Project "Rubicon This!"

Some good news on the motor mount bolts. I got 2 out of the 3 out. The forward most bolt is screwed up beyond being able to weld a nut on to it and back it out. My buddy Doug did the welding trick for me and it took 19 nuts welded on and broken off before both bolts came out. So I bolted in the Brown Dog on the pass side last night but had to leave since I was already here (at work) an hour after close. I'll get to the driver's side sooner or later.
 
XJosh95 said:
Some good news on the motor mount bolts. I got 2 out of the 3 out. The forward most bolt is screwed up beyond being able to weld a nut on to it and back it out. My buddy Doug did the welding trick for me and it took 19 nuts welded on and broken off before both bolts came out. So I bolted in the Brown Dog on the pass side last night but had to leave since I was already here (at work) an hour after close. I'll get to the driver's side sooner or later.
Click to expand...

do you have a centerpunch? Centerpunch what's left of the bolt about a dozen times to help keep the bit from walking.
 
It's beyond that for sure. I plan on leaving the bracket bolted to the block and using the empty hole as a guide for a drill bit. I'll drill it out and tap it for a larger bolt.
 
Well, she made it up to Green Bay without problems. Although the ass-end was sagging quite a bit making a nice W in the leaf packs...I'll remedy that soon.
 
So as per my remedy...I came home Friday after work and found some boxes from Rough Country. They have long arms in them. That's right. Long arms. I'll be trying to do a lower lift with the nice ride. So the Rusty's 3" kit should be here Monday. I also got a carrier for the D30 to do 4.10 gears.

Pics are sure to come in good time. I've got other random things going on with the build, so I'll be sure to document better than I've done in the past.

I've been doing a lot of searching for things and just today found a Tera Low 4:1 kit for $850. But I bookmarked the page since I'm still considering pulling the trigger, but I may focus on strengthening some shiat up first. So Brian may be getting some business soon.
 
i will love to hear how the long arms work with the 3" kit,why did you get rustys lift and not rough country?
 
I'd put a terra low much further down the list, I'd put it towards selectable lockers.

If you're spending money on gears I'd start with 4.56's

What size tires? (On my Crackberry, sorry if this has been answered.
 
Well, I went with Rusty's because they offered up an option for stiffer front coils for a heavy front bumper, the rear leaf packs are 3.5" and the price. Plus, someday I'll be putting in some u-bolt eliminators and shackle relocation brackets to gain the extra lift later.

The ultimate goal is about ~5.5" net. I figured this was a good route to go for what I was looking for.

As far as gears, I want to stay with 4.10s to maintain a lot of on-road manners. I don't trailer it and can't afford a tow rig or trailer, so I'm pretty well stuck with driving it everywhere. I figure 5.5" long arms, lunchboxes front and rear, 32" MTs and 4.10s will be pretty reliable and comfortable on road.
 
XJosh95 said:
Well, I went with Rusty's because they offered up an option for stiffer front coils for a heavy front bumper, the rear leaf packs are 3.5" and the price. Plus, someday I'll be putting in some u-bolt eliminators and shackle relocation brackets to gain the extra lift later.

The ultimate goal is about ~5.5" net. I figured this was a good route to go for what I was looking for.

As far as gears, I want to stay with 4.10s to maintain a lot of on-road manners. I don't trailer it and can't afford a tow rig or trailer, so I'm pretty well stuck with driving it everywhere. I figure 5.5" long arms, lunchboxes front and rear, 32" MTs and 4.10s will be pretty reliable and comfortable on road.
Click to expand...

I strongly suggest 4.56's.
4.10's will get the job done but, 4.56's will be even better.
I ran 4.10's and 33's and it was the biggest dog ever, and I hated it. I tolerated it for a while then went 4.88's.
 
Well, that may be, but for now I've got like 50 bucks in the carrier and nothing in gears for both axles. I'll survive for now if I feel like I need more umph. That's also why I would like to do the 4:1 kit. Keeps the on-road driveablity while giving me insane crawl.
 
And we all know Josh's jeep needs to crawl as slow as possible! :D
 
Yeah, and you have to crawl without drinking...
 
XJosh95 said:
Well, that may be, but for now I've got like 50 bucks in the carrier and nothing in gears for both axles. I'll survive for now if I feel like I need more umph. That's also why I would like to do the 4:1 kit. Keeps the on-road driveablity while giving me insane crawl.
Click to expand...
It's the on-road driveability that I was referring too. Dog.
 
IMO a 4:1 would work great with 4.10s. My rig with 4.88s and 4:1 was actually too low to wheel comfortably with 33" tires. It seemed I was either revving it to the moon to gain wheel speed or having to accelerate downhill (which is a cool thing BTW).

However, like Dan said, I'd put that $$ toward selectable lockers.
 
XJosh95 said:
Yeah, and you have to crawl without drinking...
Click to expand...

Yeah but at least I don't run into trees, I prefer running into Benz's!
 
IllianaXJ said:
IMO a 4:1 would work great with 4.10s. My rig with 4.88s and 4:1 was actually too low to wheel comfortably with 33" tires. It seemed I was either revving it to the moon to gain wheel speed or having to accelerate downhill (which is a cool thing BTW).

However, like Dan said, I'd put that $$ toward selectable lockers.
Click to expand...


Honestly, I'm a bit scared of ARB lockers. It all boils down to stuff I don't want to do, ie: converting the A/C compressor to OBA or a tank. I've got a fairly nice air pump from an air ride system off of a bus chassis. I plan on using that as a dedicated tire inflator.

I really wish Ected made a locker for the 8.25. I don't see the need to go to a D44 over the 8.25 since the gain in strength is minimal...unless I wanted to modify the axle. The 8.25 doesn't have a lot of supporting aftermarket; but it's tough, it's in there already, I don't need to change carriers for doing lower gears and I don't have a lot of money into it.



But hey, I'm really enjoying the conversation. Keep it coming.
 
If you don't have the 4.10's yet, FrankZ might still have a set available he'd prolly sell at a good price. I was going to buy them before figuring out my car funds stash was long burnt up :)
 
My girlfriend's brother-in-law has a set for the D30 he got through the karma thread and he has a set for my 8.25 as well. I'm pretty sure that I've got it taken care of, but if it comes down to it, I'll check it out with him. Thanks!
 
Pulled this in the garage this morning! Kimmer and I got a fair amount done this morning for the short time we worked on it. We started in around 9:30 or so, he cleaned up and took off around 1 and I kept going till about 2-2:30.

Accomplishments include but not limited to: 3" front coils and shocks in, beef coil retainers in, header panel taken off, A/C condenser cut out and front bumper and tow hooks taken off. Not 100% sure when we'll be at it again, but I also grabbed up some front rotors and a new TRE for the V8 ZJ steering setup waiting to go in. Tomorrow I'll be giving Jason a call and ordering a track bar.

Pics to come soon.
 
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