bosco01xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lebanon, TN
Disregard my post. I noticed it started Aug of last year.
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Expedition Build ?s
- Thread starter LYKOS
- Start date
LYKOS
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bent Mountain Va
Hey ya'll I'm resurrecting this thread as I have actually had a little time and money to spend on the Jeep.
Issues postponed this a year. But I'm glad it did because it gave me a LOT of time to research and decide what the Jeep needs on my budget and what it doesn't for this type of trip.
First and foremost it needs to be reliable.
The Cooling system got an overhaul with am OEM radiator, water pump, hoses, t-stat and flush.
A set of hood vents are in the future. I figure with all the extra weight the engine will be working harder and any extra cooling will help. I may still pull the trigger on a CSF 3 row. Dunno yet.
The transmission got a B/M 13,000 BTU plate style cooler that bypasses the radiator altogether. (Yeah yeah I know there are all kinds of arguments against and for passing the radiator but I decided to go this route)
The rear 8.25 will most likely get a No slip lunchbox locker or a Trutrack is money allows. Id honestly rather have the LSD. It's not a hard core wheeler and the winch will hopefully get me out of anything I can't drive over.
The Suspension remains a Superlift 2.5 or 3" with rear AAL. The shocks were shot so I installed a set of Zone nitros and so far I'm happy with the ride. If this suspension doesn't hold up to the weight I'm going to spring for OME components.
The entire front end has been replaced. New tie rod and double shear adjustable track bar by Iron Rock Offroad, new TRE's, new UCA bushing, RE Superride Adjustable LCAs, New ball joints and wheel hubs...
I also have a HP D30 housing sitting in the back yard that will get a set of 4.56's and a Detroit LSD if money allows.
An Ebay front winch bumper was added and has already paid for itself with Bambi strikes. A Superwinch LP 8500 or Craigslist Winch will ride up front depending on which is the better deal when it's time to buy.
In the works is the wiring harness, I have yet to install, with Aux fuse boxes, a ton of relays and an extra battery and dual battery isolator. As with the mechanicals reliability is the key to a cross country drive.
I still need to instal the rear ZJ seats so I can map out the rear storage based on the the split rear configuration.
A new set of Kicker 6.5 coax speakers have went in the doors and rear sound bar.
It's riding on 31" BFG AT's and IF, and thats a big IF, I change tire size I will pop for a set of 32" 11.50" KM2's. 32" 11.50 seem a good compromise of more tire vs. availability. I don't want the 33/12.50.
The back bumper will most likely be a Dirtbound unit. I'm waiting to see what their tire carrier looks like. But I really like their unibody mounting system.
An IRO HnT SYE (I like being able to take it off one T Case and put it on another with little hassle. In case something breaks on the road.) is on the way.
All in all I want the Jeep to be as reliable and over bilt as possible. Hence the IRO tie rod and RE LCAs new components etc. I don;t want stock parts failing because I got froggy and decided to go somewhere I maybe shouldn't have. It may seem overkill for the 31's or even a 32" tire but I'd rather have that piece of mind.
So this is what's went on and what is in the works. Actually not a lot remains to be done.
Whatcha think?
Issues postponed this a year. But I'm glad it did because it gave me a LOT of time to research and decide what the Jeep needs on my budget and what it doesn't for this type of trip.
First and foremost it needs to be reliable.
The Cooling system got an overhaul with am OEM radiator, water pump, hoses, t-stat and flush.
A set of hood vents are in the future. I figure with all the extra weight the engine will be working harder and any extra cooling will help. I may still pull the trigger on a CSF 3 row. Dunno yet.
The transmission got a B/M 13,000 BTU plate style cooler that bypasses the radiator altogether. (Yeah yeah I know there are all kinds of arguments against and for passing the radiator but I decided to go this route)
The rear 8.25 will most likely get a No slip lunchbox locker or a Trutrack is money allows. Id honestly rather have the LSD. It's not a hard core wheeler and the winch will hopefully get me out of anything I can't drive over.
The Suspension remains a Superlift 2.5 or 3" with rear AAL. The shocks were shot so I installed a set of Zone nitros and so far I'm happy with the ride. If this suspension doesn't hold up to the weight I'm going to spring for OME components.
The entire front end has been replaced. New tie rod and double shear adjustable track bar by Iron Rock Offroad, new TRE's, new UCA bushing, RE Superride Adjustable LCAs, New ball joints and wheel hubs...
I also have a HP D30 housing sitting in the back yard that will get a set of 4.56's and a Detroit LSD if money allows.
An Ebay front winch bumper was added and has already paid for itself with Bambi strikes. A Superwinch LP 8500 or Craigslist Winch will ride up front depending on which is the better deal when it's time to buy.
In the works is the wiring harness, I have yet to install, with Aux fuse boxes, a ton of relays and an extra battery and dual battery isolator. As with the mechanicals reliability is the key to a cross country drive.
I still need to instal the rear ZJ seats so I can map out the rear storage based on the the split rear configuration.
A new set of Kicker 6.5 coax speakers have went in the doors and rear sound bar.
It's riding on 31" BFG AT's and IF, and thats a big IF, I change tire size I will pop for a set of 32" 11.50" KM2's. 32" 11.50 seem a good compromise of more tire vs. availability. I don't want the 33/12.50.
The back bumper will most likely be a Dirtbound unit. I'm waiting to see what their tire carrier looks like. But I really like their unibody mounting system.
An IRO HnT SYE (I like being able to take it off one T Case and put it on another with little hassle. In case something breaks on the road.) is on the way.
All in all I want the Jeep to be as reliable and over bilt as possible. Hence the IRO tie rod and RE LCAs new components etc. I don;t want stock parts failing because I got froggy and decided to go somewhere I maybe shouldn't have. It may seem overkill for the 31's or even a 32" tire but I'd rather have that piece of mind.
So this is what's went on and what is in the works. Actually not a lot remains to be done.
Whatcha think?
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