[85IrocZ-28]

I'll let you know when I have them up for sale. I think it will be in late June to early July...trying to get a rear bumper still.

I registered for Grand Slam West today...Who else is going to join us in Moab this June?

http://gsw.mallcrawlin.com/

 

[85IrocZ-28]

Rear protofab is ordered, and it should be here in 4 weeks! I am planning on painting mine white.

 

[volvite]

Jealous!!!!!! Your ride is awesome already, that will just complete the ride. Are you going to have it painted to match or keep it black?

 

[85IrocZ-28]

I am going to paint it white, I think it will look really clean that way. I don't think I am going to raise my tank any time soon though, I like the storage offered in the factory tire well. But as this bumper comes with a skid section that goes down to the tank, I may paint a portion of that flat black so that it doesn't attract attention, I think it will blend more with the gas tank. and overall darker look of the undercarriage.

 

[volvite]

That's going to look awesome.

 

[85IrocZ-28]

I picked up a new steering stabilizer today from 4WP, my old one started leaking all of it's oil out onto the driveway last week.

Also, I used the H-block out of my driveline (had it rebuilt last year) as a new pen holder on my desk at work:

 

[volvite]

I'm looking forward to the rear bumper. Nice way to reuse your old parts. Jeep owners can be environmentally friendly. Ha

 

[85IrocZ-28]

I installed a new steering stabilizer today. My old one was loosing fluid, might as well replace it before it is completely toast. I stopped by 4WP a few days back and picked it up. They said they only thing that they had that would work was a Rancho for $55. Knowing I had installed a Pro-Comp SS 5 years ago, I had them look up my transaction history. We found the PC one that I purchased before...only $35 (part # 219200 for my future reference).

I need to replace the bushings on my track bar, so I sent a text to 00JGC00. Not quite sure that I want to spend $70 on bushings from KOR. He says they are great, and I know others here have used them as well...but $70 for bushings?

I also pulled the rear sway bar endlinks and put new bushings in them. Before I install them tomorrow, I will likely go and pick up some steel to create drop bracket to go between the unibody and the upper mount. The endlinks limit my rear droop a bit, I don't think they were designed long enough for the LA kit.

 

[volvite]

Those bushings look horrible.

 

[85IrocZ-28]

Yeah...they were pretty bad. All back together now though, and it is much better.

I like to wheel with the rear sway bar in place. I know it is pretty thin and doesn't give the best performance on the street, but my Jeep isn't a street racer . I like the softness of the rear sway bar as it doesn't limit flex too much, but really helps with stability offroad when the front sway bar is disconnected. I know others like the addco rear, but it does limit flex more severely when offroad, and I wouldn't want to have both front and rear disco'd.

That being said, my rear sway bar has been limiting my droop. After looking at many other kits, it looks like the RK rear sway bar end links are too short. So while changing the bushings, I decided to use some steel I had laying around to extend the mount down. I was going to get some larger diameter tube to cut the existing endlink, slide both sides into the longer tube, then weld it back together. however, this method should work pretty well for me.

I cut two 2x4 blocks of steel, drilled them top and bottom, bolted the block to the unibody, and then bolted the end link mount to the new block. I will eventually tag them to the unibody with a welder in 6-8 spots so that the forces (when pulling down for droop) are more evenly distributed.

Blocks laying next to the end link mounts and end links:

Block and mount bolted in place:

The angle of the sway bar is much closer to level now. This should give me much better droop in the rear.

 

[volvite]

Those blocks look the same as the regular lift kits but less expensive seeing how you made them yourself. Nice Job.

 

[85IrocZ-28]

I no longer have any noises from the rear thanks to the link below. I will have to thank John at Grand Slam West for the great info. I followed his recommendations, and all the rear noises are gone. Now to track down the passenger side suspension noise...

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36828

 

[85IrocZ-28]

Yeti has some new kicks.

These have a -6 offset, they stick out .6 inches further that the other set I had on there. I will have to do a test flex to see if I need to do any more trimming before GSW.
16x8 MB TKO's with 315x75x16 Goodyear Duratrac's
First wheel test fit, no center cap:

Passenger side done:

Close up:

Angle Shot:

So yeah, the mudflaps look rediculous now:

Crappy cell phone pic, overcast sky so you can't really see them too well. The dark wheels make the black on the Jeep stand out more...roof rack, ventshades, I need to re-tint the front windows:

 

[archerman99]

Sexy beast! :d

 

[85IrocZ-28]

Thanks, it sure looks different with the black wheels...i like it.

Look what arrived!

 

[BigClay]

Such a clean Grand, really like the wheels, and that rear bumper looks sweet!

 

[volvite]

Looking forward to you have the rear end fixed up. Jealous!

 

[mperk12000]

Cant wait to see the bumper on there. Im hoping it widens up with the flares some. Thats the only thing i dont like about the flares is they dont seem to look right from the back with the stock bumper. But it may just be me! Wheels/Jeep look great btw!

 

[85IrocZ-28]

I agree. It will not be as wide as the flares though, but it will look better. I will be welding on some tabs to install larger mud flaps...I would rather run without them, but I don't want to toss a rock at someone's windshield or worry about getting pulled over. I will have quick release pins to get them on and off for wheeling. I will shape them so that they take up the space between the bumper and flare...I want to make sure it looks good though, it may have to make some templates first.

Today's project: It was time to get rid of the slack in the steering...

I replaced the upper passenger tie rod end (steering arm to knuckle) that had slack in it, I was glad to see that O'Reilys stocks MOOG stuff.
I also replaced the track bar bushings. As you can see by the pics below, they were oval and cracking. The steering is much more responsive now.

And RK made a custom track bar sleeve for me, they are always great to work with.

 

[shawn.m]

hey can you post a couple pictures of the rear bumper? I want to see how they mount to the rear of the body. Their website is not the most clear.