Pete M Posted June 9, 2020 Author Share Posted June 9, 2020 yeah, I'm leaning that way. I mean, where do I need to drive in the next couple weeks anyways? plus I'll be swapping out the hitch for a rust-free one and adding in my various factory skidplates. should be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 I'd definitely swap (at least) the front axle when you install the new springs. No need to unbolt all that stuff twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 10, 2020 Author Share Posted June 10, 2020 the big brown truck has arrived Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 it's getting real Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 I hope those gray jack stands are not the Harbor Freight recalled models! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 I haven't bought a stand in over a decade so I think I'm good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 I'v got those same 12 ton stands....they are beastly. And they are currently holding my buddy's Suburban up in the air...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 originally I was going to salvage the old rear axle, but I've changed my mind about that rusty hunk of junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 progress has been made. out with the old, rusty axle and hitch. I've been in southern junkyards so much lately that I'd apparently forgotten just how horrible it is to work on a rusty rig. today was an eye opener. most of my time was spent getting the axle out. and in with the new and non-rusty. got the fuel tank skid and rust free hitch in place, but couldn't find the rust free bolts I know I have so I decided that was a good time to stop for the day and clean up my work area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 Are you going to shoot everything with Fluid Film to fend off the rust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 13, 2020 Author Share Posted June 13, 2020 Have no plans for that. took 14 winters to get to this point. I'll just wash everything thoroughly after any trips up to the great white (salt) north. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 13, 2020 Author Share Posted June 13, 2020 rear axle is in, rear springs are in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 13, 2020 Author Share Posted June 13, 2020 front end is apart, both sides. was fairly easy since I did this all a few months ago. tomorrow I start digging into removing the front diff and swapping coils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 coils are swapped, front diff is installed. tomorrow I deal with a snapped bolt and then reassemble the front suspension. also 2 more ant bites. damn those little ladies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Ouch on the ants, lol. I feel your pain on the axle swaps.....I spent the better part of yesterday in my buddy's driveway trying to swap UCA/LCA's, shocks, ball joints and a bunch of assorted little bracketry on the front end of his Suburban. Holy HECK are 1/2-3/4 ton suspension parts heavy. I'm used to little lightweight stuff on Jeeps and my Focus. At one point, one of the knuckles/unit bearings slipped free and I grabbed the falling mass of cast iron...just about broke my arm And torsion bar suspensions are not friendly. At all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 and they aren't even the fire ants. these are little ants that apparently don't like getting squished when I roll over to get under the Jeep. not much happened today. too much rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share Posted June 18, 2020 ran all the scrap into town today. lots and lots of dead weight I don't need lying around. got a whole $5 for it. man have steel prices dropped. not much in the way of progress, but I did manage to install the t-case skidplate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 thank goodness that skidplate was installed. had an issue with pulling the trans pan (popped down on it's own with no prying like last time but didn't sall because I had several bolts in half-way) and the ensuing tidal wave flowed over the trans crossmember and the skidplate then carried the fluid waaaaaaaay beyond my catch pan. yup, that was a mess and half. but I managed to catch most of it and so now the transmission filters have been changed and most of the fluid replaced (gotta wait until the Jeep is level to put in the rest). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 stopped by the junkyard and picked up some rear shocks and bolts. but I beat myself up pretty good removing/hauling XJ stuff out of the yard (1/4 mile all uphill) so I'm taking a break before installing the KJ stuff. probably later today I'll get the last things on and get it back sitting on its tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 shocks and wheelwell liners are in. rain is close so I'm calling it a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 minor setback. I got the rear of the Jeep on the ground and found I didn't gain any lift over the old coils. I postponed the other frontend projects so I could get it on the ground and level. I did gain up front, but the rear is still saggy. I know I have weight in the Jeep (tools), but didn't expect a net gain of 0 from brand new coils. guess I need to send off an email and see what IDParts thinks. sigh. at least the rear is easy to add spacer lift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodemonk Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 I've seen your tool list. The new coils probably don't account for the added weight. You could probably do a quick test and unload your tools and take a picture to find out for sure though. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 25, 2020 Author Share Posted June 25, 2020 I took all the heavy things out and only gained a half inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 5, 2020 Author Share Posted July 5, 2020 new coils are in and everything is as it should be. without the heavy things inside it sits level, so I took it all apart once again and slapped in an extra set of upper isolators. with the tools back in we're good to go. tomorrow if the rain lets me I'll wrap up the last couple things and take her for a test drive. I'm so geeked to have a suspension again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 6, 2020 Author Share Posted July 6, 2020 oh, and I found my line output converter so tomorrow I also hope to get some thump in the truck by installing my amp and subwoofer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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