Almost finished the D18 today. �I still may replace the seals with better units, I'm not comfortable with the single lip seals that came in the kit. �Found that it is true that the built up crud on the bottom of old CJs do actually help seal leaks....see the rust holes in the D18 bottom cover? �Found those with a wire wheel, and it was holding gear oil before I took it apart! �Got those welded up now. �


Also, notice how somehow I've managed to ruin the intermediate shaft, don't ask me how, I have no idea. �I think the Jeep is mad at me and broke it through its magical powers when I wasn't looking. �I'll pick one up from Durtch on Friday, "no big whoop dog".

But I'd by lying if I didn't admit all these little set backs are piling up and getting on my nerves, making me want to buy a plane ticket to the Azores for the weekend. �But since I'm poor, I instead took the old MJ up to the store as the sun was setting to get some of my favorite tasty beverages to quell today's disappointing intermediate shaft event and hit on the super cute (and single - of course) young Cambodian lady that runs the place who surprisingly greeted me with, "So is that a Willys L Head in the back of your truck or are you happy to see me?" �Of course she had my beverages ready (special order for rural TX) and her greeting probably confirmed that I may have talked "Jeep" with her one too many times, (women aren't supposed to know what a Willys L Head is),,,, I guess there is such a thing as too much "Jeep", no wonder she won't go out with me. �Dang it.

So tonight's sponsor is a special wonder brew from beautiful Ft. Collins, CO home of the New Belgium brewery. �I present you Fat Tire and its sister brew, 1554. �Life is too short for cheap beer, this brew makes all your problems go away, for a short time at least.
