LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW

Was able to work on it for a few hours today. New bumper showed up from Motion Offroad, so I was excited to get that installed today. Install was straight forward and fitment was perfect. Put a set of foglights on, havn't wired them yet. I also got the 6.5" springs, bumpstops, and upper control arms in. The lower control arms are giving me a hard time coming out. So I guess tomorrow I'll try to just cut them out. Here are a few pics from today of the bumper:

Actually just used regular bolts. Used a grade 8 that's 7" long and they worked well. Their is a peice that is on their from the factory as well (the bolts go threw it, it has a raised bent center); I used that under the "shock plate" on the bottom side for a bit of extra added support.

Here is a pic of what it looks like. I wanted to keep them as low as I could so I can put in a longer travel shock.

Alcan is offering a similar type concept with the ends. http://www.alcanspring.com/orbit-eye.htm I'm sure you can get their famous MJ rear leaf packs with the orbit eyes. :brows:

They are factory. I used the existing plates at the bottom of the pre-fabbed brackets. I made no changes what so ever to them.

That tie rod looks huge! The only problem I see with that kit is that you still are using the stock TRE's. Then again, they are cheap enough to carry spares - but fixing one on a trail is a biiotch and a half. :cry: Yeah it's 100% total beef! You can use the HD Moogs on it. I haven't had a problem running the Moog's in the past so I'm really not worried about it. I'm just tired of bending the tierod itself, so I opted for this one. And for the price compared to others on the market it's hard to not pass it up! Here is a pic of the HD Moog units. As you can see, they are defiantly a bit beefier than the "stock" ones.

Not a lot of updates over the weekend. Was busy spending time with the family. I did however get the front re-tore apart to get the new springs/control arms in. Everything is pretty much out. I should be able to hopefully get the front suspension tied up over the next 2 days. Will report back with pics soon.

passenger side is under the knucke on this one. drivers side is under as well :hmm: so idk.... Bah your right... Sorry, been working on my XJ all day and I've got the Teraflex knuckle on it..

Here this may be of help... http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech.html Don't have them all on their yet, but I'm working on it. ;)

Maybe it's just me, but I do not like the bend in the ZJ tierod. Maybe I've just bent to many stock units and a bit hesitant, or maybe I have some logic behind it... thats for you to decide. ;) Without a flip insert, you will still be under the knuckle on the drivers side. The pass side is knuckle over from the factory anyways. I just purchased the motion offroad tierod and flip kit. $160 for the kit seams very reasonable to me. I don't have it installed yet, but should in the next week or so. Here is a pic of it sitting with other parts waiting to be installed. http://www.motionoffroad.com/suspension.html

I'm Norwegian and don't seem to have a problem... :brows: Let me know if you need any more help. Offer still stands if you need me to take a measurement.

What size front springs are you going to be running? (I seem to recall 6.5") I have several XJ's/MJ's (6 to be specific) lifted at different heights all with correct control arms. I'm sure I have something that is close to what you'll be at. I'll be glad to measure for you if I get a chance tomorrow.

http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech/tech_tire.html

Are you wanting specifics on certain shocks or what? Any 6.5" lifted XJ shock will work on the front of a MJ. Most online vendors will specify what lift height they are for. Looking for cheap? Here are 2 good alternatives.. Rustys - http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RM000&Category_Code=SHOCKS RK - http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info. ... s_id/27456 In regards to the trac bar, I've never seen 2 rigs with the same springs ever have the trac bar setup the exact same length. Your best bet is to simply center the axle under the MJ, than install the trackbar. If you want to be anal, select a common point on each side (top of fender works well), install tires, and than run a peice of string with a weight down from the common point, measure and center your axle off that that reference. I've been doing it this way for a long time and it works great.

For anyone interested, here is a application sheet for Monroe shocks for the rear of the MJ's. http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech/MJRearShock.htm Disclaimer: I have not confirmed every shock on here will work. This information is based on the mounting and length chart that Monroe puts out. I have included what the stock one's are as well as extended for lifted and shortened for lowered vehicals as well. This is intended to simply be used as reference, make sure you do your own research as well prior to your purchase.

Ok I found the application sheet on Monroe's website that Eagle has mentioned. QUESTION: Does anyone know the upper and lower mounting style used on the MJ? If I can figure that out, I can probably get these ordered today. ANSWER: They are L1 upper and L1 lower. EDIT: Found my own answer out.

http://www.tenneco.com/products/ridecontrol/index.html Check out the shock companies they own. All the big names. Just go for some from napa or advance. Understandable, however both places refuse to help me try find an alternative shock that will work. They will only help me if I have a part number...

You don't happen to have a part number of know what they are off of do ya? I've spent about 5 hours looking for an alternative and still no luck yet.

My rear lower shock mounts are in the stock location. I need a longer length shock for the rear. I have the front covered, just need new rear shocks. I have a set of 4.5" rear XJ shocks, but can't seem to find a way to modify them to work... :roll:

I'm in need of some new rear shocks. I have aprox 7" of lift and am looking for something CHEAP as it will be offroad only. I'm looking for someplace I can preferably order online, or if someone knows of a specific part number etc that I can order from my local Napa/Autozone etc. Rusty's has what I'm looking for, and at $30 a shock not a bad price either. However I'm really hesitant to give him a dime of my $$ again after past conflicts with him, and heck I probably won't even receive them in time for my upcoming trip and he'll rape me on shipping (ok Rusty's rant off). I tried to google "Tenneco Manufacturing" (which is what Rusty's sells) for another online vendor to no luck. Anyone have any advice as to where to find some for CHEAP? Thanks in advance.

Why would you want to run a shorter shock? It will limit the flex in the rear. Ok I guess I see 2 reasons to run it how your talking... 1) No $$ to buy new shocks (even though a set can be bought from Rusty's for ~$50) 2) You gain the ground clearance having your lower shock mount higher. I'd gladly compromise the above 2 to have a longer shock where I don't have to worry about my shocks being my limiting factor. Maybe thats just me though...

Not a lot of updates over the past week as I really haven't had time to work on it. I did get a chance today to pick up some parts for it however. I purchased a set of 6.5" coils for the front, and a set of upper and lower control arms to work with the 6.5" coils. This should help match the rear lift height with the spring over. And I also picked up a D44 rear for an XJ. Not sure if I'll put it in the MJ or one of the XJ's yet... :D Pics:

I actually got them from a local vendor who sponsor's my local club. I think they are a very similar concept to Rocky Road's.

The GLXJ group will be meeting at the bottom of the hill to the right at 10:00AM on Sat. morning. You guys are more than welcome to meet at the same spot/time if you'd like....

Jake, Replied to your PM in regards to the other stuff... I'd sell them if your interested...