Desertfox1023

Here's some updated outside pics. These are with the street 31's on taken the day before I went out and bought my roof rack lights that are now installed on top. I'll snap some of them later after I finish wiring them all up as right now there just all look and no function.







As for an update on the build, the new bedliner is in. I have everything need for my ford turras fan conversion except for the relays. I have some new plans for bumpers that I'm going to build along with some rock rails and the D44 with the posi is sitting in the shop waiting for funds to get the explorer disc brakes put on. Someone buy the 8.25 so I can get this build rolling again.

Build plan on the jeep sits at -

1) Electric Fan install
2) Build new Bumpers and rock rails
3) Complete new suspension and set at 4.5"
4) Finish brake installation of D44
5) 96 Brake booster upgrade, removal of abs, ZJ proportioning valve and D44 install.
6) Wheel it, Wheel it, Wheel it...

After that installation that TJ Flares, 33's, and regearing will take place.

99XJDad

I want to do the carpet-removal then bedline the floor. Any problems you ran into with wires or anything?

Desertfox1023

As for wiring there are little pop rivots that hold them to the floor. I disconnected them from the floor and used some tape to hold them up off the floor. Like to the steering wheel or something. After the Bedliner dried I rerouted the wires to run under my floor mats and under the seats since it's easy to do that while everything is out. There are two main wires that you'll have. One that runs along the transmission tunnel that connects to the center console for the lights along with the seat belt sensor. The other runs from under the dash down the side to the back seat. That is the wire I moved to run under the floor mats and under the seat.

It really was a quick job, main thing was just make sure you do good prep work. I used 60/80 sand paper then cleaned the metal with a metal cleaner like acetone. The main problem you'll run into is floor rust. Hopefully you won't have any but you need to be prepared for it. Get some scrap sheet metal to patch holes with. I had 3 spots I had to cut out. After I cut them out I screwed the sheet metal in place with some self taping screws and applied bondo to it for strength. Make sure you paint any bare metal on the underside to prevent the rust from coming back. Obviously if you have the proper welder you can eliminate the screws and bondo.

99XJDad

Thanks for the info man!! Hopefully I won't run into any major floor rot. I think 97+ they used better galvanized coatings, but... we'll see.

Desertfox1023

Well now that the 8.25 has been sold I'm getting to work on my next project. The D44 rear with Discs. I just put the order in with the dealer for the rubicon retainer plates and they'll be in tomorrow. I'll be doing redoing most of the braking system on my jeep during this conversion. I'll be going from my 94 ABS style brakes to a:

96 style vacum booster
96 style master cylinder
XJ porportioning valve with ZJ inards for the rear disc
Bypassing the ABS and pulling the fuses on it.
New front Capliers and rotors since there shot

Desertfox1023

Did a little work on the jeep yesterday. Changed the Oil and the TC fluid. Then of course I had to make sure the TC still worked well so I pulled out a log and took a few poser shots.

89eliminator

i like your winch mount. i did pretty much the same thing and yours is the only other one i've ever seen like it. nice!

Desertfox1023

Ya, it's cheap and effective. This summer when I get more free time I'll be building an entire new bumper, though so I can improve my aproach angle. Also so people will stop asking how the front bumper is holding the winch on.

a1racer

looks good so far. it took about 8 months and several stages to get to where i am now. don't get to bummed if it takes a while.

Desertfox1023

Well I sold the set of 31's I had and now have the funds for the D44 and brake upgrade project. I pulled the shafts on the D44 today, one of which was very stuborn. I put the order in for the new seals and bearings which will be hear Thursday. So it should be ready for bolt in towards the end of the week. Progress pics to come.

Desertfox1023

Well got a lot work done on the axle today. Autozone got me the wrong parts so I spent a good 2 hours driving to 3 different stores getting the right parts. So the update now is:

-Retainer plates / back plates redrilled for bolt on.
-New bearings and seals pressed on
-New longer wheel studs
-Had the rotors turned and milled to fit
-Installed the new e-brake shoes

Tomorrow only thing I should have left to do is slide the shafts back in and bolt everything up. After that connect the brake lines and a fresh coat a paint. Should be ready to bolt-in after that.

rrwheelin

looking good i see you are a mossy oak fan good choice!

Desertfox1023

Thanks, ya I got the jeep pretty mossy oaked up.

Well as an update for the day I now have everything ready to go and I'll be bolting it all up tomorrow. If anyone needs any advice on converting a D44 to Disc let me know. I used Ford Explorer 8.8 parts. The main thing I noticed most people try to get away with is needing longer wheel studs. I spent most of today finding the ones that will solve this problem. 1996 V8 Grand Cherokee with Rear disc brakes wheel studs are what you need. You may also need to purchase new lug nuts like me since the new ones will be a 1/2" thread. I'll take some pictures of everything tomorrow before I slide the shafts and everything back in.

Desertfox1023

Thought I'd snap a few teaser pics today. The axle is ready to go now, just need to throw some paint on it before everything gets assembled.







Jeeps getting a pretty big make over next week. List of things to do while on spring brake.

-Install front spacers and rear S-10 Springs
-Remove ABS and upgrade brake system
-Intall D44 with Disc

I'll try to remember to snap pics of everything while I'm doing it.

Anyone got some paint suggestions for the D44? I'm think yellow cover, Dust shields and capliers. Everything else black.

Desertfox1023

Went to the bone yard to day to pick up a few more parts to get everything together for the big build next week. Grab a ZJ porportioning valve for the brakes and some S-10 Springs for the rear to replace the blocks I have now. Tomorrow I'll be pulling the jeep in the garage at home and starting with the front lift.