Questions for the Gearheads

Hi, new owner here. Been working on the engine over the summer and got it all put back together, it’s running pretty good now. Ran into a few things along the way that I’d like some input on.

1. Was this cap important and what’s it do?


2. Am I missing bolts, and is that why it appears to have been leaking at some point?





3. Before parking and working on the engine for over a month there was no lights on the dash. Now the parking break is always on. Tightened the cable a little and checked metal button is contacted (where I assume light is triggered to go on) and it’s free moving. Any advice?

 

No idea. Is that a spring in your hand? Was there a spring behind it? If so, It'd probably important. You should get a copy of the FSM found in the so you wanna buy a first gen sticky thread.

No. The Transfer case is the same body that was used across multiple chassis and depending on whether or not is was electronically shifted on manually shifted changed the design of the rear case section, but the holes were there in production to adapt to different case halves.
The 2 holes in the bottom of the bell housing are the back side of the bolts that secure the inspection plate in the front. It looks normal.

Did the 04 have a brake fluid level sensor? Also see the sticky tread called rear brake adjustment and theory

 

That’s probably a breather cap in your hand, looks like there’s one missing in that pic below your hand.

agree Xfer case looks normal

agree with low brake fluid as most likely cause for light to be on.

 

Yup breather caps for transfer case and front diff. Replace both and then clean engine and diff and trans to find the leaks. Most probably your valve cover gaskets need replacing. The holes on the bell housing are for the little black inspection plate to bolt on from the front.

 

Looks like a breather cap to me. Should be able to replace it.

Your bell housing and transferr case look fine to me.

Yep, check your brake fluid first.

 

Thanks, and I should have given more info my bad. I was cleaning engine bay before taking it apart to do TB/WP. Cap crumbled in my hand so I froze and took a picture. I’ll look into new lines and caps bc these are pretty far gone.

Thanks for putting my mind at ease about transfer case/bell housing. Checked oil level in transfer case today and it’s right at the top. Both valve covers and both cam seals were leaking oil, new seals and gaskets all around. I didn’t think valve covers would leak to transfer case but could be. I’ll clean it all up and monitor.

One of these days I’ll get some posts in my build thread, did a mini restoration of the engine.

Thanks all!

 

Looks right at the MIN line, hopefully topping it off will resolve.

 

Yeah, she's low. Probably a sign that it's time for brakes. might want to check you pad measurements

 

They are near the top of the list, they don’t feel great and squeal a little now that I have been driving around a little. Drums in the back aren’t looking too hot, very rusted.