Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

I'll put ten down for "swayloc".

And you'd be a WINNER....

I'm going to lay it out next to my old one tomorrow just to show the difference.

I don't know when they increased the outer tube thickness or by how much.
 
Well I didn't get anything done with my engine today. Had a rough night last night so I just didn't feel like going out and working on anything. Only got a couple of hours of sleep as I was awake every couple of hours due to pain.

But I did get the SwayLoc box hauled out to the garage.

So here are the two SwayLoc bars laid out next to each other.

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And the arms next to each other.

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And then the bars next to each other. The first thing you'll notice is that the new bars have a flat notch for indexing the arms where the old style bars are splined.

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The inner bars appear to be about the same diameter.

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Now the outer bars are defiantly different in size. Both in OD & the wall thickness.


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The OD of the old outer bar.


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The OD of the new outer bar.


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The thickness of the old outer bar.


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The thickness of the new outer bar.


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Since it's been 8+ years since I've driven my Jeep I won't be able to tell you what the new SwayLoc feels like compared to the old SwayLoc. I remember that when I went from the Anti-Rock to the SwayLoc I noticed a difference between the two on how it handled on road. So I'm looking forward to trying out the new SwayLoc. And with my Jeep being heavier I would think the added torsional strength of the new kit will be a nice feature.
 
Now you've done it, given me something else to think about spending money on! :unsure:
 
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Now you've done it, given me something else to think about spending money on! :unsure:

Thanks that is what I'm here for. I read others build threads and find stuff I want to get all the time.

Seriously, air lock?? I may save some more and jump over the antirock.

For me the air lock is tied into the AiRock system and it unlocks the SwayLoc automatically if I want. Or I can lock and unlock it with the push of a button.

They make a kit with a switch on the dash for those who don't have the AiRock system.
 
Finally got to work on the engine today. First of course was to install the woodruff key.

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Next was the cam tensioner so a little lock-tite for the bolts.

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And then FINALLY install the timing chain..

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Then get the degree wheel & pointer setup. Here is my old degree wheel compared to the new one. Man do I like using this larger wheel.

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And the pointer made out of a metal coat hanger.

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Next is finding TDC of the #1 piston. You use the piston stop and rotate the engine both directions and split the difference on the degree wheel and that is TDC.

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So I had started with the wheel at TDC and first rotation got me 20* so adjust the wheel to half that.

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Got 9.5* on the next rotation.

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And 10.5* in the other direction. So I needed to move the wheel to 10* and then double checked to confirm it was correct.

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Now it's a LOT faster typing this out but took me a few hours to finally get this RIGHT. Next is to verify that the cam is set correctly by checking lobe center. I'll get into that tomorrow.
 
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‘Bout time you got to working on that thing....

:)

Damn, that wheel is huge. Even I can read those numbers.

Nice work.

Been waiting on PARTS....

Yes I really like that degree wheel. I don't need my glasses to read it. And man you can get it spot on too.
 
So... Is that your third sway lock? Our is the one you pulled off the same as the one you sold?

The one I pulled off is the one I sold. It's the original design and they changed the outer bar at some point but I can't tell you exactly when that was. I had to get the newer one because ORO doesn't make the bushings for the TNT stretch kit for the original style.
So I had to buy the new style which is why I sold my old one.

Clear as MUD?
 
The one I pulled off is the one I sold. It's the original design and they changed the outer bar at some point but I can't tell you exactly when that was. I had to get the newer one because ORO doesn't make the bushings for the TNT stretch kit for the original style.
So I had to buy the new style which is why I sold my old one.

Clear as MUD?
I'm up to speed. I was just on the hunt for another used one! 😉. I'm kicking myself for hesitating when you sold it...
 
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The one I pulled off is the one I sold. It's the original design and they changed the outer bar at some point but I can't tell you exactly when that was. I had to get the newer one because ORO doesn't make the bushings for the TNT stretch kit for the original style.
So I had to buy the new style which is why I sold my old one.

Clear as MUD?
I'm having expensive thoughts about that TNT stretch kit. Must Resist.
 
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