JK 44s and other Fun Stuff

[whitexj98]

So with all the fab done time to clean and paint...







One thing I wanted to address was carrier preload, It pretty much fell out with the caps off. I was able to get .003" shims on both sides, carrier went in nice and tight.



Put in Dynatrac ball joint rebuild kits, neat setup.







Charged the bumps up to 150 PSI





All in









Drove it around and all seemed pretty good but I still felt like there was more play in the gear box then there should be. I have a PSC HD OE style box but deiced to upgrade to the big bore box tapped for Hydro assist for any future upgrade. PSC claim 30% increase with just the box. It definitely made a difference.

[IslanderOffRoad]

looks great. love the extra width from these axles, its about perfect.

[techno1154]

What is the ride like with those Bilstein's up front?

Great XJ builds are always a turn on for me.

[whitexj98]

Originally Posted by techno1154

What is the ride like with those Bilstein's up front?

Great XJ builds are always a turn on for me.

Ride is good. Not sure its all that much different then the 5100s I had before. I have taken it out through some go fast and no complaints really.

[techno1154]

Originally Posted by whitexj98

Ride is good. Not sure its all that much different then the 5100s I had before. I have taken it out through some go fast and no complaints really.

I ask because I will be buying a set of the 5160's for my XJ. The 5165 rode very well but those I have are too long for my 4" lift XJ. The adopter at the top did not help either. I will try to get some 255/70 valving with stem at the top and eye at the bottom instead of eye top and bottom.

[ShoeterMcgav]

Originally Posted by techno1154

I ask because I will be buying a set of the 5160's for my XJ. The 5165 rode very well but those I have are too long for my 4" lift XJ. The adopter at the top did not help either. I will try to get some 255/70 valving with stem at the top and eye at the bottom instead of eye top and bottom.

Sooooo... you have some eye to eye 5165s for sale?? Lmk collapsed and extended lengths if so-

Sorry to thread jack.



Finished result looks SEXY!! Nice work Op

[XJEEPER]

Originally Posted by whitexj98

Arms were not going to work, I made a bender setup for my press but the arms were still not long enough after bends so I ordered up longer ones from Currie.

Digging the build. My son is in the process of prepping JK axles for XJ truss/mounts for his swap. He picked up a pair of never-installed Rancho Hi-steer JK knuckles for $150.00

Make sure that you gusset your Anti-Rock arms......mine tweaked at the bends and I had to add gussets.

[techno1154]

Originally Posted by ShoeterMcgav

Sooooo... you have some eye to eye 5165s for sale?? Lmk collapsed and extended lengths if so-

Sorry to thread jack.



Finished result looks SEXY!! Nice work Op

Bilstein B8 5165 25-187717
Collapsed Length (IN) - 16.14
Extended Length (IN) - 27.4
Mount Type - Eye-to-Eye
Upper Mount Type - Eye 5/8in
Lower Mount Type - Eye 5/8in

[ShoeterMcgav]

Pmed

[techno1154]

Originally Posted by ShoeterMcgav

Pmed

I installed today a set that was/is for the JK. Amazing ride. The el-cheepo were as useful a worn out bicycle pump.

I will crunch some numbers and PM you.

[whitexj98]

Finally got it out for its first off road run. Place is a go fast / trails, not much for rocks, good place for a first run. Didn't take hardly any pics though..





Did really well, the front bumps worked awesome in the go fast stuff. RCVs click bad so they will need rebuilt, biggest issue was in the first 30 minutes one of the rear shocks was covered in fluid. Didn't appear it was crashing anything so kept running the rest of the day.

Got it home and took off the shock, the remote reservoir line fitting was loose...





These shocks were ~4 months old at this point with almost no miles. Clearly a build/ quality issue from Bilstein. Since they are not vehicle specific, they only carry a 90 day warranty. I still called Bilstein, thinking surely they would be reasonable... nope, pretty much told me not their problem. You would think they would be concerned about the quality concern on how the fitting got off the assembly line not torqued....

Luckily 4 wheel parts stepped up and after a few calls they accepted it as a return for replacement with me paying shipping. With that said I'm still waiting on a replacement, I guess they were also back ordered from Bilstein...

[IslanderOffRoad]

4WP has been really slow lately. I ordered some Corbeau seats in May and as of June 30th they couldn't tell me when they would ship. And they listed them as in stock...

[ShoeterMcgav]

I had a poor experience with 4wp recently regarding some axle seals...
Long story short-
Big mess.

I get they are booming right now with all the stuck at home work on the rig goin on... but my experience plus this has definitely swayed me, In ordering my shocks on Amazon like a smart person LOL

[whitexj98]

Originally Posted by ShoeterMcgav

I had a poor experience with 4wp recently regarding some axle seals...
Long story short-
Big mess.

I get they are booming right now with all the stuck at home work on the rig goin on... but my experience plus this has definitely swayed me, In ordering my shocks on Amazon like a smart person LOL

I actually ordered them through Amazon, but they were sold through 4wp... I've been on hold over an hour multiple times now with them...

[TRCM]

Originally Posted by ShoeterMcgav

I had a poor experience with 4wp recently regarding some axle seals...
Long story short-
Big mess.

I get they are booming right now with all the stuck at home work on the rig goin on... but my experience plus this has definitely swayed me, In ordering my shocks on Amazon like a smart person LOL

Same here.....

I ordered a master rebuild kit for the front & rear diffs on my 79 Ramcharger.

For some reason, the carrier bearings that were in the rear axle kit did not fit, and a part number check showed them to be for a 79 chevy. I sourced the correct bearings from the local dealer (on superbowl sunday at 4 in the afternoon - pays to have friends) so I could finish the job.

I contacted them, and they said to send them back for a refund. I did...but they never credited me...and when asked, the answer they gave me was "You were never charged for those bearings", so we can't credit you for them".

I said I was charged for a complete master rebuild kit, and it had the wrong parts....so how as I not charged for them. They stuck to their answer, and I never got any money back.......I have also not given them any more of my business since then....and this was back in 1992.