[capeless]

I just bought a 85 renegade sight-unseen for $1000. It is my nephews daily driver and is a real reliable ride. He has a list of new parts including complete factory exhaust, complete brakes from master cylinder back/rotors/drums/wheel cylinders/etc., radiator/hoses, power steering pump/hoses, new factory carbuerator... I think it was about $4000 in receipts. Frame is supposedly good, body has some surface rust and one hole in floor board. Has a hard top.

What are some common issues I should be looking for with this model? Where is a good place to buy parts? What are some good internet resources for info on this vehicle?

thanks

bill

[jeepskate]

Just hang around and use the search for anything you're curious about...most of your questions have been answered. The stock carb is a typical problem area, the ignition/spark could use some help, and the 2-piece rear axle shafts can be problematic. Welcome to the fold.

[capeless]

Well, I have spent countless hours reading a handful of forums, websites, etc. over the past week and still have a couple of questions.

What was offered in the Renegade package vs. stock in 1985?

I don't really understand about reversing shackles? Is this something I would want to do?


I have decided how I am going to spend my first $2000 though, lol. Since mechanically this jeep is sound, I was planning on suspension, wheels, and tires first. Along with some minor body work.

-4WD 4" Suspension lift ~$600
-4WD Pitman arm and Swaybar links ~$155
-Prothane 1" Body lift ~$110
-MORE greasable Shackles 3/4" lift ~$76x2=$152
-15x8 Wheels with BFG M/T 33x12.5x15 ~$1000
-may have to replace floor pan. It is patched with a road sign.


So it is a little more than 2 grand....

Everything would be from 4WDH except the wheels and tires. Are these decent parts for the money? Good company to buy through?

I plan on this jeep being a part time trail rider and occasionally drive to work, fishing, hunting, etc. I have a 2000 Explorer for a DD.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[2cjs]

have you looked at quadratec for parts?
I work both of them , their prices vary from product to product not to mention shipping costs.(but I think thats relatively close on price)

[Jermy01]

chances are with that much lift you will also need to go with drive shaft mods because of the sharp angle the driveshaft will want to sit at. depending on what motor/tranny you have, you will probably also want to regear your gearing in the differentials so you dont loose to much power. also watch out for those 2 piece axles in the rear, a good swap is a nice one piece axle such as superior axles, its common for the 2 piece to go our, right about when you start off roading with mods.

[certifiablejeep]

I essentially did the same lift mods as you

Suspension
http://www.certifiablejeep.com/suspensionlift1.php

Body
http://www.certifiablejeep.com/bodylift.php

and a 3/4" shackle lift.

I had an issue with the CJ5 and the rear driveshaft when I was done, it had to be lengthened, but other then that everything else was cool.

Since I was taking and swapping the drop pitman arm in,I also replaced the ball joints and tire rod ends, best decision I ever made since there is no slop left.

cb

[jeepskate]

Originally Posted by capeless

Well, I have spent countless hours reading a handful of forums, websites, etc. over the past week and still have a couple of questions.

You've got a lot more reading to do

What was offered in the Renegade package vs. stock in 1985?

Really, you could get just about any of the stuff that's in the trim packages as options on a base model. All that *really* makes a Renegade a Renegade is the decal package. Typically they'll have a tach and chrome wheels and the windows will be tinted if it has a hard top.

I don't really understand about reversing shackles? Is this something I would want to do?

Maybe...keep researching. For a primarily street-driven rig, I give it a thumbs up. Primarily trail use, it's debatable.

I have decided how I am going to spend my first $2000 though, lol. Since mechanically this jeep is sound, I was planning on suspension, wheels, and tires first. Along with some minor body work.

-4WD 4" Suspension lift ~$600
-4WD Pitman arm and Swaybar links ~$155

Decent choice. I'd look to see what a BDS (4WD Hardware uses their springs but I don't think you get the lifetime warranty) will run you...I suspect it'll be close, maybe a tad cheaper. Also, I'd do a tie-rod flip rather than the drop pitman arm. It corrects your angles without screwing with your turning radius and gets your linkage up out of harms way.

-Prothane 1" Body lift ~$110
-MORE greasable Shackles 3/4" lift ~$76x2=$152

Why? You don't need this to run 33's on a 4" lift. Also, your stock rubber body bushing are probably dry & cracking so sticking a body lift on top of them doesn't make much sense. If you're going to do that, get the Daystar 1" taller bushings that completely replace the stock bushings and give you the 1" body lift all in one...price is pretty close if you shop around. You don't need more than the typical 1/2" lift afforded by heavy duty shackles...definitely go greasable and get greasable main eye bolts/bushings as well. I'd also inspect the stock shackle hangers as they're failure prone and replace with heavy duty hangers if they're showing signs of fatigue.

-15x8 Wheels with BFG M/T 33x12.5x15 ~$1000
-may have to replace floor pan. It is patched with a road sign.

Didn't see any ignition upgrades...I'd put it on your list to wake up that engine.

So it is a little more than 2 grand....

Everything would be from 4WDH except the wheels and tires. Are these decent parts for the money? Good company to buy through?

I plan on this jeep being a part time trail rider and occasionally drive to work, fishing, hunting, etc. I have a 2000 Explorer for a DD.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Decent but you can do better with a little shopping around.

Here's the front end of my CJ-7 with shackle reversal and tie-rod flip:



And here's a side shot...has about the same amount of lift as you're proposing, but with 35's:

[Rockram1]

This was a 4 years ago but I bought 4" procomp lift, extended brakelines,1" shackles, 4.56 gears, detroit for the rear, traclok for the front t-case lowering kit,4 35x12.5 SSR's all this for $2500 from 4wheel parts wholesalers. It took a bit of talking and refusing to pay that much for this or that and 25, 100 dollar bills for them to see the light. But I got it all. So if you call around the prices are not always set in stone. And they have a price match gaurentee.

[bstylee33]

I have the 4" 4WD lift and it should come with a drop pitman arm (for steering angle) and a transfer case lowering kit (for the driveshaft angle), It rides much better than stock, and actually raised my jeep about 6 inches when we first put it on. Now it sits about 5" above the stock cj. And definatly get the grease shackles and main eye bolts.
I wouldnt waste my money on a body lift if your getting the 4" lift it is more than enough for the 33's. Dont forget the extended brake lines either you will need them for the 4" lift.

As for the shackle reverse, from what I hear it really isnt worth the time or the money, so save that money for something else, like the tires or and HEI or TFI ignition upgrade.

4WDH is a probably the best company to deal though, they have the price matching and better customer service and more parts than Quadratech

goodluck

[TheJunkMan2005]

Some people might disagree. but from what I've read. But, it might be wiser for you to spend more of your first 2k on the lift kit? Try a rubicon lift, it'll set you back more money, but most people say that the lift is worth the money..

Thats just my .02...

TheJunkMan2005

[jeepskate]

Originally Posted by bstylee33

IAs for the shackle reverse, from what I hear it really isnt worth the time or the money

Well, if you're ever in the Aurora, IL area, come by and I'll let you drive my Jeep. A couple of trips around the block over uneven surfaces, through potholes, and over the train tracks and I think you'll change your tune. I have *zero* bump steer...doesn't even feel like I'm driving a CJ.

[capeless]

Jeepskate:

Quote:
-Prothane 1" Body lift ~$110
-MORE greasable Shackles 3/4" lift ~$76x2=$152


Why? You don't need this to run 33's on a 4" lift. Also, your stock rubber body bushing are probably dry & cracking so sticking a body lift on top of them doesn't make much sense. If you're going to do that, get the Daystar 1" taller bushings that completely replace the stock bushings and give you the 1" body lift all in one...price is pretty close if you shop around. You don't need more than the typical 1/2" lift afforded by heavy duty shackles...definitely go greasable and get greasable main eye bolts/bushings as well. I'd also inspect the stock shackle hangers as they're failure prone and replace with heavy duty hangers if they're showing signs of fatigue.

I am looking for replacement body bushings. I just figured if I was going to replace the stock I might as well get bigger ones Thought thats what the Prothane bushings were... I have heard a lot of people talk about the Daystar ones, I probably will go that route instead. Thanks

Thanks everyone for the great info. I'll keep reading