Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

Jeep TJ Steering Box Rotation Kit 97-06 Wrangler TJ/LJ TNT Customs | Jeep Aftermarket Parts | TNT Customs


It's arrived.

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@NashvilleTJ the directions don't say anything about removing this but in your pictures it appears you did and I can't see how this kit would work with out removing it.


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i see a bit of orange there. that gives you license to chop.

maybe a kooky ass idea. but i'll toss it up and see if it gets shot down............. if i left any portion of the old mount it might be some of the interior wall IF it could be used to support a brace. now it may not be in right spot or hang low enough. but if i could leave some piece of the inside vertical and gusset it and make a choke clamp for the gear body, i might see if that's doable.

WM front.PNG
 
Yep - it definitely comes off. All the way. I don’t know why that would not be mentioned in the directions. Just start cuttin’!
 
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Here are their current instructions.
 

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  • Steering Stretch Kit_0.pdf
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NashvilleTJ said:
The mount is clearly gone in the picture in Figure 2. They did gloss over that when describing how to remove the cross member and slot the frame.
Click to expand...

Yes that is what I thought also but as you said they gloss right over that. And now they sent two front grill support mounts. I'll take some pictures of the kit today.
As you said they don't give you much for your $600 that it costs.
 
Got the heads torqued down to 110 lb ft per ARP instructions.

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Since this isn't a normal build for most I'll share a little but more about the Dodge magnum V-8. When I ordered these heads I had them drilled for 3/8" studs which isn't the stock type assembly for this engine. The studs and guides are for a small block Chevy as are the roller rockers I'm using.


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Wildman said:
Got the heads torqued down to 110 lb ft per ARP instructions.

View attachment 220660

Since this isn't a normal build for most I'll share a little but more about the Dodge magnum V-8. When I ordered these heads I had them drilled for 3/8" studs which isn't the stock type assembly for this engine. The studs and guides are for a small block Chevy as are the roller rockers I'm using.


View attachment 220661
Click to expand...
Why the change to chev rockers? Ratio change?
 
Blackjack said:
Why the change to chev rockers? Ratio change?
Click to expand...

There aren't a lot of roller rockers offered for the magnum line of engines so it was either buy the MOPAR kit which used 5/16" to 3/8" studs or go with Chevy stuff instead. And it's cheaper as you know to buy Chevy parts over Mopar parts. And once I had the heads drilled for 3/8" studs that meant I had to.

Stock ratio for the magnum engine is 1.6 and then you can also get a 1.7 ratio rockers but they are made with a 5/16" stud. I wanted the added strength of the 3/8" studs. I'm running 1.7 ratio on the intake and 1.65 ratio on the exhaust. This was recommended to me as the better setup for the stroker and the cam was ground for those ratios.

It's just interesting the parts that will transfer between brands of engines.
 
Wildman said:
There aren't a lot of roller rockers offered for the magnum line of engines so it was either buy the MOPAR kit which used 5/16" to 3/8" studs or go with Chevy stuff instead. And it's cheaper as you know to buy Chevy parts over Mopar parts. And once I had the heads drilled for 3/8" studs that meant I had to.

Stock ratio for the magnum engine is 1.6 and then you can also get a 1.7 ratio rockers but they are made with a 5/16" stud. I wanted the added strength of the 3/8" studs. I'm running 1.7 ratio on the intake and 1.65 ratio on the exhaust. This was recommended to me as the better setup for the stroker and the cam was ground for those ratios.

It's just interesting the parts that will transfer between brands of engines.
Click to expand...
It is mind over matter. If you do not mind the metal does not matter.
 
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Blackjack said:
It is mind over matter. If you do not mind the metal does not matter.
Click to expand...

Yep. I'm using Scorpion roller rockers. No real reason to use them over other brands other than I liked the color.

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Mrhp said:
I am not real fermilliar with the mopar motors, that’s why I asked. Hate to see someone have issues.
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I appreciate you asking. And yes it would SUCK to get it all back together only to have the top end seized up.
 
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I have used Scorpion roller rockers in my street/strip Impala for over 20 years with no rebuilds or failures. They have been punished with massive spring pressure and 8000+ rpm without a hiccup good choice!
 
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Mrhp said:
I have used Scorpion roller rockers in my street/strip Impala for over 20 years with no rebuilds or failures. They have been punished with massive spring pressure and 8000+ rpm without a hiccup good choice!
Click to expand...

Thanks and good to hear from someone who has used them. I'd read all the reviews about all the different RR's and there didn't seem to be a lot of difference between them.
 
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@NashvilleTJ
Jeff here is the parts that I got in the kit. This is the two front grill mounts.

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And the square tube I have to tack weld to hopefully keep the frame from moving too much.


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I've got some things I want to finish on the engine first and then I'll attack this next.
 
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Paint looks great. I’m inclined toward a gloss finish, but what you’re doing looks amazing, and I’m looking forward to being surprised with how much I like it!
 
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JMT said:
Paint looks great. I’m inclined toward a gloss finish, but what you’re doing looks amazing, and I’m looking forward to being surprised with how much I like it!
Click to expand...

I've always used gloss when I've painted engines before. But I thought I'd try something different this time. Thanks

Engine should be together soon I HOPE. Then I can get back busy one the Jeep itself again.
 
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Wildman said:
@NashvilleTJ
Jeff here is the parts that I got in the kit. This is the two front grill mounts.

View attachment 220825


View attachment 220826


And the square tube I have to tack weld to hopefully keep the frame from moving too much.


View attachment 220824

I've got some things I want to finish on the engine first and then I'll attack this next.
Click to expand...
What’s the reason for the two grill mounts? Looks like one mounts higher on the tube to eliminate the puck if you run a body lift?
 
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