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It's a nice, stout, well built bumper, but the mounting rails need to be longer to engage more of the frame, and I'm not sure I'm crazy about the bolt on fairlead mount. Otherwise it's great.
The angles look pretty good, surprisingly. If you look at the "virtual" position (eye to eye, see the added lines, green would be ideal) of both track bar, and drag link, they are fairly parallel. But, they could be better, which I may be able to easily fix by drilling a new mounting hole lower on the axle-side mount, or frame side.
My big question/concern is the lengths. From what I understand, the lengths of the drag link, and track bar should be roughly the same. Mine are quite different, the track bar will come out to about 28.5", and the drag link is about 35".
Not sure I can do anything about it, so guess I will see how it does. If I drill a new hole, that will give me a tiny bit more length, but probably not enough to make a big difference.
I decided for now, to try to re use my existing RE HD track bar, but shorten it in the middle, about 3.25". Two main reasons- I don't have the funds to build a new one, and two, the angles of either end of the track bar mounts are not parallel. The frame-side mount is angled toward the front of the truck about 10 degrees, so a straight bar may not work. There might be enough pivot in the Johnny Joint, but I don't want to take the chance of binding. The RE bar has a bend in it to account for the angle difference.
Guess I will find out tomorrow, when I try to put the shortened track bar back in.
Well, have a few bugs to work out, but making slow progress. Have had it at a buddy's shop a couple times now to work on alignment issues, etc. Did re-adjust the control arms to push the axle forward about an inch, (had some rubbage already, and haven't even tried flexing it) and to try to get it parallel with the rear axle a bit better. Was pretty sure I had measured both arms to the RC's recommended length, but they def weren't.
I do have a bit of bump steer going on, but we haven't tried getting the caster right yet, and I still need to tweak a couple things with the track bar (needs new bushing, clunking on turn). I also have no stabilizer or sway bar connected right now. May still have to move either the track bar or DL to get the angles better. Nothing I can really do about the lengths with the setup as is. I know many others have done almost exactly the same the WJ swap setup, with little or no BS, so hopefully I can get it better.
Haven't updated much lately, as there hasn't been a lot of good things happening.
Still trying to dial in the front suspension setup. Have a fair bit of bump steer, and she wanders a lot on the highway. I did drill a new hole in the axle side trackbar mount, to drop it down about an inch which gets the trackbar and drag link pretty much in parallel. But, still haven't gotten the sway bar mounts on the axle, and no stabilizer.
The other unpleasing thing, I got a new U joint and finally got the front driveshaft back in. It has been out of the truck for about 3 years, as it had some strange vibration issues. I convinced myself that was caused by a bad pinion bearing in the old front axle.
Seems I was wrong. Not much vibes below about 40. It becomes pretty noticeable above 45, and downright evil around 70. I haven't had the shaft re-balanced yet, but I had had it done a few years ago trying to solve this, just before I gave up and took it out, as it didn't help.
I have wondered in the back of my mind if there is an issue with the T Case, and that seems more likely.
Also noticed some significant binding in 4wd when at or near steering lock. Not sure what that is about. Basically feels like the locker is engaged, but it isn't. Starting to not like my truck.
Wow. Thought I had updated this more recently, but apparently not, lol.
Anyway, I did eventually pull the "updated" front DS out and took it to the shop to attempt to rebalance it. He called about 15 min later saying it was basically toast. There is a "liner" in the slip spline which takes up any slop in the slip joint, which isn't supposed to ever come out of the shaft once it is built. Mine did. Would have cost more to rebuild that shaft than to just buy a brand new one from Tom Woods, etc.
I didn't want to spend another $300, so I thought I would take a chance on trying to find a good used DS. Found one at the PnP for $20 from a '99. Threw it in as is, and viola- MUCHO better. Still have some DL vibes from the T-Case, but nothing more than I have with no front DS.
Also did finally get the sway bar mounts on, and the bar connected, though for now it is with fixed links, will have to do disconnects later. Tightened up the handling even more than I expected. Still have some minor bumpsteer/wander, but nothing I can't live with.
Aaaand... that is pretty much the end of the updates, haha. Being as it's winter, and cold, I haven't done much other than drive it. All in all it is working pretty well. Mostly plotting the next stage, which will be a powertrain rebuild or swap. Have a feeling it will end up as a rebuild, but can't rule out a BMW N57D30T0 swap. That would be awesome, but is a ton of work which I don't know if I really am motivated enough to do.
Otherwise, it looks like a truck I drive everyday.. things are starting to get rusty and nasty already. Oh well.
Originally Posted by mntnresq
Haven't updated much lately, as there hasn't been a lot of good things happening.
Still trying to dial in the front suspension setup. Have a fair bit of bump steer, and she wanders a lot on the highway. I did drill a new hole in the axle side trackbar mount, to drop it down about an inch which gets the trackbar and drag link pretty much in parallel. But, still haven't gotten the sway bar mounts on the axle, and no stabilizer.
The other unpleasing thing, I got a new U joint and finally got the front driveshaft back in. It has been out of the truck for about 3 years, as it had some strange vibration issues. I convinced myself that was caused by a bad pinion bearing in the old front axle.
Seems I was wrong. Not much vibes below about 40. It becomes pretty noticeable above 45, and downright evil around 70. I haven't had the shaft re-balanced yet, but I had had it done a few years ago trying to solve this, just before I gave up and took it out, as it didn't help.
I have wondered in the back of my mind if there is an issue with the T Case, and that seems more likely.
Also noticed some significant binding in 4wd when at or near steering lock. Not sure what that is about. Basically feels like the locker is engaged, but it isn't. Starting to not like my truck.
I have certainly seen better built rigs, and there is a ton of inventive builds out there. I already have a lot of changes/ideas in mind if I ever get to V2.0.
Originally Posted by WhiskeyRiverXJ
This XJ literally puts everyone I have ever seen, to shame. I am beyond impressed with this build.
Awesome build. I really like a lot of your choices. The pullout table is especially cool. I wouldn't paint your grill black. Mine is white from the factory and I would rather have the chrome. I'll pay shipping if you want to swap.
Bad **** build! I have the chrome grille too and didn't care much for it. After seeing how good yours looks I think I'm gonna start looking for some bezels to match my grille. Keep up the good work.
Well, it's all in the build thread, starting on pg2. But basically, it is a WJ knuckle swap, flipped to OTK with some custom inserts, and cut down stock WJ tie rod/drag link, and stock TRE's.
that is one awesome machine sir. would you happen to have any photos of the mobile desk/shelf. it looks as it will work awesome for me though instead of maps id use it for blueprints, so long as you dont mind i copy.
that is one awesome machine sir. would you happen to have any photos of the mobile desk/shelf. it looks as it will work awesome for me though instead of maps id use it for blueprints, so long as you dont mind i copy.
I probably do have some more detailed pics, there are a handful on page 5 I think of the thread. I will look and see what else I can find.
