JeffK Posted March 9 Author Share Posted March 9 It's been a long time since I started this project, and it's been shelved several times over the years due to life and health issues. I'm now officially retired. Hopefully my enthusiasm and knees will hold up long enough to get this old girl back on the road again. I'm going to spend the next 4-6 weeks stockpiling parts to replace stuff that either just didn't work out or just needs to be upgraded. I'll post pics as stuff comes in and work as it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 1 hour ago, JeffK said: It's been a long time since I started this project, and it's been shelved several times over the years due to life and health issues. I'm now officially retired. Hopefully my enthusiasm and knees will hold up long enough to get this old girl back on the road again. I'm going to spend the next 4-6 weeks stockpiling parts to replace stuff that either just didn't work out or just needs to be upgraded. I'll post pics as stuff comes in and work as it's done. I’ve been hoping for an update like that! Looking forward to updates again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 My original suspension set up was a RE 3.5 lift with fixed control arms. Later on, I added a spacer to the springs to level it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 With the fixed arms the wheel was no longer centered in the wheel well and the caster angle was all wonked up. The first piece for the ol' parts pile arrived yesterday. A 37 pound box of happiness from Core4x4. Big beefy pieces (some assembly required). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 Got my order from Spencer @ Jeepstickers as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Again, very excited to see an update! I’ve been following this thread since the first post. Welcome back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 54 minutes ago, neohic said: Again, very excited to see an update! I’ve been following this thread since the first post. Welcome back! I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 12 Author Share Posted March 12 I picked up an open box HPS Short Ram Air intake (27-301WB) off eBay and installed it today. Hard to stay inside when it's 79 degrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Htchevyii Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 On 3/11/2025 at 1:05 PM, JeffK said: With the fixed arms the wheel was no longer centered in the wheel well and the caster angle was all wonked up. The first piece for the ol' parts pile arrived yesterday. A 37 pound box of happiness from Core4x4. Big beefy pieces (some assembly required). I've got the Core arms and track bar. It seems like pretty solid stuff. I had 4" of lift on short arms and the ride was terrible. I added RRO drop brackets and the difference was amazing, (currently has a probably sagged 5.5" lift). I know that everyone runs long arms now, but mine is pretty dialed in and dependable and I don't have any plans on changing things anytime soon. Glad to see that you're back on the build, congrats on the retirement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 5 hours ago, Htchevyii said: I've got the Core arms and track bar. It seems like pretty solid stuff. I had 4" of lift on short arms and the ride was terrible. I added RRO drop brackets and the difference was amazing, (currently has a probably sagged 5.5" lift). I know that everyone runs long arms now, but mine is pretty dialed in and dependable and I don't have any plans on changing things anytime soon. Glad to see that you're back on the build, congrats on the retirement! I considered a long arm kit, but I'm going the route you did. I'm going to use 12° North Industries MJ kit. Thanks for the congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 Today's addition to the parts pile. Metalcloak 4.5 springs. Top notch folks. Called me the day after I ordered them to thank me and let me know they were on the way. Plus some Prothane insulators Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Htchevyii Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 2 hours ago, JeffK said: I considered a long arm kit, but I'm going the route you did. I'm going to use 12° North Industries MJ kit. Thanks for the congrats. Pretty sure those are identical to the Rocky Road Outfitters brackets that I bought. Same exact part number in fact. I liked the extra reinforcement in the back and the fact that it could act as a ramp if I was backing into an obstacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 4 minutes ago, Htchevyii said: Pretty sure those are identical to the Rocky Road Outfitters brackets that I bought. Same exact part number in fact. I liked the extra reinforcement in the back and the fact that it could act as a ramp if I was backing into an obstacle. I'm sure you're right, both sites even use the same pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 Made a road trip today and picked up a set of 17" black Gladiator Rubicon wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 With the right adapters, I think they'll look pretty sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 A few goodies for the parts pile. Riddler D30 cover to match the rear and a RuffStuff battery box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 More parts. Russell brake lines including the ones for the rear calipers. Also got my first box from CavFab, Track bar bracket and mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 Got the brackets painted and ready to install. Painted the battery box as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 Gotta love fresh goodies. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 I'm still waiting on a few more parts to come in. I did finish painting what has come in. Final box from CavFab showed up with my track bar. Very impressive part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Dose that have a frame mount as well for the trac bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 5 hours ago, MiNi Beast said: Dose that have a frame mount as well for the trac bar? yeah, and a cross brace for the mount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 The CAD brackets came in from RRO today. The parts pile is nearing completion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffK Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 Got my new tires mounted today, saved almost $60 a tire buying them from Tire Rack vs locally. I think they look pretty good on the JL wheels. Compared to the worn 33s on my TJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gojira94 Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 On 4/5/2025 at 7:15 PM, JeffK said: The CAD brackets came in from RRO today. The parts pile is nearing completion. Those drop brackets are nice, I really like mine. Be prepared to do a fair amount of very small grinding in the frame's LCA pockets to get the fitment just so. The bracket kit was welded together with a MUCH higher degree of precision than your MJ was Also, you'll find when setting the wheelbase with the Core 4x4 arms and the RRO brackets it'll want a very close to stock LCA length, with the arms adjusted just about to their shortest length, with the brackets set to dead center adjustment. That's what I found to be the case on mine, with about 6.75" lift up front on OME 2934 coils and ACOS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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