CRLAMBERTJR

Decided to try to get some rest past couple of days. I went out today and scrubbed off the oil leaks on the driveway. Just raising the 3/4" somehow made it easier for me to get in and out of the jeep with my bad hip ? Before, felt like I had to duck down to get in ? Definitely looking forward to the lift ! The drum brakes are acting up now ! Squeaking and clunking when you back up or start. So the disc brake conversion will be coming ASAP ! I've already got the pads and calipers. Going to rebuild an OEM set and paint them red! Just need the backing plates, proportioning valve and rotors. Going to replace both sides of the rear seals and outer bearings, new lube locker gasket and change the grease at the same time. I've also got the front rotors and ceramic pads to match the rear. Going to rebuild the calipers up front too. This steering wheel being off center is gnawing at me !!! I'm getting ready to do all of the ball joints and tie rods. I also need to clean up the steering box and front pumpkin to check for leaks. I literally had so much oil flying everywhere, it's hard to tell ? If the box leaks, Durango time ! If the pinion seal is leaking, I'd really like to upgrade from a strap yoke to u-bolts, replace the front drive shaft u-joint when I replace the seal. Another lube locker gasket and change the grease. The list is slowly but surely getting shorter ! I can't wait to start on the interior and STEREO !!!

CRLAMBERTJR

Haven't gotten much done. Haven't felt like getting greasy again yet ! I have quite a bit going on right now! Got my battery upgrade cables in. Waiting for a set of terminal washers and covers. Also getting ready to just pull the trigger on a used OEM 136A alternator, plenty out there ! I just want to do it all in one fell swoop. I also have these in the bargaining stages, a set of 97 Grand Cherokee ZJ rear disc backing plates and a set of Moog CC782 front springs ! So much to do, so much time and so little energy !!! COPD sucks. Getting ready to have surgery on my nose, 99% blocked on one side ! Going the go up in there and cut that out. They say I should feel better afterward. Have to walk around with tubes in both sides for at least ten days !!! I think it will be worth it.

CRLAMBERTJR

Well, I finally found a nice set of ZJ backing plates for my disc brake conversion ! They're on the way ! Got the calipers and pads already. Going to rebuild the calipers and paint them red ! Just need to get new rotors and brake proportioning valve. Get to the e-brake cables after that. Once I get the main parts done front and rear, going to replace all of the brake lines. Gittin there little by little...

Basslicks

Slow and steady, bud. Rome wasn't built in a day. Don't wanna mess around with COPD either.

CRLAMBERTJR

I don't really have much of a choice in the matter. Before, I went full tilt boogie on everything ! The transformation has been hard for me to accept. I am growing to terms with it. Every time I go in to a Dr., seems like something else or bad news ! Just found out today, I've lost over half my hearing in my left ear, beyond a hearing aid! They are also suggesting a hearing aid for my right ear! This Friday, is another surgery !

Basslicks

Man that sucks. Speaking of hearing, I almost didn't get pass my hearing test to get the job I have now because my right ear had a lot of damage in it.

CRLAMBERTJR

This week has been a real hoot !!! I underwent surgery for a severely deviated,,, deviated septum !!! LOL , you just have to laugh at it all in spite, these things will come to pass ! But right now is really blowin chunks !!! I have so much to do, and can't touch it for now !

CRLAMBERTJR

Ok, so right now, I got these tubes still stuck in my nose ! They're supposed to come out on Monday morning!!! I have literally done nothing to the brakes at all, other than replace the hardware up front. The rotors still have life and pads are still beefy. Though the rotors have ridges like ruffles chips !!! So I've been buying up most of the parts to do the brakes all at once. I simply removed the back wheels to put the rear shocks on. Left the drums intact. The wheels were on so tight that I had to use my whole jack handle on a 1/2" breaker bar to get them off !!! Huge chunks of rust fell everywhere when I removed the tires. Ever since just pitting the tires back on, the rear brakes have gone kaput !!! Making all kinds of klunking noises, popping when you stop, etc etc . So I refuse to even look at the drums at this point ! I already have new front coated Centric rotors and Akebono ceramic pads for both front and rear. I'm going to rebuild the calipers and paint them. I have a set of 97 ZJ backing plates and calipers. Going to rebuild the calipers and paint them red too. All I really have to buy are the matching rotors for the rear. The kits and hardware and paint to rebuild the calipers. Want to replace the bolts on the backing plates with grade 8. Going to replace the differential fluid. Try a Lube Locker gasket. Plan on going ahead and replacing the outer seals and bearings while I'm in there. I am going to try my best to get a good ebrake cable setup. I have a couple of options. One was a rear passenger side cable from a 2000 ford explorer paired with the rear driver side ZJ cable. On my 99 XJ, both cables run down the driver side. Some are successfully using two KJ cables that are the same size. Which would probably be fine if both cables went down the middle like the older 97 down models. I just don't want to have a long cable doubled over and tied up. I am thinking really hard about taking excellent pics as I go and doing a write up to end all XJ>ZJ disc brake conversions !!! I have just decided to go ahead and order a new custom pre-bent set of the SSTL Inline hard brake lines along with a set of thier matching coated braided soft line for the ends. They're extended too. Just buttoned up all of my engine oil leaks ! Now I'm seeing transmission fluid in and around the transmission pan !!! New filter and gasket coming there real soon too. Might as well replace the engine and tranny mounts while I'm at it !!! After that will come my exhaust system and new header, 62mm throttle body and new set of 784 injectors from Jeff here on CF. Maybe, eventually , I'll get to start doing some of the fun stuff that you will be able to see, and hear !!!

CRLAMBERTJR

Looks like I'll be doing a lunch box locker for my 8.25 !!! Be buying the LOKKA from the sellers section listings. Got a good buy on it !!! Things are coming together quicker !

Basslicks

Sweet!

CRLAMBERTJR

I am slow, but making progress. The COPD is a killer ! Plus the heat !!! To give you all an idea of what it's like for me to breathe. You would have to stuff about 20 cotton ***** up your nose, then primarily breathe thru your mouth! But to get the full experience, you'd have to wet a wash cloth and tie it over your mouth with a handkerchief!!! Now, go out in 85-90* heat and try working on your jeep !!! With COPD, one of the first things they teach in therapy is conserving energy ! Everytime I have to go out and jack my rig up, get it on jack stands, pull the wheels,,, that alone is no easy task !!! So when I get into a project, I try to do more than one job while I've got it up and ready. So doing the LOKKA at the same time as the rear disc brake upgrade is a no brainer !!! What, maybe 20 mins more work ? Definitely not looking forward to running the new brake lines !!! But, it must be done !!!

CRLAMBERTJR

Ok, so I may have put too much on my plate again, but here goes !!! I've ordered a ton of more cool toys ! ZJ rear disc brake upgrade, new rear axle bearings and seals, new Lokka for the rear, Lube Locker gasket and new gear oil. All new preformed SSTL lines with front braided and the one in the rear. These are coming from Inline Tube. I'm going to see what they'll charge for a custom made set for the short ones in the rear to match my fronts and upper rear line. Rebuilt and painted OEM calipers, Akebono Ceramic Brake Pads and four new Centric Coated Rotors. Change filter, fluid and gasket in the transmission. Then, upgraded battery wiring and headlight harness upgrade with AutoPal headlights, and switch out the chrome bezels for black ! Next will be a 136A alternator upgrade, new valve cover torque spacer grommets. ZJ steering tierod uprade with 4 new Spicer Ball Joints with new axle shaft u-joints,,,And a new to me set of AR23 aluminum wheels with some temporary BF Goodrich Touring TAs for awhile till I do my lift ! After this, next month,,, concentrating on my header with all new exhaust, 62mm throttle body and a set of the 784 / 4 hole injectors! I already have a set of the Moog CC782 front springs. Still undecided on the rear springs ? Or adding a shackle relocating bracket yet ? Going to go with an AROS adjustable front spring spacer, so that whatever I do, or how high I go, I'll be set up and ready up front. Right now just thinking 31.50s or maybe even 265x75x15s ? I've pretty much decided that I'm going to let my rear end height dictate the final size of my tires. I don't want anything over 33s! Really rather stay around 30-31". This will more than likely keep me busy for the whole month, at the rate I get work done ! So bare with me, will give progress updates as I go !!!

Basslicks

31 is a good size. I loved my 33's, but it was quite a bit more work and there was trimming involved. For what it seems your goals are, I wouldn't go any higher than 31s.

CRLAMBERTJR

So, we drove down to Harlan Co , Ky , to meet Lowrange2 aka Andy Bagwell, to pick up a set of wheels and tires I'd bought from him here on the Part Outs forum. Awesome guy !!! Great to deal with ! We didn't have time to go up on the mtn to watch or drive, but we did get to eat with them and take part in a raffle !!! Hope to bee able to join and attend thier next meet !!! What a great bunch ! Friendly, loved my dog, Miss Bailey ! Got to see a bunch of awesome rigs !!! I even think that the Jeep bug bit my significant other !!! But she wants a JK !!!

Basslicks

Some friends of mine are up there for Cherokee Crawl this year. So if you happen to see a tan MJ with 1 tone axles and a YJ's roll cage in the bed, a blk XJ on 33s with blue decals and blue d-rings on the front, or a short blue bus converted into an RV, tell 'em Justin says hi.