4BangerDanger

I measured the lift today. Here's where the Jeep currently sits:






Before
Rear = 5"
Front = 6.5"

Now
Rear = 9.75"
Front = 10.5"

I'm interested to see where the springs settle at as I was only aiming for 2.5". I also find it interesting that the front is .75" higher than the rear.

Also today the Jeep got a front end alignment and I had the tires rotated and balanced. Everything drove great! Until I hit a bump at about 45 mph on the way home... The dreaded death wobble reared it's ugly head on me. I had never experienced it before but I had read enough about it that I instantly knew what it was. I slowed down and at about 30 mph it went away. I'm very confused... I have a brand new adjustable track bar that I just installed this week and just today it had the alignment and tires. Also, I drove the Jeep yesterday while it was out of alignment and this did not happen.

Here's some pics of my front end:







Anybody have any ideas?

4BangerDanger

I've been trying to do my homework on DW and I've seen it said over and over again that the track bar is responsible for DW 90% of the time. So the fact that I have DW suddenly is frustrating to me as I just installed a brand new adjustable track bar!

One thing I saw is that the axle mount track bar bolt can oval out the hole in the bracket over time, causing DW. So I double checked the hole in the bracket, and it turns out that when I drilled the hole to 3/4 for the new hardware I did a poor job of drilling and it was already ovaled. I drilled from the side and I guess I just didn't notice it.

I can't weld, so I paid a guy $15 to weld the washer to the bracket for me.



Unfortunately, as I was driving back home DW struck again. Obviously there is more going on with the front end. I jacked up the front of the XJ and tried to wiggle the tires. With my hands at the 12 and 6 position there is no movement, but with my hands at 9 and 3 there is movement.

Upon inspection of my TREs, here is what I found:

















Whether this is the direct cause or not, it's definitely not helping as there is some play with the tie rod. If I'm going to be tearing my steering apart I figured I might as well upgrade, so I'm looking at the Crown HD steering kit. Stay tuned...

Ad-HocXJ

Haha yup that'll do it. Glad to see you are going about DW the right way!

4BangerDanger

Hey thanks, I appreciate that.

Well, I went ahead and ordered the Crown kit:

Ad-HocXJ

Make sure to grease them up if they aren't. Also, grease everything like your driveshafts, ball joints, etc. Really makes a difference

4BangerDanger

I installed the Crown HD steering kit. The old TREs were definitely shot as the boots completely fell apart as I removed them. I also adjusted the trackbar again as I was not satisfied I had the axle centered properly. Then I did a driveway alignment and adjusted the steering wheel. After taking it for a test drive I'm pretty happy. I think my DW is gone!

Crappy pics... It was getting dark just as I finished greasing everything.

4BangerDanger

Installed a net over the cargo area. I did this quickly so it's a little sloppy; I may have to adjust it again.






I discovered last night as I was backing into the driveway that my steering wheel was one full turn to far to the left (driver's side) and so I fixed that. Then it was time to go huntin'!













No birdies today, but that wasn't surprising. Pheasant numbers are down this year. It was good exercise for us and the dog, and it was great to be out exploring in the Jeep after it had sat so long!

While I'm on the subject of my pup, I have to brag a bit. He's a one-year-old mixed breed we got from a shelter last December. This is his first pheasant season and he's doing great! A shot from last weekend:



This is totally related to my build, as my dog hunts and my Jeep is my preferred hunting rig. Makes sense, right?

98jeepster_xj

I'm liking the fiberglass repair idea. Honestly I never thought of doing that, and personally I'm better at fiberglass repair than metal patching repair.

Keep up the great work!

4BangerDanger

Thanks!

Recently I purchased the JCR nutstrips so I could finally install my OEM gas tank skid plate and junkyard hitch that I've had sitting in my garage.




After getting everything into position and ready to bolt up by myself with the temperature at about 0°F, I discovered that the bolt holes on my hitch don't line up. Arghh! This confuses the hell out of me... I got this out of a junkyard that had an online inventory. I reserved the hitch online and then went and picked it up, so I didn't pull it off the old Jeep myself, but it was labeled as being from a '01 XJ. I got my front hitch receiver from the same junkyard and it supposedly came off of the same Jeep and it fit fine...

Oh well. I may be pulling a light utility trailer this weekend so I really need a hitch on. To keep life simple, I bit the bullet and just ordered a brand new Curt receiver from Amazon. Hooray for Prime! Should be delivered on Friday...

4BangerDanger

The hitch arrived today. Got it and the gas tank skid installed.



I finally have recovery gear! Hi lift jack, tree saver, recovery strap, etc...



I also got a D-ring insert for the hitches.



So now I have recovery points and gear. Hooray!

The hatch latch kept getting stuck today and wouldn't open, so I took the back cover off and sprayed the mechanism with lubricant. That took care of it. While the cover was off I noticed these that the PO installed. I had no idea these where in there.



That was a nice surprise! My sound is decent and that explains it. I'm sure they aren't the best speakers in the world but I'm not complaining.

4BangerDanger

The little 4 banger has been running well. After installing the hitch receiver, I towed a utility trailer ~130 miles to pick up a snowblower.







It actually did a pretty decent job at towing! My drive included state highways and an interstate and I had no issues whatsoever.

The Jeep also just crossed a new milestone:



I've had a nagging feeling for a while that I should check my engine mounts and every time I see another member on the forum change theirs it would remind me. Well today I stopped being lazy and finally inspected them:





They're TOAST! Now I know I should have noticed this a long time ago... My defense is I'm still a rookie and learning lol.

Got the new mounts ordered:



I also ordered a new transmission mount. I'm a little bummed as I had been planning to take a road trip to go wheeling on the other side of the state this weekend. Oh well, maybe next weekend if I'm lucky.

RegularGuy

I like the idea on the horse mad for the cargo area! i may try that idea instead of buying an expensive fitted one. I made one from an F-150 bedliner but its... far from perfect.

4BangerDanger

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. It holds up to abuse, provides some extra insulation & sound deadening, and it gives the pup something to lay on.

I got a few things done on the Jeep... I had a reverse light go out so I figured that gave me an excuse to throw some LEDs in.




Old bulbs out...



New LEDs in!



First look...







I also decided to do some general maintenance that I had been putting off...



New 02 sensor. I have no idea when (if ever) the 02 sensor had been last replaced.



Comparison of old vs. new.





New one in.

I also flushed the coolant and changed the thermostat.



Old vs. new t-stat

I forgot to take a picture of the old coolant but it was FILTHY.

Outlaw Star

You should be getting your motor mounts any day now. Usually only takes about a week and a half.

Looking good man.

TFitzPat87

Great build man! Attention to detail is awesome, and I can tell you really enjoy it! Welcome to the addiction!