So I got this '98 4.0 4x4 XLT cheap and was wondering why . . . so I poked around and one of the freeze plugs is leaking. It's on the driver's side, and as near as I can tell, it's the last one (most toward the right).

I was wondering who has replaced theirs and what tips/warnings they have.

And also, can I just nurse the truck along a while before I take care of this?

 

OK, well, how about whether I should use the steel or the brass replacement? One of the posts suggested getting the deeper/thicker lip one.

Seems like I can put the truck on a jack stand, take the wheel off, and then jack the body up a little more to get a little more space. Any other ideas?

 

I only removed one for the block heater, but...

Pick top or bottom, hit it with a punch. It will spin in the hole, then use pliers to remove it.
As for going back in, I'd look for a wooden dowel about the same diameter to drive it home.

Oh yeah, coolant will DUMP out, be ready. Not sure if it has a block drain or not, but be sure to use it.
To avoid air bubbles I refilled my block by removing the thermostat. Removes the chance of running it with the thermo closed and never opening due to no coolant in the block.

 

Thanks. Sounds like a good chance to put in a new thermostat and temp sensor sender.

 

You could limp along by putting the rad cap in the non-pressure position. Wouldn't do that for long though.

If this is only a seeping.. you could try some bars leak. If it's creating a puddle under the truck though.. need to replace it.

Rich

 

I'm going to try to get at it this weekend. I want it to happen at my convenience.