I love my 40 dollar HF impact wrench. It does enough to keep my hands fresh for *that* much more every day. Also, get some Kroil. Google the Kroil deal, I think it works better than PB. PB is pretty damn good though.

 

Alright... I'm getting pissed! This little Jeep is putting up a good fight. Managed to get the track bar bracket off, but damn was that track bar stuck in there... ended up cutting it off with my angle grinder along with the axle mount side, and then my buddy and I took it to his shop to press the remaining bolt out... guess what ... it was stuck. We tried to drill it out but couldn't. So we said enough's enough! And we cut that part of the bracket out and he welded in a new piece. Hell yeah that's a strong single-shear bracket now!!!!

Buddy's machine shop:


Screw you track bar!


He wanted to be sure it was welded the frack on there...


Sweet!


Also -- the frame bolts for my LCA's are frozen. Guess I'm going to have to get after those with the grinder tomorrow. I'm going to have to pull the entire axle -- I've already disconnected the drag link and tie rod.. Going to replace the UCA mounting hardware because it's just plain stupid. Tomorrow's gonna suck but FOR REAL this time I want to get the front end back together tomorrow!

I think anyone reading this should take away an important message:

These Jeeps put up a fight. If you're planning on doing a lift and learning in the process like me, be sure to set aside lots of time to get this done, and be patient. It's painstaking but so worth it!

 

Well...Not much progress. Got one LCA bolt out on the frame and removed the steering / tie rod etc. Had to grind the crap out of the bolt to get it out -- it was seriously in there. Definitely going to have to pull the axle to get to the axle side bolts as those are very frozen too. Damn!

This is what happens when the Jeep puts up a fight!


Grinding the head off the LCA bolt so I could punch it out


Aaaaaand here's where she sits now. Not much different



I'll get there

Get to go to the doc tomorrow to find out what the heck is wrong with me... also going to rent an impact hammer yay!

 

Made some good progress today! Finished the front!

Also had a beautiful sunset:


I had to get a little crafty to get the eyes in the shocks... I ended up combining a clamp with a socket and deep socket to push the bushing in nicely... ended up working out great!


Front looking good! Still have to trim fenders to clear the 32's but that's for another day.


Here she is doin' the reverse stinkbug :P

 

With all that rust you are going to have a hell of a time with the rear upper shock bolts (they WILL break with that level of rust) and even worse the notorious front leaf bolts that always seize into the spring bushing. I had to cut one of mine after fighting it for 3 hours, and my Jeep has little to no rust

 

I have already bought a bunch of cutoff wheels in preparation. I'm expecting it, no optimism here lol

 

The rear upper shock bolts are easy. I preferred to snap them off. I snapped mine sheer off with a socket, drilled a small drill bit into the core of them, put a metal punch into the center & hammer time'd them off the welds. 1 of 4 gave a hard fight, the rest broke very easily. Then you can thread copper wire through the body panel right there, and fish in new bolts. It's nice to see fresh clean metal up there for once! Then I slathered everything in grease to hopefully prevent some rust in the future.

1 didn't snap clean, so I used a cutting wheel to get it close, then did the drill & punch method.

Take your time with the front leaf bolt. Lots of penetrating lube, and work slow. Impact wrench helps.

 

Update:

Got the rear done!!! What a pain! All four of the shock mount bolts snapped... decided to tear up the carpet and drill holes thru the floorpan and attack the nuts from there. I'm thinking about bedlining the thing anyways so forget the carpet :P

The brake lines were so corroded I could snape them with two fingers, so that was a safety hazard! My buddie's dad custom-made me some new ones from the master cylinder to the drums in the rear!

Coated most of the axle and undercarriage in an attempt to stop the rot in the rear.

Pics:

In the shop


My buddy helping me get those PITA spring bolts out


Buddy helping with the rear shock bolts... poor carpet


Undercoating


I'll post some before and after pics when I get my new tires!

What's left on the list for this winter break:
New tires (32 or 33)
New rims
New output shaft (ordered the SYE kit from advance adapters)
New driveshaft (going to pull an XJ front DS)
Alignment
Pinion angle correction
Fix the e-break and drums
New pads up front
New shoes on the rear
Fix exhaust hanger
Fix 90-degree oil adapter leak
Possibly add frame stiffeners

What a list!

 

Just a little update. I have some pretty sever vibes / sketchy noises coming from the driveline... but good thing my AA SYE came in today!!!! WHOOO!!! The plan is to use a front XJ shaft or similar from a JY. No need to pay stupid amounts for a Tom Woods shaft!


And I decided to drive her down to check the surf real quick... first time I've been able to truly drive here for a few weeks!

 

That is a good looking jeep. Best of luck to you. I don't think my engine bay ever looked as clean as that. Also, I laughed when I saw you punching the bushings and sleeves in with the sockets, I did the exact same thing haha.

 

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

And LOL I didn't think the bay was that clean... I can only imagine what yours looks like!!

And yes, the socket-clamp-bushing method works great, no need for the BFH & cussing method!

 

Hey just put of curiosity what front bumper is that and how much did it cost

 

Nates 4x4 front bumper. I got the front and rear together for about 550 I believe

 

Ok thanks man

 

Well, I just splurged on a set of new tires....

I was originally thinking 31's or 32's... but I couldn't help myself and ended up getting 33x12.50x15 BFG AT's. Oops

Also bought some cheapie D-windows 15x8x-3.75

Totalled about 900 bucks shipped to my door