Wow, what a great thread to read beginning to end. You have some mad fab skills for sure. Definitely a "recipe" for future builders. Thanks for posting it all up!

Thanks for the kind words!

I'll have to come wheeling with you guys. I grew up in Fenton and am up that way quite frequently. Hell I use to work at the Autozone on Owen rd.

Its been awhile since I've updated this thread. I'll bring you up to speed now.

Copy and paste from another forum:


Well I got sick of the damn side panels being all rusty. So I fixed them...





Before:





After:





Still have some bolts to add, broke the tap though. Jeep probably lost close to 50lbs by losing the steel.

Copy and Paste from another forum:

Getting a little more work done. Started on the rear shocks finally. With the stock gas tank, and new tailpipe, I was pretty limited on space underneath. So I went through the fenderwell and tied into the cage.







Stretched it out to check for clearances, it just barely clears the tire. The tire might rub it slightly, but not enough to worry about.

Couple more updates. Getting it ready for a trip this weekend.

First step was to get ride of the old stock rear driveshaft. The last trip to Rocks and Valleys left its mark on it.




Installed a stock front driveshaft in the rear with a junkyard Hack n' Tap SYE. Just google Junkyard hack n tap sye for more info.

Since my Jeep is a 2000, I didn't need the extra seal housing.





After I finished that I moved onto the new steering. 2 of the 4 hiem joints were wasted, the tie rod was bent, and it was time to upgrade. I decided to go to 1 ton TRE's using the RuffStuff Specialties kit. I TIG welded everything, simply because my MIG isn't at my new house yet.





All painted up.



I have to see how it drives, then decide if I need to relocate the Trac bar to get rid of any bump steer.


Here's how the Jeep sits now. Need to recharge the shocks with nitrogen and it will be ready.

Now everything's up to date. After I put the aluminum sides on, I didn't like the white, so I painted it. Looks much better to me now.

Here's the newest upgrades to the Jeep:

Warn premium lockouts, and new rear main seal and oil pan gasket.

Hey I realize this thread is a little old and hasn't been posted to in awhile bit I was just wondering how much fender you had to trim in this pic? I got my hands on a set of 33s and already have a 3 inch lift installed and love the look! And I read this whole thing from top to bottom and major props on all the fab skills👍