Rather than make a different thread for my current build, I'll recycle this one. The JKU was sold a couple of years ago now. Just didn't really care for it, didn't feel like a Jeep should.
Shortly before selling it, I picked up a 87 YJ with factory drivetrain (4.2, BA10/5, D35 rear and D30 front). It had factory SUA and springs, 31's and a 2" body lift.
I drove it a while all over Texas after fixing a couple of oil leaks and doing the nutter bypass. Ran very smooth and well. I've wanted a YJ for a lot of years. I've had a jeep of one form or another continuously since I was 17, and this is my 1st YJ.
My original plan was to grab a 4BT from a buddy that's been holding for me. I sold off the drivetrain in preparation. Another 'friend' had a 2003 Silverado that he learned had a crack in the block. I found a 5.3 vortec pullout that came with a slightly chopped harness and pcm for $400 with 165k miles on it. Long story short, he stuck me with the engine, so rather than stare at it or try to get my $ back selling it, figured I'd save the 4BT for a Jeep truck project and use the vortec for the YJ.
I ran across a free front D44 out of a 76 f250. LP (flame if ya want, idc), but I remembered a few folks posting about using GM iterations in their builds on another well-known forum and figured I'll just use it on mine. Those guys used the Jana kit to put newer style JK 44 rear gears and carrier into their front LP D44. They've been running them successfully for some time now, and it's relatively different.
I also picked up a D60 rear with it, also free and was 'required' in order to get the free front D44. It had a cracked carrier, some broken teeth on the ring and pinion, and unknown to anybody at the time stripped spindle threads on one side. Sold that to someone in the next town over for $75, and got a 14 bolt from a 2004 2500 for $175 delivered to my driveway complete from rotor to rotor, even including the parking brake cables. One rotor has seperated, so most likely that caliper needs replacing...just gonna do em both and be done with it.
Got some H2 wheels from someone in Austin for $250 (4 wheels) in pristine condition, not that I really cared too much, and I recouped $75 on fleabay by selling the center caps that were in perfect condition.
I picked up a 4l60e complete good core out of a 2000 Silverado, and a Np231c-HD from a s10. Haven't opened it up yet for rebuild and SYE to check the planetary, but even if it's a 4 pinion I have the jeeps original TC still and can scavenge 2 more from it's planetary and make the gm version a 6. Also picked up the gm adapter for $25 to my door.
Also picked up some leaf spring sliders for it. I've never ran them or been in a jeep with them.
Here's some pre-surgery pics. Btw I love driving it, kinda conflicted about getting rid of the 4.2 for nostalgia sake...but it's way too late now lol.