So I got half-way through the install so far. Gonna half to take this over several weekends. Luckily I have another car to drive. This was done on Saturday 3/9/13.

Final decision on tires: Toyo Open Country AT2 in 285/70r17. ProComp wheels.


Never had so many TJs in my driveway. Some friends came over to help.


Working on the crossmember. It took a lot longer than expected, but that's kinda how the whole thing went.


Cross member done. 24 bolts, 12 on each side. Beefy!


Snapped a picture while taking a break


Cutting off the LCA mounts


More of the same. So we did use a cutting wheel, but for some reason, these cheap HF grinders couldn't hold a single cutting wheel in place, so we doubled up on the wheel to get it done.




LCA mount off


I little rough but nothing a little grinding wheel couldn't handle


Painted


Got one of the radius arms on and called it a day


More to come.

 

Finished up the front end (sort of) on Sunday 3/10/13. Had a buddy help with all of this as well.

Got the springs in. Notice how much slack we have now with the brake lines once their bracket was in.



Got the shocks in. This was a PITA. We pressed in the bushings, sleeves, and cross bars then realized we did it upside down. The tube part of the shock would not fit into the original mounting location on the axle. So we took it all out and turned it around, then realized the bolts they gave us would not fit into the sleeves. Undid it again and figured out that if we pressed the bushing, sleeve, and bolt in at once, the sleeve doesn't compress and we get what we need.


Here she is sitting on her own. Very weird without the rear.


As she sits, at 7 inches higher, 2 from the tires and 5 from the lift. I suspect that it will settle a bit after the rear is done.


Not sure if this is all correct, but will be talking to Rusty's tomorrow to confirm some things about the front steering setup.


Couple more ghetto shots.



This is how she will sit for a week or two. Won't be able to get to it again for a bit.

 

So the part I'm not looking forward to is the adjustments on the front LCAs. Tire is rubbing a bit on the rear of the quarter panel. Need to move it forward about an inch or tad bit more. Then figure how much I need to trim the front bumper. Gotta rotate the axle to get the pinion angle a little higher too.

Was hoping that I wouldn't have to trim, but oh well. Keeping my fingers crossed on the rear for no trimming.

 

That is going to be awesome when your done, hang in there. You might be giving me ideas for my 02 overland.

 

So finally decided to have someone else finish this for me. Didn't have time and didn't want her to sit for 2-3 months till I got around to it.



Still a few things I need to do so not quite done, done. I think I'll be modding the rock rails a bit to trim them shorter and maybe make a side step out of them. It's quite the climb for the kids. Still feel like I should trim some of the fender as well, but not sure yet. The rear may need some adjustment as well.

 

Haven't been around for a while but thought I would post up some updated photos:

Took her wheeling


Put a Tom Woods drive shaft on. Fixed all my drive line vibes


Posed for some vanity shots


Cleaned up and ready for a road trip. Added the basket and spare for the trip

 

Wow, looks great, very clean.