Almost There: 01’ XJ Build
#31
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
#32
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Yea I have the RC Quick Disco's I had bushwhackers and took off because I think it takes away from my lift. But I'm getting ready to re-gear to 4.56's and lift it to 6.5" I have a RE hack and tap and a front d-shaft in the rear and it took car of my vibes.
#34
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Well today I finally installed my Rugged Ridge SYE! I have a custom drive shaft ordered, so for now I simply put the front driveshaft on the rear. Was surprisingly easy to do and I did it by myself because my buddy flaked. I just followed the writeup here: http://www.4x4xplor.com/SYE-CV.html.Here are some pictures off my phone sorry about the quality.
The only hard part was getting the large snap ring off and on. I ended up using piece of a wheel bearing I found laying around to push it on while squeezing the ring with the snap ring pliers. Here is a couple picture of that process:
I also replaced a U-joint on the front shaft because it was broken as seen below. I luckily figured this out the other day after hearing a jingling noise for the last couple weeks while driving.
I didn't get on the freeway because I'm a little sketched out driving without a front drive shaft, but I got up to 65mph and no vibrations! I still need to adjust the pinion angle and I also bought an extra front drive shaft on ebay the other day to have as spare which I will probably put on while waiting for the custom one to come.
I also got some rock sliders the other day from a guy in Denver who makes them (super good price and very well made). I drilled the holes for them in my pinch seam, but I need to paint them before putting them on. The pinch seam connection part has a section missing because these are specially made to accommodate a Rubicon Express Long Arm kit for down the road, or at this pace that I am spending money probably next month haha. Here they are:
Any advise on painting them? I want them black, and I heard its best to just go with spray paint as opposed to powder coat so I can touch them up if I scrape them ever.
The only hard part was getting the large snap ring off and on. I ended up using piece of a wheel bearing I found laying around to push it on while squeezing the ring with the snap ring pliers. Here is a couple picture of that process:
I also replaced a U-joint on the front shaft because it was broken as seen below. I luckily figured this out the other day after hearing a jingling noise for the last couple weeks while driving.
I didn't get on the freeway because I'm a little sketched out driving without a front drive shaft, but I got up to 65mph and no vibrations! I still need to adjust the pinion angle and I also bought an extra front drive shaft on ebay the other day to have as spare which I will probably put on while waiting for the custom one to come.
I also got some rock sliders the other day from a guy in Denver who makes them (super good price and very well made). I drilled the holes for them in my pinch seam, but I need to paint them before putting them on. The pinch seam connection part has a section missing because these are specially made to accommodate a Rubicon Express Long Arm kit for down the road, or at this pace that I am spending money probably next month haha. Here they are:
Any advise on painting them? I want them black, and I heard its best to just go with spray paint as opposed to powder coat so I can touch them up if I scrape them ever.
Last edited by gvns8; 10-31-2010 at 10:39 PM.
#36
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Collins, Co
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
#39
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Well yesterday, I put in my new 4.5" Rubicon Express Coils, adjusted the pinion angle, and drilled the last holes for my rock sliders. Today I got an alignment finally and picked up a new 48" hi lift jack, along with the supplies to do an oil change, coolant flush, and replace the rear diff fluid and paint for the sliders tomorrow. Going to be a pretty productive weekend.
Unfortunately the alignment shop said the camber is off by one degree and they cannot adjust it unless I buy "eccentric upper ball joints" along with a drop pitman arm. I guess JEEP really does stand for "Just Empty Every Pocket".
Here are some pictures of my new 4.5" RE springs vs the old 3.5" RE springs and the install process.(wasn't too difficult once I removed the LCA's)
Unfortunately the alignment shop said the camber is off by one degree and they cannot adjust it unless I buy "eccentric upper ball joints" along with a drop pitman arm. I guess JEEP really does stand for "Just Empty Every Pocket".
Here are some pictures of my new 4.5" RE springs vs the old 3.5" RE springs and the install process.(wasn't too difficult once I removed the LCA's)
Last edited by gvns8; 11-06-2010 at 12:27 PM.
#40
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
This weekend was definitely a productive one. I am now ALMOST done at least for a little while working on my xj. I changed the oil, diff. oil, and did a coolant flush. I also touched up the roof rack with paint and painted all the light mounting parts and light casings black. Finally I painted my new rock sliders with some primer and a few coats of flat black paint.
Here are some pics from painting the rock sliders and roof rack/lights:
Primer:
Paint:
Rack light mounts painted:
Here are some pics from the diff/oil change.
Question: anyone know if this is a detroit locker??? Its a locker but I am not sure if it's really a detroit as the PO said, I will have to investigate:
Now all I have left (until my next major upgrade) is to bolt on the rock sliders, and pop in the new custom drive-shaft once its finished being made.
Well I also have some other stuff on the back burner: I need to get bushings and install my jks bar pin eliminators, I need to figure out what the loud turning noise is coming from the rear diff. (maybe need to be reshimmed? maybe bearings?), fix the minor seap coming from the engine, install my skids and possibly replace the front shocks, and ..... haha yeaaaa this thing is never going to be done with who am I kidding.
I will post up some pics of the rock sliders on my xj as soon as I get them bolted on.
Here are some pics from painting the rock sliders and roof rack/lights:
Primer:
Paint:
Rack light mounts painted:
Here are some pics from the diff/oil change.
Question: anyone know if this is a detroit locker??? Its a locker but I am not sure if it's really a detroit as the PO said, I will have to investigate:
Now all I have left (until my next major upgrade) is to bolt on the rock sliders, and pop in the new custom drive-shaft once its finished being made.
Well I also have some other stuff on the back burner: I need to get bushings and install my jks bar pin eliminators, I need to figure out what the loud turning noise is coming from the rear diff. (maybe need to be reshimmed? maybe bearings?), fix the minor seap coming from the engine, install my skids and possibly replace the front shocks, and ..... haha yeaaaa this thing is never going to be done with who am I kidding.
I will post up some pics of the rock sliders on my xj as soon as I get them bolted on.
#41
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Well today I got my rock sliders bolted on along with my front driveshaft finally haha just in time for the snow tonight. Check it out and tell me what you think.
#43
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Thanks man.
The sliders were made by a guy in denver who is has been selling them for awhile on ebay/craigslist and his business name is Ohana Fab LLC. He said he cut back on production but will still make them for anyone interested. They are very well made and very well priced. Here is his prices: no outer round tube: $160. with the outer round tube $230. If anyone else wants his info I'll PM it to you just let me know.
The sliders were made by a guy in denver who is has been selling them for awhile on ebay/craigslist and his business name is Ohana Fab LLC. He said he cut back on production but will still make them for anyone interested. They are very well made and very well priced. Here is his prices: no outer round tube: $160. with the outer round tube $230. If anyone else wants his info I'll PM it to you just let me know.
#45
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 6
From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Thanks man, I haven't had a chance with working on the thing all weekend. this coming weekend though. I can see the resemblance with yours though. I really like that bumper you have man I seriously want to get one just like it. Looks really clean.