CWLONGSHOT

Basically yes, I would agree with you. In the factory configuration the TRE TB is just fine. Trouble is as the height increases so does the stress on the parts. As the stress increases we find their short comings. One is the lack of droop from the TRE. Another is flex from the factory brackets. IMHO, switching to a WJ style TB tackles two of these issues. Firstly, being made for a heaver rig its plain beefier. Secondly, because of the two bushing ends there is zero restriction with in its arch of movement. A number of these companies also tackle the brackets. By lowering and strengthening the assembly. (Lowering the frame end, is only a plus if dropped pitman arms are utilized) Both by making new ones and improving the factory units. Still others went and beefed the size and thickness of the WJ TB even further strengthening this set up. I am not aware of the time lines for when these parts where released. But reguardless, from what I see and read the TNT and KEVINS appear the best chhoices. Followed closely by the RE and Rock Crawler units. The Kevins unit remains my choice. Just my 2 cents, CW

Happy new year comanche club members!!!

I'm in the Hebron CT area. Are you familiar with it? By Marlborough, Colchester, etc. Yeah, I think I'm gonna try and do the class at a community college thing. I'm hoping to find one nearby that is a not for credit type course, so I don't have to deal with application fee's and actually enrolling in the college. I know it very well. I have a bunch of friends and wheeling buddies out that way!!! Are you a member of any local clubs? CW

Same here... just never reach 75 let alone 80MPH!!! :eek: :eek: Its a jeep man, slow down!! The AW-4 is constantly "hunting" for a gear on any kind of incline. Power if ok, as the torque of the 4.0 makes up for some of the gearing lost at the cost of mileage. Mileage dropped from better than 20MPG w/30" tars to about 12 w/33" er's. :cry: :cry: The 4:56's and D44 going in next month will be a welcome addition!! CW

The TNT is about the same as the KEVINS bar. Check the stats. IMHO either is hands down a better design. CW

Can't risk damaging the seals in the ram... At least, I'd rather not risk it. They're ony good for a couple hundred degrees. But it's out, so, w/e. You would need a heat sink. Something that will heatup quick and is of agood size. that way you can control the ammount of heat you put into the part. Water soalked / wrung out towels work to some degree, as well. Glad you got it!! CW

GOTTA be a miss print...2000 is more like it!!! CW

You could get a buzz box pretty cheap. The prices on MIG welders have really dropped as well. Personally I would pick up a MIG welder and then just start welding on scrap steel. Migs tend to be much easier to learn on. The buzz box is harder. I was lucky enough to have taken a welding class back in school, so I understood the basics. I also work with two certified welders for pointers!! BTW, fendermb4, where are you in CT?? I am in Meriden. CW

Just weld a nut to it and remove..... SIMPLE, if you have a welder.... CW

I just recently ordered KEVINS track bar and mount. http://www.kevinsjeepparts.com/tbconversion.html Here is his pitch: "Due to the superior strength and thickness of this custom JKS bar (.156 wall 1.25" OD tube), my custom interference-fit ultra-thick bushing inserts and the 1/2" Grade 8 hardware that comes included in the kit (50% more strength than stock bolts so that you can really torque it down without worrying about snapping the bolt off), you will see a higher Death Wobble resistance as the entire kit stiffens up the front suspension. An added bonus: There are two additional benefits you may discover as well: an substantial increase in steering response (tighter steering = less wandering) and slightly reduced bump steer, most evident on the taller rigs." Personally, I have almost 7" of lift up front too. With that much lift there are a couple more varibles you need to consider when buying new front suspension parts. For one, in a track bar, you need beef. There is alot of stress on the track bar when you lift this high and the bigger tires that go along with it contribute imensly. The factory and simular will wear much faster. I bought a SKYJACKER unit. I liked the design of moving the axle end up to where the stabilizer mounted. Trouble is that mount is not nearly as strong as the intended mount and flexes. Mine has cracked. I rewelded everything up and stregnthened it where I could. I have chewed up two poly bushings and the Heim at the frame end. Speaking of heims, I am NOT a fan of them on the street. Just too noisy and wear too fast for street applications IMHO. Next thing to consider is your steering. With this much lift, you are very near max on your TRE's. Esp the draglink and pitman arm. I'll bet if you have some miles on and you check the pass side knuckle, your TRE is loose. Mine certainly is, and this is the second drag link since the lift. You will need to upgrade this. Even if its just a dropped pitman arm. Doing this will alter the geometry of the system and create bump steer. I mention this because the KEVINS unit drops the frame end of the track bar to be alligned with the Drop in the pitman arm. Getting your geometry back and helping to eliminate bump steer. Kevins also changes the fram end to a bushing just like the axle end. This allows much increased droop with out resistance from the track bar. There are other good ones out there, this is my choice. CW

Thats what I am thinking. But isnt the break at 1990. Meaning most of the 1990 units are a different style than the 1989 and down units? I'll call and heve them double check the PN's this am. Thanks, CW

I picked up a new set tonight, but didnt check them until just a few minutes ago.... They do not look like the '90 factory units I happen to have. My '89's SHOUD be identicle to the '90's right?? Here is two shots of the '90's. Image Not Found Image Not Found Here is two of the new units. Image Not Found Image Not Found The studs are different. The center flange is taller and the rear portion of the bearing is longer. These are the cheaper bearings @ 80 bucks each. Any one know if these are correct?? I'll call the parts store in the AM and have them dbl check the numbers. CW

The TJ rear axle aint gonna fit as it sits. The front will, but not the rear. You can do it, its just not a bolt in as the front is. You will really NEED taller gears for any kind of street driveability. Let alone wheeling you can all but forget that!! CW

Dirty, That sounds right to me. I bought the dealer bolts one time.....EXPENSIVE!!! Something like $5.00 each NUT than $12- 17 for each bolt!! I would go to a good hardware store and get Grade 8 stuff next time!!! CW

They do LOOK nice but they won't last...fast wearing!!! CW

Gear wrenches and skinny arms!!! Really, I grabbed the neighbors kid to get the center ones. gear wrenchs make this job much easier!! CW

With jeep running remove pos batt cable. If it remains running ALT is putting out. If she stalls your ALT's SHOT!! CW

Sorry man, I forgot to do this!! I'll run out and measure now. I am sitting with nothing in the bed @ 35" center of hub to top of bed rail. I have been thinking about the brace and found a way to inprove it. I took a short piece of strap steel and welded it across from the pipe to the top of the clamp. I welded the bolt in place as its now "captured" there anyhow. CW BTW, Stay tuned, I have KEVINS WJ Track Bar conversion, JCR 1TON steering upgrade W/ZJ pitman arm, going in next week!!! Right after that its a complete rebuild on the HP D30. I mean complete, it includes, unit bearings, U-joints, ball joints, knuckles, stops, inturnal bearings and seals. Along with a fresh set of DANA 4:56 gears open/front and Aussie locked/rear. Not to mention the a D44 with that Aussie locker!

HEY, HUSH YOU!!! :roll: ;) NOT so loud, some one may hear you!!! The white stuff is overrated!! CW

A couple questions: 1) How long have you had them? 2) How many miles did you put on them? 3) Do you haul a lot of heavy crap? 4) SOA? 5) Stock legnth shackles? mine are fine, ZERO problems so far!! CW

In this pic, you can just make out the "tube" running just below and parallel to the tail pipe. CW

I don't know about MJ points..but I got "REWARDED" last night!!! :brows: :brows: CW

Well over all my idea when off well. I dropped the jeep off at my in laws yesterday AM. I parked it behind the house, out of view. I warped the keys in a box we just got a gift bottle of wine in. I printed a nice picture of the MJ and wrapped the keys in a towel at the bottom of the box. Sandra had to work yesterday so she would be arriving after the other guests. She arrived and we had dinner shortly after. I got up to take our dog out and move the WJ into the drive way. (It was dark) I figured, whew, may plan is set.... Dinner was finished, table cleared, coffee brought out and the deserts where on the table. I was speaking to my brother-in-laws when i herd the front door close....in walks Sandra carrying a pie. I never saw her go out!! I thought OMG, there goes my suprise and let my bother-in-laws in on it. We all sat down and nothing was said. We moved to the living room and packages where distributed. I held back the one for Sandra. After all were open, my sister-in-law, as if on que says. "OH, look here Sandra, here is another gift for you!" Sandra says, "I recognize that box!" She opens it and pulls out the picture and the towel, looks at me with a strange look on her face. Then finds the keys and looks even more perplexed. With tears in her eyes, we all head out side. where she stands in front of the MJ holding the ribbon. Image Not Found She pushed the button on the key flob and sets the alarm off!! She is new to these gadgets. I told you she has waited a long time!!! She gets in and buries her face in her hands and puts her head on the steering wheel crying. Image Not Found My father-in-law and brothers-in -laws are all shaking my hand and smacking me on the back, as my sisters-in-law are all piling in the WJ. Sandra looks at me with tears in her eyes and pulls the door shut had puts it in reverse! Out the drive way they go, just that quick!!! Image Not Found I think I done good!!! :thumbsup: Image Not Found Image Not Found Sorry for the dark pics...I hope all your Christmas's where equity as rewarding as mine is! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! CW

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to alll my COMANCHE CLUB buddies!!! Be safe and eat ALOT!!! BTW, its sunny and 45 degrees here!!! :brows: :brows: :eek: CW

They gave me more than 4" for sure. I have severly chopped my fenders so measuring with a common referance is difficult. I have added, 4.5" coils as well as 2" spacers AND .75" spacers up front and its looks about perfect to me. Front sits 1.5" LOWER than rear. The rear is spring UNDER, 4" Rustys packs and 7" shackles. Tell me where you would like me to measure or photograph and I would be happy to oblige.... Merry Christmas, CW