1FSTREX

So after many talks with FrankZ on here i pulled the trigger on some new parts!

I HATE my Rough Country Track bar set up. So now that Rubicon Express is back in business i picked up a Rubicon Express Track Bar, Drop Bracket, and Frame Brace.

I also wanted to correct the horrible XJ steering and looked around for a long time, i finally settled on the Serious Offroad Serious Steering 1-ton kit.

All items were purchased through FrankZ off of Serious Offroad and couldnt be more satisfied with the customer service thus far. Will update you guys once i get all the parts.

Also planning on doing a Disc Brake swap! I will definitely post up throughout the swap. I am picking up the axle tomorrow from the junk yard. I am planning on doing the KJ swap!

1FSTREX

First step in my disc brake swap. Sourced a 2004 Jeep Liberty (KJ) 8.25 rear end with disc brakes. Waiting for the owner to get back tomorrow so we can work put a deal.

Went ahead and took the initiative and picked up a new set of rotors, brake pads, and since its an 04 I had to order a set of 06 rear soft lines. Reason being is the 04s had one piece lines. Meaning that the soft lines were perminantely attached to the hard lines. This is why I will swap the 04 lines with 06 lines, problem (hopefully) solved.

JWB37

Probably my favorite Jeep on this forum.... You really have done a great job. I'm really sorry to hear about your red XJ. At least you can part it out for good use.

Where did you get that front bumper? I've been looking around at fronts and that is the first one I've seen that I actually like over stock.

1FSTREX

Thank you! I do love my jeep. Yeah not too mad about the red jeep anymore as i love the silver one.

I purchased it through 4 Wheel Parts. I was in the same dilema as you and settled on the bumper i have. It is an OR-FAB front bumper.

Will

1FSTREX

I am going to do a write up on this process but it will be at the end. For now i will just give you guys some daily updates on my process and things i find as i go along.

So far this is what i have gotten:
- 1 x 2003 Jeep Liberty KJ rear C 8.25 with disc brakes
- 2 x Duralast Rear Rotors for a Jeep Liberty KJ (personal choice to use new parts instead of used parts)
- 1 x Set of Duralast Rear Brake Pads for Jeep Liberty JK (personal choice to use new parts instead of used parts)
- 2 x Duralast Rear Soft Brake Lines for an 06 Jeep Liberty JK (05 and below KJ's had one piece lines (hard and soft lines are perminately attached to each other) because of this you need soft lines from an 06+ KJ so the soft lines will mate to the hard lines in your XJ)

Here is the donor 03 KJ axle took this picture after i already removed the brake calipers and the rotors.


You can see in this picture below how the hard lines and the soft lines on the KJ axle are one piece, again this is why you need 06+ soft lines for a KJ so that they will mate to your XJ hard lines.


Here you can see the rotors and calipers off. The shoes you see are for the E brake.


The diff cover was removed and the gear oil was drained.


This was as far as i made it today before i had to head to work. This weekend i hope to get the axle shafts out, the brakes removed, and hopefully start on removing the drums from my Cherokee. I plan to thoroughly clean the disc set up before i install it onto my cherokee. Should be a fun adventure.

1FSTREX

Very productive day. I was able to pull the axle shafts and get all the parts off the donor axle that I need. Unfortunately I am still waiting on Autozone to get me my 06 Liberty brake lines. Until they get them in, I can't complete the swap. I don't want my jeep sitting with the gears exposed to the elements so the project is on pause until the 4th which is when Autozone should have my brake lines.

1FSTREX

Here's the fun of the project in my garage.

1FSTREX

Look what the UPS man just dropped me off.

1FSTREX

Yay for a new track bar and frame.brace! Thank god for RE!

1FSTREX

Received my Serious Steering 1-ton kit from Serious Offroad today and WOW is it beefy! I didnt snap any pictures of it but i will get some shortly. The install is a little more indepth then i thought it was going to be but thats okay, ill be sure to snap some pics and do a little write up as i noticed there wasnt very much info on the net about it and i think its a pretty bad *** kit!

Jeep is going under the knife for the next few weeks. I have a crap load of parts lying around and too many half completed projects. I found out that i cracked my fuel line when i was installing my new injectors so i need to get a new fuel line and replace it. Also have to finish my disc brake swap. Then i have my new rubicon track bar set up that i need to install and the new 1-ton steering set up. Also bringing my jeep into 4 wheel parts to have a RE Hack n Tap and a RE drive shaft installed. Get rid of all those vibes!

Anyway ill be sure to keep you all up to date!

Will

1FSTREX

YAY FOR REAR CALIPERS!

1FSTREX

Snapped a pic during the first decent rain of the season. Can't wait for the snow!

mickey_00xj

Wow that's a clean and gorgeous XJ. I remember when mine looked that mint all the time. LOL Any progress on the axle swap? You've got me thinking of doing that one as well. Are you going to convert your rear to 4-link and coils or weld on leaf mounts to the new axle? Personally, I think I would just 4-link it while you have the chance, but that's me. How much did you pay for that KJ axle?

IZAREBL

lookin real good bub. did you out amber bulbs in your signals?

1FSTREX

Its not going to be an axle swap, it was just a donor axle, i pulled the brakes off of it to do a disc brake swap on my Cherokee. To answer your question, i do have plans to go up to a 4-link set up in the rear but that is not for a long time. The KJ axle was $300 from a Jeep Junk Yard.

Nope, thats what they look like for some reason with the smoked lenses.