Nice man! How are the rpms with the 35s around town? That trans cooler is going to help out a lot with maintaining temps.

 

Eh not great haha. It doesn't like overdrive much anymore, and getting up to speed is a bit of a chore. I can deal with it for awhile but it sucks. I was on the highway the other day and was needing to downshift to go up any hills.

 

Start small. Just upgrade the rear axle with a Ford 8.8 with 4.10's already stock from the junkyard. Re-gear the front axle yourself or go find any XJ with a 2.5L 4-banger and it should have 4.10's stock as well.

Boom...4.10's and you now have 15% more of your torque back. (though I'd probably re-gear with 4.56's or 4.88's if you were going to stay with 35's and keep the axles you have and just regear them).

 

I've thought about it. I actually looked at a 99 with a 4cyl. Hp d30 and 29 spline 8.25 with 4.10, I didn't pull the trigger on it though. Over 250k, axles weren't in great shape and the rest of the body did me no good.

 

Looks good so far. How do you like the STT's in the snow? I've been thinking about going with Procomp MT2 or the STT's. I've been on the fence running 33's on stock gearing due to trips to the mountain.

 

I haven't had the STTs in the snow yet. From what I've read they're pretty good. They do great in the rain and are decent on the road in general. I would absolutely buy them again.

 

4.10s and 35s will be like 33x10.50s on 3.55, doable but 4.56/4.88 is the true magic ratio for 35s. The 8.25 will be perfectly fine for 35s, I'd just regear, I mean that's what I plan on doing with mine.

 

I'm planning on doing 4.56s. I have the gears in boxes, just no money to get them installed. I want to do full case lockers at the same time but I probably won't be able to afford that for atleast a year or two. I could get my gears installed now, I have the cash, I just think ill kick myself in the rear if I get them geared with open/open. Ive been on the fence about this forever. I know I can do lunchboxes but deep down I know that's really not what I want. Idk, maybe after I do my steering I'll get the gears done with open diffs.

 

I'd find a friend who has experience doing it, even if it's a drive it would still be a huge savings to have a friend install them then a shop. My plan is to go lunchbox in the rear and truetrac or selectable if money allows upfront when regearing. Lunchbox might happen first before anything else. 4.56 is the same ideal gearing I want to go with.

 

Howdy all,

So last week I left my job (on good terms) after about 4-1/2 years. I worked at a Dunkin Donuts and it sucked to say the least. I'm moving to go to school at the end of August and I really need this time off to get myself together (aka work on the jeep).

Installed my brown dog motor mounts today. It went suspiciously well..

Look at how sexy they are!








The jeep is staying parked for awhile till I can do:

-trans mount
-trans cooler and gauge
-boostwerks shift linkage
-jcr steeringbox spacer and frame plates
-new fan clutch
-retorque my shackle relocators and u bolts
-change diff fluid
-install front chromos

And time permitting I would like to do

-rear disc brakes
-otk steering and ota track bar

 

Worked for awhile today. I dropped my crossmember to get to my trans mount and t-case linkage. What a pain. After I dropped the pan I discovered some nice holes in the floor. I couldn't find my bondo and it was really hot out so I called it for the day.

 

90+ degrees up here in New Hampshire today, and not any less humid. Still out wrenchin.

I bondoed the holes in my floor today. I know not the best thing to do about that, but it will keep my dry for awhile.

I also put a new trans mount on, as well as bought some dex/merc for the trans and t-case

 

Installed the boostwerks t-case shift linkage today. Install was awkward with the long arm crossmember hanging in the way but I muddled through it. Also I think I discovered why I was having trouble shifting it...

 

Today was one of those days where I felt like I was getting nowhere fast.

All I did was change the t-case and rear diff fluid, along with paint the rear cover.







Oh I also discovered I need a new gas tank strap when the tank almost fell on me!

 

A little more progress today. Just slowly chippin away.

I did the front diff fluid and mounted my trans cooler.

If I didn't have future plans to rebuild my diffs I would be slightly concerned. The fluid was very bad and had pockets of metal shavings in the bottom. Definitely well overdue for a change.