knever3 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Love it!!Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 Thanks! Picked up my new tow rig! I needed something to be able to drag this Comanche out west: This truck is HUGE. It easily dwarfs the Comanche. I burned in the axle brackets. Ruffstuff Specialties U-bolt elimination perches, shock mounts, and tie down brackets. JK parking brakes with backing plate trimmed to fit Wilwood brakes. Various tabs for brake lines and parking brake cables: Painted! I also added some stainless brake lines and an ARB diff cover: I welded a steel cup (specifically I repurposed a WK rear bumpstop cup) on the spring top-plates with a 1/2" nut welded on the back side to allow the use of JKS bumstop spacers so that I can easily adjust my bumpstops: A detail from a few months ago. I'm running a GM R4 a/c compressor with a Four Seasons AN fitting adapter. I then took some new XJ lines and trimmed the flex line before crimping on an AN fitting for both the high and low pressure sides: Hydraulic crimping tool: Detailed shots of the completed fuel system. I'm running a GM fuel filter and a Corvette regulator with all "push-lock" AN fittings and lines. The 3rd line is the fuel tank vent line with will be going to an evap canister under the hood. My parking brake setup: 97+ XJ bracket with the mounts cut off and re-welded for passenger side mounting. I'm running a 2DR JK line on the passenger side and a JK 4DR line to the drivers side. Seeing these pictures makes me really wish I had painted the underbody... oh well. Detailed shots of the JCR tire carrier: And lastly I installed some JCR rock sliders: And thats where it sits now. Building an exhaust system is the next step. I have a bunch of stainless tubing on the way! The Jeep has a bit more lift than I was expecting. With the JKS ACOS set to +2" and a set of Clayton 4.5" springs I'm sitting at 7.5" of lift in the front and in the rear I'm running a set of factory replacement springs with Clayton adjustable shackles (currently set to +0" of lift) and the Ruffstuff Specialties U-bolt eliminator perches in the SOA configuration (they add approximately 1" over a normal SOA due to perch thickness) but it is sitting at about 8.5" of lift. The Jeep is unloaded with no fluids... but I'm still surprised at the lift height. It was designed to be sitting at about 6.5" of lift all around so I'm really hopping everything settles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19comanche86 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Absolutely amazing build. Your attention to detail and fab skills are next to the best. This thread makes me anxious to get mine back from paint. I’m running a similar fuel set up but I opted with a fuel cell in the bed. Where did you get the spare tire carrier? It’s exactly what I’m looking. -RyanAlso I made the same move as you and got rid of my gladiator rubicon and got a ram for towing. That lasted a few months I missed the gladiator so bad and got an offer on the ram I couldn’t turn down. Back in a gladiator Willys. Couldn’t afford the rubicon this go around, prices are out of control. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Thanks for sharing your parking brake details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 12:00 PM, A-man930 said: Thanks for sharing your parking brake details Anytime! I'll have to get some more detailed pictures here soon On 2/22/2022 at 5:38 AM, 19comanche86 said: Absolutely amazing build. Your attention to detail and fab skills are next to the best. This thread makes me anxious to get mine back from paint. I’m running a similar fuel set up but I opted with a fuel cell in the bed. Where did you get the spare tire carrier? It’s exactly what I’m looking. -Ryan Also I made the same move as you and got rid of my gladiator rubicon and got a ram for towing. That lasted a few months I missed the gladiator so bad and got an offer on the ram I couldn’t turn down. Back in a gladiator Willys. Couldn’t afford the rubicon this go around, prices are out of control. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I do miss the Gladiator (especially the gas milage compared to my Hemi powered WK) but this truck is going to be excellent on long road trips! Can't wait to try it out. So I had talked to Wilwood 2 weeks ago and they said the earliest I could expect my custom brake order (placed in November) would be mid-April due to supply issues. I was quite surprised to wake up to 3 heavy boxes sitting on my porch! Competition Blue JK big brake kit from Wilwood. Installation is not exactly plug and play. Also, keep in mind these are for a JK and will not bolt up to normal MJ axles (though there is a kit available for pre-89 spindles). First and foremost, you need to bolt the rotor hats to the disks. This is easily accomplished with a in-lbs torque wrench but the next step is the tough one. You need to safety-wire each pair of bolts... This was my first time doing it and it took me half way through all 4 rotors to start getting ones like this: I may go back and re-do the rears as I was still learning at that point... The fronts are THICK: I'm running 30" Wilwood lines with Tereflex rubber brake line anchors: The rear brakes are also vented but only about half as thick as the fronts: In the rears I'm running factory stainless steel replacement 97+ XJ hard-lines with 10" Wilwood flex lines: F+R Adams driveshafts (the front will need to wait until the exhaust system is complete): One last look at the Competition Blue against the Austin Yellow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 Oh and if anyone with stock axles is interested, here's what the XJ/TJ/LJ/MJ/ZJ/YJ kit looks like. It fits all years with a D30 front axle. It just requires pre-'89 spindles (calipers were bolted on pre-'89 before they went to the slide-pin/shelf setup in '90). Oh, and these do not utilize safety-wire so no worries about that obstacle. I had them on my previous '98 XJ: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 beefy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scguy Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 That brake setup is a work of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 On 3/13/2022 at 10:32 PM, scguy said: That brake setup is a work of art. I almost changed my order to black when the custom blue was delayed... glad I didnt! Its getting close! I finally tried my hand at TIG... some welds were great some were not so great: Originally I was going to do a 90 out the passenger side just like the factory one but I decided I was just going to bash it on the rocks so I made a turn-down: Clutch and brakes are bled and wheels/tires are on! I still have about 1" too much rake in the rear. I figure the leafs will lose some height after the tank is full and I have my recovery gear in the bed: The front suspension geometry came out pretty good! I have a fox steering stabilizer that I'll put on after its aligned. Next I need to put some fluids in the Jeep: After the fluids are in and I wire the O2 sensors it'll be ready to start. I'm just waiting on the rear shocks from fox before its drivable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 So excited for you. you have a bit of effort in this build and you are an inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 are you gonna run a traction bar? I recommend it. looks killer. i want that in my garage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Seeing this is simultaneously inspiring and depressing. I have soooo much to get done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepFanatik Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 You might have already answered this. What paint are you using on the chassis? Steel-it black??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted April 12, 2022 Author Share Posted April 12, 2022 On 3/27/2022 at 11:32 PM, MiNi Beast said: So excited for you. you have a bit of effort in this build and you are an inspiration. Thank you! On 3/28/2022 at 5:16 AM, 89eliminator said: are you gonna run a traction bar? I recommend it. looks killer. i want that in my garage Not planning on it now but if I have any sever issues with axle hop I'll fab one up On 3/28/2022 at 9:10 AM, A-man930 said: Seeing this is simultaneously inspiring and depressing. I have soooo much to get done Thats how I still feel haha On 3/31/2022 at 8:08 AM, JeepFanatik said: You might have already answered this. What paint are you using on the chassis? Steel-it black??? Just using Rustoleum rattle can black (semi-gloss and satin) Its alive! I have a few videos of it running but I'll need to get them up on Youtube to view. In the meantime here's some shots of the interior powered on: Lights! So it fired right up on the first try but I subsequently found a few electrical issues that needed addressed. I've solved all but one of them... I'm getting some feedback through the interior button illumination circuit (just a few buttons) when using the turn signals or hazards with the parking lights off. I was hoping it was just a bad ground on the flasher but no joy. Any ideas? Finding the severed wire at the plug under the carpet for the right rear turn signal was a real joy: I needed a storage solution for my tools and recovery gear and ended up going with a Pelican BX90 Cargo Case and roofrack mounts. I also installed a HiLift jack along the bedside: I relocated the Warn winch remote plug and installed the synthetic line with a Factor 55 Flat Link: I think it'll be ready to drive it to get inspected by next week! So close! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 So I see on Instagram that this rig moves under its own power now... @USN_JeepMJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted April 26, 2022 Author Share Posted April 26, 2022 On 4/21/2022 at 6:03 PM, 89 MJ said: So I see on Instagram that this rig moves under its own power now... @USN_JeepMJ It sure does! Picked up my new plates: Installed a H3R Halguard extinguisher: And a powered Kicker sub (only thing that would fit behind the seat): Lastly what I'm currently working on: I'll have to get some driving videos. Its an absolute blast to drive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted April 26, 2022 Share Posted April 26, 2022 Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted April 26, 2022 Share Posted April 26, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blade Posted April 26, 2022 Share Posted April 26, 2022 Beautiful truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeyyank Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Damn sexy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxyjeep Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 Need some video with sound of it driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Beautiful build! Following along with this and Limey's build has given me quite a few ideas... Thanks for all the time you invested into updating us on the progress and posting pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limeyjeeper Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Truly beautiful build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN_JeepMJ Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 On 4/27/2022 at 12:25 AM, MiNi Beast said: Awesome! On 4/27/2022 at 8:11 AM, Pete M said: On 4/27/2022 at 8:31 AM, Blade said: Beautiful truck! On 4/27/2022 at 1:15 PM, Smokeyyank said: Damn sexy! On 5/5/2022 at 1:39 AM, ghetdjc320 said: Beautiful build! Following along with this and Limey's build has given me quite a few ideas... Thanks for all the time you invested into updating us on the progress and posting pics On 5/5/2022 at 3:19 AM, Limeyjeeper said: Truly beautiful build. Thank you everyone! So happy to finally have this thing on the road. Trip to Colorado is coming soon! On 5/3/2022 at 6:03 AM, SoCalJeepComanche said: Need some video with sound of it driving. Will do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natander2ksometime Posted May 26, 2022 Share Posted May 26, 2022 You should bring it out to Moab in September for the MJ Takeover! I'm planning it this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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