Dayum! That's some work.
LJ Build - A work in progress!
I thought I would capture my latest project, a 2004 Wrangler Unlimited build. Not to go into a long story here, but I went from a '05 TJ, to a '11 JKU Rubicon, and then back to my TJ. After driving the TJ again for a while I missed the room of the JKU, but loved the simplicity of the TJ platform. The end result was a search and ultimate purchase of the LJ.
Since acquiring the LJ, 3 weeks ago, I first mapped out a plan, ordered parts, and then began the transformation in earnest 2 weeks ago. To start with, because I'm admittedly somewhat anal, I first tackled a number of things that were more in the area of preventative maintenance. Here I:
- replaced entire cooling system (radiator, water pump, thermostat, & hoses)
- replaced serpentine belt & pulleys
- replaced timing chain, gears, front seal, & cover gasket
- replaced oil pump & oil pan gasket
- replaced ignition coil pack & spark plugs
- drained & filled transfer case with synthetic fluid
- replaced automatic transmission filter and fluid
- replaced valve cover gasket
- added a automatic transmission cooler
Once that was completed in a marathon weekend, I then started on the suspension. Here I added the following:
- 4" BDS Lift with upper and lower control arms
- 1" Daystar body lift
- Bilstein 5100 shocks
- JKS MML
- UCF Tummy Tuck
- Rubicon rear with all new bearings, seals, and Superior axles and Solid diff cover
- Rubicon front with Reid knuckles, Warn Lockout hub conversion, Dutchman axles, all new bearings, seals, and Solid diff cover
- New Chevy brake rotors, calipers, hoses, etc. on front rear
- New brake rotors, calipers, hoses, etc. on rear
- Currie HD steering system
- Rancho HD steering stabilizer
With the suspension done, I then topped it off with:
- Nates front bumper with 9K lb Superwinch and synthetic line
- Nates rear bumper with tire carrier, highlift jack, and jerry can holders
- 315/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on Allied 17" steel wheels
Although I have some odds and end to tidy up, the net result was a transformation from this (i.e. 9" of clearance at the transfer case skid) :
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To this (20" of clearance at the transfer case skid):
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As always, there is more to come!
Since acquiring the LJ, 3 weeks ago, I first mapped out a plan, ordered parts, and then began the transformation in earnest 2 weeks ago. To start with, because I'm admittedly somewhat anal, I first tackled a number of things that were more in the area of preventative maintenance. Here I:
- replaced entire cooling system (radiator, water pump, thermostat, & hoses)
- replaced serpentine belt & pulleys
- replaced timing chain, gears, front seal, & cover gasket
- replaced oil pump & oil pan gasket
- replaced ignition coil pack & spark plugs
- drained & filled transfer case with synthetic fluid
- replaced automatic transmission filter and fluid
- replaced valve cover gasket
- added a automatic transmission cooler
Once that was completed in a marathon weekend, I then started on the suspension. Here I added the following:
- 4" BDS Lift with upper and lower control arms
- 1" Daystar body lift
- Bilstein 5100 shocks
- JKS MML
- UCF Tummy Tuck
- Rubicon rear with all new bearings, seals, and Superior axles and Solid diff cover
- Rubicon front with Reid knuckles, Warn Lockout hub conversion, Dutchman axles, all new bearings, seals, and Solid diff cover
- New Chevy brake rotors, calipers, hoses, etc. on front rear
- New brake rotors, calipers, hoses, etc. on rear
- Currie HD steering system
- Rancho HD steering stabilizer
With the suspension done, I then topped it off with:
- Nates front bumper with 9K lb Superwinch and synthetic line
- Nates rear bumper with tire carrier, highlift jack, and jerry can holders
- 315/70R17 Goodyear Duratracs on Allied 17" steel wheels
Although I have some odds and end to tidy up, the net result was a transformation from this (i.e. 9" of clearance at the transfer case skid) :
To this (20" of clearance at the transfer case skid):
As always, there is more to come!
4
1 - 20 of 115 Posts
Bought the softtop version of your rig 4 weeks ago. Looking at doing some of the same mods as you, just can't do them quite as quickly. Really like the tummy tuck idea. What is your clearance under the door from the bottom of the body to the ground? Looks good!
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I do have a set of rocker guards to install there, but that shouldn't impact the clearance to much. I'll have to measure it when I get home later and get back to you!Bought the softtop version of your rig 4 weeks ago. Looking at doing some of the same mods as you, just can't do them quite as quickly. Really like the tummy tuck idea. What is your clearance under the door from the bottom of the body to the ground? Looks good!
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right,I'll have to measure it when I get home later and get back to you!thanks
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Been a while since I updated this, so I thought I would be a little more comprehensive in what I've done, so here goes:
Since bringing the LJ home early last summer, here is the breakdown:
1. For the powertrain, I did the following:
- replaced the timing and ignition components
- replaced most gaskets/seals (rear main, oil pan, timing cover and front seal, valve cover, etc.)
- replaced the oil pump (checked main and rod bearings)
- rebuilt the transfercase
- added a JB Conversions SYE
- replaced the automatic transmission filter, installed a Mopar transmission cooler, and flushed and replaced the fluid
- both rears were replaced with Rubicon dana 44's and all bearings and seals replaced
- upgraded 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern alloy axles were included for front (Dutchman) and rear (Superior)
- Reid knuckles
- Warn lock out hubs
- new Tom Woods driveshafts added front and rear
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Ingition, cooling system, gaskets, seals, etc.
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Transfercase rebuild & JB Conversions SYE
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Tom Woods rear driveshaft
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Tom Woods front driveshaft
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Dana 44 front and rear install....with front Reid knuckles, Warn lockout hubs, and Currie HD steering
Since bringing the LJ home early last summer, here is the breakdown:
1. For the powertrain, I did the following:
- replaced the timing and ignition components
- replaced most gaskets/seals (rear main, oil pan, timing cover and front seal, valve cover, etc.)
- replaced the oil pump (checked main and rod bearings)
- rebuilt the transfercase
- added a JB Conversions SYE
- replaced the automatic transmission filter, installed a Mopar transmission cooler, and flushed and replaced the fluid
- both rears were replaced with Rubicon dana 44's and all bearings and seals replaced
- upgraded 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern alloy axles were included for front (Dutchman) and rear (Superior)
- Reid knuckles
- Warn lock out hubs
- new Tom Woods driveshafts added front and rear
Ingition, cooling system, gaskets, seals, etc.
Transfercase rebuild & JB Conversions SYE
Tom Woods rear driveshaft
Tom Woods front driveshaft
Dana 44 front and rear install....with front Reid knuckles, Warn lockout hubs, and Currie HD steering
5
Suspension, tires, and armor
- because I had these components already, I installed a BDS lift (with complete adjustable control arms and adjustable front track bar) and Bilstein 5100 shocks
- installed JKS sway bar disconnects
- installed a Currie HD tie rod and drag link steering system
- cleaned painted and installed solid diff covers (front and rear)
- installed a 1" body lift and MML
- installed UCF tummy tuck and engine skids
- cleaned, painted, and installed Skid Row radiator guard
- cleaned, painted, and installed Kilby steering box skid
- cleaned, painted, and installed Nates front and rear (with tire carrier) bumpers
- installed 6" fender flares
- added 35x12.50/17 Duratrac tires on steel wheels (looking to upgrade to aluminum in the future, but these were dirt cheap to start with)
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BDS suspension
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UCF Tummy Tuck Skids
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Skid Row radiator Guard
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Kilby Steering Box Skid
- because I had these components already, I installed a BDS lift (with complete adjustable control arms and adjustable front track bar) and Bilstein 5100 shocks
- installed JKS sway bar disconnects
- installed a Currie HD tie rod and drag link steering system
- cleaned painted and installed solid diff covers (front and rear)
- installed a 1" body lift and MML
- installed UCF tummy tuck and engine skids
- cleaned, painted, and installed Skid Row radiator guard
- cleaned, painted, and installed Kilby steering box skid
- cleaned, painted, and installed Nates front and rear (with tire carrier) bumpers
- installed 6" fender flares
- added 35x12.50/17 Duratrac tires on steel wheels (looking to upgrade to aluminum in the future, but these were dirt cheap to start with)
BDS suspension
UCF Tummy Tuck Skids
Skid Row radiator Guard
Kilby Steering Box Skid
4
Safety
- added a 9Klb Superwinch
- added synthetic line
- added a Hi-Lift jack
- installed Hella Fog and Driving lights
- added a fire extinguisher inside
- added an assortment of straps and shackles for extraction purposes
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After - With Duratrac Tires, Nates Bumpers, and extended flares
Rear Bumper, tire carrier, Highlift Jack, and Jerry Can
Hella Lights and Superwinch with synthetic line
- added a 9Klb Superwinch
- added synthetic line
- added a Hi-Lift jack
- installed Hella Fog and Driving lights
- added a fire extinguisher inside
- added an assortment of straps and shackles for extraction purposes
After - With Duratrac Tires, Nates Bumpers, and extended flares
Rear Bumper, tire carrier, Highlift Jack, and Jerry Can
Hella Lights and Superwinch with synthetic line
3
Added creature comforts
- new Kenwood stereo with Satellite, HD radio, and bluetooth
- new Polk Speakers and a new powered subwoofer
- replaced all the internal lights with LEDs (a patriotic combination of red, white, and blue)
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Interior LED Lights and Stereo
- new Kenwood stereo with Satellite, HD radio, and bluetooth
- new Polk Speakers and a new powered subwoofer
- replaced all the internal lights with LEDs (a patriotic combination of red, white, and blue)
Interior LED Lights and Stereo
With all that done it was time to tweak. After the tummy tuck I decided to relocate the locker air pumps under the hood.
I pulled and cleaned the entire bracket, from the drivers side, and painted it. I then mocked up a location and drilled the mounting holes:
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Locker Air Pumps Mockup
I then installed the bracket and pumps and wired everything up:
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Locker Air Pumps Installed
Once that was complete, I ran the wires inside and cut two (2) holes in the heater control panel and mounted Daystar switches:
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Locker Switches Mounted
I pulled and cleaned the entire bracket, from the drivers side, and painted it. I then mocked up a location and drilled the mounting holes:
Locker Air Pumps Mockup
I then installed the bracket and pumps and wired everything up:
Locker Air Pumps Installed
Once that was complete, I ran the wires inside and cut two (2) holes in the heater control panel and mounted Daystar switches:
Locker Switches Mounted
3
I ran the BDS suspension offroad and discovered the BDS disconnects were not user friendly, so I installed a new set of JKS swaybar disconnects I got from a buddy:
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JKS Swaybar Disconnects
JKS Swaybar Disconnects
I then ran the suspension for a couple of months and it got to a point where I couldn't stand it anymore. It hit/binded in multiple places, couldn't handle the additional weight added, and generally rode like crap. Fortunately, I had the suspension already from a previous Jeep, so I wasn't out anything except time. Ultimately, I did learn a lot about the vehicle in the process, and had a good baseline to compare with going forward.
With that behind me, I did extensive research on where to go next with the suspension. After looking at multiple possibilities, including long and short arm, I decided on upgrading to a Metalcloak 3.5" short arm kit.
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Front Coil and sway bar disconnect
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MC Front Coil and Brakeline
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MC Front Control Arms 1
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MC Front Control Arms 2
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MC Left Rear 1
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MC Left Rear 2
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MC Right Rear
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MC Front Track Bar View
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Took it out to play and let the suspension settle
After the install, including setting proper bumpstop, the on and offroad ride was waaaaay better all the way round.
-Reduced overall vibration
-No binding or funny "clunks"
-Smooth riding
-Body roll or "wandering" control significantly improved
-Improved articulation (I do still need shock work here)
-Roughly 2" of additional clearance at the fenders
With that behind me, I did extensive research on where to go next with the suspension. After looking at multiple possibilities, including long and short arm, I decided on upgrading to a Metalcloak 3.5" short arm kit.
Front Coil and sway bar disconnect
MC Front Coil and Brakeline
MC Front Control Arms 1
MC Front Control Arms 2
MC Left Rear 1
MC Left Rear 2
MC Right Rear
MC Front Track Bar View
Took it out to play and let the suspension settle
After the install, including setting proper bumpstop, the on and offroad ride was waaaaay better all the way round.
-Reduced overall vibration
-No binding or funny "clunks"
-Smooth riding
-Body roll or "wandering" control significantly improved
-Improved articulation (I do still need shock work here)
-Roughly 2" of additional clearance at the fenders
9
Next steps are to install the Metalcloak Rockers, front and rear fenders, and extended corner guards. The plan is to have this completed by the middle of May.
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