Just wanted to say thanks from a mostly silent lurker who has learned so much from this site. I grew up working on our cars with my Dad so I definitely owe it all to him, but even after going to college and working in IT sales, I'm still wrenching...and although its a love/hate relationship, I'm passing what I can onto my boys.
I've owned 3 Jeeps over the years so when I was finally in a position where I could get an LJ, I was extremely excited. A little too excited, admittedly, because when I went shopping for it, I looked at it with a "must have" lens instead of an objective one. So I've been spending much of the last year fixing rust, replacing parts and upgrading where it makes sense. I still have so much to do, but thankfully there is time.
I've got my first real wheeling trip coming up with a buddy of mine to the Black Hills, SD. He lives in CO and is meeting me out there, so I will be with someone experienced. I do feel ready, although there are a few things on the list yet.
However, if it wasn't for all of the pros on this site answering people's questions, along with the outstanding search capabilities, I wouldn't have been able to do everything I was able to.
A quick list of the things I've replaced that I have never done before, and felt confident doing it after reading a write-up in the How To section, or reading through the Resources section for advice:
- front end rebuild (bearings, steering components/knuckles, ball/u joints, axle seals)
- suspension lift incl all 8 control arms
- bump stop check, measuring for appropriate length shocks - had no idea how involved but important this was!
- body lift
- self alignment
- choosing a winch, and mounting
- adj rear track bar install
- and just finished today, transfer case shift cable - might be the worst of them all due to the corrosion
Plus a ton of odds and ends such as using a cut-down rubber mallet head as a spare tire bumper, automatically shutting off OD when shifting into D, and all the great suggestions on which parts and fluids to use.
I did send 'er to the shop to get the RMS done...I couldn't bring myself to do that one haha!
Garage pic, will have some wheeling pics soon! I do need to spool my winch cable too, before someone notices and comments
I've owned 3 Jeeps over the years so when I was finally in a position where I could get an LJ, I was extremely excited. A little too excited, admittedly, because when I went shopping for it, I looked at it with a "must have" lens instead of an objective one. So I've been spending much of the last year fixing rust, replacing parts and upgrading where it makes sense. I still have so much to do, but thankfully there is time.
I've got my first real wheeling trip coming up with a buddy of mine to the Black Hills, SD. He lives in CO and is meeting me out there, so I will be with someone experienced. I do feel ready, although there are a few things on the list yet.
However, if it wasn't for all of the pros on this site answering people's questions, along with the outstanding search capabilities, I wouldn't have been able to do everything I was able to.
A quick list of the things I've replaced that I have never done before, and felt confident doing it after reading a write-up in the How To section, or reading through the Resources section for advice:
- front end rebuild (bearings, steering components/knuckles, ball/u joints, axle seals)
- suspension lift incl all 8 control arms
- bump stop check, measuring for appropriate length shocks - had no idea how involved but important this was!
- body lift
- self alignment
- choosing a winch, and mounting
- adj rear track bar install
- and just finished today, transfer case shift cable - might be the worst of them all due to the corrosion
Plus a ton of odds and ends such as using a cut-down rubber mallet head as a spare tire bumper, automatically shutting off OD when shifting into D, and all the great suggestions on which parts and fluids to use.
I did send 'er to the shop to get the RMS done...I couldn't bring myself to do that one haha!
Garage pic, will have some wheeling pics soon! I do need to spool my winch cable too, before someone notices and comments
