Thanks to @voodooridr and @Alex01 for the 1/4” wheel spacers? I’m not entirely sure which one of you to thank, so thank you both! 🤣 @voodooridr, thanks for remembering to grab them this morning. We’ve got lots to do on your rig when you’re ready in 2023!

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Where did the 1/4" wheel spacers come from? I was actually just thinking about looking for some this morning as my Baja extremes only have 3.6" of backspace
 
In a perfect world, the stretch happens first and the midarm mount goes over the frame cut. But you can still stretch afterwards. You cut just into the front of the midarm bracket. This is because the midarm bracket should be pushed all the way up to the bend in the frame. So you cut barely into the midarm bracket so you are cutting straight frame and then slide it all back. Things to be aware of are that any stretch over 4.5-5” and you won’t be able to keep a tank under the rig. The outboard shock tower starts to interfere with the tank fillers. Also be aware that depending on where your upper link mounts end and where the crossmember lands in the arch, you may end up needing to fab a new crossmember to replace the old shock/gas tank crossmember. You will also need to fab a new torque box in the rear and make new body mounts for a stretch greater than 5” due to the frame arch getting pushed back into the existing torque box.

Won't the outboard still help with shock travel and ride (tuned shocks) without the stretch and mid arm? Final tire size does need to be chosen I believe according to Blaine.
 
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Won't the outboard still help with shock travel and ride (tuned shocks) without the stretch and mid arm? Final tire size does need to be chosen I believe according to Blaine.

Yes outboard shocks help apart from everything else. Not quite sure what you’re asking though
 
Where did the 1/4" wheel spacers come from? I was actually just thinking about looking for some this morning as my Baja extremes only have 3.6" of backspace

What are your reasons for wanting to go to less backspace than 3.6”?
 
I did something stupid on Sunday (surprise 🤣). It snowed and I went for a drive, not intending to go to the ORV. It was so beautiful I meandered there anyway. I usually put my Coyote deflators on at the house so when I arrive I’m already aired down (5-7min). I jump out, remove them, flip the SL and go. But this time I put them on at the ORV. With good intentions of removing them after a gentle drive through the snow I forgot and got carried away doing the hard stuff in the hardest way possible. I heard a bang, but what’s new when you hit stuff sliding sideways. I kept going then got real tied up off camber in a ditch. I got out to look. That’s when I noticed the Coyote had ripped off taking half the valve stem with it. 🥴
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It was gradually leaking so I went home. It was completely deflated later that day.

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The good news is it gave me the opportunity to attempt to break the bead and replace the valve stem. I already have some for trail fixes, but had never done it. We tried a couple things to break the bead and finally got it by using a jack under the slider sitting against the sidewall. It’s very satisfying when it breaks. I had good help with Kaleb who had the best idea for getting it done.
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I was able to use some pliers to pull the old valve stem out and I put some white lithium grease on the new one and used a valve stem tool to pull it through.

Laid the sidewall of the tire up on a 4x4 and I stood on the wheel while my son used the compressor to air it back up and catch the bead. POP. Easy. Ready to go! Big snowstorm forecast tonight (haha @NashvilleTJ wish you were here). Can’t wait for a snow run tomorrow! And Thursday.
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My semester is over too, so I’m done teaching. All I have to do is grade. Good day! Great semester. Great students, but I’m so relieved.

Jenna at Coyote was nice enough to sell me a single Coyote deflator, so kudos to dealing with those nice folks. Also, for those interested, Coyote is releasing a new and improved deflator. Sign up for email notifications on the bottom left corner of their home page.

https://www.coyoteents.com/

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I did something stupid on Sunday (surprise 🤣). It snowed and I went for a drive, not intending to go to the ORV. It was so beautiful I meandered there anyway. I usually put my Coyote deflators on at the house so when I arrive I’m already aired down (5-7min). I jump out, remove them, flip the SL and go. But this time I put them on at the ORV. With good intentions of removing them after a gentle drive through the snow I forgot and got carried away doing the hard stuff in the hardest way possible. I heard a bang, but what’s new when you hit stuff sliding sideways. I kept going then got real tied up off camber in a ditch. I got out to look. That’s when I noticed the Coyote had ripped off taking half the valve stem with it. 🥴
View attachment 380617
It was gradually leaking so I went home. It was completely deflated later that day.

View attachment 380613
The good news is it gave me the opportunity to attempt to break the bead and replace the valve stem. I already have some for trail fixes, but had never done it. We tried a couple things to break the bead and finally got it by using a jack under the slider sitting against the sidewall. It’s very satisfying when it breaks. I had good help with Kaleb who had the best idea for getting it done.
View attachment 380614

View attachment 380615
I was able to use some pliers to pull the old valve stem out and I put some white lithium grease on the new one and used a valve stem tool to pull it through.

Laid the sidewall of the tire up on a 4x4 and I stood on the wheel while my son used the compressor to air it back up and catch the bead. POP. Easy. Ready to go! Big snowstorm forecast tonight (haha @NashvilleTJ wish you were here). Can’t wait for a snow run tomorrow! And Thursday.
View attachment 380616
My semester is over too, so I’m done teaching. All I have to do is grade. Good day! Great semester. Great students, but I’m so relieved.

Jenna at Coyote was nice enough to sell me a single Coyote deflator, so kudos to dealing with those nice folks. Also, for those interested.’c Coyote is releasing a new and improved deflator. Sign up for email notifications on the bottom left corner of their home page.

https://www.coyoteents.com/

View attachment 380618

Great idea to use the flat as a learning opportunity. Better to learn now then to experiment on the trail.
 
I'm finally done with so many car projects this month. I'm exhausted

  • Complete cooling system replaced in the 2014 GMC Yukon
  • Fixed cooling system on 2004 TJ Sport by replacing thermostat (again)
  • Fixed 1991 Jeep XJ by replacing battery
  • Diagnosed 2005 Jeep TJ with need for starter and have the brush plate waiting in garage. Already cleaned the commutator.
  • Built 2005 TJR on Rockjock 4" springs, Rancho 5000X shocks, front and rear JKS adjustable trackbars, ZJ TR conversion, sway bar disconnects, rear extended way bar links, new calipers, bled brakes, painted axles, upper perches, cut, welded, fixed all rust along the way on the tub, frame, and bolts, bolts, bolts. OEM are soooo expensive, so we salvaged as many bolts as possible.
I am exhausted, but now I can get back to my rig. I'm about to get paid for my last 2022 job, so I'm ready to spend a bit and have a good time getting ready for Moab 2023! I don't know everything I want to do, but I'm very interested in the rear frame tuck. Aesthetically it is very pleasing. I'm also going to look at the backspacing for the TR flip. I have all the parts, but there doesn't look like enough room to flip it on the drivers side near the rim. My BS is 4.25". I want to bleed my brakes. I'd love to midarm, and I may have time this Spring. I'm looking at it, again.

Or, I'll just go smoke my new Savinelli pipe. Thanks wife!!!

EDIT: I forgot to add

  • Helped my daughter buy a 2014 Nissan Rogue. She's in love with it. Great AWD vehicle for her. The XJ will probably get sold. It's not something I want to pour any money into.
 
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