New Guy, New (to me) Cherokee

[BrandonC]

Well, I got some new rubber today. I finally decided on and purchased four new 31x10.50x15 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. These things are very aggressive for an AT tire. I saw pics of them before I bought them, but the pics I saw didn't do them justice. I hope they aren't too loud.:rattle:

I just love new tires.:clap:

 

[LiL Timmy]

Nice! I like the color of the heep, although i may be a little biased i own the gold heep team willys posted up for you to see. Im liking the goodyears.

 

[BrandonC]

Nice! I like the color of the heep, although i may be a little biased i own the gold heep team willys posted up for you to see. Im liking the goodyears.

At first I didn't really like the color, but after seeing yours and after seeing the front of mine lifted and with the black wheels I am kinda liking it now.

 

[BrandonC]

Half lifted. Owning a bunch of air tools and not being able to use them because you can't run your air compressor because the baby is sleeping really sucks. But about the only free time I have is at night, so hand tools it is.

 

[PacificEd]

Looking really good Brandon. I like your tire choice.

 

[jeepgeek2002]

walmart sells them right?
i saw them ... also saw some called Aggressors? something like that.. but the duratracs are nice..
we ll have to see how they do offroad...
OOOoooh.. the RC boxes in the trunk..someone had xmas early!

 

[ChuckstrPT]

Half lifted. Owning a bunch of air tools and not being able to use them because you can't run your air compressor because the baby is sleeping really sucks. But about the only free time I have is at night, so hand tools it is.

Welcome to my world....my compressor is right under my 4 yr old's bed...not air tools after 7:30....sucks.:rattle:

 

[PacificEd]

walmart sells them right?
i saw them ... also saw some called Aggressors? something like that.. but the duratracs are nice..
we ll have to see how they do offroad...
OOOoooh.. the RC boxes in the trunk..someone had xmas early!

Duratracs are a Goodyear mainline tire. Goodyear also builds a tire that is similar for Wal-Mart but the tread is somewhat different. Void space is about the same and it's classified as an AT. KGP416 has a set of the Wal-Mart version on his Chevy.

 

[BrandonC]

It's back up on all fours. A little vibration under acceleration and a little growling when decelerating but all in all, not too bad. If it doesn't get any worse than it is now, I ain't too worried about it.


Had to take it out for some very light wheeling when I finished, just to check things out. Had some light tire rubbing on the plastic bumper trim in front of the tires. I think it'll clearance itself.

 

[Shorty]

Owning a bunch of air tools and not being able to use them because you can't run your air compressor because the baby is sleeping really sucks. But about the only free time I have is at night, so hand tools it is.

c'mon-- the kid's got it's whole life to sleep-- keep it up late and it'll sleep in tomorrow!

ride looks good, BTW

 

[BrandonC]

Alright, I decided I didn't like the vibration and growling that was going on, so I just ordered up an SYE and driveshaft kit from Advance Adapters. Is there anyone somewhat local who has installed one before that would be willing to help me put this thing in when it gets here? Tearing into my transfer case makes me a bit nervous.

 

[PacificEd]

I've done two of the AA kits but I may be a little far for you. We did one on the lift and one on the ground. It's not too difficult, you just need to be sure everything goes back in the way it should and keep everything clean.

 

[Cnickgo]

I expect a full report on those tires on my desk yesterday! The Jeep looks good. You can do the SYE swap, there are plenty of resources available, I suggest reading as many as you can to get a few different tricks and tips from each. I also suggest pulling the TC to do the swap. Things are a whole lot easier when you are not on your back, and can pick the case up and turn it to look at parts from different angles. A 9/16 gear wrench and 9/16 universal socket makes pulling the TC a breeze.

I hope you do some good testing with those tires. I'm highly considering them as I can get a good deal through a buddy at a tire shop.

 

[BrandonC]

Yeah, after thinking about it and going out and having another look up under the Jeep, I am thinking this should be no problem. I already have all the tools to do it and it doesn't look like it would be much of a problem to do in the vehicle. I have worked in tighter spaces than that before. I'll have a go at it when my stuff arrives.

Thanks for the votes of confidence fella's.:thumbup:

 

[PacificEd]

The scariest part is cutting the shift rail. Take your time and measure twice and you will be fine. The other thing to watch is the oil pump pickup tube. Just be sure it is connected when you put everything back together.

You can do it. If you have problems, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[BrandonC]

Made me some seat track extension brackets today. Another two and three quarters of an inch of legroom sure is nice!!! :thumbup:

 

[BrandonC]

Got my JCR Stage 2 bumper and lower quarter armor painted this week and installed this weekend. I received an AA SYE kit this week as well but still waiting on the drive shaft from Tom Woods to show up.

 

[BrandonC]

I got me some oh-so-beefy Ruffstuff diff covers in the mail today. These things gotta weigh in at 5 pounds apiece!!! I'll post pics when I get them painted and put on. Waiting on Lubelocker gaskets so I can install them and the Aussie in the rear.

 

[ChuckstrPT]

I got me some oh-so-beefy Ruffstuff diff covers in the mail today. These things gotta weigh in at 5 pounds apiece!!! I'll post pics when I get them painted and put on. Waiting on Lubelocker gaskets so I can install them and the Aussie in the rear.

I had one of those on my first XJ....beef...and I like the drain plug...:wave1:

 

[BrandonC]

Well, since work is kinda slow I decided to take today off. I wanted to take off tomorrow but I gotta go to Lexington on a job that can't wait.:doh:


So today I went to the hardware store and got a couple of bolts to finish tying the new rear bumper into the frame, put some new longer bumpstops on in the rear, drained my front differential and installed this beast......

Then I took the front apart and installed a B&M Supercooler and some Hella E-Code H4's and PIAA Xtreme White bulbs. I had ordered a harness upgrade to go with the lights but Quadratec left it out of the box. I called them today, spoke with a nice guy named Keith that sent me one out in today's mail. I guess I'll have to take the front apart again to install it. Oh well.