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Some where in between a couple of these projects and during the bumper project I installed new discs and pads, flushed all the fluids (including gear oil) installed napier hood vents, and some fat bobs shocks ( still working pretty good for the price) and a JCR steering spacer.
I picked up the ******* steel rims off of craigslist for 30 bucks off of a 2000 TJ. I rattle can sprayed them in gun metal, because really, you can't go wrong with gun metal.
Pre hood vent pic. I also replaced the mech fan shroud, and installed a T flush kit to help with the overheating I was experiencing during offroad (sand mostly)
No pics at this point, but I had to patch up the rear cargo behind the wheel wells. I cut the rot out and installed some nickel plates 14 gauge panels. (free from work)
So at this point I have the drive train out of the parts Jeep. I wanted the axles to use because of the lower gearing. I wanted the engine because hey, who doesn't want a low mileage spare engine right? I sold the auto box and the transfer case and a few other things that equaled out to the price of the Jeep, which meant free engine, and free axles. The security XJ has just over 100k on the clock.
I couldn't fine a pic of the parts jeep, so enjoy this meme instead.
There was about a 6 month halt on all jeep related projects due to a new home purchase/moving/renovating the home etc etc. This was like Christmas for me as we now had a nice roomy two car garage and work shop area! After we got settled in, I had some repair work to do. I replaced the windshield wiper mechanism with the parts jeep one that was in tip top shape (these mechanisms are like 200 bucks new?) ouch... I then replaced the blower motor for the HVAC, the switch, and resistor block set up for the winter, although it only left the house once all winter so I could grab another shovel. It did great in 2ft of snow though. I also wired up some new fog lights, and whilst in the guts ran a new relay and switch to the electric fan (which had never worked) Pics are of the wiring fun, and my buddies yuppie getting an E fan upgrade on his 4 banger. My tiny wrenching buddy puting on the resistor block.
Photo of the fog lamps. After many a search to find something that didn't have a back space to it I came to these. My bumper is so close to my grill I had a hard time finding a a set that would work for what I wanted. I picked up some Run-D fogs and drilled and tapped the bumper and bolted them on. I also found that they offered a wiring harness for them. I could've made my own, but for 20 bucks I felt it was worth it to have the sealed connections on the pods.
At this particular point the entire vehicle has been converted to led, for no particular reason other than I could. (the headlights were because I don't like staring at two dim yellow blobs on the road.
This next phase required some assistance. That's when Unidentifiedbomb and I began arguing over facebook. He then came over to my house to help me pull the auto axles out of the parts jeep. I spent about a month cleaning them up and getting them ready. These things we very clean. I degreased them and painted them, and I had to replace some brake parts on the rear. I also installed new longer HD lcas and a slight puck in the front to level it out. I also added a track bar bracket for the added height. #weekend double axle swap, lift and locker.
Oh yeah last pic shows some artech LCA skid/mounts I put on the front HP 30. The new gears with 235's were super fun! Also I did have to replaced the upper control arm bushings at the top of the axle, other than that and filling in the brake pad ruts in the knuckles it was tip top.
So Here's the result with new tires (used bought from unidentifiedbomb) And the day of purchase for reference. I did have to reset the torque on the carrier strap bolts, and refill. I had to adjust the steering wheel a tad. The 31's rub, but a few days after I bought some special bent in LCA's from Rusty's and can report not rub anywhere what so ever without wheel spacers or aftermarket rims.
The total price for the parts for the lift the way I did it was around 450, plus 120 for shocks. It's around 3.5" of lift, it would be considered a boosted Upcountry suspension I think. The ride is pretty nice, but I have to do something with the rear perches. Most likely a no lift shackle relocation kit from HD offroad.
08-18-2016, 07:58 PM
