[Kedive]

Nice build man It is looking pretty good I wish that I had a garage to do some of this stuff to my own vehicle. How long till you figure you will be able to take it for a spin?

[-sean-]

IF the springs settle, it won't be that much. You may want to address the height issue (if your not satisfied with it) now before getting everything dialed in. Which springs (part numbers) did they sell you? Are the RE or PC?

[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by -sean-

IF the springs settle, it won't be that much. You may want to address the height issue (if your not satisfied with it) now before getting everything dialed in. Which springs (part numbers) did they sell you? Are the RE or PC?

TnT says they are 3.5" springs. They are RE springs which will yield closer to 4" I know. Besides the fact there is less weight than normal on the springs (no gas, no rear bumper, no spare, no gas....), the other thing I thought of was that I was supporting the front half of the jeep with jack stands located near where the front factory control arms mount (see photo above). Because of that, less of the jeep weight was supported by the rear than will normally be. When taking the photo I also had the camera low (I was on my knees) which makes it look taller. I think it is the combination of these things that make it appear so high. Either way, once I get my brake kit on and can let the entire jeep sit on the tires I will take another look at it and post photos for comments. If still high at that point I will get with TnT.

[silvergoat]

Originally Posted by YJ_eep1189

Im so upset that TNT doesnt make YJ suspension lifts now that I see all the great stuff your doing to your TJ.

They do make a YJ kit.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by Kedive

Nice build man It is looking pretty good I wish that I had a garage to do some of this stuff to my own vehicle. How long till you figure you will be able to take it for a spin?

Thanks - yea I would say that a garage would be a must. I thought I would have it done by now but I estimate that I am not going to be driving around for another 4-6 weeks. Part of that time I will be in Mexico though.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Not much new to report on.

Regarding my rear window wiper motor problem - I decided not to move my rear cross bar up as I am not sure I liked it there from the passenger's standpoint. When sitting in the back seat, it seemed like it would be closer to your head so I decided to trim the motor cover. Was easy to do, is not noticeable and looks fine.




While waiting for my knuckles, pitman arm and brake kit I though I would get a head start on the steering and install the front track bar. Well as you can see in the photos, it was way to long. I called TnT and sure enough, the sent me the wrong one. In addition to that, they said that the frame mounted bracket that I installed has to be taken back off along with the stock frame welded track bar mount. One more thing to deal with. They said that they would send it right out to me so I can have the new bracket welded on along with the outboard shock kit next week when I drop the Jeep off at a shop.





Lastly, I put the rear tires back on again and moved the front jack stands all the way to the front. This allowed the Jeep's weight be distributed normally and it seems like the rear sits a little lower now.

[YJ_eep1189]

Originally Posted by silvergoat

They do make a YJ kit.

If they do it's not on their website, I already checked. And that link you put up doesnt have any either.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by YJ_eep1189

If they do it's not on their website, I already checked. And that link you put up doesnt have any either.

Make a phone call - ask for Bob

In the mean time look at this.
http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=91564&highlight=yj+rebuild

[Idaho-Jeep]

As promised, I received my Van Co. Brake kit today! As mentioned earlier, mrblaine reamed out the knuckles, TRE and pitman arm for me. Here is a photo of the kit plus my TREs.



The brake kit was fairly easy to install. I followed the provided directions and also used a write up at Stu's site. http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspension/vancobigbrake/bigbrake-1.htm

Here I have reinstalled the new knuckles and my original shafts.



Before the larger rotors that come with the kit can be installed, the unit bearing (round steel plate that the rotors mount over) edge needs to be ground down. I had my son turned the opposite side while I held the grinder on the edge. In this manner I ground off the required amount - because it was being turned, I was able to take off a consistent amount all way around - it looks really good - hard to see from photo.



The directions instructed that I install the shims and brake pads, but neither the instructions nor the write up showed how the shims go into the calipers. It took me a while to figure it out but I think I got it right.



I then installed the yellow stuff brake pads and rotors. You can see a light film of rust on the new rotors - this is desired, as you are supposed to wash them off using soap and water until a film of rust forms. After the rotors, I installed the calipers.



Next I installed my tie rod and drag link. (forgot to take photos). I have not received my new track bar yet so I used straps going both directions to secure the axle side to side so I can get the Jeep onto the trailer tomorrow. The jeep is finally sitting on four tires again! With no shocks yet, it is quite bouncy - I am going to need to be sure to strap it down pretty good to the trailer.

Here she is!

[NikVallens]

Could you get a shot that shows how far the TNT belly pan hangs down? Is it the same as their high clearance skid?

[sixshooter05]

Wow, that's a great lookin Jeep !!

[wick913]

That has got to be the best looking jeep in Idaho.. Flipin perrfect.. Hope welding gos as planed with no snags. Have you left for the ten day trip, or do we now have to wait?

[Zew]

This build is so sick. Probably my most favorite on this forum. I love the quality of work and how anal you are about things. Making sure everything is exactly right.

Put a V8 in that bad bwoy!

[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by thedirt

Congratulations! It's looking better now with the weight back on the axles. When you get the spare on the back and gas in the tank, please post another photo. I'm curious to see how much the rear settles.

Thanks. Yea, I agree - does not look quite so tall. I will take many photos after I get it all back together.

Originally Posted by NikVallens

Could you get a shot that shows how far the TNT belly pan hangs down? Is it the same as their high clearance skid?

Yea - I will post photos once I get it on. Right now I have left the belly pan off since there is still work to be done and it would be in the way. It is high clearance belly but it is not flat across like some skids. I think it gives about 1.5" more clearance than the stock skid.

Originally Posted by sixshooter05

Wow, that's a great lookin Jeep !!

Originally Posted by wick913

That has got to be the best looking jeep in Idaho.. Flipin perrfect.. Hope welding gos as planed with no snags. Have you left for the ten day trip, or do we now have to wait?

Originally Posted by Zew

This build is so sick. Probably my most favorite on this forum. I love the quality of work and how anal you are about things. Making sure everything is exactly right. Put a V8 in that bad bwoy!

Thanks guys!

[Idaho-Jeep]

So when I got home yesterday I bled the brakes - had never done this before but it was quite easy. I just followed the steps on Stu's site. http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspension/bleed/brakebleed.htm I grabbed my 13 year old and had him help me.

Then it was time to fire her up. I checked and rechecked to make sure nothing in the engine bay was lose. Made sure the fan would not hit anything etc... I zip tied any lose wires (still have not got my LEDs wired yet). Everything looked good so I turned the key. WOW - without the muffler and cat it sounds like a dragster! As I expected it was loud but actually sounded kinda nice - in a mean way. I don't have a rear drive shaft, so I put her in 4 low and slowly let the clutch out, she did not want to move. Something was wrong! Crap! I checked a few things and didn't know what was wrong. I put it in neutral and could not budge the jeep. I jacked the rear up and the tires turned easily. Jacked up the front and the tires would NOT move. Uh oh... For a second I thought I damaged the gears or something... I turned the rotors easily the night before when I was installing the brakes. I took the tires back off and and everything spun easily again. After looking over things a little closer (something I should have done before...) I realized the inside brake pad was clamping on to the rotor when the tires were on and torqued. Called Vanco and sure enough they sent me the wrong spacers. CRAP! I really needed to get this thing on the trailer so I could take it to the shop before I leave on my trip. Vanco is sending me out new (shorter) spacers but I needed a fix now, so I decided to grind down the spacers I had.

After about an hour of grinding and then test fitting over and over I finally got the right amount (or close to) taken off so the brakes were not locking up when the tires were torqued down.

After all that, I started her back up and backed it out of the garage. (by the way - no "check engine light"!!) The steering and suspension is all screwy since none of it has been adjusted yet (and I have no front track bar...) so it was very bizar to move around. I went very slow, just creeping out of the garage. Then I pulled the jeep slowly up onto the trailer without problem. She sits on a trailer bound for Boise now across the street from my office. I will drop it off later today to have some work done as described before. It is nice to see it outside again. I just can't wait to get behind the wheel on a trail. Next update will be in about 2 weeks after I get back from working on an orphanage in Mexico.