Tom95YJ's "The Smurf" Build.

It's been awhile since I updated. Since my last post my daily driver was hit and totaled so I was forced to get the Yj off the back burner and get on it again. I have replaced the Rc 4.5" X series springs with some 5" Bds springs. Massaged the rockers with a hammer and installed some Psc sliders which surprisingly fit well with the amount of damage on my rockers. I also fixed some rock rash on the tube fenders and changed up the paint scheme.

Just changed out my Rugged Ridge HD steering that I put on about 4 years ago. The tubing was great but the tierod ends kept needing replacement about once a year so I got sick of it . Since I work for Artec Industries I obviously went with our SK1403 1ton crossover steering. It contains 1.5" O.d. dom that's .250 wall. And JMX 7/8" heim that have steel races vs injection molded. As the old carpentry framers say measure 2x cut once. Well just to be for I measured 4 times. 2x a few months back and saved them to my phone. Then 2x the other day. Comparing my measurements tierod was spot on and the drag link was 1/16th short but from my original measuring but I had plenty of joint to make up for that. I had Corbyn @ artec weld it up since my welding I wouldnt trust it would look like something Micheal j Foxx would do. I had a pitman arm that was as already drilled out to 3/4 so I swapped them out. Then drilled the knuckles. I used a bit from napa it cut through them like butter. Then the fun began. Bolting it all up. After watching a few friends with crossover have their steering fall off I may have went a little over kill on making sure mine doesnt go anywhere. I used lock washers , red locktite, a grade 8 nut then a grade 8 nylock where I could and drilled through the nuts and bolts for a cotter pin. I know some of you will wonder why I'm still utk Its due to wheel clearance same for the passenger side not being double nutted. Overall feeling is amazing it steers like a go kart nice and tight and precise. No bumpsteer at all. And I am not running a steering dampener.

It has been a long time since I have updated this page. My build has been pretty stagnate I did swap the LSD in the 8.8 out for a Powertrax locker I will not recommend them at all 3 of the parts in the locker broke within 4 months and I only had a handful of trips on them with nothing hard . I have since Swapped out the LSD carrier and powertrax locker for a Yukon Grizzly locker which has been working out very well . I also swapped out the Hid headlights in favor for a set of Morimoto Sealed 6's they are brighter than the HID retrofits and have the same sharp cutoff pattern. A few weeks ago I did push the Jeep beyond its limits and flopped trying to save it from flopping but the front end washed out and tossed me over Luckily the Poison Spyder armor had served its purpose and took the kits Just leaving a little bit of scratches on the fenders . I am starting to collect parts for the build over the winter I am finally going to be going SOA Using Atlas Spring co springs, and some u bolt eliminator perches that allow for a small stretch I am getting from work . I am aiming for 1" front and 2" wheelbase stretch to keep stock (4600class ) comp legal so I can eventually compete locally . I already have the Discontinued Reid Racing D3001JL & D3001JR knuckles with artec arms and knuckle tie in bolts for Double sheer high steer, Along with the outer's from a 1974 Chevy K10 Pickup. I still need to get some Warn Premium hubs new pads and rotors to complete that . For wheels I am planning on some vison manx wheels custom painted with some adapters and spacers for the 8.8 and front to match the track width which will be just shy of JK track width.

I ordered some wheels for the build yesterday went with some 17x9 Dirtylife DT-9303's I didnt get the beadlock rings but I will be ordering them around the time I plan on getting the Tires. I'm thinking a 37x12.50 Km3 or Procomp Extreme MT. But as of right now I'm starting to save for the Springs.

3 of my 4 wheels showed up today. I had to rest one against the Yj to see how they look and man I am impressed.

Yesterday I rotated the tires and decided to test fit the new wheels. I can say I cant wait to get this thing done. I also keep having an issue with injector #5 clogging after cleanings so I just bought a set if bosch 4hole yellow tops.

It's been awhile since I updated. But I finally have everything for my soa conversion sans tires. I have ditched the tire carrier and armored the tailgate with some 6061 aluminum. And swapped out the sport bar for a family bar. Put my Corbeau seats on corbeau seat brackets which did lower the seat height about 3" also had some fun at ejs this year. Picked up a trailgear cage and some tubes from trail tubes to finish off the rear cage. I had also picked up a sterling 10.5 to bubuilded planning a 05+ SD 60 for the front for the next phase .