[JEEP_Nut1218]

It seems like whenever I'm reading through other jeeper's builds on here, I want to see more pictures and less text.
So I figure I should start my build and include tons of pics, as they really are worth a thousand words..

If you're just starting to read this, you might want to skip the first ten pages or so, it's pretty boring.

I bought "Irwin" the summer going into my junior year (2010). First vehicle and first manual :thumbsup: I am currently a sophomore at Michigan Tech (2014)

I like to do things myself and do them right so I only have to do them once. I won't be cutting any corners.

On a side note, the vast majority of things I've learned so far have come
from this forum. Thank you JF for being awesome :highfive:

Some specs when I first got it:
1990 YJ
5 speed manual
4 banger
3" shackle lift with stock springs by PO
30x9.5xR15 Toyo Open Country A/T
Pacer 15" wheels
115000 miles
Hardtop

BTW I'll update the first page to keep current with mods.

Current mods as of August 2012:

-BDS 3.5"

-Ford 8.8 with 4.10s and BTF Kryptonite diff cover

-Dana 30 with 4.10 and BTF Kryptonite diff cover

-Tom Woods CV drive shaft with Advance Adapters SYE kit

-Rebuilt AX5 Transmission

-MORE 5/8" Boomerang shackles in the rear

-33 x 12.5 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs

-15" Restored Pro Comp Wheels

-MetalCloak base front bumper with custom stinger

-Pro Comp base rear bumper with custom stinger and tire carrier

-VIAIR OBA system with 400C compressor, two gallon tank, and train horns

-Windshield mounted long range KC Daylighters

-Front bumper mounted KC Rally 800 with driving lense

-Restored hardtop with full steel doors

-Tan soft top

-Black Bikini, Jammer, Duster combo

-VDP Custom center console and custom sound bar.

What I started with:

Some of the things I've done:

May 22, 2011- BDS 3.5"

June 29, 2011- Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs 33x12.5x15

August 2011 Rust Repair

Crown stainless steel extended brake lines (November 2011)

Pro Comp Rear Bumper (December 2011)

Viair OBA system and train horns (March 2012)

MetalCloak front bumper (March 2012)

Ford 8.8

Tom Woods CV DS and AA SYE

Custom front stinger

Custom rear stinger and tire carrier

Restored Pro Comp wheels

As he sits now (October 2012)

 

[connor0770]

HOLY SHACKLE LIFT BATMAN!!!! Looks good though! Clean Jeep! Cant wait to see you build it! oh and welcome to the forum :wave:

 

[ncreptile]

HOLY SHACKLE LIFT BATMAN!!!! Looks good though! Clean Jeep! Cant wait to see you build it! oh and welcome to the forum :wave:

lmfao I just said the same exact thing in my head not a second before scrolling to your post.

Scary shackles but looks like it will be a fun jeep build.

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

hahaha thanks! Yes they are a little on the ridiculous side... It throws of the handling way more than it should (even with the skyjacker SS) the PO must not of cared too much.

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

VDP Sound Bar

I just installed the sound bar that I got for christmas (for the most part anyways)
The light in the center still needs to be wired in but thanks to the PO, my wiring is a nightmare :brickwall

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

^Sorry for the large images^. I'm hoping to install my new center console this weekend, should be pretty easy if all goes well..

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

Got the console in. Only took about an hour. I had to cut the carpeting but I think it looks/works good. I think that my seats are crooked though.. (pic 3)

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

Anyone have suggestions for a lift? like what is a good brand and what not. I already kno to stay away from pro comp. I've been looking at warrior, skyjacker, rubicon express, etc. they seem to be the best. Hoping to get a 4" +- .5 inch.

 

[ms198]

i don't know if rusty's makes a yj lift, but you might call them and see if they can. i bought my lift from them and it rode a lot better on the road and was an easy install. it included everything that i REALLY needed. I think yj's need a slip yoke eliminator but im not sure, and that would be something you would have to buy separate. otherwise it is a good product and i really liked it. if they don't or can't make one for you, i vote rubicon express.

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

Alright, I'll look into it. Thanks for the info. And yeah I think they need the SYE as well, either the t-case drop or an SYE and CV driveshaft.

 

[Yonco]

The center console looks great, almost to nice to put into a yj. The Black diamond 3.5 lift has got a lot of good reviews, and it is a tad cheaper than an OME or RE. Quadratec has it the BD kit. What are the 2 switched below your speedometer? My dash is just a blank space there.

 

[bft89yj]

hey man i just put on a rustys lift on mine and it came with everything i would recommend not to use those shackles get some currie boomerangs thats what i got and ditch the track bar stuff but the rustys kit is great i definitely recommend it. it will give you about four inches of lift plenty to clear 33s

 

[ChicoXJ]

When you are looking at lifts, there are two kinds basically. Spring over and spring under, or you can combine the two. There are kits for both. It is a good idea to compare spring rates when you shop. The less the spring rate, the nicer it will ride. However you do give up cornering when you do so. Personally, I am not a fan of shackle reversal, but I am sure some will disagree with me on that. They can ride a little nicer, but many times you have to get a long spline drive line to go with them. When you lift it, make sure you retain your track bar. It will keep you from having bump steer.

 

[bft89yj]

my kit came with a t dase drop and im using it for now till i get a cv and sye

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

Yonco- The center console looks great, almost to nice to put into a yj. The Black diamond 3.5 lift has got a lot of good reviews, and it is a tad cheaper than an OME or RE. Quadratec has it the BD kit. What are the 2 switched below your speedometer? My dash is just a blank space there.

Haha I thought the same thing.. Thanks though. Ok it seems like a solid brand. I'm doing some more in depth research for lifts now so hopefully it will clarify some things. There are actually 3 switches and one is rear window defrost (which doesn't work), one is rear wiper (works) and the other is fog lights i think (which i dont even have)? the label has worn off so I'm not entirely sure. You may not have them if you have a factory soft top, just a guess.

bft89yj- Hey man i just put on a rustys lift on mine and it came with everything i would recommend not to use those shackles get some currie boomerangs thats what i got and ditch the track bar stuff but the rustys kit is great i definitely recommend it. it will give you about four inches of lift plenty to clear 33s

Yeah i was definitely planing on ditching my current shackles, they are ridiculous lol. Do you like the boomerangs? I was looking at those too. Ok thanks for the info. I'll add rusty's to research list. And that's also what I want to do, 33" Duratracs.. speaking of that any opinions on them?

ChicoXJ- When you are looking at lifts, there are two kinds basically. Spring over and spring under, or you can combine the two. There are kits for both. It is a good idea to compare spring rates when you shop. The less the spring rate, the nicer it will ride. However you do give up cornering when you do so. Personally, I am not a fan of shackle reversal, but I am sure some will disagree with me on that. They can ride a little nicer, but many times you have to get a long spline drive line to go with them. When you lift it, make sure you retain your track bar. It will keep you from having bump steer.

I am going for just a 4" (+-.5) SUA. I dont want to get in to SOA. Do you mean that you would give up corning with SOA or with softer springs? I've heard different things about the track bar.. Anything is better than what it is now so I'll have to experiment a little. Thanks for the info.

bft89yj- my kit came with a t dase drop and im using it for now till i get a cv and sye

That's what I plan on doing also. I wouldn't have the $$$ for both at the same time.

 

[ChicoXJ]

I am going for just a 4" (+-.5) SUA. I dont want to get in to SOA. Do you mean that you would give up corning with SOA or with softer springs? I've heard different things about the track bar.. Anything is better than what it is now so I'll have to experiment a little. Thanks for the info.

Yes, with softer springs you give up cornering. But there is a trade off for a smoother ride and more articulation. Also, one mistake commonly made on SOA is using the top of the housing designed for a bump stop as a spring pad. The reason the springs seem softer with this arrangement is that the spring bends more in the middle that anywhere else. A good kit will have a weld on spring pad that is equal in length to the plate that bolts on with the u bolts. This also takes care of a lot of axle wrap. The track bar is not really necessary on a YJ like it is on the coil spring TJ, at least at slow speeds. What this does is keep you from having bump steer at road speeds and is particularly beneficial for a lifted rig. It does limit articulation however when hooked up. I think one of the slickest things I have seen is a collapsible bar that was from JKS I think. You just undo a bolt and it acts kind of like a shock absorber and then when you are done, you tighten it up. Best of both worlds. But if you are going for a spring under kit, you might want to check out Rubicon Express also. Rustys is cheaper on the retail price, but they really nail you on shipping and handling and more than make it up there. RE also has much better customer service.

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

Yes, with softer springs you give up cornering. But there is a trade off for a smoother ride and more articulation. Also, one mistake commonly made on SOA is using the top of the housing designed for a bump stop as a spring pad. The reason the springs seem softer with this arrangement is that the spring bends more in the middle that anywhere else. A good kit will have a weld on spring pad that is equal in length to the plate that bolts on with the u bolts. This also takes care of a lot of axle wrap. The track bar is not really necessary on a YJ like it is on the coil spring TJ, at least at slow speeds. What this does is keep you from having bump steer at road speeds and is particularly beneficial for a lifted rig. It does limit articulation however when hooked up. I think one of the slickest things I have seen is a collapsible bar that was from JKS I think. You just undo a bolt and it acts kind of like a shock absorber and then when you are done, you tighten it up. Best of both worlds. But if you are going for a spring under kit, you might want to check out Rubicon Express also. Rustys is cheaper on the retail price, but they really nail you on shipping and handling and more than make it up there. RE also has much better customer service.

Ok I understand. I kno basically what axle wrap is and that it's bad, but not specifically, could you explain? (I'm a n00b). Good to kno about RE/Rusty's. Where did you find the JKS track bar?

 

[ChicoXJ]

Ok I understand. I kno basically what axle wrap is and that it's bad, but not specifically, could you explain? (I'm a n00b). Good to kno about RE/Rusty's. Where did you find the JKS track bar?

Axle wrap is when the axle rotates under power. This changes ujoint angles and is common on leaf spring suspensions. If you already have a steep ujoint angle, like many YJs do anyway in the rear then you can rotate the axle enough under enough power when decelerating in low range to break a ujoint. The lower the spring rate, read softer ride) the more this is possible. One thing you can do and something I think is recommended is a slip yoke eliminator. This allows you to run a CV joint on the tcase end on a drive line that looks like this.

This will allow you to change your drivel line geometry from this

to this

Here is the link for the telescoping track bar

http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/m..._Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Trackbar_Components

 

[JEEP_Nut1218]

Alright I get it now. My angle isn't quite that sharp but it's close.. Hopefully I'll be able to get the SYE/CV soon after I get the lift and just deal with the T-case for the time being. Thanks

 

[ms198]

im not sure about rubicon express but if you buy rusty's, you are buying an american product. i don't know about you, but that was a big selling point for me. its an american vehicle, so don't ruin it with cheap chinese products.