Silverjeep LJ LCG Jeep build journal - Page 8

silverjeep · 12-14-2010, 08:07 PM

So here's some pics of my homemade lower control arms. I used 1.75 OD .25 wall DOM tubing and 2.5" johnny joints. They were not nearly as cheap to build as I had hoped. The only reason I build them was for fun, pride and to later recycle the parts for a long arm (Maybe). If your looking for cheap and need to purchase everything to build these just save yourself the time and buy the Rokmen ones.

I originally planned to use this set on the Lower Rears but a bent front control arm is forcing me to do the front lowers first.

The goal is to have all new lowers and rear uppers for the Texas Spur Jeep Jamboree. Along with my sye, UCF skid, 1ton Steering and CV driveshaft. With my super tight budget I will need the next few months to get this done.

They still need to get welded and installed but you get the idea. I'll update once they are installed.Now some pics. Plug weld holes are on the side and not seen.

JJeeper09 · 12-14-2010, 09:19 PM

Arms look great! Great built you got going on!

Really like the black highlines! making me think i should just save money and go black

silverjeep · 12-18-2010, 04:51 PM

Finally got the front lower control arms welded and installed. We also installed some Currie Mini Skids on the stock brackets to protect the Johnny Joints and for strength. I am very happy how these came out. They are night and day better on road. Feel firm and in control. Here's some pics.

silverjeep · 12-18-2010, 04:52 PM

Mini Skids

silverjeep · 12-31-2010, 03:35 PM

A few weeks ago the Pres of my Jeep club had 3 driveshafts he was taking to the scrap yard. I ask him if I could see them since he had them in the back of his truck. Sure enough there was one that matched what I needed for my CV driveshaft. He gave it to me for free. Bonus for being part of a club.

I took the shaft in to a local shop and they said it was bent but could salvage a strait part of the shaft since my shaft only needed to be 25.5" total length. 89 bucks later, I came home with this beauty.

silverjeep · 12-31-2010, 03:48 PM

So after having one unsuccessful skid install, I saved for a JB Conversions SYE kit. I got a almost free driveshaft and had my skid ready to install again. After talking to a few club members we figured I would be ok without the adjustable rear upper control arms. Since I have an LJ with extra length.

Installing the SYE was not to difficult but running around finding tools to remove the balancer from the stock setup was a PIA. I spend a day battling with getting this on and installed into my jeep.

Next day I re-installed my UCF Lo Pro Mount. No big deal right? Wrong. Once it was installed and we mocked up the skid, nothing fit right? This was weird since I had it installed with a 1" drop before. Loosing the 1" spacers really messed up everything lining up. To make things worse, the freaking skid fell of my jack and crushed my thumb between the frame and the skid.

After some xrays the doc said my thumb wasn't broken so back to work I went.

By now I was frustrated beyond belief, I had to call in the big guns via my friend Alex. Alex showed up with more tools than I have in my garage. I just stepped back and watch the master work.

We had to redrill mounting holes in the skid to get it to fit. I wasn't happy about this!!!! The skid had to be pushed back 3/4" to get the Lo Pro Mount to line up.

silverjeep · 12-31-2010, 04:04 PM

Things I didn't like about the install:

1. My exhaust needs to be addressed. It's basically being pushed up by the skid. I'm thinking of eliminating the 3rd cat and using a smaller muffler to allow a strait pipe through the skid area. At least it doesn't rattle.

2. My shifter is so far forward that my knuckles hit the dash in 1st, 3rd and 5th. The only way to fix this is to heat up the shifter and bend it.

3. Having to re-drill the holes to get the bolt on skid to line up.

It took a bunch of work to get everything installed. Over all I am very pleased with the clearance. For me this was NOT a bolt in install. I can't wait to try this on the trail next month.

Here's some pics of my JB Conversions SYE and UFC Skid installed:

silverjeep · 12-31-2010, 04:06 PM

More pics::

acash4 · 01-01-2011, 10:50 AM

Your jeep looks great! I like that rear cutout shape. I believe these pictures probably just pushed me over the edge of cutting them up.

Jtrux · 01-01-2011, 12:06 PM

MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML...

There I said it.

skydizzle · 01-01-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtrux

MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML MML...

There I said it.

Hey do you think he should do a MML?

silverjeep · 01-02-2011, 09:50 AM

He was even going to give me a free motor mount lift. He likes MML.

I'm holding out for a Brown Dog MML.

UCTJ · 01-02-2011, 10:29 AM

Im still inclined to agree with Josh on a MML. Seems to me that you were off by the same amount a MML would give you. I have one had it for years no issues and it took me 20 minutes to install my UCF skid.

silverjeep · 01-16-2011, 04:27 PM

After installing my UCF skid, my CAT was being pushed up by the skids inner brace. This was causing CAT to being crushed between the skid and tub. At first it wasn't that big of a deal but the vibes got old quick!!!!!!

Once I got to the parts store, I ended up buying parts to build a total new exhaust. Including a Cherry Bomb Glasspack for 30 bucks. For the price, I figured I'd try it out. Plus, it was much smaller than my old factory muffler and less likely to get hit on rocks.

The plan was: the CAT will be moved forward right before the skid, add a smaller bullet style muffler under the skid and a dump right were the rear control arm bracket is.

I used clamps for most of the tube connections but ended up having someone weld the dump to the muffler. We ran out of adapters and didn't want to go to the store. The stock hangers were recycled and welded to the frame.

With the new smaller muffler under the skid. I have a huge empty space where the muffler used to be and no chance of exhaust damage.

We were all very pleased with the inexpensive Cherry Bomb Mufflers sound on my I6. Best of all this mod cost less than 60 bucks.

I still need to paint but here's some pics.

**Imped** · 01-16-2011, 04:34 PM

Nice man. I've also got to do some exhaust work after mounting my flat skid directly to the frame.