Operation 'Basket Case MJ'

[Gojira94]

Had a little time to get the brakes together last night after work. Parking brake cables are stock length, and this is full droop. I had to route them under/ inboard of the leaf springs. I think I'll make a pair of looped brackets 3"-4" long where the original loops used to be. Need to adjust the shoes with the drums on and then set the parking brake adjustment. Then I'll get her on her feet and see what I have for rear ride height.

 

 

 

 

[89 MJ]

Looking good!

[Gojira94]

22 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

Looking good!

 

Thanks!

 

Got her on her feet today.

Rear height is 14.50" (+5.3" lift) 

Front height is 13.25" (+5.5" lift)

Rake is 1.7" R > F

 

I'm going to add another .5" - .75" to the ACOS up front and let the leaf springs settle. I'd like to see about 1" of rake, max. Just my preference on stance.

 

 

 

 

[89 MJ]

Generally, I can't stand black wheels. They actually look really good on this truck though, especially with the black bumpers, grille, and headache rack. That thing looks huge with the 5.5ish inch lift, in a good way.

[Gojira94]

On 7/3/2025 at 4:14 PM, 89 MJ said:

Generally, I can't stand black wheels. They actually look really good on this truck though, especially with the black bumpers, grille, and headache rack. That thing looks huge with the 5.5ish inch lift, in a good way.

 

I always was hesitant on black wheels on anything too. But this one made sense and has a good aesthetic, I think. Much appreciated!

 

Rear stuff is completely set, except the cable management for the parking brake cables. I have a couple of ideas that will be simple, effective and cheap.

 

 

Front is apart again to set the upper control arm length for pinion angle. Track bar was originally set for centered on exactly 13.75" ride height, so it's my guide, along with brake rotor sighting along the pinch rail looking back. I'm adding .6" to the ACOS to fill out the missing .5" from the front lift. I may go .75" and adjust the track bar and UCAs accordingly. We'll see. I just don't like how high it is in the back. Though I know it'll likely settle maybe .5" over time.

 

 

[Gojira94]

Worked yesterday 9-6 and didn't feel like messing with it after, so I knocked it out early this morning. I added 18mm to the ACOS on both sides, lengthened the track bar by about 1/8." Also lengthened the UCAs until my pinion to front shaft centerline were within 2-2.5* of each other, close enough. My caster is about 5* so we'll see how she acts on the road soon. Front ride height is now at 13.875." I was shooting for 14" or a hair under.  Any higher than this and I'll be in cut-and-roll territory, might already be there. The rear is still a lot higher than I'd like. It should settle but in the meantime I'm going to throw some XJ shackles at it until it does. The lower I can get it in the rear, the more that will help the front effective caster.