its been a few days, this is all I could get done because of boring reasons

 

little bit of time, little bit of progress. both shackle boxes fully removed, and driver side rear stiffener mostly welded in. need to make some nut strips next.

 

I really really want to do this to mine.

 

Today's goal is to get this all welded up. Stiffener, shackle box, and a strip on the bottom edge of the "frame rail" to strengthen where the hitch bolts go.

 

solid build man.

 

I mostly finished the rear frame stiffeners, HD Offroad no lift shackle relocation brackets, and Rubicon Express shackles. I'll leave the shackles there for now but I'm sure they will need to be moved once things settle. I also installed the gas tank skid I picked up a few weeks ago. Shocks are not hooked up yet. Few more things like that that need to be finished up, but the rear is pretty close.

I also picked up some free metal, couple sheets each of 3/16 and 1/4. Might try my hand at building a bumper or two.

 

I've been pretty busy at work but accomplished a small bit.

coolant overflow line caught in the fan on the black jeep, fixed.



started on some 2 awg battery cables for the red jeep.



changed the oil in two jeeps and a taco, and did the oil filter adapter o-rings on the red jeep (no pics)



got these tires for the black jeep, ordered some cheap steel wheels, and will be working making the black jeep more pleasant to drive soon here.



also I have a P0455 code that I'm lazily trying to locate the reason for it.

 

Been there done that with the coolant hose. My Jeep was missing a fan shroud and when I installed a new one, it got it out of the path of danger. But the stupid shroud cracked recently and then fell the rest of the way off... so I had to secure it up and out of the way again. I'm actually planning on relocating my overflow res to the driver's side so I don't have the hose floating over the fan anymore.

 

I just have the new hose zip tied for now. I think I have an un-cracked shroud somewhere that i'll install someday.

 

The black jeep got some new shocks up front today. I didn't realize the shocks were not set up with bar pins until after I was invested in the project so I quickly threw together a couple BPE's out of a small scrap piece of angle iron I had laying around so I could make it to work tomorrow at 0400. I'll make some better ones later on, maybe. It took about 20 minutes to get two of these.



No pics of the old shocks, but I imagine they were factory based on the deterioration. The wetness in the pic is from the blown shock.

 

Nice! Subbed

 

Subbed! I wanna see that red jeep wheeling

 

Awesome build, or should I say builds?!?!

I got a question for ya. I have the HD no lift relocators installed, and was curious what torque you're using on the upper shackle bolt? I was at factor (115), but brought it down to 105, and it's still stiff out back. I think they aren't articulating like they could. Angle is spot on, so I assume they're just too tight, but I don't want to go too low torque wise.

Anyway, like what you've done. Keep it up!

 

Thanks, it kind of turned into two builds, didn't it. The black jeep wasn't supposed to stay in my ownership as long as it did, but it hasn't left me yet so I'm just whittling away at it's many issues. Might as well post about them as I go.

In answer to your question, I have no idea the torque on those bolts. I have only used my "calibrated elbow" on them, and the jeep is still on stands. It's probably going to be a month or two before I can answer that question with any facts to back it up.


In other news, this happened today.

Before



after



I think it looks great. Very pleased. I'll attempt to get some better pictures soon.

 

Pulled the front flares off before work so I could turn without rubbing. Haven't had the time to clean up the edges yet but I will get there.

tire coverage before 31x10.5x15 on 3.75 bs 15x8 wheels



after



parking spot at work. I'll probably pull that goofy brush guard off now, it looks out of place with the bumper caps off.