Time to beef things up! - - a build thread of sorts - Page 22

dhenke · 02-20-2009, 09:54 AM

Great thread! Just read the whole thing. I think i'm getting the same exhaust system kit pretty quickly here. My exhuast system is really messed up right now, the last guy had it bent short right in front of my rear tire, really takes away my clearance underneath. Great XJ eric!

JeepFreak21 · 03-28-2009, 12:32 PM

Any updates Eric?

I love this thread.

Billy

**EricsXJ** · 03-30-2009, 02:26 AM

Well, I've made a little progress... sorta.

In preparation for my cage I removed the snorkel. I just posted a new write-up on my new intake here : http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/another-cowl-air-intake-write-up-741764/

So that's where I am at this point. Still hoping to have the cage in by summer.

**RockRodHooligan** · 03-30-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricsXJ

Young grasshoppa read too much jeepforum.

Lift blocks are bad because they can cause axle wrap. Key word there is "can". With stock flexy and worn out leafs, lifting via a block will most likely cause axle wrap. I have 4.5" leaf packs, much stiffer than stock, so it will be much less prone to axle wrap and I haven't noticed any so far.

Lift blocks are good in that they add lift without changing how the suspension will ride. When you get up in the 6" lift range, you should be using more than one method to achieving that lift. 6" leaf packs alone would be foolish and way too stiff. Shackles are good but you can only get them so tall. Blocks? Not bad I say if you don't go crazy and get really tall ones or do something stupid like stack them...

And besides, mine are just fat shims not lift blocks, remember?

Someone inevitably would post the same thing, so I'll leave my reply as is. You should use a smiley next time.

I get what you are saying about blocks and using more than one method to achieve lift, but what about u-bolt eliminators? My main reason for asking is I just received a D44 from an MJ as a b-day present(Thanks again James!

) and need to flip the spring perches. So I figured this would be a great time to play around with a bigger perch(stock are a little small compare to newer ones), avoid having to spend $40 in new u-bolts every time I make a change to the rear leaves, and a little lift in the process can't hurt either. I'm planing on going with TNT, but am really not sure how big I feel comfortable going, I thought about 1/2" at first, but I think 1" would be easier for when I choose new springs.

**EricsXJ** · 03-30-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod_hooligan

I get what you are saying about blocks and using more than one method to achieve lift, but what about u-bolt eliminators?

From what I have seen, the T&T U-bolt eliminators are a great way to do it. They also give you the ability to adjust your wheelbase a little. If I ever need to relocate spring perches I will definitely use these. As far as how high, that's up to you.

**Jason, aka: Jeepin.com** · 03-30-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricsXJ

From what I have seen, the T&T U-bolt eliminators are a great way to do it. They also give you the ability to adjust your wheelbase a little. If I ever need to relocate spring perches I will definitely use these. As far as how high, that's up to you.

The UBEs are also much longer than your normal spring perch (or block) which helps to fight spring wrap. They're also only available in up to 1.5" lift. 1/2" and 1" blocks are generally acceptable because they won't substantially increase the leverage on the spring pack, and even at 1.5" of lift the longer mounting surface of the UBEs is pretty much going to negate the effects of the taller mount.

**RockRodHooligan** · 03-30-2009, 10:40 AM

I figured that the UBEs were larger than stock spring perches, but wasn't trying to figure that into the equation, but if they were, that would just be an added bonus. I was kind of apprehensive about using a 1" UBE, but after seeing you have a 1" block... er shim, your opinion about the TNT UBEs, and Jason's comment about them being bigger than stock perches, It's sealed the deal. Thanks a lot!

**Jason, aka: Jeepin.com** · 03-30-2009, 10:50 AM

As long as they're properly welded on, I wouldn't worry about them in the least.

Gravesdiggerxj · 03-31-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricsXJ

So that's where I am at this point. Still hoping to have the cage in by summer.

Eric, Cage it soon man. I was waiting until I got my tax return to do it...
And I just flopped it on Saturday. Two hours later... bank text message that my return had been deposited... Fun

but Not pretty

XJ's don't hold up too well to serious abuse.

Let's start an "Official Hybrid Cage Ideas" thread

JeepFreak21 · 04-01-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravesdiggerxj

Let's start an "Official Hybrid Cage Ideas" thread

Billy

familyxj · 04-20-2009, 11:29 AM

Eric, you are seriously killing me with the lack of updates. I am getting ready to order frame stiffeners and I am undecided between the T&T Customs and the H.D. Offroad Engineering Frame stiffeners. I like the thickness of the T&T Stiffeners but I like the fact that the H.D. kit seems a little easier to work with and already has the roset holes drilled. What are your thoughts of the pros and cons of both kits?

pecsj · 04-21-2009, 09:46 PM

Eric, were did you get the bolts for the doors? I have been looking everywere for some.

**EricsXJ** · 04-22-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by familyxj

Eric, you are seriously killing me with the lack of updates. I am getting ready to order frame stiffeners and I am undecided between the T&T Customs and the H.D. Offroad Engineering Frame stiffeners. I like the thickness of the T&T Stiffeners but I like the fact that the H.D. kit seems a little easier to work with and already has the roset holes drilled. What are your thoughts of the pros and cons of both kits?

Those are probably okay. Kind of overkill on the rosette holes though. Lighter is better, but of course you will be giving up some strength with the thinner material. Its probably not enough to be an issue but I will tell you I am on my frame rails now much more than my rockers (since they are so high up).

Quote:

Originally Posted by pecsj

Eric, were did you get the bolts for the doors? I have been looking everywere for some.

Ace Hardware

familyxj · 04-22-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricsXJ

Those are probably okay. Kind of overkill on the rosette holes though. Lighter is better, but of course you will be giving up some strength with the thinner material. Its probably not enough to be an issue but I will tell you I am on my frame rails now much more than my rockers (since they are so high up).

Thank you much. I will probably go with the T&T kit.

**EricsXJ** · 05-31-2009, 02:22 AM

I don't think I could do a worse job of dragging my feet on getting the cage project going... but I have been making some progress yet.

I realized that I can't put the cage on and then paint or I'd be screwed with the roof where the paint was starting to crack and bubble up with spots of rust underneath. So I needed to address that issue first. Its been a long time coming too.

Here's a few pics of what I've been doing. I did a full write-up with more pics and all the details here: http://www.ericsxj.com/paint/paint.htm

Had some holes to patch:

Some big dents to fix (although you can't make out the dent in the picture):

Just a touch of bondo:

A ton of sanding:

03-28-2009, 12:32 PM	#317
JeepFreak21 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sacto, CA Posts: 28 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Any updates Eric? I love this thread. Billy