[RMFK13]

well.. I just ordered some spacers tonight so I thought I might as well make a build thread.
Heres how it sat a few days ago.
Its been in the family for 15 years.


i decided to make these lights fit on the brackets. we have had em for some time just never put em on.. the other ones got smashed off a few years ago.





so this week sometime im gonna guess ill get the spacers in the mail.
When one my buds ain't too busy ill put them in. and have an update.


Future things i wish to do, i really haven't decided..
I know i will get the RC 4 inch lift, just because of the Adjustable control arms. Iv yet to figure out if ill use the spacers to make it 6 inchs or not. Ill also order some Cragar soft 8s and When these tires run out, which shouldnt be all too long, ill get some A/t's. depends on how much money i have at the time. Jobless and doubt i will find one any time soon, so this will be a slow build.

-Rob


heres some random pictures.

First time i took it out. Didnt get pictures till i got back to the shop.

Bottomed out on a rut

[RMFK13]

Spacers will probably be here by the end of the week.

[MyZJ98]

My 2 cents: Remove the cladding, and paint the bumpers. I'd recommend either Krylon Fusion or a Bed Liner, like Rhino, Rustoleum or Duplicolor lining (3 different textures, heavy, medium, and light, respectively). Then tint the tails, too.

But otherwise, looks like you're at least having fun with it! The spacers will help out too, and will help you fit into some bigger tires.

[RMFK13]

i do intend to trim and paint the bumpers... cladding stays on. may paint it also. think of em as brush guards... gotta crack through them before denting the door.


Not tinting tail lights.. too many people i know pulled over for em.


and yes. i do have fun with it.
I needa find a way to keep from fillin the airbox up with mud and water.

[MyZJ98]

Originally Posted by RMFK13

I needa find a way to keep from fillin the airbox up with mud and water.

Seems like from the mud you're riding in, your only other option is some sort of snorkel set-up, either out the hood, or the fender, up the a-pillar, like most. These can be made pretty easily, just using plumbing tubing, and water-tight sealants, theres a lot of build threads for these.

Trust me, I know all about scratches and scrapes, but my cladding was the paint-matched cladding, so it was glossy, and EVERYTHING showed, so I removed it, and Bed Linered my whole Jeep. I'd much rather have the bed liner get scratches, where I can either wipe them away, or just touch it up with more bed liner, than have it scratch the claddings, and I'm stuck with it, and it looks terrible. And all of my wheeling is deep mud and woods/trails, especially during hunting season, and with the stuff I put my Jeep through, I haven't gotten any dents yet. You're just as likely to get a dent in a parking lot, and if it hits hard enough to break the cladding, it's going to dent the doors too. But to each his own, some like the cladding, I hated it, like it so much better without.

But just painting them will make a HUGE difference over the factory look. Even the color contrast alone, the black on that gold-ish color will look much better. And you'll also love the bumper trimmed too, better clearance, and looks nicer IMO.

And the cops are as bad around here with the tinted tails, they got enough to worry about, without having to worry about pulling over kids with tinted tails, haha.

[RMFK13]

Originally Posted by MyZJ98

Seems like from the mud you're riding in, your only other option is some sort of snorkel set-up, either out the hood, or the fender, up the a-pillar, like most. These can be made pretty easily, just using plumbing tubing, and water-tight sealants, theres a lot of build threads for these.

Trust me, I know all about scratches and scrapes, but my cladding was the paint-matched cladding, so it was glossy, and EVERYTHING showed, so I removed it, and Bed Linered my whole Jeep. I'd much rather have the bed liner get scratches, where I can either wipe them away, or just touch it up with more bed liner, than have it scratch the claddings, and I'm stuck with it, and it looks terrible. And all of my wheeling is deep mud and woods/trails, especially during hunting season, and with the stuff I put my Jeep through, I haven't gotten any dents yet. You're just as likely to get a dent in a parking lot, and if it hits hard enough to break the cladding, it's going to dent the doors too. But to each his own, some like the cladding, I hated it, like it so much better without.

But just painting them will make a HUGE difference over the factory look. Even the color contrast alone, the black on that gold-ish color will look much better. And you'll also love the bumper trimmed too, better clearance, and looks nicer IMO.

And the cops are as bad around here with the tinted tails, they got enough to worry about, without having to worry about pulling over kids with tinted tails, haha.

i liek the cladding on it. i dunno why, looks nice.

and my bud got pulled over twice in one day for the tint. took it off that night.

once i get the jeep built, i wont be muddin much anymore.. it will be trails.

[RMFK13]

So i got my spacers today. Should be gittin put in sunday... By myself and a friend.. no clue on earth what we are doin, but seems easy enough.

[GraKee99]

It isn't to hard, just take you time. Start spraying any bolts you are going to loosen with PB blaster as this will save you some headaches during the install.

[rugermack]

I have the Rc 4" lift, you really don't want to run 6" lift with short arms.

[GraKee99]

Originally Posted by rugermack

I have the Rc 4" lift, you really don't want to run 6" lift with short arms.

Don't really see it as much anymore but back when I first joined, I can remember at least 5 ZJs with 6" of lift on short arms. And Hunter still runs it and has been for like a million years, no joke. But it can done, will the ride be as good as long arms, no but it is a cheaper alternative.

[rugermack]

What he really needs to do , is decide what size tires he can afford, and base the lift around that.

[GraKee99]

True true

1/2char

[RMFK13]

i wasnt gonna go over 33s.

[RMFK13]

Oh and i know someone with 7 inchs of lift with stock control arms...
they used Drop brackets on everything.
has an amazing amount of flex.

[RMFK13]

pictures so far. i had to give up for th enight.. have to go to the parts store and get a coil compressor... can tget the coil back in with the spacer in.. and i have the side dropped as far as it wants to go.