JJ's Heep - Jeeps-Offroad.com Bulletin Board

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 05:19 AM

The story so far......

This is how it looked shortly after I got it in Oct. '05. It's a '95 2.5L auto YJ with 78k on the clock. At this point my additions were the new half top and the high lift. it had a 2" Rancho lift and 31" MT/R's. Carpet inside and an engine you could eat off of. All the stock goodness.

Needed recovery points so I added a bumper that was welded up by an Ebay fabricator by the name of Thriller Customs. It was sealed to use as an air tank which at the time I thought was a good idea. While it was being powdercoated I ran into a deal on the HF9k winch and plate so I picked that up too. Got rid of all the PO's chrome by this point too.

Added OBA by way of a Viair 350c, regulator, seperator and a dual guage setup.

The wife has a bad back so shortly after our first trip to The Cliffs ORP she bought me a pair of Corbeau Baja SS seats.

Wheeled it like this for a couple years before deciding I needed more, gotta keep up with the Jones'.

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:04 PM

After a trip to the badlands last year left my fenders gullwinged from flexing too much after the bumpstops had rusted and fell off I had to trim them. Came out OK I guess, but I still need to do tube fenders.

Shortly after that I spotted a CJ hardtop in a friends backyard who didn't own a Jeep. After a call to his landlord it was mine for $150

I knew more lift was in order so after breaking another damn Ujoint I had enough. Driveshaft was a bit too short anyway so I figured it was about time to fix it right. Got a Rugged Ridge HD SYE and CV shaft. Nice to be rid of the vibes for good.

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:10 PM

In May the lift began. Ended up doing a SOA/SUA combo. Most of the ride quality comes from the front so with it sprung over it should ride nice but with the rear SUA there will be no axle wrap and will be more stable on road.

Got started on the lift.......

Making the front perches.

destruction.

getting the old bushings out.

hanging the springs.

Removing the stock pitman.

Finished hanging the front axle.

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:12 PM

hangin the rears, 4" Rubicon Express springs and Daystar 1 1/4" lift shackles.

as long as the sawzall is out...

put some weight on it to see how level it is

Flexin to measure for shocks

And the draglink clears. Couldn't believe it.

Still gotta do shocks and brakelines, almost done.

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:20 PM

Got the rear shocks done. Just happened to find a set of Monroes at the shop that fit the length I needed.

Mounted using the M.O.R.E. shock extending bracket to keep the length the same and get the lower mount up higher.

Finished up the front shocks and brake lines. And back on the road!

And here's the before and after........

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:29 PM

Lasted about a day on 31's. Was planning on waiting a bit but they were just too damn small and I couldn't wait to be rid of the MT/R's. They might be good in Claifornia but I needed more for the Midwest mud so they got replaced with 33x12.5x15 Dunlop Mud Rovers. MUCH better, they ride nicer too.

Drove it for a week or so and I couldn't take the bumpsteer So I ordered the JB4x4 crossover kit. The draglink from JB4x4 wasn't tapped all the way down so we couldn't get it adjusted right but they would sent out another. On the bright side, bumpsteer was gone. Not even there a little bit, it felt really good.

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:32 PM

Got a chance to ramp it and it didn't do so well. Gotta get the rear springs to break in. Couple wheeling trips should help. Still the on road ride is worth the trade off, it handles really good.

Then again, after having to follow Sodaboy nobody ramps well.

Jesse-James · 08-05-2008, 01:37 PM

That brings us to today, this weekend got more done, first was body work. The drivers side floor was rusting and had a few holes so we cut it out and welded in new sheet.

The passenger side riser cracked through the floor so it was welded shut and reinforced with some 1/4" flat stock. Bad pic but the camera was an afterthought.

Finally got the CB antenna mounted.

Then got started on the bumper/tire swing.....

Just gotta finish the tire swing frame, latch, paint it and mount it.

Jesse-James · 08-06-2008, 05:52 PM

Got it finished up today....

slimpartywagon · 08-06-2008, 07:10 PM

Sweet ride....the articulation is unreal...my yj never got close to that...

pineymike · 08-07-2008, 04:29 AM

Nice work! keep it up thanks for the report.

*sparkfan* · 08-13-2008, 01:36 AM

Great job Jesse, as I say every time I get the chance to see other people's ideas and work, this is an awesome site and we have some awesome, talented people here.

waterman95yj · 09-06-2008, 07:51 PM

What spring packs did you use up front?? are they stock springs in the front?? She looks sweet!!

Jesse-James · 09-07-2008, 09:18 PM

Thanks, the springs came from the rear of a '94 Sahara w/60k that my buddy's shop did a lift on.

davet1960 · 09-08-2008, 05:15 PM