Just wanted to start this thread to say thanks...and share a few photos
The Jeep as I found it:
First some backstory. . . I moved to British Columbia, Canada from Mississippi a couple of years ago and quickly realized two things:
Before all this was set in motion, I was not only not a "car guy", I had literally never changed a tire. I had changed my own oil a couple of times back in college before I could afford to pay someone else to do it.
But the prospect of driving solo fifty miles into "the bush" (as they call it here) with no mechanical knowledge didn't sit well with me, so I decided to begin learning more about my jeep and doing more of my own work.
Which led me here. To this forum.
At first, I took small steps.
I added a Rockhard4x4 front bumper and a Smittybuilt synthetic line winch:
Then I added a roof rack so that I could mount a roof top tent:
I know, I know, the Smittybuilt rack that's made for the TJ is not great and it makes the TJ a little bit more top heavy, but I was/am going for Mobile Hunting Command rather than rock crawler.
Plus, it also helps with holding down Christmas trees:
I figured I could fit a lot of boned out meat in the back of the jeep, but that didn't leave much room for gear, so I also installed a rear bumper with a swing out tire carrier and some additional storage for fuel, etc.
This, too is a decision I'm not totally sure of and I haven't gotten rid of all the sqeaks and rattles, but I can carry a bunch of stuff now.
And (as these things tend to go) adding some weight to the rear started another cycle. The rear was sagging a bit with the couple hundred pounds of extra weight I'd put on it and it made me examine what was underneath.
As I said, I didn't know much before starting this process, but I gradually pieced together that the previous owner had installed a budget lift that put the jeep 3 inches higher while retaining stock control arms. The only real accommodation was an extension bracket for the rear track bar. I also realized with the help of my brother-in-law (who is a real jeep guy and had built a YJ with a Chevy 454 and 46 inch tires to go wheeling in Alaska) that my stock rear drive shaft was causing some vibration at speed due to the new angle it was having to work at.
I looked into replacing just the drive shaft, but finally decided to go ahead and take the plunge and change out the lift kit.
Thanks largely to this forum, I ended up going with...drumroll please:
Here's a picture of me holding up one of the first vital pieces of a vehicle's suspension that I'd ever taken off. I broke one of the upper shock bolts (like everyone does on the TJ) and using a small chisel to turn the broken bolt out of the nut that's welded to the frame was one of my first small victories as a garage mechanic:
And here's me removing the drive shaft (I think). Notice the crusty rear brakes and axle. I'll come back to that:
I had some time while I was waiting for parts and the brakes seemed like they were in bad shape, so I decided to open up another can of worms and start cleaning things up and taking things apart. I was also curious as to why my parking brake had never worked very well even after I (and the shop at one point) had adjusted it.
I pulled out all my brushes and cleaners and also decided to replace the brake pads and rotors. I also found out what was going on with the parking brake. Two parts of the arm that get pulled by the cable were seized together. After taking everything apart, cleaning it up, and adding brake grease it was moving freely again (and actually holds the jeep now). I also painted the axle while I had it disconnected from everything.
And the calipers...they are now RED (what other color do you paint calipers?)
Then the parts came in I started putting things back together. Things got complicated quickly. I think I installed the entire lift kit at least twice. I installed the rear springs three times. I felt like the first cave man who made fire after I tapped my first hole for the rear bump stops.
But I got it back together in the rear except for the shocks (which I was still waiting for) and moved to the front.
Same process, more or less, but with more moving parts. I also ended up replacing the front brake lines (thanks to a tip from this forum) with lines from an older model wrangler.
Then the fun began. Getting the steering installed and adjusted and getting all the angles right after the lift was a huge challenge for this mechanical neophyte.
I spent hours and hours reading threads on this forum...although I never posted until recently. I almost feel like drinking buddies with some of the forum members by this point (although I'll refrain from providing my guesses as to what kind of drinker each forum member is). It was a HUGE help to have people provide detailed write ups and precise instructions for how to make adjustments and what to look for after making them. It was like every problem I encountered had been discussed here...and usually solved.
I even had the satisfaction of having to correct the work of the local auto shop after they did an alignment. I had wanted them to check over my work since I didn't trust myself, but in the process, they adjusted the rear pinion angle several degrees too low. I had replaced the rear drive shaft with a custom double carden shaft from Tom Wood and the low angle was causing a driveline vibration. I adjusted the pinion back up to the same angle as the drive shaft and the vibration went away. I also ended up having to adjust the front drive shaft angle up a bit since I think they were trying to get the jeep to fit caster settings for a stock wrangler.
So here's the result (so far):
Thanks for everything guys. I'm still pretty ignorant of most aspects of my jeep, but you've really helped me gain a better understanding of what's going on from the trail to the body mounts.
A few thoughts for those similarly inexperienced who want to build a TJ:
The Jeep as I found it:
First some backstory. . . I moved to British Columbia, Canada from Mississippi a couple of years ago and quickly realized two things:
- There is a bazillion acres of public land to hunt on in BC. And you can hunt practically every big game species in North America here with a resident over-the-counter tag. Even sheep, which elsewhere require a second mortgage or (literally) winning the lottery. Seriously, BC is bigger than Texas and whereas Texas is 5/95% private/public land, BC is just the opposite at 95/5%. In Mississippi, I bowhunted whitetails a half mile behind my house (which meant I was almost to the neighbor's house), so this was an adjustment.
- To get to many of the good areas to hunt requires a capable vehicle. Sometimes any old 4x4 will do, but turn off down a deactivated forest service road or an old ATV trail and things get steep and deep quickly. No need for a rock crawler, but mud, rock, and snow are in abundance. I just drove through a couple of patches of two foot deep snow yesterday...yes, yesterday as in June 2nd yesterday.
Before all this was set in motion, I was not only not a "car guy", I had literally never changed a tire. I had changed my own oil a couple of times back in college before I could afford to pay someone else to do it.
But the prospect of driving solo fifty miles into "the bush" (as they call it here) with no mechanical knowledge didn't sit well with me, so I decided to begin learning more about my jeep and doing more of my own work.
Which led me here. To this forum.
At first, I took small steps.
I added a Rockhard4x4 front bumper and a Smittybuilt synthetic line winch:
Then I added a roof rack so that I could mount a roof top tent:
I know, I know, the Smittybuilt rack that's made for the TJ is not great and it makes the TJ a little bit more top heavy, but I was/am going for Mobile Hunting Command rather than rock crawler.
Plus, it also helps with holding down Christmas trees:
I figured I could fit a lot of boned out meat in the back of the jeep, but that didn't leave much room for gear, so I also installed a rear bumper with a swing out tire carrier and some additional storage for fuel, etc.
This, too is a decision I'm not totally sure of and I haven't gotten rid of all the sqeaks and rattles, but I can carry a bunch of stuff now.
And (as these things tend to go) adding some weight to the rear started another cycle. The rear was sagging a bit with the couple hundred pounds of extra weight I'd put on it and it made me examine what was underneath.
As I said, I didn't know much before starting this process, but I gradually pieced together that the previous owner had installed a budget lift that put the jeep 3 inches higher while retaining stock control arms. The only real accommodation was an extension bracket for the rear track bar. I also realized with the help of my brother-in-law (who is a real jeep guy and had built a YJ with a Chevy 454 and 46 inch tires to go wheeling in Alaska) that my stock rear drive shaft was causing some vibration at speed due to the new angle it was having to work at.
I looked into replacing just the drive shaft, but finally decided to go ahead and take the plunge and change out the lift kit.
Thanks largely to this forum, I ended up going with...drumroll please:
- Currie 4" lift kit with double adjustable control arms
- Currie adjustable rear track bar (trac bar? How exactly are you supposed to spell this?)
- Currie Anti Rock front sway bar
- Currie Currectlync steering (tie rod and drag link)
- Rancho RS9000xl shocks
Here's a picture of me holding up one of the first vital pieces of a vehicle's suspension that I'd ever taken off. I broke one of the upper shock bolts (like everyone does on the TJ) and using a small chisel to turn the broken bolt out of the nut that's welded to the frame was one of my first small victories as a garage mechanic:
And here's me removing the drive shaft (I think). Notice the crusty rear brakes and axle. I'll come back to that:
I had some time while I was waiting for parts and the brakes seemed like they were in bad shape, so I decided to open up another can of worms and start cleaning things up and taking things apart. I was also curious as to why my parking brake had never worked very well even after I (and the shop at one point) had adjusted it.
I pulled out all my brushes and cleaners and also decided to replace the brake pads and rotors. I also found out what was going on with the parking brake. Two parts of the arm that get pulled by the cable were seized together. After taking everything apart, cleaning it up, and adding brake grease it was moving freely again (and actually holds the jeep now). I also painted the axle while I had it disconnected from everything.
And the calipers...they are now RED (what other color do you paint calipers?)
Then the parts came in I started putting things back together. Things got complicated quickly. I think I installed the entire lift kit at least twice. I installed the rear springs three times. I felt like the first cave man who made fire after I tapped my first hole for the rear bump stops.
But I got it back together in the rear except for the shocks (which I was still waiting for) and moved to the front.
Same process, more or less, but with more moving parts. I also ended up replacing the front brake lines (thanks to a tip from this forum) with lines from an older model wrangler.
Then the fun began. Getting the steering installed and adjusted and getting all the angles right after the lift was a huge challenge for this mechanical neophyte.
I spent hours and hours reading threads on this forum...although I never posted until recently. I almost feel like drinking buddies with some of the forum members by this point (although I'll refrain from providing my guesses as to what kind of drinker each forum member is). It was a HUGE help to have people provide detailed write ups and precise instructions for how to make adjustments and what to look for after making them. It was like every problem I encountered had been discussed here...and usually solved.
I even had the satisfaction of having to correct the work of the local auto shop after they did an alignment. I had wanted them to check over my work since I didn't trust myself, but in the process, they adjusted the rear pinion angle several degrees too low. I had replaced the rear drive shaft with a custom double carden shaft from Tom Wood and the low angle was causing a driveline vibration. I adjusted the pinion back up to the same angle as the drive shaft and the vibration went away. I also ended up having to adjust the front drive shaft angle up a bit since I think they were trying to get the jeep to fit caster settings for a stock wrangler.
So here's the result (so far):
Thanks for everything guys. I'm still pretty ignorant of most aspects of my jeep, but you've really helped me gain a better understanding of what's going on from the trail to the body mounts.
A few thoughts for those similarly inexperienced who want to build a TJ:
- This forum is your friend. Not every post is going to be golden, but if you follow it enough, you'll learn a lot and figure out who know what.
- YouTube everything...but try to find people who are doing exactly the same thing you're trying to do. Sometimes the details matter.
- Spend some time gaining general knowledge. I actually picked up a textbook on auto mechanics. The first chapter on how an engine works was like a revelation.
- Follow the instructions...but use your head. Even with the Currie instructions, I found several errors and omissions that made a difference in installing certain components. You've got to understand what the part is supposed to do in order to install it correctly.
- Start small. In retrospect jumping into an entire suspension rebuild was a big undertaking for someone with my (low) skill level. I spent days and days on what would have probably taken someone with more experience only hours. I was pretty wrecked at certain points, but it was awesome to see it come together.
- Don't be afraid to open the can. It might be a can of worms or a can of whoop ass, but until you open it, you're not going to learn what's inside and you'll never know how to fix it if it breaks.
