I completed installing my 2" BB (homebrew)
Please note: This is my DD, so I cannot have it laid-up in driveway for major upgrades. I do what I can, with what I got, where i gots it.

I machined and welded my own coil spring spacers.



Measure BEFORE


What it looks like IN


Measure AFTER


Installed them on Sat. (Ordered new insulators)
Height of spacers 2 3/8"---> lift 2"
With the added 2" of lift, the stock shocks have to go..OH wait...they're shot, so they're getting replaced anyway...good timing.
Stock shocks won't be going back in.
We will be using Monroe SensaTrac shocks for 1997 ZJ w/UpCountry package. These shocks are identical in mounting to the stock XJ's but have 3" more travel. No need to modify


Rear leaf packs are shot. They're supposed to arc UPWARDS, right? Either they're shot or someone flipped em on me...
I decided it would be best to order up a set of rear leaf packs then try to fool around with an AAL. Pricing them out right now.

In the meantime, to keep it from looking like Im dragging my butt, literally.
I threw in a 2" block set..temporarily until the new leafs arrive.

Started out like:


Now looks like:


Please forgive the graininess of pic, camera left roof of Cherokee last week at 40MPH. WooHoo...still works tho.

Gonna see about getting a better "AFTER" pic...

Let the bashing begin...

 

Not bad at all, any plans for new tires?

 

Looks good indeed...Nice idea on making your own front spacers..WIll be interesting to see how metal spacers ride..Personally I think the look with a 2" lift is what they should be stock but that's just me..

 

I didn't notice any difference in the "ride" with the spacers, except for a little more OOMPH needed to get my sorry butt inside. Gives me a reason to loose some weight.

As for tires, I am VERY partial to the Fireston Destination A/T's. Have had good results with them on our 91 Laredo (Awesome in snow.) And the slight aggressive look/ RWL are a plus. The Remingtons that are on now, well, for a lack of a better term...SUCK. They HAVE TO GO.

I saw
RockLizardFabrications HomeBrew Budget Boost :
http://www.rocklizardfabrications.co...dget_boost.htm

And MADXJ's Coil Spring Spacers:
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical...oilSpacers.htm

And used the info to get my boost.
Before I sink money into new leafs I MAY try RockLizards AAL trick and see if it helps my dragging butt.

I do ALOT of internet research. ALOT

Oh yeah, I just took some better AFTER pics:
NOTE: The marks on the asphalt...aren't mine.




Gotta start somewhere.

 

The metal spacers won't be noticeable if the rubber isolator is there. Looks good. Need's bigger tires.....winch bumper....roof rack.....rockers........snorkel...........lights.. .....oops, sorry

You've been bitten. Hide the wallet!

 

No need to hide the wallet, actually no need for a wallet at all!!

 

I wish I knew how to weld.. nice work

 

Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do (to gain tire clearance that is)....

 

I have to watch what I do to mine...she gets jealous...so I may have to 2X everything.

I am seriously thinking about getting the XJ Backbone http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone.php

Im liking this set-up b/c has the steering box brace built-in along with the D-ring mounts. All thats required is some trimming of the stock bumper.
And later on, it will make a good "base" for fabbing up another bumper.
Cost isn't too bad also.

I have drawings with all measurements made for a nice set of HD sliders.

Most of my work gets done on the w/e. This w/e I foresee a j/y run for a set of rear leafs to try the RockLizard AAL trick. I have the new U-bolts, just need to pick up a pair of center pins.

One other thing: What is the widest tire that will SAFELY fit/work on stock rims? I seen a nice set of tires on craigslist. Trimming is no big deal.

 

looks good, i did the same lift. my rears are shot to, and wheelin hard this weekend made them even more tired.

LOOK AT YOUR REAR SWAY BAR. when i did mine with the blocks in back it puts the top of the sway bar link too close to the tire, i didn't notice it rubbed on one side on my trip home, put a big groove in the tire, basically wrecked it, luckily it wasn't the tires i was keepin on there. but it would've blown out after too long.

 

you should see my rears..they are all flat...But I have a nice RE 3.5 kit sittin in the garage and if all goes well will be installed by this weekend..Then it will be interesting to see how it looks with 30" tires...cause 31's won't happen till after the first of the year when I actually start working..

 

HURRY UP!!

 

The welds on the INSIDE arent as nice as I would like.
My 110V MIG is junk. DO NOT get the Cambell/Haufeld mig welder.
Next set I make I will weld up at work.
440V Industrial MIG w/ metalcore wire...makes a super sweet looking weld.

I should use a (2) 12V battery trail welder. Probablyy makes nicer welds than my dumb mig

 

bfore you make that next set check your PMs and let me know...

 

Thanks for the heads-up on the rear sway.
I will have to look at that right now....in the dark. Seriously.