Build thread: daily driven tow rig

[Woodswanderer]

Update: todays task was installing the Crown 52001125 HD front springs. New moog insulators went in on top of the old ones (couldnt get them out easily and gave up screwing around with them). Also new grade 8 cad coated spring retainers and hardware. While in there I installed RuffStuff’s The Cure.

Netted about 1.5” of lift up front once it was done. Kind of surprised since the free length of the stock springs that came off was an inch longer. Nice surprise, no need for the RRO 2” lift kit.

Also tackled the back end noise. Turns out the KYB Monomax shocks i put on less than 5k miles ago were blown. I could push them down by hand and they took forever to rebound. Needless to say i’m livid and will NEVER buy another KYB product again.

Replaced with Gabriel Hijacker air shocks i ordered awhile back because i had a feeling i needed them...aired to 100psi. 2” of lift in the rear and a decent ride to boot. One more reason not to order the RRO kit...more money for disc brake swap parts! 🤣

Still planning to do BPE’s and install the rear shock flag nuts. Once i get the hitch on i’ll do the airlift kit and OBA, do the rear brake swap, then im good for awhile.

Next task is installing Upper and lower control arms and an alignment (hopefully the alignment shop will do the control arms Monday when i take it in)






codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Ride height:

Factory springs/kyb monomax shocks (measured from center of axle to top of wheel arch, +/-0.25”)

Left front 17.75”
Right front 18”

Right rear 18”
Left rear 18”

Front after Crown HD springs and double oem isolator
19.5”
19.25”

Rear after gabriel hijackers @100psi, w/husky springs
20.5”
20.25”


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[maxbraketorque]

What size tires are those?

[Woodswanderer]

Originally Posted by maxbraketorque

What size tires are those?

Nokian Rotiiva AT E-load in 235/75-15. Running 36psi all around. Thats probably where most of the lift is coming from tbh


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

I could probably still squeeze another 1”-1.5” of lift out down the line and be content with that. I dont intend to run 31”/33” tires so anything more and its a waste. Only reason for lift is more ground clearance and to overcome squat with a trailer loaded behind. Plus its easier for me to get in and out of the jeep with my health issues. Anything more will make it troublesome

As it sits now, the omix ada 18280.09 bumpstops in the rear have 4-4.5” of clearence to the axle. According to the interwebs, these stops are 4” long...so overall 8.5” of axle to frame clearance. Gabriels have 7.73” of travel, so even without stops i will never hit the axle.


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

More/better pics after poor mans maintenance lift




codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Alignment and control arms will have to wait a bit. Definitely need to have them shift the front axle to the passenger side a bit (trackbar adjustment or bent control arm) and look into the camber on the driver side.

Hopefully i wont have to do ball joints just yet, i’d like to hold off until i do the WJ knuckle and brake swap for that. Debating on if i want to do 1 ton steering upgrade at the time too 🤔 already have the RC tie rod bar installed, just need the ends and the links to complete it


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

To do list:


Powerstop z36 ZJ rear brake rotors
(X) ZJ rear disc dust shields
ZJ powerstop z36 rear brake calipers
ZJ rear brake pads
Powerstop stainless steel braided brake hoses
Powerstop parking brake shoes
Centric parking brake hardware kit

WJ front knuckle/brake/steering swap
1 ton steering

Class III/IV hitch $150

AirLift airbag helper springs
-onboard compressor
-air tank

99 v8 durango steering box (faster ratio, more powerful assist)
-ironrock durango steering box spacer
-durango steering box brace
01-04 WJ steering pump
Hayden 678 power steering cooler

Azzys design works NP242 linkage
JCR Offroad molle panels (center console, quarter windows, tailgate, trunk cubby)
Unibody frame stiffeners

Picked up an unbranded Glowshift red digital dual air pressure gauge on ebay tonight to throw in the gauge pod with the matching trans oil temp gauge. That’ll be the next thing i do 👍🏻


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Small update. Installed the yellow lamin-x film on the combo light bar and a new “built not bought” XJ sticker on the rear window that i had my buddy whip up for me (shameless self promotion: have 2 more red and 3 more in black of the stickers if anyone wants one pm me)





codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Anak]

Nice.

If you ever get around to having your buddy make up some of those stickers in white I am interested.

[Woodswanderer]

Originally Posted by Anak

Nice.

If you ever get around to having your buddy make up some of those stickers in white I am interested.

That can be arranged 😊 send me a PM, we can hash it out. I’m going to talk with my print shop guy too and see what he would charge to make full decals instead of just outlined like these.

StreetRays brand Rear BPE’s on order from Ebay, should be here by the end of the week. Hopefully i can put them in next weekend and i’m done working on the heep for a bit. Only thing left for the 2” lift is a set of drop shackles and proper front lift pucks. Probably going to piece the lift together with 2” Rough Country shackles and energy suspension 1.75” poly front pucks.


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

I’m thinking about making another decal “ ‘99 problems but a Jeep ain’t one” with the same XJ outline as the built not bought stickers...

Also kicking around the idea of embroidered hats and shirts. Depends on cost of materials. May lead into something related to future overlanding adventures 😊


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Worked on these today...

Also trial and error with the ball joint press yielded results on the KYB bar pins. Looks like they vulcanized the bushing to the pin. So when i install the front BPE’s i’ll have to install some Energy Suspension poly shock eye bushings. Not sure about the rears since i switched to the Gabriel Hijackers...suspect they are vulcanized to the pin also.

Took note too that the bar pins on the old rear shocks are dented in. When the mechanic installed them he put new bolts thru 3 of the mount holes that stripped out and tack welded a bead onto them to hold them in place (one tacked to the body, the other two just hang loose). This causes the bar pins to move around and the whole shock rattles on bumps. Have flag nuts ready to go in, need to grind the beads off the new hardware and figure out how to get the one remaining captive nut out before installing them. Air chisel should do it...


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Also found a blown LED tail light bulb this evening. Apparently its been out for awhile...back in i go tomorrow to yank it and replace with a krypton 3657 40w like the driver side. Still works as a brake light though 🤷🏼*♂️

Lesson learned: the XJ does not like LED tail light bulbs.


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Anak]

I can't recall exactly what the issues are, but I know that when I converted my tail lights to LEDs I had to install a trailer wiring converter and change out my turn signal relay. I think part of that was the fact that I ditched the factory arrangement involving amber turn signals. IOW, I wasn't just changing out my bulbs for LEDs. At any rate, I have been happily running my LED tail lights for something on the order of five years now.

It is possible that the LEDs that you bought were simply defective. Between the popularity of them and the supply chain issues that everyone is dealing with there is a reasonable chance that they simply weren't up to snuff.