheel will be offset about 35 degrees when driving straight. Then another curve it may go to the other side with the same offset, and sometimes back to normal. Its not like there is that much play, the steering wheel seems to be re-positioned relative to the wheels. I cant even feel when it happens and otherwise it steers fine. Anyone have a clue what it could be and/or how to fix it? thanks !

great thanks for all the input guys. I will do the suspension later and just get spacers for now.

thanks for that input Rick13. I understand your points about articulation. I'm in wonderland as it is when I take this thing in the woods so I think it would be just awesome with 2", however I get it. I do have mud tires on it and my LSD seems to still work somehow after 235k, so its pretty amazing compared to anything else I have ever driven.

thanks for your response! my suspensions is pretty shot and it does bottom out a lot. But i'm still in a phase where I'm afraid this thing is just going to explode at any moment given its unknown repair history. So I can live with the suspension as is for now. On the other hand if I can get a spacer lift for under $200, that I can justify...

I'm new to the offroading world and I have been using this site for a few months but this is my first post. I have been able to get the answers to every question just by reading... until now. Thanks to all you for your information its been a great help! I have read all the threads about lift options and I'm still confused. 1) what are the pro/cons of just strut/coil spacers vs the spring lift kits ? 2) if some of you are running both so you have 3" of total lift and your CVs are surviving (with manual hubs I realize) why cant i just go with the biggest spacers here: www.4x4design.com and have 2.5" lift for under $200 ? It sounds too good to be true so i'm just wanting to know why everyone has the spring kits ? My 97 has 235k on it and not a DD so I don't want to do the suspension if there is no huge advantage or reason why the spacers alone are not a good option. thanks !