A lesson learned—keep it light and nimble!

Did you chase out all the diff cover threads?
Because of old RTV and dirt, I always clean out the threads. This was no exception. I believe the issue was the housing had taken some hard hits and simply needed more work to flatten the mating surface. At this point, I have hundreds of hours into the Jeep and this was a battle not worth fighting.
 
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@bobthetj03 made me do a check here. If you're wondering about the amount of time it takes when working on these machines, the number is somewhat sobering. Since I keep track of money, parts, and time, thus far, I'm now north of 600 hours spent on the Jeep. It sounds ridiculous, but is consistent with past projects. The previous TJ Had almost 900 hours into it.

That said, this is partly because I'm working by myself most of the time, don't move as fast as I once did, and I'm constantly learning as I go. Although each projects gets better, I've also come to realize that there is no such thing as perfection in a build. Each is based on the builder, the budget, and platform limitations. Given enough funds, the latter can be overcome, but at some point it's no longer a Jeep. In the end, each build is a compromise, which requires a considerable amount of studying and understanding. This is without a doubt my favorite part of building a TJ/LJ!
 
@bobthetj03 made me do a check here. If you're wondering about the amount of time it takes when working on these machines, the number is somewhat sobering. Since I keep track of money, parts, and time, thus far, I'm now north of 600 hours spent on the Jeep. It sounds ridiculous, but is consistent with past projects. The previous TJ Had almost 900 hours into it.

That said, this is partly because I'm working by myself most of the time, don't move as fast as I once did, and I'm constantly learning as I go. Although each projects gets better, I've also come to realize that there is no such thing as perfection in a build. Each is based on the builder, the budget, and platform limitations. Given enough funds, the latter can be overcome, but at some point it's no longer a Jeep. In the end, each build is a compromise, which requires a considerable amount of studying and understanding. This is without a doubt my favorite part of building a TJ/LJ!
We average about 300 hours going from stock to 40's with coil overs etc. done well.
 
Although each projects gets better, I've also come to realize that there is no such thing as perfection in a build. Each is based on the builder, the budget, and platform limitations.
I never look for perfection since I consider that unachievable. What I do look for when we are done is to step back, seriously contemplate the build and ask myself what I would change given all I know about it. If the list is small or inconsequential, then we figure we did well. Sometimes it will be something that has a very high point for diminishing return as in a whole bunch of effort and expense for little gain.

The only thing that bothers me about this rig is the rear crossmember. There was no easy way to raise it to get rid of the lift puck. We would have had to rework the fuel tank, fuel tank skid, rear crossmember, rear frame section, and a few other things just to get rid of a 1.25" lift puck. We already hacked up the fuel tank on the sides, I'd not have been pleased to do the same to the rest of the top of it.

DSC_5415.JPG
 
We average about 300 hours going from stock to 40's with coil overs etc. done well.
That's very impressive, since I would have guessed closer to 400. You've got a formula that works. I'm still trying to figure out the formula! :)
 
That's very impressive, since I would have guessed closer to 400. You've got a formula that works. I'm still trying to figure out the formula! :)
It doesn't hurt that I've designed a lot of the parts. Even if I don't install those parts, I'm well familiar with how they should go together so that really helps keep the time spent down.
 
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I never look for perfection since I consider that unachievable. What I do look for when we are done is to step back, seriously contemplate the build and ask myself what I would change given all I know about it. If the list is small or inconsequential, then we figure we did well. Sometimes it will be something that has a very high point for diminishing return as in a whole bunch of effort and expense for little gain.


View attachment 258404
Your work is rolling art! :love:

Although I can't build that, I do like that we can ask ourselves the same question, i.e. what could I change or do better? This is something that should apply to our lives in general. It's also one of the reasons I like this forum. There's a small group of experts here, and a larger group aspiring to be experts, that are willing to help. I can't say that about other places on the web. Most are one thing, full of hate and spewing lies. This is not that place, thankfully!
 
Your work is rolling art! :love:

Although I can't build that, I do like that we can ask ourselves the same question, i.e. what could I change or do better? This is something that should apply to our lives in general. It's also one of the reasons I like this forum. There's a small group of experts here, and a larger group aspiring to be experts, that are willing to help. I can't say that about other places on the web. Most are one thing, full of hate and spewing lies. This is not that place, thankfully!
I'll likely not do this again but a snippet to support your assessment of the bullshit that is out there. I finished up a rear coil over install. It was a bit of a trial from the get go since the owner told me he had visited a well known company for a meet and greet. They knew he was going to have the work done since he bought the parts from them. They related that he needed to tell me to do it a certain way, their way. He calls me and tries to explain what they said and how it needed to be done. I told him I had another call and had to go. After hanging up I sent him an email telling him that it would be best if he had them do his work. He didn't like that but asked "Come on Blaine, you've never listened to another opinion in your life before?". Well, no, I haven't.

Brings his rig down and I stop him before he gets it unloaded. We have to get something straight right now. There is a difference between opinion and you telling me I'm doing it wrong, I've been doing wrong, and if I don't change how I do it, I will always be wrong. That sets off an hour long discussion about why to do something a certain way. Get the rig unloaded, get him on the way out and he stops to tell me that the brain trust at the company did finally tell him that if they can't get the uptravel or down travel they want, they add bump stop and limit straps to solve the problem. Really? So you pay for 14" of travel and don't get it, that about right? Piss off, I ain't doing it that way. He said "I know, that's why it is here."

Get it all done and he spends a 3 day weekend wheeling with the same group. They drive his rig and all agree that the rear is a bit soft.

I shit you not, they tell him the following- Yeah, we think you are right on the verge of needing to move from the 150 top spring to a 200 and move some weight out of the back of the rig. That will tighten it up and stop it from bottoming out so easily. Also, move the dual rate stop nuts down to about an inch or so above the cup.

The ride height is perfect with 1" of preload. All the 200 will do is fuck that up.

Mind you, this group races, this group pays for tuners, this group has tuned.

Not once do they say or mention that their generically tuned coil overs they supplied simply need a small adjustment to the compression side and it will be just fine.

Nope, they have to complicate the shit out of my life since I now have to explain to the owner via several emails and phone conversations just how silly his buddies are. It is to the point now where I have about as much time explaining this shit to him as I do performing the work and I gotta say that is getting real old with a quickness.
 
I'll likely not do this again but a snippet to support your assessment of the bullshit that is out there. I finished up a rear coil over install. It was a bit of a trial from the get go since the owner told me he had visited a well known company for a meet and greet. They knew he was going to have the work done since he bought the parts from them. They related that he needed to tell me to do it a certain way, their way. He calls me and tries to explain what they said and how it needed to be done. I told him I had another call and had to go. After hanging up I sent him an email telling him that it would be best if he had them do his work. He didn't like that but asked "Come on Blaine, you've never listened to another opinion in your life before?". Well, no, I haven't.

Brings his rig down and I stop him before he gets it unloaded. We have to get something straight right now. There is a difference between opinion and you telling me I'm doing it wrong, I've been doing wrong, and if I don't change how I do it, I will always be wrong. That sets off an hour long discussion about why to do something a certain way. Get the rig unloaded, get him on the way out and he stops to tell me that the brain trust at the company did finally tell him that if they can't get the uptravel or down travel they want, they add bump stop and limit straps to solve the problem. Really? So you pay for 14" of travel and don't get it, that about right? Piss off, I ain't doing it that way. He said "I know, that's why it is here."

Get it all done and he spends a 3 day weekend wheeling with the same group. They drive his rig and all agree that the rear is a bit soft.

I shit you not, they tell him the following- Yeah, we think you are right on the verge of needing to move from the 150 top spring to a 200 and move some weight out of the back of the rig. That will tighten it up and stop it from bottoming out so easily. Also, move the dual rate stop nuts down to about an inch or so above the cup.

The ride height is perfect with 1" of preload. All the 200 will do is fuck that up.

Mind you, this group races, this group pays for tuners, this group has tuned.

Not once do they say or mention that their generically tuned coil overs they supplied simply need a small adjustment to the compression side and it will be just fine.

Nope, they have to complicate the shit out of my life since I now have to explain to the owner via several emails and phone conversations just how silly his buddies are. It is to the point now where I have about as much time explaining this shit to him as I do performing the work and I gotta say that is getting real old with a quickness.
My experience has been that many of the shops are generalists rather than specialists. I went into one recently to talk to them about shocks. During the conversation the owner tried to tell me that I was focused on the wrong thing. He told me I needed to swap springs, because that was what really defined the ride. I explained to him that I liked my ride height, relative to my tire choice. He then told me, basically, I was wrong and to leave the builds to the professionals. When I asked him how many TJ/LJ builds he's done, wait for it, he told me they're junk and were replaced with a much better Jeep, the JK. If I really wanted a capable rig, I should buy a JK, or better JL. 🥴
 
My experience has been that many of the shops are generalists rather than specialists. I went into one recently to talk to them about shocks. During the conversation the owner tried to tell me that I was focused on the wrong thing. He told me I needed to swap springs, because that was what really defined the ride. I explained to him that I liked my ride height, relative to my tire choice. He then told me, basically, I was wrong and to leave the builds to the professionals. When I asked him how many TJ/LJ builds he's done, wait for it, he told me they're junk and were replaced with a much better Jeep, the JK. If I really wanted a capable rig, I should buy a JK, or better JL. 🥴
Had a guy in a JL compliment me on my new to me mostly stock LJ the other day. He specifically said those, as in TJ's, body styles are better than his. He also wheels an XJ.
 
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My experience has been that many of the shops are generalists rather than specialists. I went into one recently to talk to them about shocks. During the conversation the owner tried to tell me that I was focused on the wrong thing. He told me I needed to swap springs, because that was what really defined the ride. I explained to him that I liked my ride height, relative to my tire choice. He then told me, basically, I was wrong and to leave the builds to the professionals. When I asked him how many TJ/LJ builds he's done, wait for it, he told me they're junk and were replaced with a much better Jeep, the JK. If I really wanted a capable rig, I should buy a JK, or better JL. 🥴
Wow... It's amazing how many people in sales don't get it.
 
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Had a guy in a JL compliment me on my new to me mostly stock LJ the other day. He specifically said those, as in TJ's, body styles are better than his. He also wheels an XJ.
Wow... It's amazing how many people in sales don't get it.
What's even funnier is one of his technicians came out and started chatting with me. He drives an XJ and TJ. After we talked for a few minutes, he told me to that his "boss" doesn't like TJ owners, because he thinks they're cheap. He also told me that they've asked him to involve them in the conversations with potential customers, because he's never worked on any of the vehicles. In his words, "he doesn't get his hands dirty". This told me everything I needed to know! 😒