I like them. They are super light which is a plus. They fit pretty darn good. Just the lower left bolt is a little close to the flare but nothing I cared about. And yes, I did put that layer of silicone in between. The only thing I didn't add yet was the bottle opener we discussed about haha.

 

dude ive been reading your post during down time at work, took a couple of days and i totally love your jeep. you gave me so many ideas. i will deff stay posted to see what else you do.

 

Thanks!

 

Hey quick question man, would you recommend getting a xj D44 like what you got or going with something such as a ford 8.8?

 

Depends on a lot of things. The Chrylser 8.25 29 spline is an ok average axle depending on your wheeling. I had a 8.8 and now have an xj d44. Comes down to availability of each axle for you.

8.8 is strong and has a good after market base. But if you get one, you might as well make sure it has disc brakes on in right away to save tracking down time and to make the find worth it. Then remember you need to redo perches and stuff to make it fit in the xj. If I remember right its a little more narrow as well but it was less then an inch. The main thing I hated about the 8.8 was the WEIGHT and Bulkyness of it. Way to heavy.

The XJ d44 is a great upgrade if you can find one. Its bolt in. Has a ton of after market support. I upgraded to disc brakes from a ZJ and Rubicon TJ parts. It is also a lot lighter then the 8.8 and will hold up just as well.

Hope this helps. These are my opinions. I am def. not ragging on the 8.8, just saying I like my D44 better. Let me know if you have any more ?'s I can answer.

 

Yeah on more. do you know what years had the D44. I know it was limited to only a few but I'm not sure what years

 

what was it... Off the top of my head I want to say some 1986-1988 but it might only be 1987-1988. You can find them if you wait and do a good search. Utah seems to be the place to find jeep parts haha from what I have seen around.

 

sorry if i missed it but why change to power steering box out of a durango ?

 

better gear ratio for steering.

 

So I went to Mirror Lake and Rocky Arbor State parks this weekend.







And then on my way home I got stranded in Stoughton because the jeep decided to overheat...So this is how I got home.



Jeepcomj and my Bro came over to look at it and try and track it down. We are figuring it was the TStat. So I changed the tstat and fluid. I also changed the spark plugs while I was at it and still have to change a sensor for the temp gauge. But hopefully that was the issue and all would be good now.

 

First, Cool build!
Second, Well done - there us a difference between a good idea and a well executed idea.
Last, do you have access to a scale? I'd love to know what it weighs without the kayaks.

 

haha thanks. The jeep is probably a pig on the scales with all the armor and such. I have access to them at work, just never a lot of time at work. Been wanting to find out though.

 

only losers have to get towed home from trips....

 

huh. I think that would have applied better as "only losers can't make it home in their tow rig"

 

I wish I could be a mega loser and be towed around all the time haha.