LJ Rubi Build - From total loss to total custom
- Thread starter Mudicon
- Start date
Mudicon
Have trail...will travel
Warning Rant Below!
Ok...so some of you have been following my adventures with the Sasquatch build and have commented on the issues I have experienced, but this was the final straw. I was about ready to give up and start over....
[START RANT]
When I got her back from a local shop performing the lift install the ride was HORRIBLE. Went out playing Sunday and it beat Tara (my GF) and I up pretty badly and I was NOT happy (more closely resembled Grumpy)
Lets back up a few weeks. When I originally got it back from the shop performing the lift install, the ride was HARSH. I assumed it was the stock tires/wheels...lack of alignment something, but I did mentioned it when I picked it up. They said they had lowered the shock psi from the recommended 225 psi to 175 psi and that had not helped. They finally blamed it on me having gone with a Rusty's lift and that was why they did not like Rusty's products. However, I have installed multiple Rusty's lifts, and never had a single issue with their parts.
I called and spoke to Rusty on Monday and he had no explanation. This is the same setup he runs on his personal LJ...one reason I went with this setup. However, he did have a suggestion. Some time back, a customer called with the same issue, and it ended up being the actual install. Apparently, the customer had installed the complete lift and torqued down all the control arm bolts prior to letting the Jeep's weight back down on the suspension. This caused the rubber bushings in the control arms to be preloaded with tension in the resting position. I thought about this as a potential, doubtful since the install was performed by an experienced shop, but I decided to check anyway.
Sure enough, as soon as I loosened the first bolt on the front driver side lower control arm, it actually moved...it was definitely in a pre-load condition. Last evening I loosed all the lower control arm bolts and every bolt I loosened released pressure. I took it for a drive and there is a night and day difference. There is actual suspension movement, and it no longer jumps over speed bumps. Previously it was like riding with the axles bolted straight to the frame (think Harley rigid). However, now with the reduced pressures in the RX200 shocks, it rocks back and forth when stopping at a red-light. This weekend I will loosen all the control arm bolts and let it settle into place and then torque them all back down. Next week I need to get the shocks pressurized to the proper psi to eliminate the porpoising effect.
What surprises and frustrates me is I paid a reputable off-road shop considerable money to perform the install the right way with the right equipment. However, instead of trouble shooting a problem and fixing the actual issue, they blamed it on the lift manufacture because they didn't like Rusty's products. Maybe I am biased as a previous shop owner, but this seriously pisses me off. Is there NO accountability anymore?
[END RANT]
Fortunately, I think Sasquatch is gonna be ok...if she was not beat to death over the past couple weeks of driving with no suspension...
This weekend I will be installing the Rampage rear bumper/tire carrier and hopefully the Poison Spider hood louver too. One arrived earlier this week, but I had to send it back because it was for an 97-02 model vs the 03-06 required. The earlier hoods had dual washer nozzles and mine is a single washer nozzle hood.
Stay tuned...will add more pictures as I install the rest of the parts. Oh! I found a set of 4" Currie springs for my son's LJ. Once we get those installed into his, it should look really nice.
Ok...so some of you have been following my adventures with the Sasquatch build and have commented on the issues I have experienced, but this was the final straw. I was about ready to give up and start over....
[START RANT]
When I got her back from a local shop performing the lift install the ride was HORRIBLE. Went out playing Sunday and it beat Tara (my GF) and I up pretty badly and I was NOT happy (more closely resembled Grumpy)
Lets back up a few weeks. When I originally got it back from the shop performing the lift install, the ride was HARSH. I assumed it was the stock tires/wheels...lack of alignment something, but I did mentioned it when I picked it up. They said they had lowered the shock psi from the recommended 225 psi to 175 psi and that had not helped. They finally blamed it on me having gone with a Rusty's lift and that was why they did not like Rusty's products. However, I have installed multiple Rusty's lifts, and never had a single issue with their parts.
I called and spoke to Rusty on Monday and he had no explanation. This is the same setup he runs on his personal LJ...one reason I went with this setup. However, he did have a suggestion. Some time back, a customer called with the same issue, and it ended up being the actual install. Apparently, the customer had installed the complete lift and torqued down all the control arm bolts prior to letting the Jeep's weight back down on the suspension. This caused the rubber bushings in the control arms to be preloaded with tension in the resting position. I thought about this as a potential, doubtful since the install was performed by an experienced shop, but I decided to check anyway.
Sure enough, as soon as I loosened the first bolt on the front driver side lower control arm, it actually moved...it was definitely in a pre-load condition. Last evening I loosed all the lower control arm bolts and every bolt I loosened released pressure. I took it for a drive and there is a night and day difference. There is actual suspension movement, and it no longer jumps over speed bumps. Previously it was like riding with the axles bolted straight to the frame (think Harley rigid). However, now with the reduced pressures in the RX200 shocks, it rocks back and forth when stopping at a red-light. This weekend I will loosen all the control arm bolts and let it settle into place and then torque them all back down. Next week I need to get the shocks pressurized to the proper psi to eliminate the porpoising effect.
What surprises and frustrates me is I paid a reputable off-road shop considerable money to perform the install the right way with the right equipment. However, instead of trouble shooting a problem and fixing the actual issue, they blamed it on the lift manufacture because they didn't like Rusty's products. Maybe I am biased as a previous shop owner, but this seriously pisses me off. Is there NO accountability anymore?
[END RANT]
Fortunately, I think Sasquatch is gonna be ok...if she was not beat to death over the past couple weeks of driving with no suspension...
This weekend I will be installing the Rampage rear bumper/tire carrier and hopefully the Poison Spider hood louver too. One arrived earlier this week, but I had to send it back because it was for an 97-02 model vs the 03-06 required. The earlier hoods had dual washer nozzles and mine is a single washer nozzle hood.
Stay tuned...will add more pictures as I install the rest of the parts. Oh! I found a set of 4" Currie springs for my son's LJ. Once we get those installed into his, it should look really nice.
I wondered about how the ride was going to be. I have a 98 TJ with a 4 inch short arm lift and I do not like the ride at all... it is harsh. Bouncy and not at all like my 94 YJ with 5 inch springs and 1.5 inch shackles.. good to hear it what is was, now I will check the TJ again... I did the lift install, and it uses poly bushings, not rudder so should not be pre-loaded...
Mudicon
Have trail...will travel
If yours is bouncy, I doubt the pre-load is your issue. I would have been thrilled will bouncy...but I had zero give. Every little change in terrain was a jolt to the spine. I am much happier with the setup now, and will be testing it this weekend for flex etc. Having said that, I am probably going to install a long arm kit anyway to improve my control arm geometry angles...
Mudicon
Have trail...will travel
Suspension Update
Went out today and flexed the suspension a bit after solving the preload issue, and there is no comparison. Drives like a completely different vehicle! Here is a video one of the guys made of us crossing a creek and exiting the embankment on the opposite side. Keep in mind that embankment is red clay, over 6 ft in height, and the first 36+" are vertical. Enjoy...
Sasquatch Video
Went out today and flexed the suspension a bit after solving the preload issue, and there is no comparison. Drives like a completely different vehicle! Here is a video one of the guys made of us crossing a creek and exiting the embankment on the opposite side. Keep in mind that embankment is red clay, over 6 ft in height, and the first 36+" are vertical. Enjoy...
Sasquatch Video
GetOutThere
Adventurer
Love your Jeep, but I'm pretty sure that video was recorded with a potato.
Mudicon
Have trail...will travel
It looked like a potato...was a large white Samsung phone..
Mudicon
Have trail...will travel
Rampage Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier
Hey guys...sorry been a little while since I updated my build, so thought I would upload a couple pics I took a few nights ago when I installed my Rampage rear bumper and tire carrier. I powered the bumper lights relay coil with the reverse light circuit so they now come on with the factory reverse lights. I probably need to go with some LED Flood lights, but it came with these spots, and while they are quite bright, the pattern is not ideal for backing any direction but straight back.
My 35" spare had no issue fitting, and thus far, I am quite pleased with the design and function. The latch works well and does not rattle when closed, and the whole carrier easily opens without effort. I will post some better pics this weekend.
Hey guys...sorry been a little while since I updated my build, so thought I would upload a couple pics I took a few nights ago when I installed my Rampage rear bumper and tire carrier. I powered the bumper lights relay coil with the reverse light circuit so they now come on with the factory reverse lights. I probably need to go with some LED Flood lights, but it came with these spots, and while they are quite bright, the pattern is not ideal for backing any direction but straight back.
My 35" spare had no issue fitting, and thus far, I am quite pleased with the design and function. The latch works well and does not rattle when closed, and the whole carrier easily opens without effort. I will post some better pics this weekend.
Mudicon
Have trail...will travel
I realized I never finished this build thread. Just as I finished Sasquatch, I realized I needed more room and wanted a better ride for longer journeys. A guy from Memphis TN made me an offer on her, and I let her go to a great new home where she will be loved and adored. I picked up a JKU and started again...