[Pressurized]

I was casually looking for an LJ-R for the last few years... Not expecting to find anything really. But the shop stumbled on one and I was able to buy it. About 5 years earlier than I was supposed to. The LJ was planned as a retirement toy/project. But now, here we are. Mostly stock except a Skyjacker steering stabilizer...

There are 2 possible directions to go early on. One is to put a new set of tires on it and roll basically stock until I retire... The other is to put on a short arm setup and 33's to allow it to wheel with my locked JK on 35's.

The one main dilemma is the highway tires that are on the wear bars right now. So the first decision will be pretty quick. 93k on the clock.

Here she is on day 1... Going to get started on cleaning her up a little. I will clay bar and wax then vacuum and shampoo plus a little degreaser and some under the hood cleaning and care.

Got the vanity plate ordered as well. Pretty happy this was available.

 

[Pressurized]

As is common with many people I know, the first things on a used vehicle purchase are basic maintenance. It was in for a valve cover gasket and trans pan gasket as those were both leaking. So fresh oils in those. Going to do the diffs and TC in the next week...

For today, we got a new set of wiper blades. Who doesn't throw on a new set right away? I always do... :happyyes:

 

[Pressurized]

Current plan over the next 10 years is everything added to this Jeep can be removed and she can go back to stock...

So the first mod?? Seat risers... Didn't care for how low I sat and the wife really didn't like it. Amazon to the rescue... 1.5" aluminum block seat risers. Makes a world of difference. I don't know what year they began the low mount seats in the TJ/LJ, but if you have them, get the 1.25 or 1.5 seat risers and enjoy.

Took about 20 minutes to do both seats... Super easy.

Ordered a ZJ HD steering kit just to freshen up some of the suspension. Should be here next week. Going to check out ball joints and control arms while I'm under there...

 

[jadmt]

Nice. Cool plate near and dear to my heart.

 

[jadmt]

Slap some 32-33” pizza cutters on it and enjoy.

 

[Digger84]

With washers under steering stop bolts and a spring spacer plus small body and motor mount lift plus shocks you keep factory ride and control arms and can fit metric 33 really 32.5 on the stock rubi 16 inch wheels

My wife’s 04 rubi is set up like that gets 18 mpg on highway runs fine in mountains with stock rubi gears and rides like stock


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[Pressurized]

With washers under steering stop bolts and a spring spacer plus small body and motor mount lift plus shocks you keep factory ride and control arms and can fit metric 33 really 32.5 on the stock rubi 16 inch wheels

My wife’s 04 rubi is set up like that gets 18 mpg on highway runs fine in mountains with stock rubi gears and rides like stock


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Metric 33's... Are you on the 285/75r16 tires? That is an option, but I also don't have a problem with a set of control arms.

 

[Pressurized]

Wanted to clean up the milk jugs a little. Found Rugged Ridge had some stubby bumper caps. Figured that would freshen it up a little.

Here they are in slightly rough shape, but not horrible...

Easy install, just transfer over a couple of the captive nuts on each one and swap them out...

Not bad, easy and cheap... Freshened up for now.

 

[Digger84]

Yep 285/75-R16


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[Pressurized]

Plate is delivered and installed. I know right? A post about a license plate... :dance:

 

[Pressurized]

ZJ HD steering kit is here, definitely better than the tin foil that is used in the stock steering... Will get it on soon.

I'm currently testing some headlights for Pro Comp on my JK, so the headlights that were on my JK found their way to the LJ. They might stay, they might not, but I do like their performance a LOT!

 

[Pressurized]

The center console cover was split and the mounts were destroyed and it was just laying on the center console... I thought the Rugged Ridge cover would be an easy and cheap way to cover up the damage. It worked well.

When looking at the mount, I found that I had some toggle bolts small enough to fit through the holes in the console and it it tightened right up as if it were meant to be assembled that way. Much better...

 

[Pressurized]

While waiting for the OPDA to arrive I thought I would throw some plugs in it...

Glad I did, these look like they might be the original OEM plugs, yikes. Did these come with NGK's? Put a new set in, not a moment too soon.

 

[Pressurized]

Got the OPDA in. Was expecting a bit more challenge, but it went smoothly and in 30 minutes we were swapped out. The old one was not showing much wear, especially on the gear. My first thought was that it was not OEM. But it isn't a Crown either. So I'll take the upgrade either way...

I'm not aware of any reason why, but the PO had installed a second Skyjacker steering stabilizer. I decided to pull it off. Steering effort is a little lighter as expected, but she still drives normal.

Next up is the ZJ HD steering kit. I want to get it up off the ground for that. I'm used to working on the ground and having room underneath on my JK... This stock LJ is bit low.

 

[Hard Rocker]

Keep the Cam sensor from the old opda especially if it's an original one just in case

 

[Pressurized]

Keep the Cam sensor from the old opda especially if it's an original one just in case

Yes, I actually put the OEM sensor on the new OPDA. Kept the old OPDA and new sensor. :beerdrinking:

I also blacked out the HL bezels... Thought they didn't quite look right in chrome.

And the ZJ HD steering is installed. Super nice upgrade for a little over $100... If the Currie is needed later on, I can put it on.

 

[Got it at last]

That looks a lot nicer than you originally described. Good find....

 

[Pressurized]

That looks a lot nicer than you originally described. Good find....

She's actually cleaner than I expected from first inspection. Not a showroom piece, but well kept for 90k on the clock. I have actually not done the thorough cleaning as expected originally, because I just wanted to drive it for a bit.

Still has the tire issue... But I'm not ready to do tires until the rest of the build is decided. Trying to keep it reasonable.

 

[Got it at last]

That's how I feel, after changing my mind several times and re-doing a few things. Do your homework, get the right parts the first time and do it once. Have fun with it.

 

[Uin2it]

Nice work! Making progress for sure!