AmericaOverland
Explorer
Don't know. My vehicles would not be towing each other because of the weight limit. Your rims in the photo are aftermarket? They look like stock Jeep rims to me...
Jack's "new" 2006 LJ Rubicon
- Thread starter locrwln
- Start date
Don't know. My vehicles would not be towing each other because of the weight limit. Your rims in the photo are aftermarket? They look like stock Jeep rims to me...
Yuman Desert Rat
Expedition Leader
Looks like the rims that come on the Rubicon Sahara unlimited.
Ok, I wrongly assumed the picture with the Chevy and pop up was your tow rig.
And the rims are Mambas MR1X..... Finally remembered!
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Yuman Desert Rat
Expedition Leader
Bingo! That's right!
locrwln
Expedition Leader
Added a little self recovery to the jeep last weekend. A week prior, 4WheelParts was having their grand opening here in the Reno area and as a result, they were selling the Smittybuilt 8k winch for $249. So I headed down there and picked on up with an unlimited three year warranty out the door for less than the normal price. Ordered my winch plate from Amazon and knocked out the install.
Here is the only picture I have of it, but we all know what a winch install looks like
This was on a little local trail run this last weekend.
I haven't had time to pull out the cable and pull it back in under tension yet, that is my plan for this weekend.
Jack
Here is the only picture I have of it, but we all know what a winch install looks like
This was on a little local trail run this last weekend.
I haven't had time to pull out the cable and pull it back in under tension yet, that is my plan for this weekend.
Jack
24HOURSOFNEVADA
Expedition Leader
I had a great time on the trail with you guys. The LJ is coming along.
bob91yj
Resident **************
The truck/Jeep pic is my junk. Tows just fine.
Biggest issue is I don't have an aux braking system for the LJ. My set up may be illegal in some states because of that.
I can hear the Jeep back there as much as I feel it. The combinations of tolerances between my receiver/hitch/adjustable tow ball/draw bar to ball/draw bar to the Jeep makes for some healthy clunking noises when starting from a stop or coming to a stop.
locrwln
Expedition Leader
Wow, talk about letting a thread die...
A lot has happened in the last year or so.
Ran a few trails around the area.
The foot hills west of Reno
I played around with springs because as soon as I added any weight, the stock springs sagged out pretty good. I first tried some V8 Grand Cherokee front springs, which gave me back the height I lost with the winch. I had read about the Crown Vic rear springs and also about a guy that tried Caprice Wagon springs. The Caprice springs were a direct fit, whereas the Crown Vic springs require some mods. I decided to give the Caprice springs a try. I couldn't find any wagon springs at my local pick-n-pull, but I found some from the rear of a Olds D88. They rode awesome, but unfortunately, they too sagged with any additional weight. I decided to order new rear Caprice wagon springs from Amazon. They are a progressive spring and ride really well and are better at handling the weight. If I remember right, the rate is in the 200-210lbs/inch range. I added Currie track bars front and rear, Currie Currect-Lync steering and a Currie Anti-Rock front bar. I decided that I really wanted to give a set of true 3" springs a try and heard great things about the Savvy/Currie 3" springs. I got the fronts installed and they did give me a full 3" with the winch installed. I tried the rear springs and they were about 5" tall. Way too much and because I didn't have adjustable control arms, my rear DL was way out of whack, so back out they came. Ran with the Savvy/Currie fronts and my wagon rear springs.
That was pretty much it for last year's mods.
Ended up running the Rubicon for the first time in about 10 years.
This is at Inspiration Point with buddies who also own LJ Rubbicons.
I put a hurting on the stock skids and had to remove the "tranny" skid at camp at the Springs and beat it straight enough to avoid hitting the transmission pan.
Some more trail running.
This is the way it sat with 3" fronts and 3.5" rear springs.
Unfortunately, we had a freak hail storm hit our area and the jeep was out doors, so it took a beating. I decided that since I had to replace the hood, fenders and cowl, I might as well go with AEV's High-Line kit.
Jack
A lot has happened in the last year or so.
Ran a few trails around the area.
The foot hills west of Reno
I played around with springs because as soon as I added any weight, the stock springs sagged out pretty good. I first tried some V8 Grand Cherokee front springs, which gave me back the height I lost with the winch. I had read about the Crown Vic rear springs and also about a guy that tried Caprice Wagon springs. The Caprice springs were a direct fit, whereas the Crown Vic springs require some mods. I decided to give the Caprice springs a try. I couldn't find any wagon springs at my local pick-n-pull, but I found some from the rear of a Olds D88. They rode awesome, but unfortunately, they too sagged with any additional weight. I decided to order new rear Caprice wagon springs from Amazon. They are a progressive spring and ride really well and are better at handling the weight. If I remember right, the rate is in the 200-210lbs/inch range. I added Currie track bars front and rear, Currie Currect-Lync steering and a Currie Anti-Rock front bar. I decided that I really wanted to give a set of true 3" springs a try and heard great things about the Savvy/Currie 3" springs. I got the fronts installed and they did give me a full 3" with the winch installed. I tried the rear springs and they were about 5" tall. Way too much and because I didn't have adjustable control arms, my rear DL was way out of whack, so back out they came. Ran with the Savvy/Currie fronts and my wagon rear springs.
That was pretty much it for last year's mods.
Ended up running the Rubicon for the first time in about 10 years.
This is at Inspiration Point with buddies who also own LJ Rubbicons.
I put a hurting on the stock skids and had to remove the "tranny" skid at camp at the Springs and beat it straight enough to avoid hitting the transmission pan.
Some more trail running.
This is the way it sat with 3" fronts and 3.5" rear springs.
Unfortunately, we had a freak hail storm hit our area and the jeep was out doors, so it took a beating. I decided that since I had to replace the hood, fenders and cowl, I might as well go with AEV's High-Line kit.
Jack
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locrwln
Expedition Leader
I ordered my kit and waited for it to be delivered. Once it arrived, I stored it while I figured out what the final plan was going to be.
I started making a plan and ordering parts. I lined up a place to paint the new body parts and decided that I wanted to "bed line" the under side of the front fenders as opposed to having them painted. My Jeep came with an under coating type material, so I wanted to do the same thing, only better.
I had read good things about U-Pol, so I decided to give it a try.
Here is my awesome wife helping me tape everything off before application time.
And after the liner was applied and right before I pulled the tape.
Then it was time for paint.
I decided on 4.88's for gears and 35 GY MTR-K's. For the rear gear set, I ordered the Nitro "big pinion" upgrade to put JK rear gears in my D44. I decided to go with the 1350 yoke, which meant time for a full 1350 CV driveline. Shouldn't have to worry about rear driveline issues.
I also located a stock front locker that a guy had removed from a virgin Rubicon with less than 20k miles. I decided to replace the sometimes problematic rear factory locker with the stronger front locker.
I ordered Metal Cloak control arms and of course all of this coincided with my reaching 30k miles, so I decided to torture myself even further by competing the 30k service as well. That meant changing the tranny fluid and replacing the filter. I put a drain/temp sensor in as well.
Time to start tearing it all apart. You can see where the Jeep was assembled and then painted. I ordered paint match in a spray can to cover that stuff up since I had the opportunity.
I decided to remove the axles to have the gears installed.
I ordered up the Rokmen TT and engine/tranny skid plate combo as well as a 1" body lift. I wanted to have some belly clearance for future trail runs.
I also added Brown Dog MML since I was installing the BL.
Jack
I started making a plan and ordering parts. I lined up a place to paint the new body parts and decided that I wanted to "bed line" the under side of the front fenders as opposed to having them painted. My Jeep came with an under coating type material, so I wanted to do the same thing, only better.
I had read good things about U-Pol, so I decided to give it a try.
Here is my awesome wife helping me tape everything off before application time.
And after the liner was applied and right before I pulled the tape.
Then it was time for paint.
I decided on 4.88's for gears and 35 GY MTR-K's. For the rear gear set, I ordered the Nitro "big pinion" upgrade to put JK rear gears in my D44. I decided to go with the 1350 yoke, which meant time for a full 1350 CV driveline. Shouldn't have to worry about rear driveline issues.
I also located a stock front locker that a guy had removed from a virgin Rubicon with less than 20k miles. I decided to replace the sometimes problematic rear factory locker with the stronger front locker.
I ordered Metal Cloak control arms and of course all of this coincided with my reaching 30k miles, so I decided to torture myself even further by competing the 30k service as well. That meant changing the tranny fluid and replacing the filter. I put a drain/temp sensor in as well.
Time to start tearing it all apart. You can see where the Jeep was assembled and then painted. I ordered paint match in a spray can to cover that stuff up since I had the opportunity.
I decided to remove the axles to have the gears installed.
I ordered up the Rokmen TT and engine/tranny skid plate combo as well as a 1" body lift. I wanted to have some belly clearance for future trail runs.
I also added Brown Dog MML since I was installing the BL.
Jack
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locrwln
Expedition Leader
Then things got crazy...
I ordered the recently released Banks Sidewinder Turbo Kit and what better time to install it than with the fenders off.
I didn't like the mount that Banks supplied and because I wanted a transmission temp guage, I looked for an "A" piller guage mount.
The angle isn't perfect, which is why the guages are turned the way they are.
I also decided to upgrade the rear bumper to a bumper/carrier. I went with the LoD Signature series with carrier, basket and gas can carriers. I don't have the basket or can carriers mounted.
While I was putting the suspension/axles back under it, I installed the Nth degree shock shifter as well. Helps to move the shocks where Jeep placed them on the Grand Cherokee when they first designed the "quadra coil" suspenion and it helps alleviate the "tail wag" that TJ's suffer from. I found this to be much easier and more appealing than "out boarding" the shocks, which requires cutting the frame.
Jack
I ordered the recently released Banks Sidewinder Turbo Kit and what better time to install it than with the fenders off.
I didn't like the mount that Banks supplied and because I wanted a transmission temp guage, I looked for an "A" piller guage mount.
The angle isn't perfect, which is why the guages are turned the way they are.
I also decided to upgrade the rear bumper to a bumper/carrier. I went with the LoD Signature series with carrier, basket and gas can carriers. I don't have the basket or can carriers mounted.
While I was putting the suspension/axles back under it, I installed the Nth degree shock shifter as well. Helps to move the shocks where Jeep placed them on the Grand Cherokee when they first designed the "quadra coil" suspenion and it helps alleviate the "tail wag" that TJ's suffer from. I found this to be much easier and more appealing than "out boarding" the shocks, which requires cutting the frame.
Jack
locrwln
Expedition Leader
Then it was time to put it all together and finish it up.
I have to say, it was extremely difficult to not lay into the turbo, while breaking in the gears, but once the 500 miles mark hit, it was time to realize the benefits of the turbo. It was sooo worth it. Makes the Jeep much nicer to drive, it will actually acclerate when you give it gas.
Still getting everything dialed in and adjusted, but so far I am thrilled with the outcome and looking forward to putting it to good use this summer to include a Dusy-Ershim trail run.
Jack
I have to say, it was extremely difficult to not lay into the turbo, while breaking in the gears, but once the 500 miles mark hit, it was time to realize the benefits of the turbo. It was sooo worth it. Makes the Jeep much nicer to drive, it will actually acclerate when you give it gas.
Still getting everything dialed in and adjusted, but so far I am thrilled with the outcome and looking forward to putting it to good use this summer to include a Dusy-Ershim trail run.
Jack
Yuman Desert Rat
Expedition Leader
great post!
Jack,
I have been watching the threads for both your truck and LJ as I have the same. I must say they are both awesome vehicles.
I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.
First where did you find the Hiline fenders? I have been looking and best I can tell they are discontinued.
Also when you flat tow the Jeep without the camper, does the rear of your truck get lite when you stop hard?
I ask because mine has given me a few scary moments.
Thanks,
Ray
I have been watching the threads for both your truck and LJ as I have the same. I must say they are both awesome vehicles.
I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.
First where did you find the Hiline fenders? I have been looking and best I can tell they are discontinued.
Also when you flat tow the Jeep without the camper, does the rear of your truck get lite when you stop hard?
I ask because mine has given me a few scary moments.
Thanks,
Ray