Considerations before starting a build

[Kathy]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been busy as are most during the holiday season, but feel compelled to ask a few important questions seeing @Dave K. got shopping happy and ordered an entire Currie system and I’m not sure how long we have to return it through amazon if its wrong.

I know enough to piss off dave with my half knowledge of TJ builds, but I see how decisions that are made on certain replacement parts effects other components on your jeep.

I have taken pics of underneath Dave’s 03 rubicon as we are not sure what is all modified and changed and are new to TJs and by far not master mechanics. We were told by a local that was friends with the previous owner that he had stuck a mint into aftermarket parts and mods. I won’t post the pics at this point unless it would be helpful.

If his Rubi was stock, I wouldn’t be as worried, but with all the changes, I want to make sure the Currie package and tie rod he bought is going To work on the already modified TJ.

Bottom line question is will this purchase work on his TJ, or will we be needing to make a ton of other purchases and changes to make it work? The current lift is a 4 inch lift . I’ll post the for sale pic detailing what we know is on his jeep. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[JMT]

Hey Kathy,

If the 4” Currie suspension lift is for the TJ (can’t see that on the screen shot), then yes, that should work beautifully. The components you would be replacing would simply be inferior parts, as the Currie are the best.

 

[TJ2]

I always get nervous buying a non-stock TJ.
You may have to personally ask Jerry for he knows a lot about the TJs.

 

[Kathy]

Hey Kathy,

If the 4” Currie suspension lift is for the TJ (can’t see that on the screen shot), then yes, that should work beautifully. The components you would be replacing would simply be inferior parts, as the Currie are the best.

I went back to check the details on it, and it doesn’t state anywhere what vehicle it’s for. I pulled up another Currie system that states in its details it’s for a jk 4door. Weird it doesn’t say. Now wondering if it’s the correct one?

 

[TJ2]

I went back to check the details on it, and it doesn’t state anywhere what vehicle it’s for. I pulled up another Currie system that states in its details it’s for a jk 4door. Weird it doesn’t say. Now wondering if it’s the correct one?

Like I said previously, ask Jerry Bransford. Don't take the risk, i've been there, done that.

 

[Kathy]

@Jerry Bransford , if you have time to comment I would love some feedback

 

[Kathy]

Also, excuse my ignorance but as I’m trying to answer my own questions and reading old posts, is this a short arm or long arm kit?

 

[Rob5589]

All those parts show for the TJ, according to the Currie website. The only issue I could see is if the SJ lift on it currently is a long arm which involved moving the stock bracketry.

 

[Kathy]

All those parts show for the TJ, according to the Currie website. The only issue I could see is if the SJ lift on it currently is a long arm which involved moving the stock bracketry.

So what he ordered is a short arm? Thank you! And is moving the stock bracketry difficult?

 

[Kathy]

All those parts show for the TJ, according to the Currie website. The only issue I could see is if the SJ lift on it currently is a long arm which involved moving the stock bracketry.

If I posted a pic could you tell if the current set up is long or short arm?

 

[Kathy]

 

[Mike_H]

Looks like a short am to me. This is for @Dave K. ?

 

[Kathy]

Looks like a short am to me. This is for @Dave K. ?

Yes

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That looks like a 100% go on all parts for that Rubicon, nice stuff! And yes that CE=9801HS is meant for your TJ so no worries there. Make sure not to buy that Omix-Ada Pitman arm shown as "Frequently Purchased Together" under the Currie suspension information.

And yep confirming you do have the standard short-arms currently installed so the new Currie arms will bolt right up. During installation set the lengths of each of the new Currie arms to the exact same lengths as the Skyjacker control arms which will make alignment and everything go easier.

You're gonna have a nice setup with all that.

P.S. In your above post #11, someone stupidly welded a D-ring to the rear axle's axle tube which you can see in the second photo. 1) Don't use it for recovery, a D-ring should NEVER be attached to an axle tube. Using it in a recovery would likely bend the axle. 2) Remove that D-ring which will require grinding the welds off the bracket that is holding it. Tow hooks, shackles, and D-rings should only be attached to the frame.

 

[Kathy]

That looks like a 100% go on all parts for that Rubicon, nice stuff! And yes that CE=9801HS is meant for your TJ so no worries there. Make sure not to buy that Omix-Ada Pitman arm shown as "Frequently Purchased Together" under the Currie suspension information.

And yep confirming you do have the standard short-arms currently installed so the new Currie arms will bolt right up. During installation set the lengths of each of the new Currie arms to the exact same lengths as the Skyjacker control arms which will make alignment and everything go easier.

You're gonna have a nice setup with all that.

P.S. In your above post #11, someone stupidly welded a D-ring to the rear axle's axle tube which you can see in the second photo. 1) Don't use it for recovery, a D-ring should NEVER be attached to an axle tube. Using it in a recovery would likely bend the axle. 2) Remove that D-ring which will require grinding the welds off the bracket that is holding it. Tow hooks, shackles, and D-rings should only be attached to the frame.

Great! Thank you, I’m sure we will have more questions when we start , but at least I know we don’t need to return it. Thank you Jerry ! And thank you for the D ring advice. I’ll be sure to let @Dave K. know . Have a great weekend.

 

[Rob5589]

Should be a straightforward install of Currie goodness Tell Dave to go easy on the removal of the SJ stuff. Surely someone would be willing to buy it.

 

[Kathy]

Should be a straightforward install of Currie goodness Tell Dave to go easy on the removal of the SJ stuff. Surely someone would be willing to buy it.

That makes me happy to hear. He’s always meticulous when it comes to preservation of anything, so I’m sure he’ll have a nice set for someone when the old lift kit is removed. The control arms are shot so he might just start with replacing those and slowly replace the other parts.