Thought i'd share the new rig..

[OverlandZJ]

Thought i saw it in the thread at Speedfreaks..maybe i'm mistaken.

I'm out of cutoff wheels so i painted the wheelwells and went to install my RE trackbar bracket.. ran into an issue already. My early version bracket doesnt have the hole for the lower bolt clearance, i'll pull that bolt and install the bracket. Mark the hole from backside and drill the hole for a throughbolt instead of just clearancing. Should add a bit more clamping to eliminate movement. Heres a pic of the newer style bracket if i lost ya..

 

[MoparManiac]

Looks like you'll need a longer bolt if you do that.

 

[CTeunuch]

IIRC my 4.5" coils were 16.5" compressed. I should be able to get a measurement tomorrow if we get it back on its wheels.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Looks like you'll need a longer bolt if you do that.

Yep.. i'd catch maybe a few threads with the original. I have it done and loosely bolted up, i'll run to the hardware store later. I might even have a usable bolt in my 5gal bucket o'bolts.

IIRC my 4.5" coils were 16.5" compressed. I should be able to get a measurement tomorrow if we get it back on its wheels.

Pat.. PM'd, would you give me a call when you have a few minutes?

 

[OverlandZJ]

I hate cutting these control arm brackets.. one down.

Got the Trackbar bracket done.

 

[js_customs]

Looks good...yeah cutting those LCA brackets sucks. When I cut mine off, I found a Sawzall with a Diablo blade worked great...much quicker than the grinder.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I had contacted the guys at Claytons asking for a starting point on my lower links for a 4.5" coil. Adam suggested i start at 36". The lowers as i bought them are set at 36 5/8" so i figured i'd see what they look like as i dont know what height they were set for.

Here is full bump with 2" bumps installed. Note the pinion.. the uppers need to be extended to point at the transfer better so that should bring the bumps inline better than it is now. I apologise for the shitty pics, my camera took a dump.

Pass side..

Heres the coils with vehicle weight on them. Looks to be 17" at ride height. I'll check agion tomorrow to see if they settle any, but i dont think they will as they have 45K miles or so on them.

Thoughts as to axle placement? I was thinking i'd install the shafts/hubs and rotors and bolt the wheels on. Jack the rear to level and get an idea on how much to extend the uppers and check for tire placement within fenderwell.

I'm really hoping i dont have to adjust the lowers, the pass side link at crossmember is a pita to get in, i even tapered the bracket inside to aid install. If i have to remove it i'll get a piece of allthread and a coupla nuts to open it up some.

 

[CTeunuch]

I tried calling John, what's up?

Also, looks like the axle needs to come forward some by the way those coils are bowed.

 

[kastein]

Looks to me like the pinion just needs to come up a bit, which he already said - that way when the axle arcs up, the bumpstops will strike properly, and the springs will stay in a slight forward arc the whole time instead of going from an S curve to almost straight. Not sure I'm describing this right...

Jeep looks like it's coming along great!

 

[OverlandZJ]

Pat, wish i could remember what i wanted to discuss... seriously!

I have to pull the pass side coil back out.. forgot to slip in the bumpstop. Had to unscrew from pad to get the coil in, didnt have rig high enough on stands. Think i'll extend the uppers a bit and toss the shafts/wheels on and see how it's placed.

Thanks Ken.. been a long time since i built a rig, feelin like a newb again.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

word of advice..

Build a steering box brace ASAP

 

[Andy in Pa.]

Hate to say it John, but I think the axle needs to come forward more. Maybe 3/8" to 1/2" or so. You'll know for sure when you get the tires on. Maybe its the pics or maybe the springs have some curvature from previous use, but it doesn't look right to me.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I'm sure you guys are right about extending the lowers also..it'll have to wait till my back is feeling better. Need to run up to Norristown area and get my 33's this weekend.

Scott, i was thinking about a brace also. I saw the added plate on outside of unirail and thought maybe it wasnt as big an issue on a ZJ? Then i saw RE doesnt offer one.. is KOR the only option?

Anyone needing a LP30?

 

[squashman702]

I'm sure you guys are right about extending the lowers also..it'll have to wait till my back is feeling better. Need to run up to Norristown area and get my 33's this weekend.

Scott, i was thinking about a brace also. I saw the added plate on outside of unirail and thought maybe it wasnt as big an issue on a ZJ? Then i saw RE doesnt offer one.. is KOR the only option?

Anyone needing a LP30?

FortcollinsZJ on Jeepforum was also making braces for cheaper than KOR and looked to be more rugged. He is also on Mallcrawlin- not sure how active he is now though.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Thanks squash.. googled it and saw where biggoofy posted a pic. Looks easy enough that even i can replicate it?

 

[squashman702]

Thanks squash.. googled it and saw where biggoofy posted a pic. Looks easy enough that even i can replicate it?

IIRC, he was using a D30 tube cut in half for the round section that actually attaches to the box. Should go from sway bar mount to sway bar mount. I'd say it would be pretty easy to make if you have a welder and some basic fab skills.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

A buddy and I, made one this week, took 3' of 1x2". And about 10" of 2x2" angle. And hand made the actual clamp out of 1" wide 1/8" thick plate. Just used my 2" tube bumper and bent the 1" plate to contour a 2" curve. Took maybe 2 hours to make!

Reason for it? This is my 4th steering box. They keep braking off the frame! Sure the uniframe is stronger at the box area, than an xj.. But the bolts snap like popcorn

 

[OverlandZJ]

Looks like it should work Scott. I ended up dropping FortCollinsZJ a PM at Mallcrawlin, he's going to build me a brace after the holidays. Price was right..

I tossed on the 30's today to see where it sat, i dont think i'll want to lengthen the lowers anymore, looks like i'll have to trim the front bumper as is with the 33's. Should be picking them up tomorrow.

I have some scoring on my front axleshafts, i dont know if the scoring is from the ZJ axle or the XJ axle they were in before. The XJ carrier has new bearings and i didnt notice any scoring when i installed them into the ZJ axle.. and the ZJ's original shafts show no scoring. Guess i'll start by pulling the ZJ's carrier. Pics on the shafts later.

 

[H8PVMT]

looking good so far.............looks like that tree is holding your hatch up :clap:

 

[OverlandZJ]

Rear is ready for new parts tomorrow, all bolts loose and ready to come out. Going to keep the D35 in till i get the XJ44 back and swap the input on my 242.