Back in an LJR (build / plans)

[Nickgsjeep]

Alright here she is in the flesh. I didn’t get all the of the parts for any one job. So this weekend I focused on getting it up or close to my OCD standards. It’s a Jeep, with 226k so it was heavily marred, hazy with little to no depth in the paint. I used to do high end detailing so while I know most on here don’t care, I’m the exception to that rule. So started with a heavy undercarriage clean with all purpose cleaner in an IK foamer and fender well brush. Flushed the frame rails out and cleaned as much mud, dirt and grime as I could. Then did a complete decontamination wash which was stripper soap, fallout remover and clay bar. Polishing process was done with a microfiber pad and one step compound- Meguairs Ultimate. This referred to a diminishing compound meaning it starts out semi aggressive and finishes like a polish, you only do a single polishing step. This removed 65-70% of defects but I wasn’t chasing perfection. Wiped everything down with Carpro Eraser, and coated with leftover Cquartz UK ceramic coating and Carpro Reload. I then used Gtechniq C4 on the flares and really like the results. Much deeper but they’re matte, I may do another coating and let it sit. Also used all purpose on the interior and Carpro Pearl to protect the dash and plastics. Love this color in the sun! I didn’t do anything with the wheels which will be addressed when the tires arrive. Working with a local vendor hooked me up on tires. More on those next week!

Also think I found the leak. My neighbor is an engineer on yachts and brought over some really good black lights. Looks like the connection going to the condenser is leaking which is great news. Easy cheap fix it’s that’s it. I couldn’t find any other signs of dye anywhere.

That’s it for now

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Nice LJ! I’m excited for your build! And don’t feel out of place. Quite a few of us on here love to detail our jeeps. There’s a few good threads on here with everything from what wax to use to full interior resto jobs so you’re in good company It cleaned up really well. I’m looking forward to seeing your build

 

[AndrewLJR]

A lot more effort than many realize, but yeah, today's chemicals and buffers help a lot. It also helps to know when and where to use certain things.

Chemicals and pad combination really help these days! The microfiber pads are a dream to work with once you figure out the compound you need. I just knew I didn't want to chase perfection nor do a multistep correction. The added gloss from ceramic coatings also help hide the defects.

Awesome Jeep!

Can’t wait to see your build.

I am not biased at at all but you definitely got the best color!

Thank you man! This color really has grown on me and when I read through your build, I moved forward with the purchase. Seems mine will be yours little brother of sorts! That recent job done my Blaine is perfection

 

[AndrewLJR]

Nice LJ! I’m excited for your build! And don’t feel out of place. Quite a few of us on here love to detail our jeeps. There’s a few good threads on here with everything from what wax to use to full interior resto jobs so you’re in good company It cleaned up really well. I’m looking forward to seeing your build

Nice to hear and thank you! Ive gone through your thread more than once for some ideas

 

[AndrewLJR]

Took a few minutes during my lunch break and threw in some new plugs. Did the recommended Champions and I’m glad I did. Drives much better and idles smoother, now I’m really looking forward to the new cats and O2s. Plugs looked like shit and cylinders 2/4 didn’t look as torched as the rest so wondering if I have a weak coil or not.

 

[AndrewLJR]

As I mentioned couple days ago, I wanted to try extra coats of the Gtechniq C4 to see how far along I can get the flares. Well, I found out hahahahaha. I put on another coat and let it sit a few hours. The first two coats I wiped off within 10 mins and left a solid result but this being a Cali Jeep, it saw its fair share of sun. Letting it sit took it to a new level and now they’re shiny. I don’t hate it but don’t love it either. Over the year I don’t like shiny, I like rich matte black, including the tires.

Here are some before and after. Uploading from my phone so no particular order but you can figure it out. Some are as is, some are after the first two coats and then last coat that sat

C4 is labeled as permanent and I have no doubt these will be this way for awhile. So if you’re looking for flare recovery, I strongly suggest this product and coat/sit until your desired results

 

[Burrows_Kyle]

Alright here she is in the flesh. I didn’t get all the of the parts for any one job. So this weekend I focused on getting it up or close to my OCD standards. It’s a Jeep, with 226k so it was heavily marred, hazy with little to no depth in the paint. I used to do high end detailing so while I know most on here don’t care, I’m the exception to that rule. So started with a heavy undercarriage clean with all purpose cleaner in an IK foamer and fender well brush. Flushed the frame rails out and cleaned as much mud, dirt and grime as I could. Then did a complete decontamination wash which was stripper soap, fallout remover and clay bar. Polishing process was done with a microfiber pad and one step compound- Meguairs Ultimate. This referred to a diminishing compound meaning it starts out semi aggressive and finishes like a polish, you only do a single polishing step. This removed 65-70% of defects but I wasn’t chasing perfection. Wiped everything down with Carpro Eraser, and coated with leftover Cquartz UK ceramic coating and Carpro Reload. I then used Gtechniq C4 on the flares and really like the results. Much deeper but they’re matte, I may do another coating and let it sit. Also used all purpose on the interior and Carpro Pearl to protect the dash and plastics. Love this color in the sun! I didn’t do anything with the wheels which will be addressed when the tires arrive. Working with a local vendor hooked me up on tires. More on those next week!

That is looking very clean! My LJ is showing some age, with some scratches, so I need to try this out!

 

[AndrewLJR]

That is looking very clean! My LJ is showing some age, with some scratches, so I need to try this out!

Let me know if you need some pointers, been doing it awhile! With the right products and technique, lots can be done

 

[B00mb00m]

I developed noticeable play in mine. On the positive side, they sent the complete end as a replacement.

I know how to check for slop on the front trackbar, how do you go about checking for slop on the rear?

 

[Burrows_Kyle]

Let me know if you need some pointers, been doing it awhile! With the right products and technique, lots can be done

for sure! I love to wash my vehicles, but detailing has never been one of my strong suites haha

 

[AndrewLJR]

for sure! I love to wash my vehicles, but detailing has never been one of my strong suites haha

Beauty of technology is it doesn't have to be to get a decent result. Microfiber buffing pad, diminishing compound and good coating will give you a solid result while protecting you from doing too much harm.

 

[AndrewLJR]

Catalytic converters are done with new NTK O2 sensors. Don’t know if someone did this as a sick joke but mine has different size bolts. The back two bolts of bank 1/2 cats are 15mm with a nut on top you don’t have to hold. The front two bolts of bank 1/2 are 11/16 or 17mm, different on top and bottom. Don’t remember that being the case on my 05. Managed to get everything off and new ones installed in about 3 hours. This included full exhaust. Everything until the end of the 3rd cat is installed, I’ll have the thrush welded muffler done today and carried out to the back as OEM. My last LJR had a turn down but now that my daughter will be in the back I don’t want her getting fumes in her face.

While I was under there, the drivers side oil pan is seeping, rear main definitely is and drivers side valve cover. The heat the drivers side has does wonder to gaskets. I’ll address them in time.

Full brakes with lines, RP synchro going in the transmission, radiator flush, low pressure switch for the AC which was my leak, all getting done today/tomorrow. Savvy arms showed up yesterday, rest shows up today. That gets done Wednesday and Thursday. 315/75/16 Geolander MTs are getting done Friday. I know I said I wasn’t doing 35s but I couldn’t pass on the deal I got through a connected friend. Shot him an email and he replied saying, “You’re going to email me in two months saying you need 35s, so get them now. Here’s the deal I can do for you...” Price was too good. I’ll have to adjust the bump stops as I don’t have a body lift yet but this will be pavement queen for time being so shouldn’t be an issue.

I’ll regear to 4.88s here soon. My dad has me considering a 4.6/4.7 stroker as well. We love wrenching together so I may find a used engine and build it with him as a father/son deal.

Excuse my messy garage! Boxes everywhere and leaves from the storms we had blowing them in while I was working over the last week. Boxes are piling up!

 

[IPerkWVU]

Curious, did you end up picking up those wheels?

 

[AndrewLJR]

Curious, did you end up picking up those wheels?

I’ve been waiting on additional pics. Even at $350 for the set I’d like to see the condition! No response after asking for more pics

 

[Burrows_Kyle]

Catalytic converters are done with new NTK O2 sensors. Don’t know if someone did this as a sick joke but mine has different size bolts. The back two bolts of bank 1/2 cats are 15mm with a nut on top you don’t have to hold. The front two bolts of bank 1/2 are 11/16 or 17mm, different on top and bottom. Don’t remember that being the case on my 05. Managed to get everything off and new ones installed in about 3 hours. This included full exhaust. Everything until the end of the 3rd cat is installed, I’ll have the thrush welded muffler done today and carried out to the back as OEM. My last LJR had a turn down but now that my daughter will be in the back I don’t want her getting fumes in her face.

While I was under there, the drivers side oil pan is seeping, rear main definitely is and drivers side valve cover. The heat the drivers side has does wonder to gaskets. I’ll address them in time.

Full brakes with lines, RP synchro going in the transmission, radiator flush, low pressure switch for the AC which was my leak, all getting done today/tomorrow. Savvy arms showed up yesterday, rest shows up today. That gets done Wednesday and Thursday. 315/75/16 Geolander MTs are getting done Friday. I know I said I wasn’t doing 35s but I couldn’t pass on the deal I got through a connected friend. Shot him an email and he replied saying, “You’re going to email me in two months saying you need 35s, so get them now. Here’s the deal I can do for you...” Price was too good. I’ll have to adjust the bump stops as I don’t have a body lift yet but this will be pavement queen for time being so shouldn’t be an issue.

I’ll regear to 4.88s here soon. My dad has me considering a 4.6/4.7 stroker as well. We love wrenching together so I may find a used engine and build it with him as a father/son deal.

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Excuse my messy garage! Boxes everywhere and leaves from the storms we had blowing them in while I was working over the last week. Boxes are piling up!

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What cats did you end up getting? I replaced my sensors and I'm still getting a CEL for the cats. I think it's starting to effect my performance now

 

[AndrewLJR]

What cats did you end up getting? I replaced my sensors and I'm still getting a CEL for the cats. I think it's starting to effect my performance now

Flowmasters. I had magnaflow on my last one without issue but these were $260 shipped quickly from Summit, fit excellent. They are a smaller cat and have heat shields, so you will need to remove the front drive shaft to install, other than that, simple process just tight spaces.

 

[AndrewLJR]

Lift, brakes and fluids done. Headed to alignment rack to get dialed in.

 

[AndrewLJR]

Ok lift is done and alignment/centering of axles complete. I forgot the spec sheet for the alignment but I’m probably going to have to sacrifice some front pinion angle for more caster as it’s pretty dead on center. Not a huge deal and double adjustable arms will make it a breeze! 33s look small, glad I’m going with 35s. 4.88s will probably be done in a couple weeks. Beautiful day here, 70* meant doors had to come off

 

[AndrewLJR]

Got to spend some time washing the Jeep and showing the daughter proper wash process. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?! Also installed 1.25” spidertraxx spacers in preparation for tires tmrw

 

[AndrewLJR]

315/75/16 Geolander MTs installed. Really glad I was convinced to just go 35s now. I’ll have to regear soon but I’m ok with that. Love the look now. I’ll get some better pictures tomorrow. And before anyone comments on weights on the inside, he tried but couldn’t get them to balance out. Only one he was able to. I watched the whole time, he was a mobile guy

 

[gaabbee]

Nice! How do you like the ride/lift compared to your old LJ