[Omelet]

I gave her a good bath. She was dirty! Plus I had a new badge for her to wear

 

[Omelet]

It was time for a little more suspension modification! In my hunt to continue pushing the OME lift I had a new batch of goodies for her. I installed the OME HD coils up front but not in the rear yet, so I did that here. I had done some measuring and found that with a little bit of work I could run longer rear shocks. So I ordered up some SuperLift SuperRide shocks from Kolak. I didn't like the white shock body and yellow boots so I painted the shocks graphite and had Kolak also send me black boots.

Comparison to the OME.

OME rear shocks (PN: N190) extend out to 26" where as the SL shocks (PN: 88200) extend out to 28". So I could get 2 more inches of down travel by running these.

However! Before you go swapping longer shocks in, I had to do a few things. First I had to extend my break lines. I could have bought the SL brackets, but I am cheap and I had some steel sitting around. So I made my own!

And in case you haven't done it already, notch the gas tank skid so the UCA can drop down as far as possible.

Lastly, check the wires doing down to the diff (QDII) and if need be extend them. (You can see it in the track bar pic below)

In the effort to maximize flex and articulation I chose to swap out the sway bar links to a set of JKS quicker disconnects (PN: 2001) These are not a direct bolt in. You have to drill out the top eye to match the frame end bolt. I like these links because they are adjustable, the ends are rubber ball joints that will flex with the suspension, and they are greasable. I adjusted them out to the same length as the Rusty's ones.

To keep the axle center I installed the Rusty's Adjustable Track Bar (PN: RC-TB732-WK) and adjusted it .5" longer than the stock one.

Last thing was bumpstops. I fixed the front, so now to fix the rear. I used a pair of 2" PVC couplings (chopped them down to 1.5" long) and got longer bolts. I painted the couplings so they weren't white and put them in. These fixed the rubbing issue in the rear for all but the extreme stuffs.

 

[Omelet]

Some rear drop shots!

For comparison. Yours truly standing at a modest 5'11" The tire is just about to lift off the ground here.

And one while killing some time at work trying not to roll into the Lexus next to me! Pay no attention to the random spectator

 

[Omelet]

I wanted to start a light collection so I started looking around. I got into the LED off road lights, loving how much light output such a small unit could achieve. After some research I decided on the Rigid Industries Duallys. So I went and talked to a buddy at the local 4WheelParts. He told me that the D2s were just released and he could get me a killer deal on a set. After some convincing to spend a little bit more money I paced an order for a set of D2s in the amber combo pattern for $300. Unfortunately they did not have any yet, but where expecting the first shipment the following week. A week later I got the call and picked them up!

I was quite excited! These things were beautiful!

 

[Omelet]

I decided to mount them to the Matrix for the time being. It wasn't the ideal place, but it worked for now until I could make other plans.

 

[Omelet]

Some quick night shots!

 

[Jvenrick]

WOW, its amayzing how much you have done. Your WK is awesome. Great job!! Cant wait to read more!

 

[Omelet]

Thanks Bud! It has been a very long and constant project

 

[Omelet]

As I mentioned earlier I wasn't happy with the mounting placement. I had learned that living here in North Mexico meant nothing with exposed bolts was safe. All it took was for the guy parking next to you at Walmart to see the expensive lights sitting there and decide he wanted them more than you. So I had to devise a plan. I thought of tack welding the bottom of the bolt so the nut wouldn't come off, but that meant I couldn't take them off if I wanted to without cutting the bolt. Plus if you notice the allen bolts going in the sides, you pull those out and the light comes right off the mount. So my plan was to flush mount them into the grill. I wasn't too sure I would like the look, but I did it anyway! Worst case, I didn't like it and then I needed to replace the grill inserts (something I wanted to do anyway).

So I pulled the grill off, bent up a couple of brackets, welded them in place, drilled mounting holes, and mounted the lights!

Man look at all that space behind the bumper :shhh: . . .

 

[Omelet]

All that was left was to cut the gill openings and pop the grill back in place.

It didn't look too bad! Though it would look better with maybe three more in the center

 

[Omelet]

Unfortunately since I mounted them up side down the logo was now up side down. Luckily I learned from Rigid that I could unscrew and flip the face so they look right side up. I just haven't done it yet

One of these days I will actually flip the face around and order a couple of black covers for them!

 

[Omelet]

I drove up and had a casual day of wheeling with my Dad and Hoaxci5 at Ballinger Canyon.

 

[Omelet]

 

[Omelet]

And thanks to Jake I got a new wallpaper for my phone! :thumbsup:

I went back out later that night with my Dad for some night wheeling.

 

[Omelet]

Scored a used set of Fox 2.0 shocks for $260!

:bacon:

 

[Omelet]

I finally got around to refurbishing my Hi-Lift jack. I bought this thing years ago and it had been bolted to the rear bumper of my XJ until recently. I tore it down, sanded it, primed it, painted it, and put it all back together. I also sprayed the foot with bedliner to give it a little more grip.

A side by side of what it looked like before, and after I finished with the paint.

And once reassembled!

Good as New! :2thumbsup:

 

[Omelet]

I wasn't too thrilled with the SL shocks and the control they provided. I am sure they are great with their coils, but the OME HD coils along with the added weight I had seemed to over power the shocks allowing the rear end to bob after hitting a big bump or dip. So I decided I needed something I could customize to my liking. That is when I scored a set of 11" travel Fox 2.0 remote reservoir shocks. I love the fact that they are rebuildable so you can replace any part if it wears out instead of having to buy new shocks. Also the fact that you can fine tune them to any setup was a big plus. They had the same extend length as the SL shocks at 28" so I knew they would fit nicely. They came with spherical ball joint ends so I grabbed a set of bushing ends to use on the frame end and keep the joints on the axle end. This way the axle will still flex well, but they would still provide some cushion for vibrations.

I had to use some spacers and a couple of washers to get them to fit right in the shock mounts. Once bolted it I situated the reservoir and checked my clearances.

I rapped the top SS hose with some heater hose to keep it from rubbing on the frame. It wasn't rubbing yet, but it was close. Better safe than sorry!

With the tire back on, the shocks are just visible.

And there was plenty of clearance from the tire.

 

[Omelet]

Of course I had to go test them out!

 

[Omelet]

If I remember correctly the valving I ended up at was 30/60, but I will have to check to make sure

 

[JeepMDHemi]

Wow just wow..... Great job nate I'm ready to see the WK in a magazine somewhere. The flex shots are amazing.