Phoenix of Fury Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Here she is, my 'red-headed stepchild.' She's an '86 with the 2.5L, 5 speed (I believe it's an AX-5, I haven't confirmed.) Stock Dana 30/35 axles, 207 transfer case. Bought it with 78,xxx miles, only put 3k miles on it in the last year. Hardly any rust, just a little on the tailgate. The only 'major' aesthetic thing I've done so far is to replace a missing grill. Driving-wise, I've had to replace the catalytic converter, PS pump and box, and head gasket. Also needs the clutch replaced, which will happen next week. The interior is CHERRY... Not just the color. One minor blemish on the drivers door by the crank handle... And the headliner is falling down, no biggie. No cheap gauges here! THE PLAN: I've got some major future plans for this truck. First things first though. New 4.5 inch rear leafs from Hell Creek: Adjustable upper and lower control arms, 4.5 inch springs and a heavy duty track bar bracket from RE: Should be lifting the truck next weekend. After the lift, I'll take it to Phat Jeeps Offroad in Rollinsville, CO for some heavy duty steering and a track bar. Then the 33x12.50 on some 15x8 rims with 4 inch backspace, and I'll measure for some shocks. I'll probably buy some quick disconnects for the sway bar too, after the lift so I can measure for sure. One quick question... the bushings on the rear shackles look pretty worn. Is it possible to replace them, or do I need to replace the entire shackle? I've got a little hardware for the front control arms, should I plan on replacing the rest and the rear U-bolts, or will everything clean up decently? I'd rather spend a little extra now than break it the first time I wheel it. Also, the moonroof leaks when it rains hard, or when I wash it. Is it possible to replace the seal? I'll be sure to keep this updated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galford Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Looks like it had a great life. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 :bowdown: she's a beauty. hopefully the lift is for looks not to abuse (wow, i never thought i'd say that.) that shows you how nice that truck is! i'm never into "poseur" rigs. but your truck is amazingly clean and will look awesome lifted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix of Fury Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 Lifted the front of the Jeep today. Wanted to do the rear, but we ran out of time... And I'm skiing tomorrow. Gotta get it all in before the season is over! Progress pics. Set the lower adjustable arms to 16 3/4", uppers to 15" originally. We moved the uppers "out" 5 full turns, so I have no idea what they're at now. Reused the stock steering and track bar. I have new brake lines, but did not install them today. I'll get to that next weekend with the rear. All the old parts we pulled out. A picture with the stock tires... And a few poser pictures with my roommates spare 33x12.50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 What are you doing with those stock front (and rear?) shocks? I Need new ones for my 2wd and those LOOK like they have great compression/tensile strength...? Interested in selling them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix of Fury Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 PM Sent. If anyone else wants any of the stock parts, let me know. I have the stock upper and lower control arms, and will soon have the stock steering and trackbar / bracket. I will be keeping my rear leafs. I didn't think there was much of a market for stock stuff, so I was just going to toss it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Whereabouts are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92comanche4x4 Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 I'm guessin colorado according to the plate on the front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Doh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 WOW! UNBELIEVABLY clean. Keep the pics coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix of Fury Posted April 20, 2008 Author Share Posted April 20, 2008 Finally got the rear lift on. I used 4.5 inch Hell Creek leaf springs, and some new U-bolts from Currie. The rear wasn't too difficult, I had to unbolt the brake junction box thing from the axle for the lines to reach alright. I'll get some pictures up ASAP. The front upper tire to bottom fender lip is about 7 12", and the rears are 8". I am still using my stock shackles, but the bushings look pretty worn in them, so I may replace them soon. I'm leaning towards either the RE greasable shackles, or the revolvers. I think I'm going to lose a little lift either way, which is alright by me. I'm also keeping my stock rear springs, they're pretty flexy. I'll put them back in when I go spring over at some future point. Went and flexed it out, and measured 17" stuffed in the front, and 26" droop. Rear measured 18" stuff, 23" droop. Those measurements are from shock mount to shock mount, on my stock 235x/75. Next step is to get the stock steering/track bar replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepinmanch Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Nice looking rig!! Good progress so far. I like to see all the clean MJs around here. Gotta love the dry southwest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92comanche4x4 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 i wish mine was that clean looks good keep the pics comming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix of Fury Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 New pictures with full lift: Picture of the rear springs and new U-bolts. There is all kinds of room under there once you take out the spare tire: Picture of the front with the stock steering. I'm going to have the steering replaced with a cross over setup from Phat Jeeps later this week. No shocks yet, hopefully I'll get those tomorrow and put them on before the long drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Looks great. :thumbsup: What shocks will you be putting on her? :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comanche87 Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 nice truck man. looks like you just gave it miricle grow. lol. looks even better with the lift! good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeeptruck86 Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Nice truck man. Lookin real good! Can't wait to see it with your new wheels/tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix of Fury Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 Got the shocks and installed them today. Bought 4 Procomp ES9000. The fronts are 28" extended, the rears are 24.5". Compressed, they fit within my measurements with stock tires, so they should be fine once I get the new meats. The part numbers are EXP 926515 and EXP 924509 from 4 Wheel Parts. I also bought some bar pin eliminators for the front, as I don't want the bar pin hassle. I did not get boots with my shocks. I have heard horror stories about the boots getting filled with dirt and mud and grime, and causing problems down the road. Hopefully I will be dropping the jeep off for steering tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Nice , very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I use the ES9000's on all three of our vehicles and love them. You did good by avoiding the boots as the stories you have heard are true. Boots are for looking pretty, but for a truck being used as they will collect water, mud etc... and just damage the shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix of Fury Posted May 3, 2008 Author Share Posted May 3, 2008 Thanks for the backup about the shocks. I was basically going for a mid-range type shock. My one roommate has some cheap Rusty shocks, the other has the $90 a piece Ranchos. Personally, I don't see the difference. New front shock with a JKS Bar Pin Eliminator: So I got my new meats today. 33x12.50 MTZs. Mounted on 15x8 4 inch BS Crager Soft 8s. Even though I don't have my steering yet, I couldn't help but testing fitting them on the truck! My alignment is off due to stock steering. It's pretty obvious with the larger tires... Front tire looks pretty well centered in the wheel well. The rear however, looks pretty far forward. I don't think I could've put the springs on backwards...Big eye forward, I don't think they fit the other way. Unfortunately, as fun as it was, I had to take the tires back off. They rub when I turn, I believe they're rubbing at the front of the front fenders. Also, I don't want them to go all crazy on me when I take it to have the steering done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92comanche4x4 Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 man that thing looks awsome great job keep up the great work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 that thing is the friggin bizzzz-omb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 very nice :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 :cheers: Nice work. The rear does look a little far forward, but remember that it moves backward when compressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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