Actually I was leaving one day to go to the parts store for those exact things, when on the 20 min drive into town it didnt make a single noise the entire time.

It also didnt make a noise the entire time I went on the shakedown run on sunday, so Im just gonna keep checking and keeping an eye on it.

 

It might be your axle U joints that are squeaking. Of they have never been changed there is a good chance they are shot. At low speeds when you turn the wheel (parking lots and such) do you here it more than other times? I recently did mine because they were sqeaking really bad.

 

It doesnt make any noise at all anymore. No matter the speed or wheels turned.

When it was, it would literally increase as speed increased and disappear when the brake were applied. I removed the hub assembly to check if it was worn, so maybe something was just stuck on the caliper.

Like I said, Ill just keep checking in on it.

 

Well, its time for another update my fellow CF members!




I found an absurd deal online that I could not pass up. After all the parts arrived via FedEx, USPS, and UPS I finally had a chance today to start the swap.



















By now you probably know where Im going with this, and no its not a radiator replacement.




I got a screaming deal on a brand new 97-01 fiberglass header panel! The grille, headlight surrounds, and obviously the markers/turns are plastic.








Now I tried to to some research before I bought it and before it got here, but there really isn't to much to it. I would consider it a fairly straight forward swap. However, there are a few differences between the 96- and 97+ that aren't really mentioned too often.



First off, the 96- panel has a center mount under the radiator, where as the 97+ looks to have two mounts at the end of the "frame-rails." There is a small bit of a gap between the new panel hole and where the rails are.

(see picture)









For now, I just used two small pieces of metal to make some temporary brackets until I can make it to the junkyard and see if the newer ones came with some sort of bracket from the factory. If not, then I will just make mine more secure.














Second difference, the 96- headlight buckets have to swap sides to fit the 97+ header panel. So the left side bucket is used on the right and visa-versa. You have to do this because the holes for headlight adjustments on the 96- are on the outer sides of the headlight and the 97+ are on the inside.
Obviously if you have the 97+ headlight buckets, then you don't have to deal with this.



Third difference, you obviously want to swap to 97+ front fenders because the new header panel fender bolt holes don't line up to the older fender bolts. Also, on a purely aesthetic note, the curve on the top corners of the new panel doesn't match the angle on the top of the older fenders.







Fourth difference, the turn signals on the 96- have just one bulb/socket, while the 97+ have spots for two bulbs/sockets. I think you would have to just splice in the second one into your old harness, but I tested mine and it doesn't look bad with just the one. I place my bulb on the outer sockets.



Fifth difference, my new panel was shipped without any hardware, brackets, and clips, so I had to reuse the clips from the 96- grille and you obviously reuse the old panel bolts/nuts to mount the new one.




So overall, it was a fairly easy and quick swap. I just had to reuse most of my 96- hardware and clips. I need to paint the new panel, but I also should probably paint the rest of the Jeep as well. I've tried several different options on different occasions to bring back the factory paint, but it just doesn't want to be saved I guess. At any rate, I've always thought the 97+ front clips look "cleaner" or more "simple" and I love the new look of the front now!







As always, more to come and thanks for reading.

 

Well yesterday morning I decided to take off my RC Relo brackets. They just gave my too much lift and I don't want to be over 3" over stock height. I had quite a rake with them installed. Now Im measuring 21" hub to flare on both axles.


Im really happy with the stance and the ride currently. Those new shocks in the back are working great.






I had a chance to throw some primer on the new header panel. Im also really happy with how that turned out too.









And last but not least, I took my son and my father-in-law up past Laird Park towards Little Sand (pics in past post) and we had a blast. The new rear set-up handled great, possibly better, than with the Relo brackets. They just made the back feel too bouncy. Im sure they are great with different or aftermarket springs.





Nothing like wheeling and hiking in the PNW!

Stay tuned!

 

Looks good! Better COG too.

 

Thanks! Yeah Im very happy with how it looks and rides so far.

 

This is my kind of build. A lot of your modifications are budget-conscious, but thorough as well. Great job man. I'm actually going to be doing the 97+ header/grille swap myself soon, so I'm really glad you notated about the difference in the mounting points. I'll have to make way to the parts Jeep I took mine from and see if I can snag the brackets and maybe even snap some pics for you.

 

Hey man, just a little update about the little tab at the lower part of your header - I took a look at the one I have waiting to go in and snapped a pic for ya...



It doesn't "connect" to the Jeep at all, but rather it's a mounting tab for a wire loom. So no need to worry about witch-hunts at the parts yard

 

Hey thanks man! I really appreciate the kind words. Looking back, I can honestly say, I should have stayed with some 235's instead on the 31"s. Everyone that says the 4.0/5spd with 31"s is fine, must not live near mountains or hills or have a 3.07 rear. HAHA!

Oh well.....live and learn. Lol!


Awesome! Thanks for the pic and follow-up! That makes sense its for the wire loom. I didn't think there was much of s difference in front core supports from 96- to 97+.

 

Well. Just when you thought was this thread was over, lol!

A guy locally was selling 4.10 gears and carriers out of his 89. I got both ring, pinions and carriers for my dana 30 and 35 for $60. Thats right....$60!!!

Any way, I got the rear installed last weekend. I had to swap my spider gears over, but other than that, the 35 is all finished up. I test drove it today and other than my speedo being off....

....its like night and freaking day difference! The 4.0/5 spd/31"s/4.10s seem like a perfect combo! My tach is reading right at 2k to 2100 at 65-70.

Now its just a matter of getting the dana 30 done before winter lol.

 

Oh just fyi for everyone:

I was taking a load of stuff in to town to donate and holy moly! :O This thing can get up and go now! There were several times where I was just plugging along and when I looked down the speedo said 70 or sometimes 75


I know the speedometer is not accurate but still, once this thing is in 5th gear, whooooo look out!

 

Hey Basslicks, I'm sure you already know or saw on my build, but the 97+ header wont bolt to the 96- fenders. So mine is essentially just bolted to my core support and the brackets I thought I needed. It holds fine, but might not work/bother you.

I need to get newer style fenders.....

 

Yup. Already got mine done... fenders n' all.



The one thing you MAY not know about the FENDERS though is... THEY do not bolt to the core support lol. BUT, they bolt up everywhere else just fine - AND they bolt to the header panel perfectly. So everything is still in place and solid, it's just not AS solid as it would be on the 97+

It's really no biggie though.

Also, as far as the wiring goes, I spliced in the two 97+ park/turn sockets into the harness from my '92 and they work great.

 

Nice! Looks sharp man!

Yeah I just used the stock 96- turn/parking on the outside spot on the 97+ turn housing. But I may do what you did and splice a second one in.

Man! I wish the Pull n Save wasnt over an hour away. I want to snag the newer fenders