[imstillatwork]

Sways and trac bars are already gone. Tires sit at about 26lbs (even contact). About 2 months ago I replaced the shackle bolts and metal bushing (bolt rusted to metal bushing /spacer), greased, torqued to 45lbs.

Would a 5" shackle ride better? I would sort of like to come down as low as I can and still clear the tires.

I think part of my crappy ride is the crappy no-brand-name shocks. springs probably too.

[Barrio]

Originally Posted by imstillatwork

Sways and trac bars are already gone. Tires sit at about 26lbs (even contact). About 2 months ago I replaced the shackle bolts and metal bushing (bolt rusted to metal bushing /spacer), greased, torqued to 45lbs.

Would a 5" shackle ride better? I would sort of like to come down as low as I can and still clear the tires.

I think part of my crappy ride is the crappy no-brand-name shocks. springs probably too.

If your on a budget, and yes I am bias, go with Rough Countrys 4" full kit, comes with shocks ect.

[sprowley]

31" Firestone Destination MTs on ZERO INCHES of lift. Fenders highlined, trimmed, and TJ flares cut and extended. Same in the rear. There should be room in those wells for 35"s either with no lift of a max of 1-2"

Obviously I'll need to do more to make 35"s work well than just open the wells up, but it shouldn't need any more height to make them fit.

[agentr855]

Originally Posted by Barrio

You would probley want a spring UNDER set up. 4" SOA would be upwards of a foot of lift.

If you are rubbing with the 4.5" kit, add TJ flare and cut the fenders. The 1/2 shackle would also help alittle bit as well. And as alway the much fear last resort of the 1" body lift.

Thy the tj flares or even tube fenders front and rear, keep that center of gravity down as much as you can.

Once again 4" spring over would be the high light at Monster Jam.

its not that im getting rub its that i want more flex and more lift!! i mean my 4.5" lift looks good but when im doing some hard core wheeling i feel like i need more flex and lift i get a lil bit of rub when im maxd out with flex. i just wanted to see some flat land pics of someone thats done it.

[Barrio]

Originally Posted by agentr855

its not that im getting rub its that i want more flex and more lift!! i mean my 4.5" lift looks good but when im doing some hard core wheeling i feel like i need more flex and lift i get a lil bit of rub when im maxd out with flex. i just wanted to see some flat land pics of someone thats done it.

Well, what size tire are you looking to run?

Keep in mind this. If you go spring over it is not cheap. If you do a search on the site you will find a break down of parts and prices to do it right and not half ***. Most guys that do go spring over stay with leaves with NO lift or up to 1.5" of lift. 4" springs, sprung over would be huge. If I remember right, user name Lil Liberty on here did it. The rig is massive mud bogger on 42s or something like that. If you do decide SOA is worth it than upgrading axles is next on the agenda. The Dana 35 is junk. Then you get in to high steer, drive shafts, ect ect ect.

If you want to run 35s for instance, I personally would keep your 4.5" kit, do a small shackle lift and tube fenders. You have to keep the center of gravity down or you will be top heavy and flop her.

My suggestion and I reize you were just looking for pictures to see, would be read up on the topics. This board has a ton of information to read and consume. You just have to weigh your options. Ask your self what kind of wheeling you do, what kind of budget your on and what your goals are.

Good luck!

[+Crusader+]

Originally Posted by sprowley

Fenders highlined, trimmed, and TJ flares cut and extended.

Definitely function over form on this one, brother!

[sprowley]

Originally Posted by PopeLovesYa

Definitely function over form on this one, brother!

It's not quite done, but i thought the flares actually looked kinda good

[+Crusader+]

Originally Posted by sprowley

It's not quite done, but i thought the flares actually looked kinda good

Hey man, didn't mean to get you down ... all that matters is whether you like it. I like to be honest, and for me it doesn't please my eyes. The guys name escapes me, but he Highlined his orangeish red YJ and runs TJ flares too. But the wheel-openings on his are not stretched like yours. I just think the 'rivets' contrast too much against the fenders and the splicing is too noticeable for me. Although I'm not much help because outside of a custom one-off mold I can't think of any way that I would remedy that if it was my Jeep.

No offense, and no hard feelings ... if you like it, that is all that matters.

[sprowley]

Originally Posted by +Crusader+

Hey man, didn't mean to get you down ... all that matters is whether you like it. I like to be honest, and for me it doesn't please my eyes. The guys name escapes me, but he Highlined his orangeish red YJ and runs TJ flares too. But the wheel-openings on his are not stretched like yours. I just think the 'rivets' contrast too much against the fenders and the splicing is too noticeable for me. Although I'm not much help because outside of a custom one-off mold I can't think of any way that I would remedy that if it was my Jeep.

No offense, and no hard feelings ... if you like it, that is all that matters.

None taken. I appreciate the input, and I'm not one to make a fugly redneck abomination and force the world to look upon the horror I've created. I'm a visual artist by trade, I like to make things that are visually pleasing to more than just me.

I am changing the color and adding the extensions today, it's going all black. I've got the top done and the body is finishing in a few hours. The rivets are also being painted black, I never intended for them to be so highly visible I just didn't know what else to do short of plastic sheets, mesh and a TON of bondo, which would have cracked the first time I stuffed a wheel.

Those opening should look a lot better with a larger tire in them too. Such is the dilemma with building in stages.

[Nates93yj]

Ill admitte that i didnt like those fenders flares at first, but its growing on me like hair.

nobody else has done somthing like that, and i would rather have that look then the flares not following the body line and not being long enough.
Great job sprowley

[sprowley]

Originally Posted by nates93yj

Ill admitte that i didnt like those fenders flares at first, but its growing on me like hair.

nobody else has done somthing like that, and i would rather have that look then the flares not following the body line and not being long enough.
Great job sprowley

Thanks! That was my thought too. I wanted the highline but I hate the look of flares that look too short. It's the same effect to me as that nerd we all know with the khaki pants that are 4" too short.

I'll have more pics of it painted black and not surrounded by crap soon. I'm taking it out for a professional photo shoot, no joke. Maybe I can sway some more people then once she's all prettied up

[+Crusader+]

^^^

Wait a minute, I remember seeing the low center of gravity TJ that Rubicon Express had, and it had highlined fenders with longer TJ flares!!

Try these links, check out the pics. Maybe you could contact them and see about getting some of those flares? Just throwing out an option ...

http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/whats-new/check-out-rubicon-express-new-tj-kit/11875103/rubicon-express-tj-radius-arm-kit.jpg

http://www.triadoffroad.com/images/dsc_0569_copy.jpg

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/images/Rubicon_Express_TJ_Long_Arm_2_5_with_Radius_Rear_4 _Stretch.jpg

[Bowfin]

It'll look much better if you get some more TJ flares and section them out for your extensions. I like the idea of keeping the COG as low as possible and not messing with your driveline angles.

[sprowley]

I painted it black and finished the project!

It looks much better all in black with the flares and bolts painted matte black.

Here's how it was a few months ago right after I painted it black the first time, on 235/75r15 Wrangler RT/Ss and half doors/soft top:


Here it is now, FS Destination MT 31", highlined fenders and trimmed wells with extended TJ flares, hard top and full doors:


Tires are 2" larger but look how much extra room there is. My suspension is stock height (not entirely stock parts though) and I can fit up to 35"s I think. I'd need a new rear axle, and all that other jazz for 35"s, but I don't need lift to make it work!

I think it looks a world of difference between the green and unpainted flares I posted a couple days ago. I think this is going to be much more palatable to the nay sayers!!!

[michaelkkirk]

1990 Jeep YJ, 2.5, AX5, RE1425 springs (4 inch), 5.25 inch shackles, 0 body lift, 33x12.5 on 15x10 rims, BFG MT

31 inches to bottom of door ( or 7 inches over stock)