Got an email today that my isolators are on back order. Not that i would getting anything done soon anyway as its been so flippin cold. How much snow you got up your end? I took the back way home tonight and there was this snow drift over the side of the road that had to be over 4ft tall at least.



I also stopped by the happy nappy store today and got a 96 dakota rear flex hose. With the 3" lift the stock one was just about maxed out, this should give us a little room to flex with the new shackles. The parts guy there is awsome, he actually looked up the specs and this one is something like 6" longer than the stock XJ.

 

Nothing helps me get over a 11hr day at work like sitting in front of the woodstove with a good beer and some new Jeep parts.




I also dropped by the happy nappy store as I bought a trans cooler that was just stupid small yesterday so I traded up to this one for a couple more bucks.




The alloy tube seals are pretty neat.





The 1"lift daystar shackles though where damaged in the box. I know that I can just punch out or drill out whats left of the zerk fitting and thread in a new one but its still a PITA. This is what I got.







Im also a little concerned that they will give me over the 1" of lift that is advertised but we will see. Hopefully the coil spacers will make it this coming week, then garage time

 

Staring at those crazy long shackles has got to my head. I just ordered H.D. Offroad no lift shackle relocators. Really been wanting them since I laid eyes on them but between not knowing if the shackle bolts will come out and not knowing what I'm going to end up with for lift pushed me over the edge. This is my DD and it puts me in a tough spot when things don't go as expected in the shop so I like to prepare for the worst.

Anyway these are sexy

 

ugh why does it have to be so friggin cold. I have things to do


pictures do the shackle relocators no justice they are thick! No doubt stronger than the rest of the surrounding Jeep. I also got send 4 .75 coil spacers instead of 2. I guess I should have no issue dialing in my front ride height to match the rear now between those and the relocators. Cant wait for this weather to break I'm ready to rock.

 

Finally some shop time and a day over 40* felt like a heat wave. Anyway got some maintenance stuff done as well as longer brake lines and the trans cooler is in. Heres a side by side of how much longer the Dakota 4X4 line is than the stock XJ.



I also did the C1500 Chebby lines up front. Didn't have to grind calipers or anything to make them fit. Just have to pay attention to clocking them the right way, my first try they would have rubbed the tire at full lock.






They are super long. I also ground off alittle of the shock mount for alittle more droop up font. I tried to work on the extra 1" of lift but as I thought I will have to cut the stock shackles out of the rear. Good thing I got those Relocation brakets

 

Sometimes I swear this thing does not look like its only 3" of lift.

 

got the new shackles and reloctator brackets in today. I had intentions of putting in the dayco shackles with out the relocators just for hahas but I really didnt have time. I also didnt have any time to document the installation. I will try and post some pics tomorrow. the shackle angle Im running is deep even with the 6" shackle I dont think I picked up any lift. We will see what tomorrow brings I'm beat.

 

I had 2 or 3 people stop what they were doing and take a picture of my parking spot at work so I did the same.

 

Ok here is where I'm at. I took these pictures before I started playing around for a reference point.

Rear



Front




And this is where I'm at in the rear.

My shackle angle is pretty deep and I'm not going to be able to stay this low. Looks like I will have to move one hole back.





This is a pic of the current ride height in the rear. I will try to get a pic of how the Jeep sits now on level ground but I really dig the little bit of rake that I got from going up a 1/2 inch.




I guess we will see what moving the shackle up some will bring in the lift department and I will add spacers up front as needed like the original plan. I'm not gonna lie I was alittle exited about not having to lift the front but I dont think I'm going to be able to get away with out doing it.

 

Once again the power of the internet wins. I was looking at new lo-pro shock mounts to take advantage of the extra rear droop and gain a little extra clearance and stumbled upon this.http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearShockM.htm
Dude I'm Trying this.

 

Got out in the shop tonight with a little bit of time and some cheap beer.



First moved the shackles back one hole didn't take a pic of the angle but its spot on. Here's where she sits now.



So that's a solid inch of lift in the rear.

I also put one set of the .75 spacers up front. Here is the front ride height now.



So now that I'm at 4" on 33's like just about everybody else, do I need to turn in my low cog card?




now to just work out the kinks before wheeling season hits full steam.

 

Outside pics of new ride height. Hopefully I will get the tube seals in soon, not that I'm pressed for time, probably going to be mid may by the time the good trails will be able to handle any wheeling cause of all the snow.

 

Looks really good, i'm going that direction too, just need 33s. I have been told you need to go 35s to hand in any lcog card.

 

Pre wheeling season stretch.

 

did the axle side shock mount relocation mod today. didnt take any pics during, but the write up pretty much sums it up. Pics to come soon as well pics of some other goodies that got dropped off at the shop today.