IMO, might as well while it isn't under the Jeep. Welding the tubes is probably fine though.

We've been chatting since we are both building an 8.8 at the same time. 94 has it right. Do what you can before putting it under the truck.

Same reason I trussed the D44 in the Comanche: It's convenient right now, and it isn't that expensive.

I tack welded my tubes to the center section , center section is cast steel.

yup - may as well do it while it's out - added insurance.

Yea I wish id trusses/disk braked my 8.25 before I swapped it in

spent some time on the front driveshaft last night. Ground all the rust off the new-to-me shaft and hit it with some paint.

Pulled the front joint out of my old shaft, only to find the grease in the caps was an ugly rust/mud color. Joint was almost brand new so I took the time to pull all the needle bearings out of the caps, cleaned them up good, then re-set the bearings in a new grease bath.

The rear joints in the new-to-me shaft feel ok. I'm going to install the front joint and put it in the truck for this weekend. If the rear joints are shot i have brand new joints and CV ball in the old shaft to swap in.

Good news! Front driveshaft is installed and feels mint!

Bad news - I discovered whilst laying beneath the jeep that my passenger side axle ujoint is crispy and starting to wiggle. And oh joy!!! I can't find my wheel lock key...

Also the Neapco Brute Force ujoints i like have been discontinued at Advance Auto...looks like i'll have to stock up on mail order Spicers...

One step forward...two steps back

typical. lol my axle ujoints are pretty bad, just havent felt like tearing the axle apart to change them

Say shaft more

Yeah when we started switching to moog ujoints they started discontinuing the old neapco part numbers, it's a real pain

SHAFT


Took the jeep to a local meet and offroad course this past weekend. Jeep did awesome and i had lots of fun. Competed in an egg race as well - that was pretty fun lol.

This was one of the first times where I got to REALLY flex the suspension out, and have photos of me doing it. I'm very pleased with how everything performs. Locked stock Rubicons had more trouble in the hills than my open/open setup did. Never put it in reverse all day and it did everything I pointed the truck at without hesitation.






Also put it on an RTI ramp for the first time - traveled ~86" up the 25* ramp before lifting tire which gives me an RTI of ~850. Pretty damn good for short arms!

Awesome. Show them Rubis who's boss. Lol.

Heck ya! XJ FTW!

Rear suspension travels great. You need to go back to RC and wheel this thing!