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Relocated my front brake lines today, easiest job ever. Also had some fun with plastidip. The tape lines look like crab but from far away I think the rims turned out pretty good.
Finished up my shackle relocation brackets. This was my first ever fab project so they aren't perfect. The holes got messed up in the spot where the shackles should be sitting (about an inch forward ). So the angle is still a little steep, but overall I feel like the jeep does ride better. I don't think they raised the back any noticeable amount, which is good since i didn't want any more lift. I also took off my rear sway bar and put the hitch on. Getting an alignment done tomorrow so I can stop drifting into oncoming traffic every time i take a hand off the wheel.
Took my Jeep to firestone for an alignment, worst idea ever. I made it 5min down the road, hit a bump, and started getting some mad death wobble. And the jeep still doesn't drive perfectly straight. If have to replace my entire front end I'm going to kill someone :curs ing:
Well my Rubicon Express steering stabilizer came in today. Threw it on and took a drive. I haven't experienced any DW since the one incident so maybe it was the uneven tire pressure? Anyway steering seems in fine shape now so hopefully it'll stay that way. Headed out to Morgantown WV this weekend to hang out with my brother and maybe do some light wheeling.
Well my transmission is leaking so this thing needs to go to a shop soon, there goes my mod budget
On a better note I got tired of my spare quart of oil and other stuff rolling around in the back of the Jeep so I cut out some plywood and made this. I have no clue why I didn't do this sooner, hurray for more storage.
You mentioned your other jeep had an AX15 right? If you are having trans issues with the AW4 I'd suggest swapping the AX15 in since you have the donor vehicle right there. I did it, its pretty easy actually. You can swap the entire wiring harness so you have no issues with the NSS. Its It sounds more intense than it actually is. Pretty sure the only part you would need to buy is the pilot bearing that is cheap.
Its definitely worth the work I think, having a manual is way better. If you had help i bet you could get it going in a weekend. Then you would also have the 3.55 gears that would help with the bigger tires. Just my opinions, take them or leave them!.
You mentioned your other jeep had an AX15 right? If you are having trans issues with the AW4 I'd suggest swapping the AX15 in since you have the donor vehicle right there. I did it, its pretty easy actually. You can swap the entire wiring harness so you have no issues with the NSS. Its It sounds more intense than it actually is. Pretty sure the only part you would need to buy is the pilot bearing that is cheap.
Its definitely worth the work I think, having a manual is way better. If you had help i bet you could get it going in a weekend. Then you would also have the 3.55 gears that would help with the bigger tires. Just my opinions, take them or leave them!.
Your jeep looks great by the way.
This option is definitely on the table. It's just a lot of work for a guy who doesn't know much about transmissions, but hey it'd be a good way to learn I suppose. Were there any really helpful write-ups or forum threads that you used? Have any pictures of the install? How did yours work out, any regrets? Honestly this is what I'd really like to do, I've been in love with manuals ever since my first car (VW Beetle TDI).
I didn't use a write up, I pretty much did it all my self with just a engine hoist and a couple jacks. I probably didn't need the hoist but it made things easier. The most annoying things were the "E12" torx bolts on top of the transmission behind the motor, I think there are 2. The way I made that easier was to take the motor mount bolts out and lower the motor down a few inches and then I could reach them easy. I left the transfer case attached to the transmission. The pedals were annoying but bolt in. The clutch master cylinder needs two holes drilled in the firewall, but there are dimples so you can't miss it, and also if i remember correctly the pedal bracket uses those holes also.
I used the manual jeeps wiring harness, which eliminated the NSS wiring and the TCU(transmission control unit?) and a couple little things. That was easy, no special wiring needed, the only annoying part was routing things around. The harness unplugs at the firewall I think, and you pretty much leave the wiring alone under the dash. I have a couple pictures but I didn't take many. If you were to actually do it I would be glad to help with any specific questions.
I say do it, its worth it and easier than it might seem. I hadn't ever done a project like that and it went together without issue.
Also, there is no actual wiring fabrication work needed, all you do is unplug it from one jeep and plug it into the other jeep. Can't get any easier than that. The whole swap is pretty much unbolt from one jeep, walk over, and bolt up to the other jeep. Drill a couple holes for master cylinder and press in a small pilot bearing are the only two extra things I can think of at the moment.
After some research and a little soul searching, I realized that the cheapest (not the easiest) solution to my trans problem is to swap the AX15 in. Spent all day today pulling the 5spd out of the donor Jeep. It was a job, but not too terrible. I had a friend swing by and help with the actual dropping of the trans, another set of hands definitely made things easier, the company is nice too. I still need to get some of the other stuff off the donor before I have everything ready for the swap, but progress is progress.
Happy Turkey Day tomorrow.
Cheers
10-12-2014, 04:47 PM
). So the angle is still a little steep, but overall I feel like the jeep does ride better. I don't think they raised the back any noticeable amount, which is good since i didn't want any more lift. I also took off my rear sway bar and put the hitch on. Getting an alignment done tomorrow so I can stop drifting into oncoming traffic every time i take a hand off the wheel.
