Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

I tried to do the measuring today but think I need to get the axle back under the Jeep first to get the actual numbers I'm getting at full lock. With the knuckle turned I came up with 7" from centerline to center of the hole on the knuckle & then with it turned straight I got 8" of distance. So that would mean that I need the center of the assist cylinder to be 7.5" from the axle centerline. But once I have the axle back under the Jeep I can double check my numbers. I'll have to either remove the paint or wait to paint where I plan to install the tabs.

I've got some 1/2" tubing arriving tomorrow to tack onto the axle tube to mount the brake line keepers onto. I got this idea from Tox's build and he'd gotten the idea from Blaine. I'm planning on doing a single line down the upper 3rd link & then a T like the rear axle and then soft lines at the knuckles. As always I'm open to ideas or suggestions as I'm trying new things.


I've got two ideas on where to mount the assist cylinder tabs.
1) On the diff cover like I'd done before.
2) On the trackbar bracket

Will have to see which one works out better.
 
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UPS sure knows how to beat up a package. Granted these were just thrown into a envelope.

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I like Online Metal since they have a warehouse in Seattle but damn is this the smallest box you have?

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New cat arrived

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And new muffler. Will see how this fits under the Jeep.

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Got the tubing ready to be welded on.

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That new cat makes a big difference in overall length.

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From my initial playing with the new muffler I don't think it'll fit.
But since I've shortened the overall length the original muffler looks like it's gunna work.
 
Had to go to my prosthesis today to get my socket worked on. Got some new liners for my leg because my leg had changed in volume again but this time had increased in size. Was making things fit too tight. So I have thinner liners now.

Stopped at the hardware store and picked up some bolts I needed. Some of the parts I needed arrived today. The only thing I'm missing now is the junction block for the brakes. I thought I'd already ordered one for the front axle but can't find it. But I can still make the brake lines and get them routed without it.
 
I'd initially ordered a diff cover form Metal Cloak but after ordering it I get told it'll be 2-3 weeks before it'll ship. While I wasn't in a huge hurry I still wanted to have it done.

So I did some more looking around and came across this cover & decided to spring for it. Comes with a magnetic drain plug and bolts for it also but I'll most likely use the ones I'd bought prior.

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Borrowed the brake line fitting block from the rear axle to work on the front.

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Did the passenger side first. Still have to drill and tap the holes for a few more clamps.

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Then moved to the drivers side.

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Got the line made to hold the brake line tab in place to weld onto the C.

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All laid out how it's going to sit.

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I notched the trackbar bracket a little for the brake line to fit into.

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Hooked up the flex line to the caliper.

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It tucks in there nicely.

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These are JB7 1 ton Chevy calipers in the front which are approximately 30% larger than the Cadillac calipers I'm using in the rear.

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Got the rest of the holes drilled and tapped for the brake line clamps.

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Now to take it all back apart and get it ready to be painted.

While I was working on the axle I was also painting the parts from the steering.

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I'll take it all back apart in the morning and then get the axle prepped to paint. Once it's painted I can get it back under the Jeep and then figure out where I'm going to mount the hyd assist ram at. I've got a few ideas but need to play with all them & see which one works best.

Once that is done I can really start getting things going with reassembling the Jeep.
 
Took yesterday off other than to flip my parts and paint them. First time I had a nozzle on the Steel It paint clog up.

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Now I'll take the brake lines and parts off the axle and prep it for paint. Get the first coat sprayed today and then the second tomorrow morning.
 
Got everything removed and then taped up the RCV balls and the knuckles. Also the vent and ARB fitting. Ready to be wiped down and then spray the first coat of paint.

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I don’t know if this will help any. I had several clogged up cans of rust oleum. I finally called and sent in the batch code so they refund me for some cans. They gave me some tips as well. One of which was the store your aerosol cans upside down. The other was to put them in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes before shaking the can for one to two minutes and painting.
 
I don’t know if this will help any. I had several clogged up cans of rust oleum. I finally called and sent in the batch code so they refund me for some cans. They gave me some tips as well. One of which was the store your aerosol cans upside down. The other was to put them in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes before shaking the can for one to two minutes and painting.

Thanks I'll try that. I'd never heard to store them upside-down. Have to turn all my cans over.
 
I think the hardest part of using the Steel It paint is having to wait the 6-24 hours after applying the first coat to apply the second coat. So I'll go back out to the garage around 9 PM and spray the second coat of paint that way it'll be dray to tomorrow morning so I can then get things reinstalled and put the axle back under the Jeep.

I realized today as I was working on the Cadillac calipers that I'd forgotten to apply anti-seize to the rear control arms after I'd greased all the jj's so I'll have to pull them back off and apply some. And I'll hopefully remember to do the fronts before I install them.