[4x42]

That is what I call a rebuild!

[caleb7mm]

Originally Posted by CJ7VFR

In order for these shackles to give you a 1.25 inch lift they have to be
2.50 inches longer than the stock ones.

Are you sure they are that much longer?

If they are 1.25 inches longer than the stock ones, then they will actually
give you .625 (5/8) inches of lift total.

Jim

jim is correct. those are 5/8" lift shackles.

[namredla]

Originally Posted by caleb7mm

jim is correct. those are 5/8" lift shackles.

Now that I think about it a little bit harder I can see that you guys are correct (as I am only lifting one side of the leaf spring). That is fine with me, I really didn't need any more lift than I have already, but I guess I will take the 5/8"!

[CJ7VFR]

How did you install these new parts?

Did you have to take the steering shaft apart, or were you able to get
the rubber boot over the end of the shaft?

I have to replace these parts on my Jeep, and I really don't want to have to
take the steering shaft apart.

I was hoping it could be done by just disconnecting the very end of the shaft
from the steering box, and slipping the new boot and little blocks on the
end, and then putting it back on the steering box.

How did you do it?

Jim

[namredla]

I did not take the steering shaft apart. Like you said, I took the end off, took the little blocks out, and got it down to just the stud that sticks through the end of the shaft. If you work the rubber boot a little bit, don't force it, just slowly stretch it out you can get it over this stud. The only thing that won't fit is the new clamp that comes with the kit. I figure that a regular compression fitting will work fine.

Make sure you don't accidently install the boot backwards!!

[CJ7VFR]

Thanks!!

I have been racking my brain as to how the boot would fit over the end of the shaft where the stud and
the little pins that hold the blocks in place.

How hard was it to get the steering coupler off of the end of the steering box shaft?

I remember replacing my manual steering box 17 years ago on my 1985 CJ-7, but I don't remember how hard
it was to take it off, or if I had to beat on it to get it to come loose.

Ah the days before we had digital cameras and the internet for help!!

Jim

[namredla]

The coupler was not hard to get off. You have to do more than just loosen the nut though, you have to spread the clamp a little bit and pull the bolt out as the splined steering box shaft has an indention in it to receive the clamp bolt. I remember beating the crap out of the intermediate shaft trying to get it off of the steering column (because of the indention that I did not realize was there).

[namredla]

I had another "side" project come up so I have been tied up on things other than the CJ. But, I did get the rear suspension in this evening:







The new shackles are nice. I am contemplating yanking the front ones off tonight and installing the new Currie's. I noticed that the rear springs had a built in shim for pinion angle. I didn't notice it until I unwrapped them. I assume that this is fairly standard on lifts. It seems like it will help things out, but I may stick some washers under the transmission bracket/skid plate (or in between the plate and the frame) in an effort to drop the tailshaft a little bit.

[RiverChief]

More More More

When you get to the brake/fuel lines I'd love to see pics of how yer gonna lay pipe. I've seem some pretty creative ways to hide/route them. Especially up front.

[namredla]

Thanks RiverChief, much appreciated. I have already started to bend some of the brake tubing using some powdercoated coils from Jegs and a hand bender. I will tell you that this is my first attempt at bending any type of tubing, so it won't be pretty! But I will post pics for all to snicker at.

Well, I went ahead and threw on the front shackles. What the heck.

[namredla]

Another good Jeep day today.

There was a little weeper of oil at the front output shaft of the transfer case. So, it received the new oil seal treatment front and rear.





While I had everything off I figured I might as well prep the yokes and pretty them up.



So that they would look good attached to these:



We also finally separated the gas tank from the skid pan. I had finally used enough gas out of it degreasing things that it was manageable.





It was such a nice day that I figured I might as well install the new u-joints. Four new ones for each end of the front and rear shaft.



And since I would be iching to get these in tomorrow to see how drastic of a pinion angle I would have, I went ahead and coated the yokes.



Lots of little things, but the Devil is in the details and the little things consume as much time as the big things.

[mjfitz99]

You are doing a very nice job! I am hoping that you hit your July timeframe, I want to know what you think of those headers

[namredla]

During some of the body prep another keeper broke loose requiring minor surgery. I kind of miss the good old welding days.





Fabricate a keeper, clean up a bit, little weld here, little weld there, and bingo...

[lgreve]

keep up the good work you are inspiring me to get back to wok on my restore task that i have foregone due to the challenges of rewiring an entire jeep. oh well you cannot learn something with out making a mistake here and there.

[namredla]

Not too long ago I threatened to fabricate some sway bar links. Well, here they are. I just started with some stock 1/2" pipe and cut the ends down with a pipe hole drill.





I scavenged the rings off of the old links and ended up with this pile.



Welded them up



And they really cleaned up well. I think they look pretty good. They could also be farily quickly modified into quick disconnects.





So there you have it. New sway bar links. Just need to add a little bit of paint...