My 2013 build updates

[DutchVDub]

Bought this jeep about a year ago from my friends dad. 2000 Cherokee Classic with just over 200,000 miles and only 1 owner.

After parting out my YJ "buggy" I took the extra funds and got to work. Swapped in a HP D30 and 29 spline 8.25 rear. Installed a L/S into the 8.25 and a RMS lunchbox into the D30 along with 4.56 gears also from RMS. I also did a Liberty disc brake swap to the 8.25 rear. I pieced together a lift from used parts. 4.5" front RC springs and fixed lowers, RE trac-bar, RE 3.5" leaves, 1.5" JKS shackles, and Bilstein 5150's. I built a front bumper, added a winch, RADesigns shifter, JCR " Ultimate" sliders, skids, and modified HD Offroads roof sliders into a partial halo. Scored a set of 35" Krawlers on bead locks and wheeled/camped as much as possible.

I figured out a bunch of stuff as far as camping gear and how to package it along with where I wanted to go with the rig. Actually going out for a full weekend and camping/shooting with the wife and kid way trumped wheeling the 1 ton/42's YJ. I also loved not needing a tow rig any more. I've decided it's ability to be street able out weighs its need to conquer all the trails in the world.

This years focus is making it nicer to drive on the highway, refining the camping setup, and making it as reliable as possible. A group of us are planning a 4 day all dirt road camping trip in Sept and I'm hoping to do some even longer trips throughout the summer/fall.

First step was swapping the heavy Krawlers and steel beadlocks out for some 35" equivalent KM2's and Trail Ready 16" aluminum beadlocks. Saves me close to 30lbs per wheel/tire assembly and they ride way nicer on the road.

Now I'm getting busy revising the front end. First up was plating the front rails.

Today I started working on upgrading my steering and front brakes. I got some used adjustable control arms that were stretched out a bit. I've got them set 2" longer than stock (17" upper/17.75" lower) which has my upper and lower spring seats almost perfectly lined up again and sets my caster at a nice 6.5deg.

I picked up a bunch of stuff from RuffStuff to go with the WJ knuckle swap. I've got everything mocked up and I'll need to modify the frame side trac-bar mount. Currently the trac-bar is 2" shorter and 3 deg steeper than my drag link.

I'm going to modify the frame side trac-bar mount to get the angles better but I'm not sure if I'll be able to push it out far enough to get the extra 2" I need to make it the same length as my drag link w/o having tire clearance issues. I'll play around with it a bit more later.

 

[Skully]

Looks nice Dutch!

Is that second pic down Red Elephant?


Maybe you can help me design and build a winch bumper for the Commander, cause I get it when it is paid off in a few years. :shhh:

 

[SolarBell]

Yeah, that's coming up Red Elephant Hill, on the one nasty spot. (I was on the same trip)

 

[jeepfreak1020]

I had the ruffstuff outboard TB mount on my old one, the only down fall was that once you sretch it a little, you will hit the back side of the bolt, and might hit the ear of the mount to, I always had that stupid problem with mine.

 

[DutchVDub]

I've got it set right now where if I run the bolt the other way I woun't have any issue with hitting the spring. I need to lower it down slightly to get the angle to match my drag link, I'm just not sure if I can move it farther into the wheel well w/o running into tire clearance issues at full lock/full stuff.

 

[DutchVDub]

I just ordered the JKS OTA trac-bar mount. It puts the trac-bar in front of the coil bucket so that should give me my extra 2" I need w/o having to move the frame side mount even more into the wheel well.

As it sits my longer control arms aren't actually stretching my wheelbase any, they're merely restoring it to where its supposed to be. I measured it at about 102", maybe a little longer.

 

[Super D]

Looking good so far Dutch. Might say those knuckles look very familiar! Glad you can put them to use.

 

[DigJeepsBrah]

Looks gnarly. I wish I had more tools and fab experience. It seems like every time I get under my XJ I go straight into a pipe dream about what I'd like to be able to do to it.

Looks sweet! Hit me up about those camping trips. I live for that sh!t.

 

[Red91Laredo]

Looks like a sweet build. I'm building my XJ for same purpose so I'll definitely be following this one. I'm surprised you were able to run those 35's with only 4.5" lift. Did you have to extend the bumpstops at all?

 

[in4aride]

Looks like a sweet build. I'm building my XJ for same purpose so I'll definitely be following this one. I'm surprised you were able to run those 35's with only 4.5" lift. Did you have to extend the bumpstops at all?

why? 35's on 4.5" is common and getting more regular at 3.5" as well.

 

[DutchVDub]

I need to extend the rear bumpstops. It's not a problem when I'm empty but once all the camping gear goes in the RE springs are just too soft and I start rubbing like crazy. Up front I was running longer upper bumpstops and added to the lower pad as well. I bumpstopped it to the point that I could turn lock to lock with out rubbing at full stuff. It still rode and flexed well like that.