Yep. new front control arms, modified frame-side track bar location, new coil and shock mounts on the axle, some ZZ Top and Rockstar, we'll be done in no time.
You’re only going out a few inches in the front, right?
Justin's TJ
- Thread starter TJustin
- Start date
You’re only going out a few inches in the front, right?
OP
It’s in the ball park of 2”. Maybe a little less. It’s a noticeable stretch to the trained eye but not far enough that you have to mess with steering box location etc.
Yeah, once you start messing with the steering box it becomes a big project.
Yep I went a little too far forward which is why I need to use the TNT box rotation kit. I'm about 2.5" forward.
OP
I failed to mention a cool thing that happened over the weekend which I was pretty stoked about. I'm a huge fan of the the show that used to be on YouTube, but now has gone strictly to the MotorTrend channel, Roadkill. Been watching the show since the beginning, and still love it.
At any rate, Freiburger drove through my neighborhood, and dropped some of his loot about 30 mins from my house. I fortunately saw his IG post right after he posted it, and literally was on my way to Nephi, UT 3 minutes later.
I was the first one there and snagged this hoodie. Any other Roadkill fans here?
At any rate, Freiburger drove through my neighborhood, and dropped some of his loot about 30 mins from my house. I fortunately saw his IG post right after he posted it, and literally was on my way to Nephi, UT 3 minutes later.
I was the first one there and snagged this hoodie. Any other Roadkill fans here?
OP
Got a call from the SLC 4WP on Thursday explaining that my Core 44 axle had arrived. For those wondering, I ordered it with 4.88's and a Detroit. I told them I would be up there on Friday to get it. Picked it up along with a pair of JK shock mounts, and headed home.
After eating some lunch, I unloaded from the trailer using my carport and a come-along, and got to tearing it down. Because of the front stretch and 3 link suspension currently on the Jeep I had to remove the upper control arm mounts, track bar mounting bracket, and coil buckets.
Took a quick shot of the gear pattern.
It took me a solid 4 hours and a number of cutoff wheels. Fortunately now it is ready for re-assembly.
After eating some lunch, I unloaded from the trailer using my carport and a come-along, and got to tearing it down. Because of the front stretch and 3 link suspension currently on the Jeep I had to remove the upper control arm mounts, track bar mounting bracket, and coil buckets.
Took a quick shot of the gear pattern.
It took me a solid 4 hours and a number of cutoff wheels. Fortunately now it is ready for re-assembly.
OP
Finished up the bracketry and Hydro assist on the new axle a couple weeks ago, and began the install of the axle that same weekend. Last week I finished up the install of the axle, filled it with fluids, and took it out for a shakedown run out at a local wheeling area called Little Moab.
Surprisingly it went together with very little issues. I typically will plan for some gremlins to work out, and so far, they have been minimal. I need to better center the steering ram in the middle of the travel, figure out a way to have the WJ steering knuckle steering stops adjusted so the jeep cannot turn so sharp, and figure out a way to keep the front brake lines away from the tire.
Here's a poser shot with it flexing while testing to ensure everything is clearanced properly.
For interested parties, here is a link to a YT video I made of the maiden voyage. The JL in the video is my father's new-to-him JL. He recently sold his YJ of almost 25 years, and is the source of my new 5.0 geared Atlas II. He bought the Atlas for his YJ, but since moving to the JL, he no longer needed it. Lucky me. I'm loving the crawl ratio with the 5.0 gearing. Before, I had 4.3 gears in the t-case, and it made a noticeable difference, especially with the manual trans.
Surprisingly it went together with very little issues. I typically will plan for some gremlins to work out, and so far, they have been minimal. I need to better center the steering ram in the middle of the travel, figure out a way to have the WJ steering knuckle steering stops adjusted so the jeep cannot turn so sharp, and figure out a way to keep the front brake lines away from the tire.
Here's a poser shot with it flexing while testing to ensure everything is clearanced properly.
For interested parties, here is a link to a YT video I made of the maiden voyage. The JL in the video is my father's new-to-him JL. He recently sold his YJ of almost 25 years, and is the source of my new 5.0 geared Atlas II. He bought the Atlas for his YJ, but since moving to the JL, he no longer needed it. Lucky me. I'm loving the crawl ratio with the 5.0 gearing. Before, I had 4.3 gears in the t-case, and it made a noticeable difference, especially with the manual trans.
Tldelaney
TJ Enthusiast
AgentLJ
TJ Enthusiast
OP
Been a while since I updated this. Since this, I've attended EJS, gone to Sand Hollow for the weekend, and a number of other local various runs. Aside from some minor changes that I need to make, it has turned out well with the new axle and T-case. This last weekend I was invited by @Sunny Side Up to go wheeling on the Rattlesnake Trail about 20-30 miles southwest of the Salt Lake Valley.
I was able to test out my new KM3's and @Sunny Side Up tried his new Baja Boss tires. I am impressed with both tires. I compiled a video of our trip. Check it out!
"
I was able to test out my new KM3's and @Sunny Side Up tried his new Baja Boss tires. I am impressed with both tires. I compiled a video of our trip. Check it out!
Great trip! Sweet video too. Thanks for coming out. Your Jeep is impressive, you can drive it up anything you point at.
OP
Most of my buddies have moved to LJ's, JKU's or JLU's. Decided after Trail Hero that I wanted to do a rear stretch on the TJ. Just needed to find a way to fund it. Rather than pull funds from the savings account, I decided to sell my Banshee. Sold it, and then used some of the money to finish getting power and heat to the shop that I installed earlier this year, and began to start collecting parts for the build.
We pulled sufficient amperage to be able to run my welder, window AC unit, lights, mini fridge, and other misc tools. I also installed a dual fuel propane / natural gas ventless heater in there for the winter. Hard mounted it to the wall and ran pipe to outside of the building for the propane tank. If I ever get ambitious, I'll run a natural gas line from the house out to the shop. For now, the propane is working fine. It keeps it warm enough to be comfortable with a hoodie or even a t-shirt at times.
The completed shop, installed in August.
Finishing up the wiring, mid December.
Here is the rolling weld table that I made using plate and some scraps from Metalmart. Measures 48x48x36
Finally started on the TJ build late December.
Using a bunch of poster board, I experimented with various cutout options for the wheel well. I settled on this iteration below. I then transferred the cutout to the armor and made the cuts. I do not desire to cut any aluminum with a jigsaw again. Gummed up too many blades in short order.
Had to trim the crossmember nearest to the rear axle to allow for full bump during suspension travel. Took probably 5-6 hrs to cut it, bend existing material and weld back together the cross member. I will be adding a nutsert to the center of the cross member to retain the same number of gas tank mounting locations that the pre-chopped crossmember had. Not the best fab work, but I'll take it.
Notched the frame for the Barnes 4WD TJ stretch coil buckets. Planning to burn them in this week.
With the way the cutout was done for the rear fender well, I could not retain the stock filler location. After spending a number of hours online looking for an alternative to the Genright variant, found nothing. Bit the bullet. They do know what they want for those things.
We pulled sufficient amperage to be able to run my welder, window AC unit, lights, mini fridge, and other misc tools. I also installed a dual fuel propane / natural gas ventless heater in there for the winter. Hard mounted it to the wall and ran pipe to outside of the building for the propane tank. If I ever get ambitious, I'll run a natural gas line from the house out to the shop. For now, the propane is working fine. It keeps it warm enough to be comfortable with a hoodie or even a t-shirt at times.
The completed shop, installed in August.
Finishing up the wiring, mid December.
Here is the rolling weld table that I made using plate and some scraps from Metalmart. Measures 48x48x36
Finally started on the TJ build late December.
Using a bunch of poster board, I experimented with various cutout options for the wheel well. I settled on this iteration below. I then transferred the cutout to the armor and made the cuts. I do not desire to cut any aluminum with a jigsaw again. Gummed up too many blades in short order.
Had to trim the crossmember nearest to the rear axle to allow for full bump during suspension travel. Took probably 5-6 hrs to cut it, bend existing material and weld back together the cross member. I will be adding a nutsert to the center of the cross member to retain the same number of gas tank mounting locations that the pre-chopped crossmember had. Not the best fab work, but I'll take it.
Notched the frame for the Barnes 4WD TJ stretch coil buckets. Planning to burn them in this week.
With the way the cutout was done for the rear fender well, I could not retain the stock filler location. After spending a number of hours online looking for an alternative to the Genright variant, found nothing. Bit the bullet. They do know what they want for those things.
OP
Come on down and check things out! I’m working on it Thursday and Friday this week.
Yes. I’ll have it done for EJS. I just signed up for trails an hour ago. You going?
OP
Finished the build to the point where it was drivable. Filled up the tank and drove it from Payson to Little Moab. I am stoked with how it turned out. Wheelbase ended up at 101.5". Love how it feels on the rocks, no hopping, feels planted, and seems stable so far on the steep stuff.
Just a few details to iron out before EJS next week.
Little Moab #1
Little Moab #2
Just a few details to iron out before EJS next week.
Little Moab #1
Little Moab #2
Therbytj
Member
Pretty easy to retain the stock inner fender with these?
What axles do you run? Rear? Front is core 44?
OP
I don't know that I would call it "easy" but with enough patience and time, you can make them work. Looking back, I should have just done the inner fenders too, but hindsight is 20/20.
Front is a TJ width Core 44, and rear is an Explorer 8.8.
OP
With the large overhaul having took place last winter, I was not anxious to do a whole lot of mods through the summer. I was happy to have it running, which it has without missing a beat. The highlights of the year were EJS, and Trail Hero. The rear stretch got a lot of attention in Moab, some people confusing it as an LJ. 
Booty shot from John's Trail, looking back towards Hurricane.
A couple of shots of me on the final obstacle of the Ledges trail. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the obstacle, but I do remember the adrenaline rush!
I am fortunate to have my birthday fall on the week of trail hero. This is a pic of our group just after they serenaded me singing the happy birthday song. They drive better than they sing. Photo cred to @311lj for most of these.
Myself and my boys enjoy watching Peck Brothers on YouTube. My oldest was beyond excited to sit in Cayleb's Jeep for a few minutes and get a picture with the crew.
I have a few small things that I will be doing in the coming weeks to prep it for EJS. I will be installing a LUX off-road light kit, along with their upgraded junction box to make the install a bit cleaner. I also ordered 2 of these weld-on shackle mounts from Ruffstuff, and will be burning these in soon. I already have shackle mounts on my front bumper, but they are too small to use a soft shackle on, and I am planning on these giving me a bit better clearance on the front.
Booty shot from John's Trail, looking back towards Hurricane.
A couple of shots of me on the final obstacle of the Ledges trail. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the obstacle, but I do remember the adrenaline rush!
I am fortunate to have my birthday fall on the week of trail hero. This is a pic of our group just after they serenaded me singing the happy birthday song. They drive better than they sing.
Photo cred to @311lj for most of these.Myself and my boys enjoy watching Peck Brothers on YouTube. My oldest was beyond excited to sit in Cayleb's Jeep for a few minutes and get a picture with the crew.
I have a few small things that I will be doing in the coming weeks to prep it for EJS. I will be installing a LUX off-road light kit, along with their upgraded junction box to make the install a bit cleaner. I also ordered 2 of these weld-on shackle mounts from Ruffstuff, and will be burning these in soon. I already have shackle mounts on my front bumper, but they are too small to use a soft shackle on, and I am planning on these giving me a bit better clearance on the front.
OP
Been wheeling the TJ as it sits for a couple years now with anticipation of eventually going tons and 40’s. The opportunity arose sooner than anticipated.
Scooped up a pair of Currie 60’s off a JK. They’re JK width, 5.38’s, Detroit Front, Elocker rear, and semi float. Some might raise an eyebrow on the semi floats, but for this rig weighing 4,000 lbs wet with the old axles I think these new Currie axles will be plenty stout. Plan is to use the Genright Twisted Pitman arm and stretch the front as far forward as possible while retaining the steering box in the stock location. I’m hoping I’ll end up around 105”-106” wheelbase.
While at TH, I got a new set of Raceline Avengers, and a Yukon Zip from Dustin Sexton at Sexton Off-road, both items at super good deals. I originally planned to get an ARB to replace the Elocker (bad previous experience with them) but the deal was too good to pass up. What I’ve learned, the Zip should do just fine.
I’ve ripped out the old axles and sold the front G2 Core 44 to a friend. Just now needing to sell the rear 8.8 and 37’s KM3’s.
Scooped up a pair of Currie 60’s off a JK. They’re JK width, 5.38’s, Detroit Front, Elocker rear, and semi float. Some might raise an eyebrow on the semi floats, but for this rig weighing 4,000 lbs wet with the old axles I think these new Currie axles will be plenty stout. Plan is to use the Genright Twisted Pitman arm and stretch the front as far forward as possible while retaining the steering box in the stock location. I’m hoping I’ll end up around 105”-106” wheelbase.
While at TH, I got a new set of Raceline Avengers, and a Yukon Zip from Dustin Sexton at Sexton Off-road, both items at super good deals. I originally planned to get an ARB to replace the Elocker (bad previous experience with them) but the deal was too good to pass up. What I’ve learned, the Zip should do just fine.
I’ve ripped out the old axles and sold the front G2 Core 44 to a friend. Just now needing to sell the rear 8.8 and 37’s KM3’s.