TMC

Well if anyone is actually following along, despite the rumors flying around:

I DO still have the Jeep...
and I AM still alive and well...



jk

Honestly, I just haven't had too much time to work on it and the weather is starting to go south here. (ONE of the many down sides of not having a shop/garage)


I am however in the process of working on and gathering up some more upgrades, just waiting for it to get above 32 degrees and for maybe some stuff to arrive for Christmas.



Anywho, keep an eye out for stuff coming soon (hopefully I wont have to wait till spring... ) although maybe I should have named this a "Slow but steady" build instead.



As always.....thanks for all who keep checking in and for reading.

cleenrob

im pretty sure im going to like where your build will end up, junk yard/ used stuff is the way to go.

i bought my wheels/tires and alternator new.most everything else was used or junk yard finds, keeps things cheep

pittman71

^^^This X2. I get as much as I can used or from salvage yards. But something tells me he is going to be getting some new stuff.

Looking forward to the updates!

TMC

Update time! Another solid weekend of working on the Jeep!




I used the CF image uploader instead of an outside website, so please let me know if none of the pictures work.

Ok, first off my 97+ parking brake handle....the turnbuckle I originally used just wasn't cutting it. It worked fine for awhile but it kept having to be adjusted since obviously the turnbuckle itself is adjustable as well as the linkage to the actual brake cables.

I ended up using rubber-coated steel cable (similar to factory, but thicker and from a building supply) and some crimping sleeves. I also had to get a nice solid rubber grommet to protect the cable from the hand brake mount (also similar to the factory one).




You have to insert the grommet into the bottom where the linkage will be.



I then had to remove the factory clip so I would have room for the new thicker cable.



Then pass the cable through the brake handle and back next to itself through the crimping sleeve. Then just use a chisel or flat head punch and crimp the sleeve.



I did use the factory linkage under the Jeep that connects to the actual brake cables. The nice thing about this setup is there is NO movement anywhere except for the factory linkage nuts where the brake cables attach. With the other setup I had, the turnbuckle could turn as well as the factory linkage.

Here is the finished product:









On to the next one!




With a 3" lift most people say you shouldn't need sway bar link extensions, or sway bar drop brackets. However, I noticed the sway bar on my driver's side was at far too low of an angle:





So I walked around to the passenger side and found this:




That's right.

Its touching the coil spring....




So since I don't drive it everyday I started looking on line for some sway bar links or disconnects, and guess what.....they be pricey.

JKS Disco's: $150ish
RE Links: $65ish with adapters
RC Disco's: $69ish

So, I figure I would make my own. Well seeing as how there aren't many places around to buy heim joints and the stuff online was up there in price too, I was coming up empty.

Until.....




.....I found Pro Comp Sway Bar Links with adapters for 3"-5" lift for $40 online with free shipping!

BAM! SOLD!











I was prepared for this to take awhile after reading all the posts that talk about stuck nuts, broken bolts, and so forth. Honestly, maybe it's because they don't use salt up here or maybe I just lucked out, but I got everything off without a hitch. I didn't even have a torx bit for the lower bolt, but it unbolted and even came out of the axle bracket easily.

Obviously you can see the difference. All the hardware was included, you just have to reuse the lower factory bolt/nut.





Here you can see on the left one where it was rubbing on the coil spring....nice little flat smooth spot on the washer and bushings.





Driver's side installed:



Passenger side installed:




Took it for a quick test drive to see how it sounded and felt. It may just be my imagination, but it seems like it drove better. It felt a little tighter, steered a little better, and seemed smoother over bumps. The other nice thing is all I would need to do to make them disco's is buy two replacement lower bolts and I got myself a nice setup.




On to the next one!




So I've been wanting to change some stuff on my front end grill area. Now I know what your thinking and no....No I didn't do angry eyes

No thanks.


My grill is one of the chrome colored ones, but its fairly beat up. Don't get me wrong, the plastic itself is in great shape no broken pieces or anything like that. The chrome paint was missing in spots and I just wanted to spruce it up a bit.


BEFORE:





A little scruffing and painting and....


AFTER:





Just FYI that last picture makes it look like its got the gangster lean, but thats just the angle of the ground down towards the street.


I kinda like the mix of black and chrome. Plus, its a nice little finishing touch to round out a good day of wrenching.





There's more to come in the mail, so until next time.....thanks for reading.

pittman71

Good job on the emergency brake. Nice score on the links too. I looked for a deal but never found anything close to that. Ended up making mine.

TMC

Why thank you sir!

Maybe I should've tried to do a write up for it



Yeah I feel like I got quite a deal on those....I mean $40....who wouldnt jump on that haha.

electrodude

I agree, excellent work on that e-brake. Seeing those disconnects I can honestly say they were well worth the money! If this heatwave keeps up I expect to see more updates, LOL.

Seriously though, your work is great and you're showing an attention to detail that will serve you well. Nicely done.

TMC

Thanks alot! I think it will hold up well over time....especially since it is very similar to the stock brake set up.


Yeah, I feel pretty happy with the links. Definitely was a score!

TMC

Here are updated side shots of my new sway bar angle.








As you can see, they are a MUCH better angle. It may be slightly high, but the links are for 3-5" lifts and I am at the bottom of that.

TMC

Wow.....








I just realized.....over 4000 views since September....I didn't know so many people like/are interested in my build

Well I really do appreciate anyone thats following along, and thats been involved with this build so far. This forum is awesome! SO much great info and so many good people! Thank yall!





Its been below freezing here recently so I havent gotten much Jeep-wrenching time in. I did score some more deals a few weeks back.

-48" Hi Lift $69 (free shipping)
Used my old one all the time in Boise! Never should have sold it before moving to DC

-pair of GE Nighthawk Headlamps $11 ea. (damaged package sale)
Love 'em! Complete difference from stock, plus better peripheral lighting

-Pro Comp Sway Bar links $40 (free shipping)
Work awesome! You already saw/know about those

-and some misc. parts for an upgrade Im working on/gathering parts for
I will install once it gets above freezing!


Also I got quite a haul on some christmas stuff thanks to being hooked up with gift cards. Gotta love the sweet wife and family!




Updates soon!

[weather permitting]

Brandonrcm

Jeep looks good. Diggin it, I betcha that paint would come back to a nice shine with a quick polish

TMC

Thanks man!


Thats actually what I think too every time I look at it in the sunlight lol!

Brandonrcm

I think of this video because of the color. Worth a try one day

TMC

Yeah! That with the new lower bedliner will make it look 10 years newer lol!



Good call Brandon!

TMC

I woke up this morning to an email with my requested build sheet.


A7 Cloth Low-Back Bucket Seats
ADH Heavy Duty Electrical Group
ADLP Skid Plate Group
ALAP SE Decor Group
APAS Monotone Paint
AWE Up Country Suspension Group
AWJP Visibility / Protection Group
BAFP 130 Amp Alternator
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CACP Low Back Bucket Seats
CDBP Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat
CKAP Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNP Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTP Cargo Tie Down Loops
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CUFP Full Length Floor Console
DBBC All Manual Transmissions
DDQ 5-Speed Manual Transmission
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMMS 3.07 Rear Axle Ratio
DRJS 175MM Rear Axle
DSA Trac-Lok Differential Rear Axle
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEDS Tinted Rr Drs/Qtr/Liftgate Glass
GEHS Fixed Door Vent Glass
GFA Rear Window Defroster
GRZP Left Remote Mirror
GSZP Right Remote Control Mirror
GTZP Power Mirrors, Fold-Away
HAAP Air Conditioning
JAZS Analog Instrument Cluster
JCAS 85 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAP Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
LAPS Shift Indicator Warning Lamp
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
MB1S Black Front Bumper
MB5S Black Rear Bumper
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFFS Black Grille
MHBS Bright Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MTAS Rear Fascia Skid Plate Applique
MWAP Roof Rack
NAAS Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RABS AM/FM Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
SBAS Power Steering
SCES Alcantara Wrap Steering Wheel
SFDP Front Extra HD Shock Absorbers
SGDP Rear Extra HD Shock Absorbers
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBBP Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRNA P225/75R15 OWL Wrangler AT Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJM 15X7.0 Chrome Wheels
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XEAP Tow Hooks
XPFP Protective Coating and Remover
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

The things I found interesting are:
-HD electrical group
-130a alternator (didnt think you could get that high OEM)
-black bumpers/grille (mine are currently chrome)
-Trak-Lok rear diff
-HD engine cooling
-Alcantara wrap steering wheel (never heard of that before)

Part of me wonders whats all been swapped out/replaced over the years. The bumpers and grille are chrome, the rear axle has some faded paint-pen paint that says 3.07 cherokee which makes me think it was a junkyard replacement, so the trak-lok is probably long gone lol. Also, the front engine skid isnt there either.

At any rate, it was neat to see how it came originally.