[JEEP97TJ]

Awesome Jeep. Looks like you got more than 3" from the lift. Nice Setup

[1fastR]

Maybe I need to do some more reading but why did you install the angled cv bracket?

[flatlander757]

When you do a SYE, you need adjustable rear upper CAs, so the rear axle gets angled backwards. This angled bracket lessens binding as well. If you have a heim on your trackbar(like the RE trackbar I have), you probably don't NEED a bracket at all, but it lessens the angle of the trackbar so a small bump in the road won't make the whole suspension jolt left or right as far as with the bracket. Also it would be darn close to the gas tank without the bracket.

In a nutshell, get it.

[flatlander757]

A month or so ago I found out my original rock lights had burnt out. So I decided to change them up a bit this time to be more practical for my uses. I found I didn't really need a spotter and ended up pointing the lights outward so I could see more around me. So I got some fog lights and mounted them. The wiring hooked right up as they're the same bullet-style connectors as the old ones.

I gooped some silicone sealant around the back of them so hopefully moisture won't get to them. We'll see what happens. Worst case scenario I spend another $20 to replace them









And here is the head unit I got for my Jeep, it's a Pioneer DEH-P4000UB. I love it, the thing plays off of USBs so it can store howevermuch crap you want, and change it whenever you want quickly. It's nice putting music into "folders" as playlists. Also an aux input so my girl can plug in her Ipod.



For reference, here is what the old rock-lights' beam pattern looked like:



It should do me nicely in Uwharrie come May

I have an Nth degree engine skid plate and JKS quicker disconnects on the way, hopefully I'll see them tomorrow or Monday

[Camo Deere]

Looks nice! Lift turned out great, and love the TSLs.

[flatlander757]

Thanks

Now there's a Cobra 75 CB radio, Firestik Firefly 3ft antenna, a fold-down mount, some good coax cable, and an external speaker on the way from Walcott CB

[flatlander757]

I got my JKS quicker disconnects and Nth degree engine skid. Only had time to install the disconnects though:









They are much quieter than the FT discos and disconnecting them doesn't involve a hammer, a punch, and a jack to line things up

Best noticable difference is that since they're adjustable, I can set the swaybar to the proper angle(should be up 10 degrees optimally). The FT discos were about 5 degrees in the negative. The difference is the Jeep doesn't tilt as much around corners, it rides about as close to stock as you can get now

[stunner]

Dude, awesome post! I was thinking of doing almost the exact same build. Except, I was going for 31s instead of the 33s. ...something about umm.. gas consumption... hahaha.

I didn't see you post about this or maybe I missed it but, are you using any spacers, washers or anything on those rims/tires? Do the 33x10.5 just fit without any rubbing?

I see you retained the stock control arms, that's great! It means I don't need to replace them... just get the adj. rear upper control arms for the SYE kit, the trackbars front and rear and I'm set!

You didn't require the use of a different drop pitman?

Thanks!

[flatlander757]

Originally Posted by stunner

Dude, awesome post! I was thinking of doing almost the exact same build. Except, I was going for 31s instead of the 33s. ...something about umm.. gas consumption... hahaha.

I didn't see you post about this or maybe I missed it but, are you using any spacers, washers or anything on those rims/tires? Do the 33x10.5 just fit without any rubbing?

I see you retained the stock control arms, that's great! It means I don't need to replace them... just get the adj. rear upper control arms for the SYE kit, the trackbars front and rear and I'm set!

You didn't require the use of a different drop pitman?

Thanks!

Glad you like it Yeah the stock CAs are fine until you do a SYE when you'll need adjustable rear UCAs. I recommend the JKS units. Stock wheels with 33x10.50 tires work awesome, no spacers. I'll catch a lug of my tire on one of my control arms every so often, but it's not enough for me to care about shimming my steering stops so it's not serious. As long as you go with 10.50 wide tires you'll be fine. DO NOT replace the pitman arm... the stock tie-rod is designed to be parallel with the track bar... Changing the angle of one without making the other match will cause bump-steer... not good.


Now for the big update on my Jeep...


I've been busy last night and all day today installing my CB and Nth degree engine skid

I used a SWR meter and got channels 1 and 40 down to 1.8, not the <1.5 I was hoping for but it'll be fine for trail use. I'm sure since I don't have a giant antenna that's a good part of it.







My first hole drilled in the tub... It wasn't as hard as I thought, but I sure as hell measured 8 times and drilled once haha..



Here's demonstrating the fold-down antenna mount:

[flatlander757]

Here is where I keep the connector box:



While I had the console apart, I found out an e-clip is what keeps the shifter boot from falling all the way down the shifter... so I moved it up a few inches... this will help it shift smoother due to no binding of the boot. It's most noticable in cold weather but you'll be able to tell the difference if you do it as well.



All back together, this is where it's disconnected when I have the CB main unit out of the Jeep until whenever I need it(will use primarily just for trails so it won't see a ton of use). I could tuck the mic connector out of the way if I really want to and just fold it under the center console. Otherwise it's not in the way so I found it convenient. They supply a plate and grommet for a dash install, but it would provide complications as it doesn't fit real tightly and it's a pain to fully screw the two connections together. I'd rather it just be out in the open.



Here's the external speaker I ziptied to the rollbar:



The wires are run along the rollbar to the passenger side, down the a-pillar, down the dash behind the glovebox where an extension was needed(Rat Shack run!) to the center console where it plugs into the connector box.



Then the CB mic holder is bolted to the middle dash panel with the supplied screws and nuts, but I added some large washers on the backside to help distribute the load as it is only plastic:



Here is the back of said panel, be sure to measure and check for anything it may interfere with radio or HVAC wise before you drill any holes... also have to watch out for the nubs on the back of the panel that hold it steady:

[flatlander757]

And here is the Nth Degree engine skid:





Here's a small peek at one of the front mounts of it going up to the engine block:




It went on pretty easily, it requires a bit of forcing into place, but nothing too bad. It's harder to pull it back off than put it into place, haha. The only problem I had was the bolt holes in my engine block were pretty flaky with rust, so I did as the instructions said to for a "poor man's tap" and used a cutoff wheel to make a couple slits down the length of the bolt to act as a tap. After a lot of installing and removing the same bolts followed by flushing the holes out with rust penetrant over and over again, I got them all the way in and tight.

It's a really solid skid, I jacked the whole thing up under it and it supported the whole front end of the Jeep

[flatlander757]

Forgot about the one last pic of the back of the Jeep with a good view of the CB antenna and mount

[o2tj]

man..... It comming along huh? looking good. pm'd ya!

[Jrgunn5150]

Supah sweet!

[flatlander757]

Today I got my RE steering stabilizer installed. I ordered new Spicer 760-x u-joints to replace the cheap ones I bought last time so I won't feel hard wheeling it next weekend at Uwharrie NF. I didn't NEED the stabilizer, I just tossed it in the cart to get my total over $100 for free shipping





Here are the freshly installed u-joints... it only took me about 1-1/2 hours to do both sides this time, much easier when all the rust is broken free from last time:





And here's a couple pics of my AEV/Nth degree engine skid and PSC steering skid in the daytime:





6 Days 'til I go back to UNF!!