What goes around, comes around. 05 Khaki TJ Build

Front end is sitting on its weight. I chose Rock Krawler 3.5" coils after meeting some of their guys at NJ Jeep Invasion. Ironically, the compressed and free length dimensions work perfectly how the front was built. However, sitting on its own weight, I hope they settle a bit. They're netting around 16.5" (4.5") of lift. With the tires on, bottom of the frame will be around 23". I still have to button a few things up front before I turn the jeep around and begin the rear.

Time will tell how long the lunchbox, 8.5" ring gear, 1310 yukon super joints, the Yukon 19-spline outer stub shaft, and warn hubs will last. :unsure:

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Front end is sitting on its weight. I chose Rock Krawler 3.5" coils after meeting some of their guys at NJ Jeep Invasion. Ironically, the compressed and free length dimensions work perfectly how the front was built. However, sitting on its own weight, I hope they settle a bit. They're netting around 16.5" (4.5") of lift. With the tires on, bottom of the frame will be around 23". I still have to button a few things up front before I turn the jeep around and begin the rear.

Time will tell how long the lunchbox, 8.5" ring gear, 1310 yukon super joints, the Yukon 19-spline outer stub shaft, and warn hubs will last. :unsure:

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I've wheeled for years with old Broncos that run 19 spline outer shafts and I've not seen a shaft break yet where we wheel. I'm not saying they won't, but they seem to hold up well to the bigger tires, V8s, and heavy right foot. The u joints are a different story. Those I've seen blow routinely.

Edit: Forgot to mention that 2x I've seen the locking hub explode!
 
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I've wheeled for years with old Broncos that run 19 spline outer shafts and I've not seen a shaft break yet where we wheel. I'm not saying they won't, but they seem to hold up well to the bigger tires, V8s, and heavy right foot. The u joints are a different story. Those I've seen blow routinely.

I'm going to wheel it as-is for now. I hear 50/50 stories with guys running old school 44's. I've been talking with @Wildman about the axle but I understand he uses RCV's. Some guys claim the yukon super joints will go before the stub shaft and others, vice-versa. I realize I'm pushing the envelope .

However, I have a Jana 54 kit on the shelf along with a 4.88 D50 R&P. At that point into the depth of a rabbit hole, why not splurge on a 35-spline carrier and some RCV's with slugs?
 
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I'm going to wheel it as-is for now. I hear 50/50 stories with guys running old school 44's. I've been talking with @Wildman about the axle but I understand he uses RCV's. Some guys claim the yukon super joints will go before the stub shaft and others, vice-versa. I realize I'm pushing the envelope .

The times I've seen the stub shafts blow was when taken out with the u-joint. But it also took out the hub. There were guys who claimed to be running 40's on Dana 44's on Pirate years ago.

However, I have a Jana 54 kit on the shelf along with a 4.88 D50 R&P. At that point into the depth of a rabbit hole, why not splurge on a 35-spline carrier and some RCV's with slugs?

I'm still of the mind that a hybrd 44/60 is the killer setup. That's using a 35 spline ARB & Dana 60 outers. And with a Jana 54 I think you could easily run 38-40" tires. But you'd be into it for about the same as a Dana 60.
 
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My Jeep club hosted a charity "Toys for tots" trail ride this Sunday. With the front axle in, I decided to install some adapters on the rear axle and wheel it with 40's. It was cold, muddy but the iroks did surprisingly well aired down to 6psi.

I was concerned with the amount of rubbing the rear tires would create with the factory wheel openings without adding a bunch of bumpstop extension. It's sad to report that the rough country long arm rear system barely flexes. I think it rubbed once, on a rock where it fully articulated the front axle. And the rub was so minimal, it was comical.

The shake-down with the front axle did well. In the future, the mercedes steering box will be replaced with a rebuilt and ported saginaw that's on the shelf. And hopefully, the coils will continue to settle. If not, then I could see some 2.5" lift coils going in, for future, as well.

Pic below is with the Jeep aired down to 6psi. The Jeep is obviously light and there's alot of contact patch with 13.5" wide tires.

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Haven't done much with this Jeep since wheeling it early December. However, I managed to install a used Antirock by designing some sway bar brackets, to the axle, and had them cut with www.sendcutsend.com services. I also painted the interior portion of the exposed area of the grille.

Also, I measured the tie-rod throw to 6.5". Does anyone know of a manufacture that makes a 6.5" ram, or..
1. limit the throw of a 6.75" to 6.5"
2. install a 6.75". The .25" won't matter..

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Several of the photos showed the rear axle in the background. I've been slowly picking away at it but today, the rear axle to do list is complete.

It's a JK Dana 44 that was stripped. New brackets, barnes4wd truss, new calipers, rotors, 1350 Yoke.. Yukon 4.88 R&P was sent for heat treatment and somehow I was able to get my hands on a Nitro 35-spline spool & chromoly shafts. Plumbed with 3/16" stainless brake lines and some careful die grinding, I was able to sneak a set of LJ parking brake cables through the lower link mounts.

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Several of the photos showed the rear axle in the background. I've been slowly picking away at it but today, the rear axle to do list is complete.

It's a JK Dana 44 that was stripped. New brackets, barnes4wd truss, new calipers, rotors, 1350 Yoke.. Yukon 4.88 R&P was sent for heat treatment and somehow I was able to get my hands on a Nitro 35-spline spool & chromoly shafts. Plumbed with 3/16" stainless brake lines and some careful die grinding, I was able to sneak a set of LJ parking brake cables through the lower link mounts.

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View attachment 665769

Complete?? I don’t see shock mounts or sway bar mounts.