[SB99TJ]

I stole the Jeep from Dad this week to begin the surprise of a complete build on his 2006 LJ Rubicon. The original plan was to do this while he was away on vacation for a week, but after some thought, I decided there was no way I could complete this project in one week with my work schedule.

While Dad was away at work, I took the Jeep from his garage. When asked where the heck his Jeep went, I told him I needed to borrow it for a while. He is confused right now, especially since I did not ask him...I just took it.

Thank you to all that helped with the overall plan for the Jeep. You can see that in this thread:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/help-me-surprise-dad-his-his-lj-build-731710/

Here is the Jeep the day I took it home with only 5,600 miles on her:

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Edit:

The next post asked what the plan was...good thought:

Teraflex 3T 3" lift with adjustable lower monster control arms
Teraflex Adjustable track bar and disconnects
305/70/16 Goodyear MTR tires
Rampage front recovery bumper with driving lights
Rampage rear recover bumper with swing away tire carrier and rear driving lights
Jeeperman (yes, Jeeperman...i got a set new) LJ rock sliders
Superwinch EPI 9000 Winch

Total so far...$5,200 for build.

[jeff83]

so what is the plan?

Total parts list

[RnEmOvr]

and what is your time frame now?

[SB99TJ]

I already have the rear lift in. I need to leave town to MOAB for a few days of wheeling, but will return next week to continue on it.

Here are the pics of the rear lift going in:

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My 6 year old son tightening up the rear track bar bracket:

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Here it is with the rear lift. It will settle a little once I install the rear bumper/tire carrier and the 33" tire. Currently, it's up 3.5-4" in the rear.

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[SB99TJ]

I added the build list on the first post. The time frame now, first week of May for completion. We will be giving Dad the run-a-round on this. He should get pretty fired up by May.

[Apex]

you should be able to get this done in under 2 weeks even on a busy schedule

[azcoyote]

Subscribed and excited....

[SB99TJ]

Time for a little update. I have been busy working on the Jeep and have run into a little problem with vibration. I will get into that more later...I only have a few minutes here before dinner.

Here are some new pics of the build:


Front lift installed:
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Front Bumper:
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Sliders:
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Rear Bumper:
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[SB99TJ]

Here is the Lift, Bumpers, Sliders and new tires:

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More to come later

[DixiesCJ3B]

Thats awesome

I know that my dad would have flipped out if i just took his jeep and then had it for a couple of weeks

Your a good kid

[Jeepster83]

looking pretty good.

[jtpaintball70]

Looks nice! I'm looking at those bumpers for when I get my YJ. Nice to see them on a rig.

[SB99TJ]

Thanks...and Dad is getting impatient now. It's like an episode of Overhaulin...but a month long.

I have run into a pretty big snag with the project. I have installed lots of these 3" kits on TJ's and one LJ with NO problems. Of course, on my Dad's, I have a steering issue and a vibration issue.

Vibration:

After the lift, I had a substantial driveline vibe. I tried to isolate it by removing the front D-shaft and confirmed i had a light vibe from the rear.

Almost $500 later, with a new rear CV shaft it felt better. Put the front shaft in, Vibe is back. I tired adjusting the arms shorter, reducing the caster to bring the pinion in line...that did not work. I have close to 30 hours of tinkering to get this problem resolved without any success.

Steering:

I have tightened and tightened everything in the steering system. The track bar is dead on perfect. The toe is set perfect and the caster is at 5.5 on the right, 5.3 on the left..confirmed by lazer alignment that a friend did in my presence, so I know the numbers were not altered.

When driving around on highway...you can steer with the pinky...go 45 mph and hit a pot hole, the steering wheel shakes back and forth like the beginning of death wobble, then recovers without fully engaging in the DW. It feels like the steering wheel is on a spring and bounces back and forth after hitting a pot hole. The Jeep shimmy's a little, then recovers.

I can't find the problem. I torqued the Axle side of the track bar to 75 ft lb...no luck. I tightened everything under the front, no luck. I had someone turn the wheel back and forth looking for something loose...it's all tight.

I gave up after 30 hours of work. My kids miss dad...so it's time to pass the Jeep over to the experts to fix the vibe and steering. I drop it off tomorrow at Predator 4WD.

[RogueSpear2023]

I have a similar steering issue to you, and around the same speed, but mine is intermittent it comes and goes, my jeep is pretty much stock, no suspension lift, and it all starter after I rotated the tires. I'm going to try new steering stabilizer and see that fixes it. I have been dealing with this issue for months and no one a JF can give me any advice other than stuff I have already checked and rechecked, I have tightened everything, and balanced the tires and nothing has fixed it. I tell you what happens after I change the steering stabilizer. I'm at a loss and so are three very qualified mechanics.

[nmj48]

Roguespear 2023, I have read that a damaged tire (ex.shifted belt)can cause this, I am sure your mechanics would have already done the following but if not, i would rotate your tires again and see if the vibe is still there,if the vibe is gone than its your tires, i would also check the torgue (sp)on your lug nuts should be 85-110ft/lbs(from 04/05 TJ FSM)
sorry for hijack