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Glad the locker install went smooth. Not a whole lot to it, just a little cumbersome getting the C clips back in. There isnt a lot of room to work with.
Glad the locker install went smooth. Not a whole lot to it, just a little cumbersome getting the C clips back in. There isnt a lot of room to work with.
I think my biggest problem was that the instructions said nothing about installing the c-clip. I had to watch a video to figure it out. But once I saw the video, it all made sense. The locker install puts a new meaning to "stick your finger in the hole". I do have to thank you for something too. A couple pages back you mentioned that I could use the old rear sway bar mounts to extend the shocks. Well with my lift being all jacked up, the shocks barely had any down travel. So sure enough, I remembered what you said and used the sway bar mounts as spacers. Worked perfectly! So thanks for the info!
Well I got my temporary lift fix on order. Shackles. Got some that are for a 1-2" lift. Should be 2" shorter then my current ones and will get me by for now. Might have to order up some RE 4.5" front springs to make it sit level. No big deal as longer springs would be nice. The current 3.5" springs pull out the mount at full droop with the new shocks.
Took it out flex testing at the top of my street. Glad its still light out when I get home now! Found the biggest mound I could. Front springs are so stiff, it doesnt hit the bump stops. Rear springs are still way too lifted and still has at least 4" before it hits the bump stops. Both the front and rear have at least 4" more down travel before the shocks max out. Time to start the fine tuning. Sadly, the rear wheel was just about to lift at this point.
Got my tune up kit installed tonight. Found out it had horrible plugs in it. And all the plugs were barely hand tight. Idles smoother now and no cold start misfire. Havent taken it around the block yet. About to install the muffler and didnt want everything to be hot.
Looking good in those flex pics.
It will take a few good rides for the leafs to become less stiff, as you add more weight with exterior upgrades your ride will become more plush as well.
The coil unseating is normal, mine would unseat by about 2" on my first rig even with short arms.
I did a driveway alignment tonight. It was off big time. Drives a lot better now. First time driving with the new muffler on. Love it. Can barely tell its there. Also first time driving it since the tune up. Seems like it has a lot more power. And finally, got my new shorter shackles installed. Rear is still a little high but hoping it settles an inch over time.
Not much to report with the Jeep these days. I switched the oil psi sending unit a few days ago and sure enough, NO MORE LEAKS!!!! I did the fuel pump over the weekend and it actually starts right up! Even feels like it has more power. Took it out to dinner on Sunday and did about a 60 mile loop. Averaged 21 mpg (according to the display) doing 70-75 mph with 4 people in it. So at this point, I am going to say the Jeep is good to go!
I also took the Jeep out wheelin on both Friday and Sunday. It performed flawlessly. We made it everywhere with ease. I cant imagine what a locker up front would do (still need to get my Truetrac installed). So I officially say the Jeep is good to go, on and off the road. Which brings me to my next point.
Since the Jeep is good to go and my b-day just happens to be this weekend, it looks like I am going to take the Jeep out for a full day adventure. Not too sure where yet, but most likely Victorville / Barstow area. So if any high desert members have any ideas of good spots to go (or want to join) let me know! Most likely will be on Saturday.
subbed. good read and good work on the jeep. are you using the no lift shackle relocations. what company did you get them from?
Thanks! I originally went with the bolt in relocation brackets from HD offroad. They gave me too much lift. So I am going to go with their no lift brackets this time around. Might be a project for next week.
More flex testing pictures. Have to travel to the 2nd closest trail to my house to find a spot that is washed out enough to make it flex. So I was originally going to modify the front top shock mount to get more up travel. But after looking at these pictures, I am just going to add in more bump stop. You can see in the picture that the coil drops out of the bucket about 5". Not sure if that is even at max down travel. Sorry for the bad night pictures too.
Thanks! Still waiting for you to get yours back on the ground so we can do some wheelin!
For anyone looking to put a Bilstein steering shock on, there are some pros and cons. First off, it works great. No more random steering wheel wobble between 40-50mph. It also has less bump steer over bumps. Cons - which I was warned about. This is a gas filled shock. Meaning it is always pushing the shaft out. I was warned that it will make the Jeep always want to go left. That is a true statement. You let your hands off the wheel and it starts going left. Its not bad but it is enough to notice it.
03-13-2017, 12:22 PM
