XJmember

Good build, but honestly I would be concerned about the unibody repair around the steering box...those welds looks like a giant booger...

awork

Ya i have checked it out a lot. It is actually better than it looks. It looks like someone tried to add some welding to it on those spots that look bad. There are good welds there too. I was really nervous about it after I found it. I may eventually have it reinforced a little more though.

awork

So took the rear sway bar off a couple weeks ago and took it out to test out the flex. I am not getting much flex at all. I am not sure if its the shocks limiting the flex or what it is. Has anyone else had the this issue? If so what was causing it?

awork

Haven't done too much lately. Taken it wheeling a few times, had an issue with the TPS acting up after a trip and had to drive about 50mph the whole way home. I replaced the TPS under warranty and the issue went a way. I plan on buying a MOPAR TPS here soon since I have had to replace this one twice already.

I also purchased some AJ's Super rock rails about two weeks ago. Got them all primed and painted and installed them this weekend! I really like how they turned out but made my jeep look a little shorter so am thinking about doing some type or shackle relocation to fix the bad shackle angle and some spacers for the front.

I plan on going with a buddy to one of the local parks that we haven't tried yet soon and finally can push my jeep a little since I am not to worried about smashing up the rockers.



After prime


Finished

awork

A few new things but not much yet. I decided to take off the front sway bar and wow was i impressed by the amount of flex it added. I am going to the local offroad park this weekend so I am excited to try it out.

I am also considering taking the molding off of my doors. What are everyones thoughts? I like the looks of them on but really like them off too.


Here is the difference from before and after the front sway bar was removed.

RedStar

Looking good man. That's always been my fear on sliders, making the Jeep look shorter, but I think those turned out great. I think the black blends in enough with the other black accents to make it not as noticeable.

awork

Well my Jeep got its first trail damage last weekend. Coming up out of a creek bed it had some really big rocks and took a bad line on it and ended up getting pretty stuck, this is where the damage started! The guy that made it out first tried to pull me out and after about 3 tugs (the last one being harder) it sheared off 2 of the 3 bolts on my tow hooks. The damage was a bent front bumper, broke drive light and broke header panel. I was able to remove the bumper and partially bend it back. I drilled a couple holes in the header panel and did a temporary wire up job. After checking out the damage he tried to winch me out and that also failed. I was finally able to rock the jeep back and fourth enough to back out of the rocks and of course as thats happening back into the bank and break a tail light! But after finally getting out and lined back up right i was able to take a better line and make it through the trail!

Here is where i got stuck ( rocks are bigger than they appear)


The damage

gunmetal_nightrider

Bummer dude, I feel your pain. It's the first dent that hurts then after that it's battle scars. Time for a steel bumper!

Flex limitations can be cause by:

Opposite tire buried in wheel well
Drive shaft is at maximum angle
Brake/e-brake line (usually will break)
Shocks too short
Springs only travel so far
Swaybar
Front steering components
Control arms

awork

Haven't updated for awhile! So after my last outing when I broke the front bumper I was able to remove it and inspect the reason for plates on the unibody. looking from the inside it looks like two of the bigger holes (on is where the back bolt for tow hooks mount, not sure on the other) are what was welded over. I had pictures on my other phone but it died on me.
It appeared the holes almost look like they exploded from the outside. Its really hard to explain but it looks like they are just opened up a little and bent inward. It wasn't at all what I was expecting so that is good! The only issue is I need to measure to where the hole is for the tow hooks so I can drill it out and bolt my tow hook better.

I recently decided it was time to tackle the hitch situation. I had previously tried to remove it and broke two bolts on the passengers side. I was able to get the other two off easily though. now the drivers side was a different story... I ended up having to sawsall all of them off because with no nut strip on that side they just spun. I attempted to get the nut strip out of the passengers side but was having a lot of issues. I decided to drill out the two broke bolts instead. I am in the middle of getting that done now and hopefully this weekend I can get all of the mounting hardware I need and mount the gas tank skid and hitch back on!

Now my question is why do they not use a nut strip on both sides?
My plan for now is to just get some grade 8 bolts, washer and nuts for the drivers side because I am hoping to get front and rear bumpers in the somewhat near future.

Another plus is I believe my wife bought me the hd no lift shackle relocation brackets for our anniversary next month! I am really excited for these because my shackle angle is terrible and makes for a even worse ride!

I also just purchased a cb set up that I am hoping to install this weekend. Besides that I believe I my next upgrades are going to be an SYE once I have the funds and hopefully a rear locker. I am planning on taking a trip to Colorado next year with a few people so I want to have it all done before that. If possible front and rear bumpers and maybe longer shackles and spacers for a little extra lift!

awork

With the plate welded on the unibody how does that work with an aftermarket bumper? I am sure the mounts are to fit without that there. Do they have to be cut off and moved?

awork

Well instead of buying nut stips i decided to somewhat make my own. I bought a piece of 1 1/2 by 1/4" steel and cut it to fit inside the unibody to be used as a spacer. I am dont' have a welder so i am going to try to get someone to weld the nuts onto it for me, if not i will just have to use some wire and thread them through.

I still haven't been able to get the passengers side nutstip out. I am going to get a crow bar tomorrow and go to work, if i do i will make another spacer for that side too.

awork

So come to find out the gas tank skid i have isn't going to fit. I plan on doing some cutting on it to make it work and weld it up eventually!

I also decided to order an SYE to get rid of the vibration it has. I am going to the JY this weekend to pull a font driveshaft. I am hoping to go to 4 1/2" in the next 6 months or so!


Not my jeep but spent the day at my family's cabin a couple weekends ago! Amazing place to spend your time!

gunmetal_nightrider

Nice vacation man! I can't wait to get out of the city and into the hills. 4.5 lift is great man. You going to get new front springs or just add a spacer/acos?

awork

Ya its a fun place! Sits on over 300 acres. Unfortunately i can't make any trails on it though!

Well for now i think i am going to do the spacers. I bought 2.5" lift shackle whenever i put the hd shackle box on. The only negative about that is i think you actually lose lift with those boxes. I put the shackle on the 1.5 inch hole and it barely lifted the jeep. Less than an inch. So after i install the SYE I may end up going up to the next hole and buy some spacers for the front.

awork

Had a fun outing last weekend at the local off road park. It ended up being a lot muddier than expected but still had a blast!


I plan on installing the SYE soon and then probably going to tackle that dang heater core before it starts getting cold!










my buddy and his tacoma