Another update.
Got the steering all painted up and installed. Finally got my axle poly end for the track bar. Ordered a piece of 1-1/4"x.250 tube from Parts Mike. Should be here early next week and I can have the track bar done. Cycled the suspension, put in bump stops, almost ready to roll!
Poly Joint from Steinjager. I wanted a 2" poly joint to fit the Stinkyfab axle track bar bracket. I wanted it to have 7/8"x14 threads so the track bar would match the steering and the frame side Johnny Joint threads. This is the only one I found that fit my specs. Seems well made. I may try to use a JJ on the axle side, too. Haven't decided on that yet. Not sure if it is best to use a solid joint on one end and a poly on the other, or 2 solid joints. Most of the track bars I've seen use one solid and one poly, or 2 poly's, so I decided to model mine along the 1-poly/1-solid lines. Some say 2 solid is better, but I don't know.
It dawned on me that I didn't really put in more pictures of what I'm doing. Here's the Heep and a few pictures of what I've been doing. 99 2dr, AW4. Got it in 2016 in Sacramento for $1500.00. Bone stock, no rust, 200,000 on the clock. Wasn't looking for another XJ, but it fell in my lap and I couldn't resist. Plus the wife doesn't ever give me grief about my projects, so there's that!
Been amassing parts and started to build it finally this year. With the Covid 19 thing, I've been able to work on it a whole lot more.
Had the axles (D30, 8.25) built with IRO trusses, Detroit in the rear, Eaton E-locker in front, 4:56's. Same set up as my 97 and 95, except those have D44's in the rear. Honestly, having both, I don't think I'd waste my money on a D44 again unless it was a great price. I'm super impressed with the 8.25. Stout and beefy.
Went with a 241J TC out of a 03 TJ Rubicon. Almost a plug and play. Had to change the yokes. Used the ones from JB Conversions. Pricey, but a great product. JB was good to work with, too.
Had to change out the 4 wheel drive indicator switch and connector. Sourced those from O'Spankly's. Shifter is from Novak, went in just okay. TC shifter z-gate needed modification for the extra throw the 241 has. Modified Novak's TC bracket by adding an extra mount and gusset that uses a 3rd bolt in the tranny like the stock one does. Just the 2 bolts that the Novak bracket uses on the TC aren't enough. You can see the bracket flex when the shifter is operated. Anyway, it's stout now, but I wish there was a better set up. I'll see how it works on the trail.
I've done the mid stiffiners on the 95 and 97, but I thought I'd try the full set from IRO. Went in well, good product, but it's a bit of a pain to install if you don't have a lift. I also used IRO's new 3 link setup. That is nice, too. We'll see how it performs. The 97 has the IRO iron Y, while the 95 has the TNT long arm. I like both of those, so we'll see how this one compares.
Just got my tires mounted on some soft 8 rims from 4Wheel Parts. Basically buy 3 rims get one free.
Went with 33x12.5/17 General X3. I like them, we'll see how they perform. Local tire shop ordered and mounted the tires. Decent price point, made in USA.
Welded up my rock sliders today. I've made them for the other Jeeps, but I want to add the tube extensions for these.
Slight problem with the tube extensions. Apparently my Hobo Freight PIPE bender doesn't work on tubing. Duh! How could I be so stupid to not realize this. Luckily I had some scrap to practice on when it dawned on me it wasn't going to work. Gonna take my new 1-3/4 tubing to a buddy's shop that has the proper bender. I'll post up more pics later after install.
I have some things to wire up like lights, locker, fan overide switch. I picked up this pre-wired relay box from 12Voltconnection.com. Neat product, great service and fast shipping. Haven't used something like this, so we'll see how it goes. Shameless plug, but the guy was great.
Also got the new Metra double Din dash kit from Crutchfield. I'm going to try and install a single Din stereo and a CB under that. I did the same in my 97, but I had to modify the trim piece. Hoping this is an easier install. I'll post more wiring stuff when I get to it.
Anyway, that's all I have for tonight. I'll post more later.