2000bluexj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Mass
Thats how I did it. And I did a full SYE
Milton's Other Jeep Build
- Thread starter JeepN4kc
- Start date
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
This is good to know - appreciate it guys.
On another note, I did some tinkering under the XJ yesterday and today giving the tcase linkage a lookover. I loosened the 13mm tightening bolt and the shifter rod doesn't slide in the bracket. Gonna give it a couple days of PB Blaster to see if it helps. I gave the shifter a pretty good workout along with the tcase in a parking lot across the street. Everything seems to be going in/out of 2hi/4hi/N/4lo okay but I am getting some "chatter" from somewhere under the rig. I can't tell if it's from the tcase or the front end and it's not constant or consistant. IDK - this could all be in my head since I installed the bellypan ...........
beastlydumass
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- norfolk, va
could be exhuast hiting. i got me some clanking goin on in my bellhousing but all runs good for now
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
You know now that you mention it the belly pan does snug right up to the exhaust pipe as it clears the rear of the skid........hhmmm.....
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
So - I got everything put together yesterday for wheelin on Saturday. Gave it a good test drive all over today. The WK pulls it just fine but I will say the drive to the ORV park will be slow and steady as the XJ wants to start swaying above 60mph. This could be the first and last time I bother with a dolly - idk - I'll see how it goes but I'm anticipating a long drive 
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
Finally got a chance to give this thing a go and, stretch it's legs, and put the locker to the test out on the trails! :thumbsup: The WK did great pulling the XJ on the dolly - made some adjustments and moved all my gear/spares weight to the rear of the WK t ground the rear axle better. That dolly set-up has zero to negative tongue weight but I noticed with more air outta the front tires of the XJ it can cinch further forward on the dolly which also helped. Anyway, the drive was fine - averaged just under 65mph on the cruise and never swayed 
KS Rocks was muddy so all the trail difficulties bumped up. The rig did great and a couple of the "blacks" we couldn't do were on climbs and the mud/rock combo didn't help - if it were dry the XJ would have been unstoppable.
KS Rocks was muddy so all the trail difficulties bumped up. The rig did great and a couple of the "blacks" we couldn't do were on climbs and the mud/rock combo didn't help - if it were dry the XJ would have been unstoppable.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
The aftermath back at the homestead:
rocknxj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clinton, Utah (SLC area)
Research flat towing your XJ instead of using a Dolly.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
Yeah - I've thought of buying a tow bar and brackets from Tomken. Pretty cheap. Or, maybe see about having my brother or somebody weld one up.
Out of curiosity, why do you suggest it? Safety? Fuel Econ? Both? Just wondering what your thoughts are on it.
Vanimal
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- escondido, ca
flat towing can be sketchy with a lighter vehicle. i flat towed my jeep a few times behind my 3/4 ton van, and didnt care for it once i got bigger tires on the heep. it tends to want to push the rear of the towing vehicle around in corners, especially tight ones.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
Picked up some goodies for the XJ today
Rough Country pn# 8024 full leaf packs (3-3.5" of lift depending what catalog ya look) New spring eye bolts (not sure I'll be able to use the ones for the front eye. New u-bolts and hardware. Got 'em from a buddy that bought the springs for an XJ but never installed them. He's an old salty-dog Jeeper that used to run his own Jeep shop back in the day. He's got every tool known to man and parts galore.
Anyway, these new springs will hopefully set a nice rake to the Jeep and erase the sagging AALs. Really looking forward to this project as I've never tackled leaf springs before........ Have a feeling it's gonna be an adventure..........:shhh:
Rough Country pn# 8024 full leaf packs (3-3.5" of lift depending what catalog ya look) New spring eye bolts (not sure I'll be able to use the ones for the front eye. New u-bolts and hardware. Got 'em from a buddy that bought the springs for an XJ but never installed them. He's an old salty-dog Jeeper that used to run his own Jeep shop back in the day. He's got every tool known to man and parts galore.
Anyway, these new springs will hopefully set a nice rake to the Jeep and erase the sagging AALs. Really looking forward to this project as I've never tackled leaf springs before........
Have a feeling it's gonna be an adventure..........:shhh:AZjeepin1
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Glendale, AZ
Nah, it's not bad at all. Especially since the bushings are already pressed in 'em.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
Finished sprucing up the new leaf springs:
They'd been sitting in a shop for a couple years collecting dust, a little surface rust, and lots of spiderweb/eggs. So I sanded them some, wiped 'em down and shot 'em w/ some Rustoleum.
They'd been sitting in a shop for a couple years collecting dust, a little surface rust, and lots of spiderweb/eggs. So I sanded them some, wiped 'em down and shot 'em w/ some Rustoleum.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
Well I guess I'll find out soon enough. Been throwin a deluge of PB Blaster to all the bolts last couple a days.
AZjeepin1
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Glendale, AZ
Good idea. I didn't have any rust issues being in AZ, but the front leaf bolt that's on the frame could be a pain. If you've got air tools, you definitely have nothing to worry about.
With that being said, I replaced mine twice without air tools and was fine.
Make sure you place your jack stands on the frame and then lower the axle and keep it supported with the jack! I've seen people put their stands on the axle and try to unbolt the spring, which is NOT good.
With that being said, I replaced mine twice without air tools and was fine.
Make sure you place your jack stands on the frame and then lower the axle and keep it supported with the jack! I've seen people put their stands on the axle and try to unbolt the spring, which is NOT good.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
lol.............I could see where that kinda jackwork/configuration would be a problem. I have air tools and they will be used. We do get rust around here and roads get salted but the PO put the AAL lift on only a couple years ago so it's not like everything is in it's original factory state.
Hopefully you're right and I knock it out quick.
AZjeepin1
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Glendale, AZ
You're already ahead of the game by PB'ing all the bolts ahead of time.
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
The beginning of the weekend I pulled the new springs out of the back seats of the XJ and decided to spruce them up.
They've never been installed but they've been sitting in a shop for a couple years collecting dust, a little surface rust, and spiderweb/eggs
So I sanded them a bit, wiped 'em down, and shot 'em with some Rustoleum.
Tonight, I spent about an hour while I had time to start into this project.
I started hitting all the bolts everyday with a healthy dose of the PBB the beginning of the week so they've been "loosening up" for a handful of days.
The first thing I did was get the rig jacked up on the unirails, got the rear wheels outta the way, and supported the axle at full droop with more jackstands:
Then I disco'd the sway bar links:
I know alot of guys say to get rid of it but I'll probably keep it in place for now as I don't have a front sway bar and I wanna see how this thing dollies on my next trip before I mess with removing it.
The next thing I did was cut the posts on the u-bolts down with a 4.5" angle grinder & cut-off wheel. I did this so I could get the deepwell socket on the nuts with the airgun. Otherwise the threads were too long-winded to get a socket to the nuts:
I realize I could have just cut the u-bolts under the wrap of the axle since I don't plan to reuse them - but honestly, cutting anything right up against the axle tubes didn't sit well with me.
That's it for now as it was all I had time to get into. I got all the u-bolts zipped off but that's where I stopped. Tomorrow I'll get the old springs removed (barring any sticking points - word is that front eye bolt can be a booger). Probably going to make a run to the local Fastenal to get replacement front eye bolts and, fingers crossed, get this project knocked out with the new springs installed. So far, PB Blaster and airtools are getting the job done great.........................
They've never been installed but they've been sitting in a shop for a couple years collecting dust, a little surface rust, and spiderweb/eggs
So I sanded them a bit, wiped 'em down, and shot 'em with some Rustoleum.Tonight, I spent about an hour while I had time to start into this project.
I started hitting all the bolts everyday with a healthy dose of the PBB the beginning of the week so they've been "loosening up" for a handful of days.
The first thing I did was get the rig jacked up on the unirails, got the rear wheels outta the way, and supported the axle at full droop with more jackstands:
Then I disco'd the sway bar links:
I know alot of guys say to get rid of it but I'll probably keep it in place for now as I don't have a front sway bar and I wanna see how this thing dollies on my next trip before I mess with removing it.
The next thing I did was cut the posts on the u-bolts down with a 4.5" angle grinder & cut-off wheel. I did this so I could get the deepwell socket on the nuts with the airgun. Otherwise the threads were too long-winded to get a socket to the nuts:
I realize I could have just cut the u-bolts under the wrap of the axle since I don't plan to reuse them - but honestly, cutting anything right up against the axle tubes didn't sit well with me.
That's it for now as it was all I had time to get into. I got all the u-bolts zipped off but that's where I stopped. Tomorrow I'll get the old springs removed (barring any sticking points - word is that front eye bolt can be a booger). Probably going to make a run to the local Fastenal to get replacement front eye bolts and, fingers crossed, get this project knocked out with the new springs installed. So far, PB Blaster and airtools are getting the job done great.........................
JeepN4kc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
Okay - got the new springs in so the XJ is back in service.
This is where I left off last night:
It was't as bad as I thought - but it wasn't easy. The front eye bolts were not budging after days of PBB and the airgun at max torque. I had to get a 1/2" drive 15" breaker bar and some MAP gas and torch tip.
After heating the crap outta the bolt and wackin the **** outta the breaker bar with a BFH I was able to get 'em out :2thumbsup:
Once I had them out I was able to see that the front bolts I had weren't gonna work - wrong thread. So I made a trip accross town to a dealer for these:
I took a pic with them in the packaging for anybody needing a part # for reference.
Once I got the old springs out it was time to lather everything with anti-sieze (I dabbed some in the front eye nutsert as well):
With everything lubed up I started with the front eye (hand tight); then the u-bolts/plate/disco connection (again hand tight); then finnagled the rear into the shackle. Using handy jackwork under the pumpkin will enable an easy alignment while you pull on the rear of the spring and hammer home the shackle into position:
Once that's done I jacked up the pumpkin to "load" the springs and finish cranking all the bolts down:
I didn't take any before measurements so after measurements are pointless. I think to the naked eye the backend boosted up a bit - not much - but the sag is gone. I had to go pick the pup up from the vet so I figured what better way to take it for a test spin.
The rear springs aren't exactly a soft ride but who cares? They don't sag, they seem to hold weight better than the tired stocker/AAL, they have a built in 4* shim that puts my pinion at a better angle, and they're brand new :thumbsup:
Oh - and when I got home from the vet the guy in the brown truck had dropped a nice piece of security at my door..............
Until next time..............................
This is where I left off last night:
It was't as bad as I thought - but it wasn't easy. The front eye bolts were not budging after days of PBB and the airgun at max torque. I had to get a 1/2" drive 15" breaker bar and some MAP gas and torch tip.
After heating the crap outta the bolt and wackin the **** outta the breaker bar with a BFH I was able to get 'em out :2thumbsup:
Once I had them out I was able to see that the front bolts I had weren't gonna work - wrong thread. So I made a trip accross town to a dealer for these:
I took a pic with them in the packaging for anybody needing a part # for reference.
Once I got the old springs out it was time to lather everything with anti-sieze (I dabbed some in the front eye nutsert as well):
With everything lubed up I started with the front eye (hand tight); then the u-bolts/plate/disco connection (again hand tight); then finnagled the rear into the shackle. Using handy jackwork under the pumpkin will enable an easy alignment while you pull on the rear of the spring and hammer home the shackle into position:
Once that's done I jacked up the pumpkin to "load" the springs and finish cranking all the bolts down:
I didn't take any before measurements so after measurements are pointless. I think to the naked eye the backend boosted up a bit - not much - but the sag is gone. I had to go pick the pup up from the vet so I figured what better way to take it for a test spin.
The rear springs aren't exactly a soft ride but who cares? They don't sag, they seem to hold weight better than the tired stocker/AAL, they have a built in 4* shim that puts my pinion at a better angle, and they're brand new :thumbsup:
Oh - and when I got home from the vet the guy in the brown truck had dropped a nice piece of security at my door..............
Until next time..............................
AZjeepin1
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Glendale, AZ
Looking good dude
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