Alternator kit and tranny rebuild

[cory_Alaska]

Well, I just got my baby all put back together after a complete tranny rebuild and alternator kit install! Took it out for its maiden voyage around the neighborhood and I have to say that if you dont have the external alternator you really need to invest in the kit. I got it through a colorado dealer for about $250 and it was not near as bad as I thought to install it and wire it up. The directions are easy to follow and man does it make a difference. It charges at idle at about 13 volts and reaches the full 14.3 volts at as low as 1000 rpms. Along with the ful size Optima deep cycle battery I put in there it should run anything I can throw at it! The tranny rebuild wasnt as bad as I thought it would be either. I replace both output shafts along with all seals and bearings. Shifts very smooth and is so much tighter than it was when I removed it! Of course the output shafts were worn about an 1/8" total!

[chinook]

Where did you get the Optima in Anchorage or the Valley? Glad to hear your back up and running, Sept. is not to far off.

[cory_Alaska]

I got it through sears in Anchorage. A guy I work with got me a discount. I am really looking forward to September. Also hoping to head out to my cabin in the next few weeks. Not sure if I am taking it or the wheelers this time of year though.

[Yooper]

Costco in Anchorage sells them about as cheap as your going to find them around here.

[bearclaw46]

Good News

Cory, glad you got your Conquest up and running again. I'm hoping we can get together for a ride someday. I'll pm you on the next time I go Argoing and see if you're interested.

Got a question, I just put a little over 20 hrs on my Frontier and now have to change the oil and the tranny oil. I was wondering what kind of tranny oil did you put in your rebuilt tranny?? You're local so wanted to see what you used and where you got it.
Thanks in advance,
Dennis
bearclaw46

[Rock Doctor]

Hey Cory,
I'm sure that you posted it before, but I can't remember. How many hrs did your Conquest have on it before the rebuild?
I have almost 600 hrs on mine, and I don't feel any "play" in my output shafts yet. I work mine pretty hard, so I'm just curious.

RD

[bearclaw46]

Tranny/output shaft

Rock Doc: How do you check for play?? Is that on the outside or inside of the tub?? I was also going to ask you, when you take out the tranny (not that I need to)
but where does one even start. Looks like a total mess to get into.

What kind of tranny fluid do you use Doc?? Haven't bought any yet so just looking for suggestions.

Dennis

[Rock Doctor]

Rock Doc: How do you check for play?? Is that on the outside or inside of the tub?? I was also going to ask you, when you take out the tranny (not that I need to)
but where does one even start. Looks like a total mess to get into.

What kind of tranny fluid do you use Doc?? Haven't bought any yet so just looking for suggestions.

Dennis

Hey Dennis
Lower the tranny to loosen the idler chains, then try to lift your output shafts. If they lift more than about 10 thou (I don't measure, I wing it) I would suggest that the bearings are starting to go on you. You should not be able to move a newly installed assembly more than about 5 thou.

To pull tranny: Avenger
Remove belt
Remove idler chains
Remove Brakes
Pull mounting bolts
Disconnect brake cooling duct
Pull tranny out through firewall hole.


I use 75w in the winter and 80w-90 in the summer. Any good brand wiil work fine. I have even used 10w-30 engine oil in a pinch (Not recomended)

[bearclaw46]

THANKS

Rock Doc

and Cory, don't forget the above replies from Rock Doc and me. We had questions that are getting buried here haha.

Dennis

[cory_Alaska]

Sorry about that

I have to buy a roof kit for my cabin so I have been out all week putting it together so I can haul it in with the argo this weekend.

Doc, I had 450 hours on it and the right hand side shaft was toast. Unfortunitely the shafts are softer metal than the bearings so once the shaft starts spinning in the bearing it chews it up pretty good. I thought about cryo treating the shafts when I rebuilt it, but couldnt find anyone locally in time.

Yooper, thanks for the tip on the optima's. I will keep that in mind for future purchases.

Dennis, if you ever need to pull the tranny let me know and I will come over and give you a hand. It was not too tough honestly, but I found out a few tips to make it go smoother. As for fluid, I used a semi synthetic valvoline durablend 80w90 and some lucas stabilizer. About half and half. Doc hit the nail on the head for checking for play. Just make sure the brakes arent sticking so the rotors are free and loosen the chains. On mine it would move up and down close to an 1/8th of an inch, but any play that you can really feel would be cause for concern.

[bearclaw46]

Tranny

Cory, Thanks for the offer on the tranny pull but in that this thing has only 21 hrs on it, I hope pulling any part of the internals won't be necessary for a long while. Of course, you never know what can happen in the field as you well know. What does Lucas Stabilizer do for it?? I've never heard of that additive?? What auto store has this stuff locally??

Dennis

[cory_Alaska]

Lucas is an additive available at all parts stores that I know of in anchorage. It makes oil stick to moving parts better and in turn better lubricates and reduces friction. Ive used it for years in just about anything that uses any kind of oil from gears to engines, etc.

[bearclaw46]

Thanks Cory

Thanks Cory, I wish I would have seen your answer about the Lucas stabilizer before I changed my tranny fluid. I went down to All Seasons Argo and Jason and Travis (their mechanic) told me to get Valvoline 80-90 GL-5 which is what they recommend. So I did and changed it Monday. I haven't been in 6x6 world for awhile so didn't see your post/answer. I did see some Lucas gear oil and the Lucas stabilizer at Schucks but wasn't even thinking about your first post mentioning it on this thread. Guess it would be a worthwhile investment for future oil changes and tranny oil changes.

In changing the tranny fluid, there was a lot of gunk in the tranny fluid, esp on the little magnet on the drain plug. Glad I did it. The engine oil was relatively clean but know thru my younger days of rebuilding engines, break in will net an oil change pretty quick. The oil extractor pump I bought at Carquest worked REALLY well to extract the engine oil. I mentioned it on another thread here and put a pic of what it looks like.

[450hunter]

Cory,
If you don't mine who did you buy your alternator kit from? My buddy is getting ready to buy one of the alternator kits. All Season wants $800 for the kit. Thanks