'88 MJ Restification:

[JeffK]

8 hours ago, Gojira94 said:

 

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.

 

I was wondering about the CA length, that's good info. Thanks. Approx what length are you running the upper CAs? I'd like the to end up with the caster angle toward the high side of the stock specs.

 

 

[Gojira94]

I roughed in the uppers with about 1 1/4-1 1/2" thread showing for the approximate pinion angle. Also need to get the SOA and shackles done for the rear pinion angle setting. Then make final adjustments and nut and bolt the whole suspension. Working my way to the rear bumper, still in the cab lol. Lowers I set to make the wheelbase at first as close to 113" as possible. I came in right at 113.5" which should be fine, and help with that caster angle a few tenths of a degree positive. I left about .125" of thread showing on the lowers, and dead center in the drop brackets' adjustment range F-R.

[JeffK]

I spent part of this week doing some spring cleaning on the TJ,

 

 

and started working on my knuckles for my brake upgrade.

[JeffK]

I was able to remove the lower BJ sleeves this afternoon. I'd been soaking them in PB Blaster for the past couple of days. then this afternoon I put some heat and few adult adjectives on them and they came out fairly easy.

 

 

[JeffK]

Primed and ready for paint.

 

 

 

[89 MJ]

Looking good. Must've degreased them very well after using the PB Blaster

[JeffK]

On 4/20/2025 at 2:24 PM, 89 MJ said:

Looking good. Must've degreased them very well after using the PB Blaster

 

I clean everything with CRC Brakleen before I paint. Best de-greaser out there.

[JeffK]

Finish coat on the knuckles. I still need to drill out the mounting holes for the caliper bracket and chase the threads for the ball joint sleeve.

 

 

I did a parts inventory and I'm going to start mocking up the brakes later this week. Rotor size comparison vs one of my spare TJ rotors.

 

[JeffK]

Started mocking up the front brakes today, the write ups I've read they've had to remove 1/16 to 1/8 of material off either the hub or the rotor center. I literally sanded of the coating on the rotor center and they slid on.

 

 

Drilled out the mounting ears and chased the ball  joint sleeve threads, which went surprisingly well.

 

 

 

I started assembly of the knuckles and realized the caliper bolts I have are too short.

 

 

The bolts needed are M14 - 1.5 x 70mm, I ordered them online because I couldn't find any flange hex bolts that size  locally.