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Since the lift was installed a few weeks ago, I've encountered some issues that are currently being addressed. 1.) My starter is all out of whack. It needs to be replaced, so we picked up a replacement starter from an auto shop and that should be fixed up real soon. 2.) The Rubicon Express springs are beefy - I know I've mentioned it earlier - but the large size of the springs make turning sharply and driving on battered roads uncomfortable as it scrapes up and boinks against the bracket. We are going to trim the bracket to reduce the clanking. 3.) Also, I need to drop my transfer case, which I should have done anyways with a 3.5" lift, but I didn't think it was something I had to do right away. The vibes I'm getting are a little intense (but kinda soothing, too, like the hum of large tires) but I've decided to fix it. These were custom made, 1 inch, and it should fix the vibrations. I don't have a picture of them finished and powder-coated, but you guys can probably imagine what they look like painted black and smooth.
She sits pretty.
Also, the boyfriend and I headed up to Maine (as we frequently do) to wheel with our Jeep club. I took some pretty cool shots from our journey, which took six hours to and from. It was nice to check out some of the other Jeeps and discuss my modification ideas, as well as just escape the buzz of daily life for a little while. If you'd like to see more pictures, please check out my build thread on Expedition Portal under Social Profiles. Here's my favorite camera-grade shot of the day:
Yesterday afternoon, I got down underneath the jeep and tinkered with the bad starter. The new one was $120 with a $60 core. Disconnected the battery cables to avoid being fried, shimmied myself underneath the jeep and got to work removing the two bolts that secure the starter motor. I held the starter when it came loose, disconnected the wire harness, cleaned it like it's never been cleaned before and replaced the smudgy, grimy old starter with a new one.
Jeep fires right up now, as opposed to just flat-lining before. Took about 35 minutes.
Why not go with an slip yoke eliminator and new DS over a t-case drop?
Awesome work so far, that is one clean XJ!
Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I know I am not as mechanically advanced as others on here, but that's okay - we learn at our own pace. I'm doing the best I can, while trying to keep my jeep relatively clean.
I am not sure. It has crossed my mind, but I hadn't given it too much thought. Do you think a SYE/DS is better than a TC drop, and what's your reasoning? I have those little blocks made, so I may just pop them in, but I still want to hear your thoughts.
Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I know I am not as mechanically advanced as others on here, but that's okay - we learn at our own pace. I'm doing the best I can, while trying to keep my jeep relatively clean.
I am not sure. It has crossed my mind, but I hadn't given it too much thought. Do you think a SYE/DS is better than a TC drop, and what's your reasoning? I have those little blocks made, so I may just pop them in, but I still want to hear your thoughts.
An SYE gives you a stronger output from your transfer case and shortens up the output as well, this combined with an upgraded longer drive shaft usually eliminates driveline vibes entirely while also giving you a stronger more reliable drivetrain. It is more expensive than a drop bracket (or spacers like you've made) but it is the "proper" fix vs lowering one of the lower points of contact on the belly of your XJ.
Last edited by Joshua White; 05-24-2018 at 09:20 AM.
An SYE gives you a stronger output from your transfer case and shortens up the output as well, this combined with an upgraded longer drive shaft usually eliminates driveline vibes entirely while also giving you a stronger more reliable drivetrain. It is more expensive than a drop bracket (or spacers like you've made) but it is the "proper" fix vs lowering on of your already lowest points on the belly of your XJ.
You're completely right. From what I've gathered, a 1/2-1" TC drop may help with the vibrations, but it is a "band-aid" for a few reasons. Thank you for your input!
Somebody on this forum had said something like this about a TC drop:
1.) It's lowering the clearance I just paid to raise.
2.) It's changing the orientation between the transfer case linkage and the body for the worse.
3.) It's an eyesore.
I know that with a TC drop I'll lose belly clearance. But though the SYE will alleviate that, like you've mentioned it will cost more. I think for now, I will stick to the 1" spacers, for two reasons. A.) The cost. I've spent a decent fortune on this Jeep already and need a little bit to accumulate some funds, and B.) I don't do any strenuous off road (but would like to down the road as I get into proper over-landing). For now, so long as I'm not sending the Jeep over rocks and going nuts, I think a drop should be okay (kind of like a temporary tire, I'll use the TC drop for now and replace it in a timely manner) - and when I can afford it, I'll get to an SYE conversion prompto. Better to have it done right, like you've suggested. I will take your advice. Thank you!
Can you please direct me when it comes to buying the components for an SYE - is there a kit available?
You're completely right. From what I've gathered, a 1/2-1" TC drop may help with the vibrations, but it is a "band-aid" for a few reasons. Thank you for your input!
Somebody on this forum had said something like this about a TC drop:
1.) It's lowering the clearance I just paid to raise.
2.) It's changing the orientation between the transfer case linkage and the body for the worse.
3.) It's an eyesore.
I know that with a TC drop I'll lose belly clearance. But though the SYE will alleviate that, like you've mentioned it will cost more. I think for now, I will stick to the 1" spacers, for two reasons. A.) The cost. I've spent a decent fortune on this Jeep already and need a little bit to accumulate some funds, and B.) I don't do any strenuous off road (but would like to down the road as I get into proper over-landing). For now, so long as I'm not sending the Jeep over rocks and going nuts, I think a drop should be okay (kind of like a temporary tire, I'll use the TC drop for now and replace it in a timely manner) - and when I can afford it, I'll get to an SYE conversion prompto. Better to have it done right, like you've suggested. I will take your advice. Thank you!
Can you please direct me when it comes to buying the components for an SYE - is there a kit available?
All of those points you've mentioned are completely valid.
There are at least a handful of kits on the market, you'll want to go for a replacement HD kit not a "hack-n-tap"
I went with this driveshaft (it was cheaper back when I did it in 2016)
There are more parts hanging lower than the TC so I wouldn't worry so much about a drop bushing. 1" should be fine and won't really cause any issues. That is of course my opinion and the very little time I spent playing around with my XJ before I sold it I never had issues with anything gettign hung up unless you get to those nasty rock gardens or huge ruts.
Sometimes the XJ's don't need SYE or TC drop I failed to read above so are you experiencing driveline vibrations or just trying to do it for peace of mind?
There are more parts hanging lower than the TC so I wouldn't worry so much about a drop bushing. 1" should be fine and won't really cause any issues. That is of course my opinion and the very little time I spent playing around with my XJ before I sold it I never had issues with anything gettign hung up unless you get to those nasty rock gardens or huge ruts.
Sometimes the XJ's don't need SYE or TC drop I failed to read above so are you experiencing driveline vibrations or just trying to do it for peace of mind?
Might want to crawl back under that XJ, the cross-member and skids (if you have them) are one of the lowest points your XJ has other than rotating parts. She's already experiencing vibes, hence the recommendation. Either way, the drops are not a fix (as previously mentioned), more of a band aid for the real issue anyhow.
Might want to crawl back under that XJ, the cross-member and skids (if you have them) are one of the lowest points your XJ has other than rotating parts. She's already experiencing vibes, hence the recommendation. Either way, the drops are not a fix (as previously mentioned), more of a band aid for the real issue anyhow.
Your axles are the ones that sit much lower than anything. I get what is being said here though and I would much rather my TC be sitting higher up then my frame and not risking any damage. That skid plate will help though. Just all depends on your driving and trails your planning to go on.
hi.. was reading and having flashbacks of what I just went through, and am still going through . and if I may... I went with Falken at3 wildpeak (I think) tires. . they were an economical alternative .. pretty sexy looking and seem quite functional... fyi. and the tc drop is perfectly ok... for now. but you will get a sye... everyone who loves thier xj does.. I went with the teraflex kit with the adams ds.. installed it in the jeep... no big deal... and Its awesome! and btw your Jeep is radical!! very cool!
Your build and thoughts for your Jeep sound close to what I am doing. I went with the RE 3.5 Super ride kit with a track bar and RE shocks. Mine had a 1 inch transfer case drop already and I still had a pretty good vibration so I went with a terra flex SYE. I sold tires for many years and getting a good mud/rock to also do well in the snow and ice is hard to find. A rock/mud tire has a special compound so they do not chunk and chip in the rock. Unfortunately this compound tends to be hard and slick in cold temps. For a tire to work well in the snow it needs a tread compound that will stay soft in cold temps. This will make the tread too soft when used in hard off road situations. Goodyear brand tires and its affiliates always seemed to do a good job in the winter compared to other brands but they also wore a little faster IMO. I use BF Goodrich rugged terrain tires on my snow plow truck and they do great for a AT tire but are not offered in many sizes. BFG all terrains do a pretty good job in the snow and hold up well in the rocks. All this being said I am installing 31/10.50 R15 Kelly TSRs. Kelly is a subsidary of Goodyear and do very well in the snow for a mostly mud tire. Your build looks great and you sure bought a very clean Jeep for a great price.
05-23-2018, 08:00 AM
