Trusted shop around Chicago?

[ProjCJ7]

First timer!

I've been a tinkerer for a long time, and running short on time to enjoy the rig this summer. So...I know it's probably a crazy question here, but does anyone know any mechanics and/or repair shops they trust with their CJs in Chicago?

I can't believe how tough it is to find someone who knows what they're doing. A lot of "my guys plug in to the computers and go from there" responses, and no idea what to do on a Jeep without present day technology.

Anyway, I'm looking for someone to really give my Jeep a once over and give me the green light in terms of safety and engine tuning. I'm not a mechanic and like I said, a tinkerer, but before I hit the highway I'd like to know I'm good to go.

Symptoms now are:
I know I have an SR4 , and the common sentiment is it stinks. I agree, but it's what I'm working with. I find myself needing to shift out of 1st gear at about 5MPH or the engine revs really high and I go nowhere. I'm in 3rd by about 20MPH. Not sure if something is wrong with me or it, but it's concerning. Not to mention I top out - even with an Iron Duke - at about 40MPH.

At about 35MPH I get the shakes - I think I need a realignment.

Intermittent stalls; I can drive it at low speeds (<20MPH for a while, then I'll pull up to a red light and what happens? Stalls. I've tried adjusting the idle screw but I'm not a carb expert.

Thanks everyone!

 

[truk820]

Running the same set up, in the same city. I'll PM you a few thoughts but bottom line is it appears to be slim pickings.

 

[Hedgehog]

You are in low range in your Transfer Case . I had that very set-up in an '80 CJ5 . In high range the jeep would skoot right along at highway speeds with no problem.

And your in 4wheel drive, the shaking tells me that, on pavement this isn't a good thing at all.

 

[hole]

Gotta second Hedgehog on this, sure sounds like your in low range. Take pics and post what your unsure of, as a group we can talk you through just about anything that needs to be done

 

[Deerejeep]

Try here first as you can see there are a lot of people who are experts.. There's a great shop out this way about 2.5 hours from you if you can't find anything in Chicago. Only after my stuff gets done. I had an iron duke prior to my rebuild project. Have a box of engine parts if you are in need.


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[ProjCJ7]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone -

I'm running the stock twin-stick Transfer Case setup and I'm about 99% sure I'm in 2H. I spent some time experimenting on the street and when I kicked in low you can really feel it. It feels like it's a power issue of some sort.

Also, I probably misspoke on the shaking. When I hit about 35 my steering wheel pulls left and right rather than a typical 4x4 shake on pavement. I'm chalking it up to a steering issue of some sort but we'll see.

The last thing to mention that I didn't before is my timing appears off. When I turn the car off it sputters for a moment or two before it shuts off. I'll start another thread if I can't find anything on the Iron Duke timing but I hear it's a pain to change the meshed gears. If anyone has a resource to walk me through step by step it'd be great, if not...fingers crossed I can get to it.

All in all I'd still really like to find somewhere local to take it the last 10% and ensure I'm safe. In the meantime I'll be posting more!

 

[Hedgehog]

Twin stick is NOT a stock item in your year Jeep. You have a Dana 300 Transfer Case and they came only with a single stick. The twin stick is an after market item.

Sorry, but if your Jeep won't go 5mph in first, it simply won't have enough power to move at all in 4th/high.

Normally with a single stick all the way back is 4 high ..... next forward is 2 high ...... next forward i neutral ....... All the way forward is 4 low.

With twin stick left stick is for the rear axle only - To the front is rear low .... in the middle is neutral ..... All the way to the back is rear high. This one of the cool thing about the twin stick system, you can have rear wheel low only.

if the jeep doesn't move the gears are probably binding a little which is common. Move the jeep slightly to unbind things or try shifting as the jeep starts moving, don't go nuts with this you are just attempting to keep the gears moving slightly.

The right stick is for the front axle only, manupulating the front is a little more complicated and its there to prevent mistakes. You don't want the front in high with the rear in low that would be bad.

For 4 high (adding the front drive) stop and pull right the gear lever back, simple. Going into 4 low is more difficult. With the right or front in neutral, shift the left to rear low, THEN move the right/front to low. To go back to high, place the front lever in neutral, then move the rear lever to high.

 

[hole]

Im assuming that "topping out at 40" means the engine is maxxed out rpm wise, and your sure its in 2H, you might want to check the gear ratio in the diffs. Maybe a slipping clutch ?