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texlurch

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Bought used in Dec '12; hunted around and looked at quite a few before I decided on this one. Basic Laredo package, 185K miles, well maintained, QuadraTrac II 4.7, 3.73 gears.

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Initial plans were for a 4 in long arm lift, keeping the stock wheels with some spacers.. you know basics!

While researching and shopping, found a guy selling some barely used IRO 6.5 springs and Bilsteins.. so the "basic" plan changed... :rolleyes:

Ended up deciding on a Rough Country long arm kit, with their trackbar.
I've had a RC kit on my Z71 for quite a while, and been quite satisfied.

First thing I didn't like, was the crossmember drop, and one piece crossmember with LCA mount. I already decided to do a 242 with SYE swap from Tom Woods, so I didn't need the drop. Plus it doesn't help the front driveshaft angles at all.
Right about then I found the IRO high clearance crossmember and ahh haa!!

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Notched the IRO mount to clear the RC LCA brackets, and welded all the RC mounts to subframe. Ended up with a 1/4 drop but I can live with that.

Added an IRO t-case skid; the front edge lines up with the crossmember perfect.

Also added a truss and skid for the rear D44A aluminum center. The truss is a TNT D44 that I modified and trimmed. The skid is homemade from 3/16 plate. Added spacers to stock rear swaybar to clear the BTF cover, and stuffed it with an Aussie locker.

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And no it isn't crooked; just an odd angle from the camera.. :cool:
 
Discussion starter · #2 · (Edited)
Ended up deciding to change the wheels, and installed my Bushwacker flares.
Level 8 Strike 5 wheels, 16x8.5, with 265/75 Duratracs.
Even with the lift and flares, the tires still rub at full flex on the bumper.
Decided after the last trail that it is going to 285/75 tires and a steel bumper, but that is later in the story.... ;)

Here is how it looks fresh on the new lift.

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I guess I forgot to mention I installed a hidden 10500 Recon winch behind the bumper.. ooops! Also has Fawkes Fab shackle tabs with bullbar mount. It is a Hunter brand bar, and I cut and modified the mounts to move the bar higher to align with the hawse.

Added some JCR Stage 3 sliders as well...

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At this point it was doing pretty well on the trails, but I still hadn't addressed the front axle (D30). Also needed to paint that faded cladding and find a home for the spare....

On Marshall Pass trail...

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I noted after looking at it for a while that the front was a tad low.
Probably due to the weight of the winch.
I added a pair of 3/4 spacers to the front, and now both ends measure exactly 6.5 inches over stock. Also found that I could drop the front coils out by over extending the front.. so even tho I have upper and lower coil retainers from IRO, I got some Trail Ready mounts and added limit straps. Reduces the flex slightly, but won't drop a coil or top out the shocks.
Rear is limited in droop by the stock swaybar, and I am fine with that.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
While I had it up doing the lift, I installed GoFerIt weld inserts in the draglink and tie rod mounts, and flipped them OTK.
To keep the bumpsteer at a minimum, I added an IRO steering stiffener/trackbar mount. Happy to say it drives perfect.
There is also an Addco heavy sway bar in front, to replace the stock hollw tube bar. Even at 6.5 inches, it doesn't lean much more than the stocker did on the mountain roads.

Dropped out the front axle, replaced all the ball joints, installed inner sleeves, inner C gussets, LCA gussets, RCV axles, and a BTF cover.
I had planned to install the Eaton E-locker, but discovered one of the anti-rotation tabs broken.
I have since tig'd the tab back on and will be installing it soon.

Mounted a new HD SS on the trackbar and draglink, which moves it up and out of harms way.

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Also found on large whoops the axle was traveling enough to contact the trackbar mount; the RC bumpstop extensions weren't long enough.
Took some measurements and got some IRO spacers for 5.5 in. Still has 3.5 inch uptravel.

Painted the cladding while I had it apart fabbing a rear tire carrier w/jerry can.

Looks much better now.
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Discussion starter · #4 · (Edited)
Went to Christmas For Kids event at Ram Offroad Park, and they had a couple RTI ramps. He didn't have his tape for some reason, so I didn't get an exact number. Best he and I could tell is somewhere between 850-900 RTI. I'll take it for a soccer moms daily driver.. :D ;)
One of these days I'll get down there to his shop, and get a tape on it.

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I'll add more once the front bumper gets built and more trail rides.


Current mods:

Engine: Airraid filter, Summit 3 in catback
Trans: stock
T-case: swapped 247 to 242, Tom Woods SYE and rear driveshaft, new chain
Rear Axle: D44A, Aussie locker, BTF cover, lower truss and skid, sway bar spacers
Front Axle: D30, Eaton E-locker (TBI), inner sleeves, inner C gussets, RCV axles, LCA gussets, OTK steering, relocated SS, IRO trackbar bracket, 5.5 BS, limit straps
Wheels: Level 8 Strike 5 16x8.5
Tires: 265/75 Duratracs
Shocks: Bilsteins
Lift: Rough Country long arm, IRO 6.5 springs, front discos, rear IRO extended links, 3/4 spacer in front
other: IRO high clearance crossmember and t-case skid, upper and lower spring retainers
custom hidden winch mount, 10500 Recon remote winch, synthetic line
JCR Stage 3 sliders
Fawkes Fab recovery mounts, relocated Bullbar with 5 in KC lights
Custom swingout tire/jerry can carrier
Hi lift on stock roof rack
Midland CB

Future mods: 4.56 gears, 285/75 tires, steel bumper, oil and trans pan skids, on board air, tank tuck
 
That's a nice clean looking rig and I like the mods you have done. Well done!
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
can I ask what fog lights do you have in there???
I don't recall now where I bought them. Came across a link on one of the forums. I am taking them out soon to build a new bumper; PM if you are interested in them.. :cool:
 
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