Nikson
Explorer
Thanks...
Lift has been purchased, time will tell if its satisfactory.
At this point, speaking from personal experience, Currie has been one of the better brands that I've used, and highly recommend to anyone else...
Nikson's Unlimited Rubicon LJ build
- Thread starter Nikson
- Start date
Thanks...
Lift has been purchased, time will tell if its satisfactory.
At this point, speaking from personal experience, Currie has been one of the better brands that I've used, and highly recommend to anyone else...
tweenerlj
Adventurer
If you look at his other posts you will see that this build thread is catching up with what is already been done:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/11148-Post-Pic-s-of-your-Jeep?p=1071525#post1071525
Nice build by the way ;-)
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/11148-Post-Pic-s-of-your-Jeep?p=1071525#post1071525
Nice build by the way ;-)
Nikson
Explorer
Thanks for posting...
I figured it was time to get this build into a THREAD...
and let people see how some things could be done...I've read millions of threads before I've starting building mine, so its better to have access to info and not need it, rather then needed and not have it...
Nikson
Explorer
Transmission Oil pan plug & cooler
Always liked how you can just drain transmission fluids from AW4 on a Cherokee, thus had to do some modification to the one here...
under $10 you can buy a plug (needs to be welded)
Find a place you like, drill a right size hole and weld...
p.s. I know that drain plug is going to keep some of the fluids in the pan, and not drain 100%, but main idea behind all of this, is to be able to drain the fluid as needed and not have to worry about fluid spilling all over during necessary pan removal.
something like this...
bent a couple brackets, got the tranny cooler pre-installed...
Liked how the cooler tucked in nicely and found its place in the grill
All lines are intact, and to factory setting, in case I ever need to remove the cooler due to leak or any sort of damage, lines could be simply put back into the main radiator as they were from factory.
Always liked how you can just drain transmission fluids from AW4 on a Cherokee, thus had to do some modification to the one here...
under $10 you can buy a plug (needs to be welded)
Find a place you like, drill a right size hole and weld...
p.s. I know that drain plug is going to keep some of the fluids in the pan, and not drain 100%, but main idea behind all of this, is to be able to drain the fluid as needed and not have to worry about fluid spilling all over during necessary pan removal.
something like this...
bent a couple brackets, got the tranny cooler pre-installed...
Liked how the cooler tucked in nicely and found its place in the grill
All lines are intact, and to factory setting, in case I ever need to remove the cooler due to leak or any sort of damage, lines could be simply put back into the main radiator as they were from factory.
Nikson
Explorer
Advance Adapters TC lever
many guys on forum were complaining about issues with factory level linkage & relocation brackets they tried to install.
I've thought to simplify & better the reliability of this part by installing the cable shifter from AA.
install went pretty easy, just read/watch/learn any install info before you do it - that will make it a lot simpler & save you some time.
video for your reference...
many guys on forum were complaining about issues with factory level linkage & relocation brackets they tried to install.
I've thought to simplify & better the reliability of this part by installing the cable shifter from AA.
install went pretty easy, just read/watch/learn any install info before you do it - that will make it a lot simpler & save you some time.
video for your reference...
Nikson
Explorer
Currie 4 1/2 inch suspension lift
Lift was here... Lets get 'er done...
HD steering would be a proper thing at this time as well...
For anyone interested to compare STOCK vs CURRIE HD
I like what I see...
Most of the TJ/LJ guys know, that the rear spring upper mount is somewhat of an issue during this process...
and this is why...
get them cut off... and relocated...
the plan...
the result...
finish it off with some fresh paint...
I guess with this lift on an LJ new driveshaft wasnt a requirement, but why not, right?
Lift was here... Lets get 'er done...
HD steering would be a proper thing at this time as well...
For anyone interested to compare STOCK vs CURRIE HD
I like what I see...
Most of the TJ/LJ guys know, that the rear spring upper mount is somewhat of an issue during this process...
and this is why...
get them cut off... and relocated...
the plan...
the result...
finish it off with some fresh paint...
I guess with this lift on an LJ new driveshaft wasnt a requirement, but why not, right?
Nikson
Explorer
rear main seal / flex shots
Didnt like the "drippy" look of the rear main... took few minutes, didnt really think it was too hard to replace, just a bit time consuming...
looks a bit rusty... or is it just the camera?
OLD vs NEW
with a little lube, slide 'er in...
nicely done, i presume...
it was a great day with great weather...
lets get some poser shots...
quick 5 minute ramp to see what the suspension is all about...
Tires are nicely tucked in...
FRONT SPRING COMPRESSION
REAR SPRING COMPRESSION
Didnt like the "drippy" look of the rear main... took few minutes, didnt really think it was too hard to replace, just a bit time consuming...
looks a bit rusty... or is it just the camera?
OLD vs NEW
with a little lube, slide 'er in...
nicely done, i presume...
it was a great day with great weather...
lets get some poser shots...
quick 5 minute ramp to see what the suspension is all about...
Tires are nicely tucked in...
FRONT SPRING COMPRESSION
REAR SPRING COMPRESSION
Nikson
Explorer
Nice documentation. I liked the work with the rear spring perch. I used the Nth Degree relocation brackets on mine to accomplish the same thing. Your's is definitely nicer looking than that bolt on contraption
Thanks...
Yes, relocating brackets was definitely a process thats not an easy one to do, but it was a worthwhile effort now that I think about it. For the most part, seems that a lot of folks dont think of it as a major necessity unfortunately.
I like documenting it, since due to such "build threads" I was able to do a lot of things a lot simpler than they could have been without being "as informed"
Nikson
Explorer
rear bumper...
Time for rear bumper...
Main idea was to do something unique, functional & good looking, while incorporating a winch into the whole idea.
Couple things in mind -
1 - chop up metal as needed, but don't over do it...
2 - keep departure angle as close as possible to a setup with no winch...
3 - be able to swing tire carrier with one motion of the rear door...
So... it starts...
Cut the outer cross beam & setup the winch to see where we stand...
Top View
Start cutting / getting the winch up as far as possible to get the departure angle to its best...
weld up all the cut up seams...
actual frame carrier...
a little personalization don't hurt...
as it measures now...
I figured I was on the right track...
Time for rear bumper...
Main idea was to do something unique, functional & good looking, while incorporating a winch into the whole idea.
Couple things in mind -
1 - chop up metal as needed, but don't over do it...
2 - keep departure angle as close as possible to a setup with no winch...
3 - be able to swing tire carrier with one motion of the rear door...
So... it starts...
Cut the outer cross beam & setup the winch to see where we stand...
Top View
Start cutting / getting the winch up as far as possible to get the departure angle to its best...
weld up all the cut up seams...
actual frame carrier...
a little personalization don't hurt...
as it measures now...
I figured I was on the right track...
Nikson
Explorer
rear bumper... part 2
side view...
put the tubing bender to work... made the corners...
tacking things to their places...
Like whatcha seeing...
few more tacks & welds...
wanted to make sure that welds will hold the carrier... LOL
Carrier spindle support braces
quick paint and first LOOKsy...
side view...
put the tubing bender to work... made the corners...
tacking things to their places...
Like whatcha seeing...
few more tacks & welds...
wanted to make sure that welds will hold the carrier... LOL
Carrier spindle support braces
quick paint and first LOOKsy...
Nikson
Explorer
rear bumper... part 3 - the carrier
it was the carrier time...
I wanted to make sure that carrier will be sturdy enough to hold the tire in all of the various terrain that I will be crossing, especially vibs from washboard type back roads, which are a big part of my driving here in NorthWest.
2 inch in diameter & 1/4 inch wall thickness was to be the main stem...
since it was just too much of a job for the bender... had to do this...
about 24 half-cuts on each of the 2 bends...
first bend was done... eyeballed the angles...
this is what 1/4 wall looks like... pretty "hefty" piece of metal...
onto the 2nd bend, to finish off the main carrier stem...
additional support to wrap up the carrier...
used some flat bar to make the mount on the rear door...
a rubber bumpstop was used for the "padding" between the carrier & the rear door
just had to cut off the first layer of the bumpstop, and it fits the 2inch tube prefectly
added some braces & put in the heim-joints
opens wide enough...
and fits/holds/matches snugly into its place when its closed...
it was the carrier time...
I wanted to make sure that carrier will be sturdy enough to hold the tire in all of the various terrain that I will be crossing, especially vibs from washboard type back roads, which are a big part of my driving here in NorthWest.
2 inch in diameter & 1/4 inch wall thickness was to be the main stem...
since it was just too much of a job for the bender... had to do this...
about 24 half-cuts on each of the 2 bends...
first bend was done... eyeballed the angles...
this is what 1/4 wall looks like... pretty "hefty" piece of metal...
onto the 2nd bend, to finish off the main carrier stem...
additional support to wrap up the carrier...
used some flat bar to make the mount on the rear door...
a rubber bumpstop was used for the "padding" between the carrier & the rear door
just had to cut off the first layer of the bumpstop, and it fits the 2inch tube prefectly
added some braces & put in the heim-joints
opens wide enough...
and fits/holds/matches snugly into its place when its closed...
Nikson
Explorer
rear bumper... finish
finished it off with some 2inch rubber plugs on the ends, & put a good coat of bedliner spray paint...
was pretty impressed how it came out, after all, this was my first rear bumper with tire carrier... :wings:
Some side / rear views...
next on the list... leather seat covers & German ceramic seat heaters...
finished it off with some 2inch rubber plugs on the ends, & put a good coat of bedliner spray paint...
was pretty impressed how it came out, after all, this was my first rear bumper with tire carrier... :wings:
Some side / rear views...
next on the list... leather seat covers & German ceramic seat heaters...
