Lifting and modifying the YJ...

[USMC 0369]

Ok maybe I missed something, but what are you doing with knuckles on a Dane 35? Where did you get a 35 front end? :confused2

Sorry, I may have misspoken earlier. We were talking about the D30 front end and repositioning the spring perches for better pinion angle. I've decided against doing that. I'm just going to move the shock mounts.

Thanks for reading the thread, ALL input is helpful.

[USMC 0369]

Dude, somebody just learned how to weld on your perches...

I think maybe the guy just doesn't like me...I've seen the welds on his own rig, and they're pretty damn good.

I guess I'm stuck with them for a few years until they either break loose or I swap for a Ford axle or somebody steals the Jeep.

[USMC 0369]

Hell, trailer it down to Lakewood and buy the dachshund a cheeseburger - _he_ welds better than that

I think maybe JB weld would be better than these.

[pdw]

SO what's up with the YJ re-build???? What gearing did you decide upon? What? Where and when???

Those are some UGLY welds! My welding is probably prettier than those things, but I doubt that they will ever break. Ying and yang type of concept????

[USMC 0369]

I've decided upon 4.10 gearing.

with the slushbox and 33" tires, I think this will give me the best balance. I plan to keep this set-up for a few years or until those welds break.

I'm all set and ready to go... I have the axles torn down, cleaned and flushed out, spring pads are on with good pinion angle to T-case. Need an 18 3/8 inch cv-driveshaft.

Have not put on the new shocks or mounts yet, not sure what I'm procrastinating for.

Brake lines have been worked around, won't be buying new ones.

New, tougher, steering set-up hopefully soon also.

Thursday I'll be up to my neck in grease and gear oil. It should be quite a comedy, I'll try to get someone to tape it.

~nick

[RAT]

I've decided upon 4.10 gearing.

with the slushbox and 33" tires, I think this will give me the best balance. I plan to keep this set-up for a few years or until those welds break.

I'm all set and ready to go... I have the axles torn down, cleaned and flushed out, spring pads are on with good pinion angle to T-case. Need an 18 3/8 inch cv-driveshaft.

Have not put on the new shocks or mounts yet, not sure what I'm procrastinating for.

Brake lines have been worked around, won't be buying new ones.

New, tougher, steering set-up hopefully soon also.

Thursday I'll be up to my neck in grease and gear oil. It should be quite a comedy, I'll try to get someone to tape it.

~nick

Nick, Looking good. When do think you'll be finished with this chapter in your Jeep story? Can't wait to see the smile on your face when you hit the trail with it !
Kurt

[Materdaddy]

Nick, Looking good. When do think you'll be finished with this chapter in your Jeep story? Can't wait to see the smile on your face when you hit the trail with it !
Kurt

x2 Well said Kurt! Nick's saga is always fun to follow and wheeling with him is even more fun! The reward will be worth all the work Nick! Hopefully you'll be ready for Calico Cleanup!

[USMC 0369]

To Everyone:

I really appreciate all the support and encouragement. It's nice to be able to share my illness with people who understand. Collectively I think we're all mentally unstable, but we understand each other.

[USMC 0369]

This morning I ordered my new front shock towers. After doing some reading I decided to use the Ford front towers... (part# E5TZ 18183A). I called my local ford dealer and they wanted $20 each. I went to THIS website and got them for $12 each, only problem was that shipping was "to be determined".

Also ordered my steering parts from JCRoffroad.com this morning.

It's been productive.

[USMC 0369]

Unfortunately, not much progress to report for yesterday.

I cut down and shaved off the front shock towers in anticipation of the new parts to arrive, hopefully Monday.

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Then I set to work on the rear, pulling these plastic/rubber liners has been the toughest part of this job so far. HOLY CRAP these things were in there. I imagine it would be much easier if the body were off the frame, but I'm not willing to go that far!

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Question: For those of you that have removed these liners...did you put them back in after your work was done? Any thoughts on putting it back in? I'm not looking forward to it at all.

Until next time: Wednesday....

[USMC 0369]

Latest news.

Today I cut the old rear shock mounts off --- that was a chore. I looked up Erik's website to look for tips and some old threads about it. I started out using a grinder, but after I nearly severed the brake line and watching sparks fly all around the gas tank; I went with the air chisel as Erik suggested.

Then I mocked up some 'mounts' for replacement. I'm thinking this will give me about 5 more inches for shock placement. Of course after moving the mounts on the axle up, it will probably translate into two or so inches. The whole thing looks to be made from 1/4 inch steel. It's what's on hand here.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images32.fotki.com/v1090/photos/9/9459/4116941/YJLift032-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1123/photos/9/9459/4116941/YJLift034-vi.jpg[/SIZED]

[SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1125/photos/9/9459/4116941/YJLift036-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

Take it easy on my welds, they're made of masking tape.

Any thoughts? Changes? I want to start making them soon, my axles should be done some time next week.

[Kodiak Spirit]

I took out the plastic wheel well things and threw them away... you don't need them and they get in the way, specially when you take the sawzall to the sheetmetal... but every once in a while the tire will throw a rock up in there and you will know it! and make sure there are no holes in the body back there or the rain will get in. When I removed the carpet from my YJ I found about 30 lil holes for various things, so I cut some lil steel squares and used them as backing to weld all the holes closed and then grind them smooth...


oh, but yer welds look like masking tape...

[USMC 0369]

I took out the plastic wheel well things and threw them away...

I'll certainly have to undercoat it right? Well, because I'm moving back to Michigan in a couple years I will do it anyway. Good ideas on a product for the job? Maybe I should pay someone to do it?

oh, but yer welds look like masking tape...

Hey, take it easy...those are the best looking welds from this whole project!!!

I'm kind of at a stand still now until I get my axles back from John. I want to do as Erik recommended and plum the upper eye mount as vertical as I can get it. I think I'll have to cut off the upper track bar mount to do it, but I've already cut it off the axle so no biggie.

[Kodiak Spirit]

you can coat the inside of those wheel wells with Herculiner, its a do-it yerself truck bed liner material you can get at Kragen... thetoughest part of the job is prep, the area has to be super clean and etched, I wire wheeled it and then used acitone in a old empty windex spray bottle and sprayed it on like I was gonna throw the excess away... properly of course, and then make sure you use a drop cloth the stuff gets everywhere, and its oil base I think.... I would do at least three coats, you just dab it on with a chip brush...

as far as track bars, you prolly know you don't need them and you have all ready ditched the sway bar I'm sure... so cut away!

[pdw]

as far as track bars, you prolly know you don't need them and you have all ready ditched the sway bar I'm sure... so cut away!

Kodiak,
I have wondered about ditching the front track-bar for some time now. I have one of these:
http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/gr...jks/p_9800.jpg
http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/me...bar_Components
Although my Jeep isn't a daily driver, what is the general thought about driving a YJ on the street w/o a front track-bar?