James & The Sahara Build Thread

Totally thought I responded to this. I apologize for the delay lol, my plans are more than likely something super simple. I have been eyeing the dirtworx rear bumper for the TJ (not the tire carrier) that I plan on ordering towards august alongside the metalcloak frame tie in as that frame tie in will work with the gobi roof rack's frame attachment. If anyone has a similar bumper or a recommendation I am all ears.
Plenty of photos on this page of a thread I had about the front and rear Dirtworx bumpers:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bumper-finish.4700/page-3

Pretty easy install, and I have been completely satisfied with these bumpers.
 
Plenty of photos on this page of a thread I had about the front and rear Dirtworx bumpers:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bumper-finish.4700/page-3
THANK YOU! Man thats a ton of angles on that rear bumper. I have to say its quite nice and my main choice at this point. The frame tie in you used looks like a RockHard4x4, am I guessing that correctly?
Thanks for the post this is a really good step by step!!
Anytime man! If you do it share some photos I'd love to see how yours turns out!
 
Just saw updated pics on jeep had to read a couple pages haha. It looks awesome!! The fox suspension looks beautiful! Should ride Like a charm. The work looks like it was definietly worth it. Upgraded suspension and a sick stance!
Yessir! I'll be posting a couple more pictures up tomorrow after I get everything settled.
 
THANK YOU! Man thats a ton of angles on that rear bumper. I have to say its quite nice and my main choice at this point. The frame tie in you used looks like a RockHard4x4, am I guessing that correctly?

Very similar. I bought this one:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=222524246246

Don't be fooled by the photo on ebay. As you can tell from my photos, they do not look like that. I knew that because this was the second set I had bought from this ebay seller...they are very similar to the RockHard version. The biggest selling point was the bolts with the welded on bars, those made fishing them into the frame a breeze, plus kept the bolts from spinning inside the frame while you tightened down the nuts.
 
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Very similar. I bought this one:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=222524246246

Don't be fooled by the photo on ebay. As you can tell from my photos, they do not look like that. I knew that because this was the second set I had bought from this ebay seller...they are very similar to the RockHard version. The biggest selling point was the bolts with the welded on bars, those made fishing them into the frame a breeze, plus kept the bolts from spinning inside the frame while you tightened down the nuts.
Thats awesome, thank you for sharing!
 
THANK YOU! Man thats a ton of angles on that rear bumper. I have to say its quite nice and my main choice at this point. The frame tie in you used looks like a RockHard4x4, am I guessing that correctly?

Anytime man! If you do it share some photos I'd love to see how yours turns out!

Thanks x2! I've been looking at this bumper, too! If you get one, let me know how long it took to get it shipped!


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Well today I picked her up from the alignment and went straight to the shop to install my quick disconnects. I can't be picky since they were free but the quick disconnects I installed a set of well used Rough Country Disconnects. Literally the most hated company on this forum. Regardless they work much better than my broken sway link and won't be on too much longer with a F/R AR in the future. I took the vehicle out on the road today and she drove pretty damn good, much better than before suspension wise. 3.07 gearing is exactly as bad as everyone said it would be on the interstate lol. Future plans after I pay off the rest of the tires are Currie Rear Trackbar and locating a Dana 44 with immediate plans of regear and locker(s) installed. This will be another huge cost so I will weigh my options on what will be best for my situation. Hopefully I will have that axle found before Christmas with the regear completed shortly after. Small things like armor upgrades/maybe a winch in the near future. We will see, excited to hit some trails. Here's a couple pictures of the little time I got to spend with the Jeep (Look in the mirror to figure out why;) ) :

IMG_4783.webp IMG_4776.webp IMG_4782.webp
 
Don't sweat the RC hate and disco's. I have Smitty bumpers so we can team up :D

Man, the 3.07's gotta blow. I know you mentioned a 44 but don't discount the Super 35 kit. Either way you will need a gear swap unless you find a 44 with 4.56's. Figure about 1500 for a S35 with Detroit locker and gears, depending on labor cost.
 
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Don't sweat the RC hate and disco's. I have Smitty bumpers so we can team up :D

Man, the 3.07's gotta blow. I know you mentioned a 44 but don't discount the Super 35 kit. Either way you will need a gear swap unless you find a 44 with 4.56's. Figure about 1500 for a S35 with Detroit locker and gears, depending on labor cost.
I really don't have a clue what kind of locker combination to go with. A super 35 is something I have considered and a solid option it no reasonably priced Dana 44's pop up. Really need to figure out which gears will suit me best.

Another update, full turn I have no rubbing on the control arms. I got the vehicle up to 75mph today with no death wobble and ZERO vibes. Heck yes.
 
4.56 should work well with the 5/6 spd trans. Lockers; the Detroit locker takes some getting used to, especially with a manual trans, but it isn't going to throw you off the road or anything. Mostly popping under acceleration in turns and from a stop. The Aussie, or other lunchboxers, would be great in front. I have one in mine and it makes a slight "tick" when turning but is otherwise invisible.

ARB's or an e locker would be great frt and rear or just front or just rear. With the ARB you will need an air supply of course, meaning more dough and installation.
 
Well God !@#$%*, taking the Jeep to get gas and coming back I lose 75% clutch pressure and have an extreme squeal when using the clutch. Just my luck that this happens right after I show this Jeep some love, eh? I will say I haven't had any serious issues with the Jeep so far other than a cracked radiator after the first hard freeze and I believe this is the original clutch (I have no service history or physical evidence prevalent to expect otherwise).

Pressure seems to hold when the Jeep is powered off in the video shown below. Not even going to fool with it at the moment. I've repaired tons of clutches in motorcycles but cars are a completely different animal with a dry clutch. If you have any input on if the flywheel is seized or my cylinder is bad or my clutch is bad feel free to comment below. Going to have someone take a detailed look at it tomorrow and let me know what the damages are. Ugh.

 
Omg man I have no idea about any of this either hopefully Somebody has some advice. I'd love to know what it is as well. Hope it's not too bad of a fix. Sorry to hear about this after you did all of that hard work.
I only wish I knew more about trannies and clutches on cars! I should have spent all my shade-tree mechanic years working on cars and not motorcycles. Grr the irony this happens the day I get the Jeep highway ready.
 
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