Nth Degree Tummy Tuck - TJ

DC Plasterer · 01-12-2006, 08:20 PM

How many have the Nth Degree TT on their TJ or LJ? Please check in and offer your opinions...

Any transfer case issues?

Any rattles?

Any driveshaft issues when combined with a lift?

Best modification you ever did?

Shout out and let's here the good, the bad and the ugly, if there are any!

**Varnish** · 01-12-2006, 11:18 PM

I just finished the install this week but haven't gone for the first cruise yet, so I can only post about the install at this point. Figured I'd at least do that since the thread was going down. Still need to finish up a couple other things before going for a spin so can't really answer a lot on the important stuff. I'm putting it on my '98 4.0 Auto which doesn't have a body lift, your newer TJ install might be different and there were several notes about the various years in the instructions. Its a tight fit no doubt w/o the body lift. I ended up spending more time tweaking the catalytic converter location just right as I did on the entire rest of the install. If I had a body lift it would have been a VERY simple install, although maybe the 4wd shifter wouldn't of been so smooth then, don't know.

My only issue was the front top edge of the catalytic converter was being pushed into the heat shield below the body. The instructions mention this as a possibility. I found the instructions to be very good. I had to tweak the exhaust bar hanger that attaches to the transmission mount to get it to lower down just a tad, we're talking 1/4" clearance on top right now and about 3/4" below, thats the kinda window I had to work in, I'm gonna test drive it at this. I did replace a rear rubber exhaust hanger to remove a bunch of freeplay in my exhaust that wasn't helping. I've still got some room to move down a tad but the instructions only mention 1/4" clearance as a minimum and after dropping/bending/test fitting about 6-7 times I was ready to be done - thats one heavy mutha. I'm pretty sure the engine torque goes to the passenger side anyways so if anything it should move downward not upward. The skid does deflect slightly when jacking from the middle so I actually had to bolt it up for each test fit rather than just jack it into place.

Other than that the install was real straight forward and went smooth, now its on to hoping no vibe issues. I've got 3.5-4" of lift and installed an AA SYE/17.5" RE driveshaft at the same time, we'll see how she drives hopefully this weekend. Just need to weld on my new shock shifter mounts and possibly the kilby skid but we'll see if I can hold out on the test drive as the skid can certainly wait. I plan on posting a write up.

This is the exhaust bar I had to repeatedly bend, it is real thick and I don't have a torch, so what I did was cut it about 2/3 the way through, make my bend, weld it up, and then do a test fit. I actually ended up doing a slight S curve sorta thing so that as the bracket was lowered toward the skid to lower the pipe it still maintained enough clearance on the bottom. Took a while.

Rear clearance, you can tell they measured stuff just right as the skid turns up and ends just as the stock muffler starts and clearance here wasn't an issue.

Closer view of the back of the skid & pipe/muffler tight fit.

This shows the skid's internal braces and how they fit just around the cat. Again, I think I've got decent clearance here thanks to the nice fit, only a problem at the top front.

This is looking toward the front of the jeep at the lowest portion of the transfer case, they say this is where to watch your clearance most. I'm just at the 1/4" minimum.

Top driver's side of the tcase, I'm gonna rotate this bracket a tad more to keep it from rubbing the tub as it is just touching now. The clearance for the harnass at the top is similarly close.

Here's what instructions suggest for relocating the transfer case shifter, seems to work ok as I move the positions. You just relocate the green grommet down about an inch.

..and the money shot.

Like I said, we'll see in the next few days how it drives, hoping no issues but I won't be surprised if it needs a few tweaks more.

KnetAZ · 01-12-2006, 11:23 PM

I have about 20k miles on mine. Solid as hell. Took a little bit of adjusting on the tranny mount to get it so it wasn't contacting anything, I spaced it up 3 washers, no big deal.

I have been running it on an RE 3.5 and a Tom Woods double cardan DS. Makes for a very solid combo. It was a little pricey, I got one of the early ones, and was interesting to install. Not much wasted space after installing one of these.

Easily the best single mod I did.

Oman Jeep · 01-13-2006, 01:38 AM

I didn't realise how close the muffler is...

Anyone running the Nth skid with the Banks Muffler? Any issues?

DC Plasterer · 01-13-2006, 07:37 AM

Varnish,

It is people like you that make this forum so terrific. What a detailed write-up, you just turned a simple inquery into a must read thread for anyone contemplating installing the TT.

I am anxious to hear how it does on your real world trials, as well as from anyone else who has had either trouble or flawless success with the system.

Thanks again

**RedRubiconLJ** · 01-13-2006, 07:45 AM

Nice Job Varnish. Thanks for the info.

If you end up having clearance issues will you get a BL? I want to do this without a BL but if it ends up having to be, so be it.

bfr · 01-13-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRubiconLJ

Nice Job Varnish. Thanks for the info.

If you end up having clearance issues will you get a BL? I want to do this without a BL but if it ends up having to be, so be it.

I think the dimensions of our t-case (241) will pretty much require a BL

**Bigbob** · 01-13-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarefootRubi

I think the dimensions of our t-case (241) will pretty much require a BL

The rubi model of the Nth has a bulge where the TC hangs down. According to the website there is no need for a BL. Bob

**numchuck** · 01-13-2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Plasterer

Varnish,

It is people like you that make this forum so terrific. What a detailed write-up, you just turned a simple inquery into a must read thread for anyone contemplating installing the TT. Thanks again

ditto .

**RedRubiconLJ** · 01-13-2006, 08:38 AM

With this tummy tuck, If you wanted to use the Nth LA kit is this the same TT that comes in the kit or would you have to take this off and use a different one?

**mdm** · 01-13-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRubiconLJ

With this tummy tuck, If you wanted to use the Nth LA kit is this the same TT that comes in the kit or would you have to take this off and use a different one?

From the information in this chart, I'd say it is the same skid provided in the LA kit.

JPJeeper · 01-13-2006, 08:56 AM

I have been told by Nth... that they will sell the LA kit without the Transfercase skid and remove the retail value from the price...

That is about 485.00 less than full kit.

**Flatbroke** · 01-13-2006, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRubiconLJ

With this tummy tuck, If you wanted to use the Nth LA kit is this the same TT that comes in the kit or would you have to take this off and use a different one?

it is the same TT that comes in the kit. If you decided to use the LA kit, you would need to removed the TT to add the subframe brackets and then re-install the TT.

I think the TT is great/. I do not have a body lift, and I have no adverse issues.

**RedRubiconLJ** · 01-13-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigbob

The rubi model of the Nth has a bulge where the TC hangs down. According to the website there is no need for a BL. Bob

If you were to do a BL and or a MML to push up the TC, could you get away with using the Non rubi skid to avoid the added bulge?
I really want to go LA but Im skeered to cut off the ca brackets.

That is what is holding up my build up. I have to decide which lift I want first.
I need to email Nth and ask some other q's I have.

VegasJeep · 01-13-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRubiconLJ

If you were to do a BL and or a MML to push up the TC, could you get away with using the Non rubi skid to avoid the added bulge?
I really want to go LA but Im skeered to cut off the ca brackets.

That is what is holding up my build up. I have to decide which lift I want first.
I need to email Nth and ask some other q's I have.

That sound slike a logical concern. I wonder if we could do that.

01-13-2006, 01:38 AM	#4
Oman Jeep Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Posts: 4,794 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I didn't realise how close the muffler is... Anyone running the Nth skid with the Banks Muffler? Any issues? __________________ 2001 TJ Sport AEV Highline Fender Conversion 35 x 12.50 R15 STTs on 3" lift, 4.56 & Ected Rear ARB Tire Carrier & Road Armor Front Bumper HID Headlights & AMP Research Retractable Side Steps CLICK for more info....

01-13-2006, 07:37 AM	#5
DC Plasterer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 71 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Varnish, It is people like you that make this forum so terrific. What a detailed write-up, you just turned a simple inquery into a must read thread for anyone contemplating installing the TT. I am anxious to hear how it does on your real world trials, as well as from anyone else who has had either trouble or flawless success with the system. Thanks again __________________ [FONT=Tahoma]Bill 2005 Rubi Unlimited - Sahara [B]632[/B]/1,000[/FONT] [URL=http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181207][COLOR=Olive][B]Rubicon Sahara Club Member[/B][/COLOR][/URL]

01-13-2006, 08:56 AM	#12
JPJeeper Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Alta Loma, CA Posts: 971 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have been told by Nth... that they will sell the LA kit without the Transfercase skid and remove the retail value from the price... That is about 485.00 less than full kit.