OK so picked up new m14 hardware and installed into my rear shocks. These were said to be 5/8" eye holes but we can see they were not. Bought a 9/16" drill bit, which is m14 metric, to drill out the lower shock mount holes on the axle. Slipped the new hardware in and everything is nice and snug.

So pulled out my old non adjustable track bar. Its not OEM , someone put in a heavy duty style with a heim joint on the frame side. $20 if anyone here wants to come pick it up.


Got the new mount installed easy enough. But had some trouble installing the track bar. The instructions reccomended starting at 33 5/8", which I found to be way too long. Also it said to jack up the vehicle and let the axle droop. Once again it was much easier to put it on its own weight, then install axle side first. Then used a prybar to slip in the frame side.


Antisieze has always been my lube of choice for bushings...


Now about to finish the rear track bar install. Also got my new rotors in the mail, but no pads......so waiting on them. Then I'll get the brakes and new SS lines installed.

Still more to come

 

So got up early this morning and tackled the front brakes. Not going to bore anyone with doing a brake job but off with the old....

The rotors were pretty shot. The pads had lots of life but gotta make room for the EBC greenstuff pads.

In with the new. Slotted dimpled rotors with greenstuff pads.

 

OK so been a few months and have some more updates. Took a trip to Utah in the jeep and it was fantastic. Only ha e o e pic on my phone but its really nice up there.

Too bad on the way home my d35 started making a bringing sound. All the u joints look good, sounds like a bad bearing in the axle. So time to expedite my axle swap!

Found an explorer 8.8 with factory 4.10s and a LSD

Also he threw in a pair of heavy duty TALL Jack stands for free! Always nice.

 

Sorry for the bad spelling on some of the posts. Posting stuff from my phone.

Parts ordered from IRO:

-ZJ 8.8 bracket swap kit
-SOLID diff cover
-abs cover plate
-1.5"wheel spacers
-new rotors and rear pads
-np231 SYE
-8.8 flange conversion
- upper/lower adjustable rear control arms
-new coil spring isolators for rear coils

Still need to order 4.10 gearing and a diff cover for the front. Also with the axle swap and isolators installed(I don't have any in rear at the moment ) it should net me about 1" more lift. So new coil springs (maybe spacers) and adjustable arms up front.

 

Also was able to find an np231 with a long input shaft, so might not have to swap input years yay! Picked it up for $100 from a guy in the desert. Pics to come when I can get home.

 

8.8 is now under the jeep. New brakes and lines, solid diff cover is pure beef. Everything looking good. Picked up a new pair of shocks for the rear to fit the new brackets and hardware.

 

New adjustable upper and lower control arms.


Also np231 rebuilt and installed with new SYE. New driveshaft as well. Finally that bin of parts in my garage is coming together.


After the axle swap and new isolators in the rear I'm about 1 1/2" taller in the rear. So next up is 4.5" coils and long arms for the front!

 

Only problem I now have is the rear gears are off a little and I'm whining while decelerating. Grrrr. Was hoping the rear end was ok when she went in, o well. time to order a locker and rebuild kit since I have to open her up. Thinking of going with a Yukon grizzly for the rear. Anyone have any input on that one?

 

alright so getting back on track. got the np231 swap and SYE done.





Then needed to get rid of the whining noise so I pulled the trigger on a Yukon Grizzly locker. works great so far and Is nothing out of the ordinary for street use. highly recommended!!

 

now ive putting together another parts list for the last big part of the build. picked up a front set of adjustable control arms and some 4.5" springs to level the front out. will just need a set of quick disconnects and can put it all together.

 

and couldn't help myself so picked up a new set of 33x12.50 r15. went with dick cepek crushers. have always like the look of these and they have great reviews. so figured ill give them a shot even though I never see anyone running them.





now just gotta wait for that next paycheck to pick up wheels for these bad boys and it can all go back together! From what ive seen looks like im going with black steelies, 15x8 with 3.74 BS. should all fit nice.

 

Nice ZJ, very clean. Cant wait to see more!!