Felt like messing with the Jeep this weekend so I installed some home brew shackles on the rear that I had welded up using some old stock ones I had laying around.

Measured the rear before and after. Had about 34.25" - 34.5" on both sides prior to starting.

 

Got the old out and cleaned up the bolts and holes.

 

Got the home brew shackles installed and moved my rear brake line bracket.

 

I sawed off the bracket from the side of the frame and took some uni-strut channel I had laying around and used two pieces I had laying around. I welded one side together that you can't see. Was going to weld both sides but ran out of weld wire!

Then I used one of the bole holes where the rear sway bracket used to be mounted and installed my rear brake line fabricated bracket then used some self tapping screws to mount the actual brake line bracket I had cut off to the new bracket. I thought it was a pretty good idea until I have time to install a new longer brake line.

 

Here is the finished product minus the paint. Painted it today to blend in.

 

I got 1.5" lift out of my home brew shackles after install. I had drilled the new holes at 5 and 6 inches. I went ahead and used the 6 inch holes. I figured what the heck, might as well.

 

Looks better I think.

 

Have not done much to the Jeep lately other than working on building a bumper for it. You can check that out in the fabrication section if you are interested. Should be adding another 1.5" to the Jeep in the next week or so.

I just bought some new rims from Jegs. Just plain black steel wheels. I did not want to spend a lot of money on rims. I just needed something with less back space. These are 3.75" backspace.

Also picked up some brand new 33x12.50x15 Falken Wild Peak AT's from Discount Tire Direct for $617 shipped to my door. I thought that was a pretty good deal. They also come with a $50 mail in rebate so that will knock the cost down some.

If anyone is interested they are running a Black Friday sale through Monday. They seem to have some great deals. And no I do not work for them. I am just always looking for bargains!

Here is some pics of the new rims and tires:

 

Seems like I have not had any time to hardly work on my Jeep up until now. And of course it would be cold out now! Got the new rims and tires put on a little premature because someone wanted my Canyon rims sooner than I figured they would sell.

Here is a shot of the new wheels and tires on the Jeep.

 

I am slowly becoming a fan of IRO products. I have ordered several items from them now and have received the items promptly and all items fit perfect.

I bought the upgraded tie rod and new ends. That thing is a beast let me tell you. Then I got the steering box spacer made by them because I was changing out my steering gear box. What a b%$&ch that was let me tell you. Also picked up the dual steering damper kit. Easy install.

I did get all this stuff installed over the last two days but it got dark tonight when I was finishing up so I could not take any photos of the installed products. But here is a couple shots of the new parts prior to install.

 

Have not updated this in a while but I have done a few things to the Jeep here and there. Started collecting build parts for 5.5 - 6 inches of lift coming soon.

Here is a list of parts I have purchased so far:

RE 5.5" front coils
RE 4.5" rear leafs with 1" shackle
RE sway bar quick disconnects
Rough Country X-Flex adjustable upper and lower control arms
Drop pitman arm
6 degree shims
1.75" coil spacers (will cut down to about 1")

I have some extra money coming shortly so I will be purchasing the rest of the parts I need to complete the kit. Parts left to buy:

Skyjacker Shocks
IRO Hack-n-Tap SYE
CV style drive shaft from junkyard
IRO double shear track bar upgrade

 

I know this has been said before but I will mention it again. I bought a complete set of extended brake lines from RockAuto for $40 shipped to my door. That was 2 front lines and 1 rear.

Changed out the rear recently. Still have to do the fronts but waiting on that until lift install.

 

Managed to get my bumper primed this past weekend. Hope to get it painted and installed this coming weekend. Here it is before prime.

 

Got the last of the lift parts ordered this past Monday. They should be here this coming Monday.

Did do a few things to the Jeep since. Trimmed the front fenders and re-installed the flares, touched up the grill and headlight trims with Rustoleum Trim and Bumper paint and got the home brew bumper painted and installed.

Here is how she currently looks.

 

Got started on lifting the Jeep up to 5.5-6 inches of lift recently. Started with the rear. First old leaf came off fine. The passenger side decided to be an **** so I had to use some force. In the end I won the battle!