Jack of All Trades, Master of None: LJ Build

Wildman said:
DAMN.... On both the winch & not feeling OK...
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Thank you, I'm finally back to 100%. I hope your back gets better too..

Wildman said:
IMO you need a 9k lb winch or a 8274 for your LJ and have a snatch block handy when you need do any serious pulls.

Feel better/
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I believe stock for stock, an LJ is only about 280 lbs heavier than a TJ. I've also since lost the hardtop, rear seat, and spare tire. But I've also added quite a bit of weight...

I wasn't abusing the m8 either, gave it breaks between pulls. I've used "cheap" winches for years (Warn VR10 and Badlands Apex) without issues. I'm going to consider this a fluke, and prolly slap another motor into it. If I keep burning them up, I'll reconsider. I would love a 9.5XP, but so pricey... But more on that later.
 
On to the topic at hand. I've wanted to update my winch situation for some time now. I never liked my current Warn VR10 for several reasons, mainly the modern look was out of place on a TJ grill IMO. It was also making some grinding noises, had a loose remote connector, steel cable. All easy fixes I know, but I was looking for a more classic looking and lighter winch setup anyways.

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So I sold my VR10 and started scrounging the local marketplaces. I considered an 8274, but couldn't find any in my price range, and I'd have to get a new bumper/winch plate for it. I came across 2 different deals that I picked up on the same day.

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A working M8000 for 150 with a remote, but no cable and a bad solenoid box.

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And an XD9000 for 80 bucks (or what was left of one), with a working motor, and most importantly a contactor upgrade box. I was able to sell off the XD9000 motor and M8000 solenoid box to offset the cost.

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I dug into the M8000. Not that it needed it, but I was curious what the inside looked like. Everything checked out, brushes had plenty of life left, gears were in great shape and greased up. Not bad! I had some inexplicable issues with the clutch lever upon reassembly. @hosejockey61 shared a tip that somehow solved it, so it was good to go.




Around this time, @Wildman offered up some synthetic rope he had lying around, which I gladly accepted! We metup on the Eastside when Wildman had a chance to come over and chatted about Jeeps and life for a bit. It was great meeting ya, Rick, and thank you for the rope!

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Besides being dirty, it was about 90' total and in great shape. I'll upgrade eventually, but this will more than do for now. Rick gave the idea to throw it into a pillowcase and wash it at the local laundry, which I did.

I may have mentioned this earlier in the thread, but a couple months ago, @NashvilleTJ sent me a brand new spare Safety Thimble he had, free of charge! Thank you again, Jeff. I'm finally putting it to good use.




A quick wash, repaint of the motor endcap and 30 minutes learning to splice synthetic rope, and I was here:

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It looks much better than before, and I finally have synthetic rope in my life. No more splinters either. Overall I'm happy with how this mini-project turned out.
 
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I also went back to the stock fenders/flares. I actually sold my GRs to the same guy that bought my stockers and got those back too.

As much as I enjoyed the narrow 0" flare when making tight turns, I really got tired of all the crap that was thrown onto the jeep after even a light rain. The no flare look also accentuated the lack of 37s with the longer wheelbase lol.

I'm happy with how the stockers look, I'll have to be extra careful when making turns around trees.
 
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See what motors will fit onto your winch. I've got a spare motor. It's a cheap Amazon motor but it might fit. If it will you can have it. I'll have to look and see if I can find the specifications for it. I think it's a 4.5 HP motor but not positive.

Jeep looks good with the stock fenders.
 
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Here is the motor I have from Amazon. It says that it'll fit your M8000 too. I'm coming over to the VA on 3 January so we can meet up @ the parking garage like we'd planned before.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T4U6HW/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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I'd bought it when I was just planning on repairing my 8274. But then I did the bigger motor instead so it's just sitting here. Yours if you want it.

@Blackjack is this motor any good? Know anything about the brand?
 
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Wildman said:
Here is the motor I have from Amazon. It says that it'll fit your M8000 too. I'm coming over to the VA on 3 January so we can meet up @ the parking garage like we'd planned before.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T4U6HW/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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I'd bought it when I was just planning on repairing my 8274. But then I did the bigger motor instead so it's just sitting here. Yours if you want it.

@Blackjack is this motor any good? Know anything about the brand?
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Thank you, Rick. That is very kind of you. This really sucks, cuz I’d just sold the original motor off the XD9000. Now I believe that one was weaker than the M8000 one. but still. I will send you a PM tonight!
 
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I decided to take a more in depth look underneath the jeep. Hadn’t gone through it in at least 3-4 offroad trips (tho I should probably do it every time).


Nothing too serious:

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Even managed to bend the tip of the savvy brackets:
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The only one that concerns me is the front passenger lower CA bracket. It’s bent pretty bad, and there’s a ~ 1/4” crack in the factory weld. This doesn’t exactly excite me given the 3 link…

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My thinking is just bend it back as best I can, and tack it in place. Thoughts?
 
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PNW_LJ said:
Those were on my radar.. but I’d rather not waste any money on the LP30. As soon as I build my Rubi 44, this housing is going to the trash.

You think a couple tacks wouldn’t hold me over for a couple months?
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You'll need to ask some of the other members but IMO no I wouldn't trust it. Look at it this way, spend the $50 now and you'll make some of that back when you go to sell it.
 
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PNW_LJ said:
Those were on my radar.. but I’d rather not waste any money on the LP30. As soon as I build my Rubi 44, this housing is going to the trash.

You think a couple tacks wouldn’t hold me over for a couple months?
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Raised GR body mounts, straighten out the front CA bracket. weld up the 1/4” and box it in with a skid for a cheap reinforcement till you build the Dana 44. Hopefully your driveshaft is still balanced. 👍🏼
 
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PNW_LJ said:
Thank you, Rick. That is very kind of you. This really sucks, cuz I’d just sold the original motor off the XD9000. Now I believe that one was weaker than the M8000 one. but still. I will send you a PM tonight!
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The XD9000 and 9000i should be stronger than the M8000. I wish you’d kept that one. 😬
 
JMT said:
The XD9000 and 9000i should be stronger than the M8000. I wish you’d kept that one. 😬
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@Blackjack will correct me, but I BELIEVE the XD9000 has the weaker motor but makes up for it with deeper gearing. Vicer versa for the M8000. But I could be wrong.
 
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Wildman said:
You'll need to ask some of the other members but IMO no I wouldn't trust it. Look at it this way, spend the $50 now and you'll make some of that back when you go to sell it.
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I’m going to be cutting off the savvy 3link truss, so it’ll be a worthless housing. But you might be right, better safe than sorry.

JMT said:
Raised GR body mounts
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Yup! But first I want to decide if I’m keeping the Savvy tummy tuck. I’m considering building a flat belly skid.

All depends on how much the breakover angle continues to be a problem.

JMT said:
straighten out the front CA bracket. weld up the 1/4” and box it in with a skid for a cheap reinforcement till you build the Dana 44. Hopefully your driveshaft is still balanced. 👍🏼
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I might do that. Currie mini skids aren’t any cheaper, so I might try to use some scrap steel.

Front DS doesn’t look much better, but both are good up to 80.
 
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PNW_LJ said:
I’m going to be cutting off the savvy 3link truss, so it’ll be a worthless housing. But you might be right, better safe than sorry.
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Damn too bad you still can't get the parts it'd be easier but I understand.

PNW_LJ said:
Yup! But first I want to decide if I’m keeping the Savvy tummy tuck. I’m considering building a flat belly skid.

All depends on how much the breakover angle continues to be a problem.
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The JOYS of that longer WB...

PNW_LJ said:
I might do that. Currie mini skids aren’t any cheaper, so I might try to use some scrap steel.

Front DS doesn’t look much better, but both are good up to 80.
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80?? Wow
 
PNW_LJ said:
Ok, ya don’t gotta rub it in, I get enough of that from @kiwi 😆
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Yes I do... I don't have your WB but I'm pretty close to it... But I don't have that long belly. I won't get hung up as much and I can raise mine up if I do happen to get high centered.. Did I mention I don't have as long of a belly?
 
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