My neighbor texted me on day. He told me he looked at an 02 TJ with high mileage for a good deal. The guy said he would hold it until the next day for my neighbor to make a decision. He decided he didn't want it, but asked if I did. I went and drove it and decided it was time to sell the DSM and pick up a TJ.
It ran a little rough and had some brake pulsation. I picked up some plugs and checked the brakes. Time for new rotors
Someone in the past installed the bumper and put the fog lights on the side.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] The previous owner claimed that he took the steering column trim off to "replace something". Not sure what that means, but I found some trim on eBay
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Nice little Jeep, but it needs lift and tires. The chrome wheels kinda drive me crazy
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] We had some pretty good rain. The passenger side floor board got soaked. Some research lead to this drain, which had a broken seal and was full of pine needles. Replaced that.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] I went to the Moonshiner's swap meet at the Washington State Fair. Picked up this Warn 8274 winch plate. It was covered in oil and had the fair lead welded on to it. I ground that down and put it in our parts washer.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] My brother decided he wanted the tube bumper. I wanted a tire carrier so I gave that to him and he let me put on the stock one
So I ordered a lift for the Jeep! I ordered a Rock Krawler 3.5" short arm and SYE kit. For tires 33x10.5R15 KM2s with my discount at work, and some 15x8 ProComp Steelies.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] I pulled the winch off my Comanche and got it wired up to the TJ. I plan on putting winch controls inside the Jeep, but that will come later
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Here's the 2 Jeeps next to each other. The Comanche has chromoly shafts, 4.56 gears, ARBs and ARB covers. The front is a TJ D44 and the rear is an XJ D44. So the plan is to swap the TJ Dana 44 in the front of the Wrangler and the Wrangler D30 in the front of the Comanche. Then I'll swap the Dana 44 internals around. That way the Wrangler will be 4.56 and the Comanche will be 3.73. The Comanche was my first truck. It is awesome and I don't want to beat it up so bad off road. There is a lot more aftermarket support for the TJs.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Here are some before photos for reference
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] I have 3/4 ton steering and a Teraflex OTK knuckle on my Wrangler D44. I had to drill out my pitman arm to a larger size for the heavy duty tie rod end. For that reason, I needed to pull the arm off the Wrangler box and swap it with the one on the Comanche. No luck with that
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] When I put the 3/4 ton steering on my Comanche, I used 1 1/4" heims. The new track bar uses 1". So my dad helped me grind off 1/8" off each side.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] I had the 4x4 shop look at my Jeep. The rear end was clunking over bumps and I could not get the track bar in very easily. They said because I tipped up my pinion angle for the SYE, I should get an offset track bar bracket, and these adapters that kick the shock mounts out, which were contacting the coil bucket.
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Not a huge fan of this Rubicon Express bracket. It's almost like its too far the other way now. Time for an adjustable track bar...
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Happened to have an old XJ shaft laying around for the rear, and because the Dana 44 is longer I had to get the front shaft shortened
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Got a great deal on this Warn rear bumper with tire carrier on Craigslist
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Remember how I said the front sat lower than the rear? I was hoping that the bumper and tire would help settle the rear of the Jeep to make it sit more level
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Drove it to work and cleaned it up again! Really happy with how it turned out, besides it sitting unlevel
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] I let the weight off the springs, set them back in the buckets and was happy with how it sat
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] I got the ARB compressor from my Comanche mounted in the TJ. My dad helped me mount it because he put his in the same spot. He has been a huge help through this process
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Behind my dad's Jeep is the axle that came out of my Comanche. Hopefully next week sometime my friend at work will help me swap over the internals
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] The harness for power and ground fit perfectly over to the battery. The switch harness was pretty easy to run, which I just ran up to the center console
Pressure washed the bottom of the Jeep so I could paint up the rear and get all the road grime off
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Took my top off and put my dad's half doors on. I really need to find a set for myself
[/URL]Untitled by Joey Keith, on Flickr[/IMG] Here is the rear axle painted. I didn't paint the diff cover because I'm installing the ARB cover once I get the internals swapped over.
My friend from work helped me swap over the internals from the Comanche's Dana 44 into the TJs. Went pretty smooth. Got the air line ran and now I just need to do some plumbing for the air...
Few hundred miles on the suspension, starting getting a pop from the rear suspension. My neighbor let me borrow his garage again and we figured out it was the left rear upper control arm.
Here is the manifold I built for the solenoids and the quick disconnect. Eventually, I plan on putting another quick disconnect out by the front bumper. but for now, this will work good
Took my Jeep out on the trails for the first time. This thing preforms awesome. I can't begin to explain how much of an easier time this thing has over the MJ. However, I did pop the fuse for my ARB air compressor. Works fine if you only use it for a minute, but over an extended period of use, the compressor turns off and pops both fuses...
Interesting. My clutch pedal linkage popped off. I was gonna get fancy with it because you can't buy the linkage without buying the master, but I ended up using some nuts and bolts
Took my Jeep out for the second time. I didn't take too many photos because I was busy driving. lol It preformed awesome again, besides that compressor popping the fuses...I contacted ARB
The sPod will replace my ARB switches. Clean install. Also, ARB sent me a brand new air compressor and wiring harness. Sweet. Got that all installed. Hopefully no more air issues. I also ordered an SPod/ARB adapter harness ($18 from 4WheelParts) so I can run the ARBs through the SPod with no modification. That will be awesome.
Just waiting on the jumper harness and I need to go to Home Depot and get a few air fittings. This is that bracket I was talking about for a quick disconnect outside the vehicle. I need to modify the manifold I made a little bit, then I'll be able to use it. Calling it a night, however.
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