Freedom Eagle

I considered wrapping both these Jeeps in the same thread but it makes more sense to keep them separated. I started some stuff on the other forum years ago, feel free to look if you are so inclined but I'll just copy the intro because it's meaningful.

I've always loved Jeeps. As a kid I remember riding around in my dad's old CJ7 - we went everywhere. It was slightly modified but not much. I remember days in the winter, we lived in a log cabin (no joke - we were POOR!). When the power went out Dad would load up the Jeep with some gear including a chain saw. We would make the 3 hour trek into town clearing the roads from disastrous trees just so we could get some fresh food and have a nice warm place to sit for a while. After my divorce I decided I need to get rid of my economy car and find something a little more "me."

I found a 06 TJ Golden Eagle edition 4.0L at some small little no-name dealer about 2.5 hours north of me. Really nice place. The owner was awesome. The salesman I dealt with does tons of community service, as does the other employees. I didn't realize just how far north it was until I got there. After finding out it was a one owner vehicle from Cali. sold at an auto auction, I denied the trade and went home to research the VIN. Looking at it at the dealer it was pretty clean. No damage, no mods, no rust. It wasn't even taken off road....ever. I have no idea who the first owner was but they took very good care of it. The salesman didn't pressure me at all, in fact he was quite sad to see me go but understood. The VIN pulled up with a clean title. I decided if the Jeep was still there the following week it was meant to be and I would go for it. Sure enough it was. We made a 1:1 trade. It was a bit hard to swallow since my car was only 1 year old and in pristine condition. But it wasn't about the money, it was about the lifestyle, and what that Jeep meant to me. Driving home I felt the best I had in a long time. I gave her the name "Freedom" as you can imagine why. The next few weeks I drove her all I could. Everything about my TJ is awesome, even the annoying bits.

Well here we are 12 or so years later and it still remains to this day the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I've had others as well since, but it's the only vehicle that has stuck around. Now that I sold my Gladiator a few weeks ago, this TJ will turn into my DD. Daily driving for me is not what most deal with. The office is 2 minutes away, the few times every other week I actually have to go. Town is a little over an hour one way and usually I only visit half a dozen times a month for appointments or supplies. Otherwise, both Jeeps just sit until weekend fun or leave. The suspension is in need of a refresh, more importantly is the rear end that hasn't been right since a local shop made a little mistake. Other general services and maintenances have been done but more remain, and it is time to be given some care.

One of the first things I need to do right away is do a full rebuild of the rear end. It's making a lot of really bad noise - at least I think it is the rear, and I really hope it is not the 6spd. Knowing the front is all stock still, with a little too much slop, it makes sense to rebuild both at the same time. Drive shafts were just rebuilt last week. I was previously wanting to lower the lift and return to 31" tires. I know I know....but consider my use case. I don't go on hard trails. In fact no hard trail exists within 4 hours of here. This will be the DD and the LJ will be the camping exploring Jeep. But, complications around the RockJock lift make lowering any more than 2" a significant amount of cutting and welding and more cost than I want to deal with. Even Currie suggests going with their 3" springs that they know cause no conflicts. And since RSE now makes power steps for the TJ and LJ, that would alleviate my joint issues https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/rockers-sliders/bd-ss-100-tj-rock-slide-engineering-step-sliders. So, at the moment, I am looking at a regear to 4.56 and true tracks front and rear. That will give the option to return to 33's if so desired, and the TT's will aid in nasty winter roads.

I am currently still on the stock 3.73 gearing with 33's. I hate these tires and am in need for a good 3peak before winter. The tire I'm looking to go to is a 31x10.5. With the current 33's and stock gearing at 70 the entire is turning about 2350 RPM. Because of the rear diff fiasco, I am getting ready to pull the trigger on axle rebuild kits and am considering 4.56 gears. This will require the 'thick' gears in the back due to the size of the true track carrier. According to the good 'ol http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html this would result in a RPM of 2900 at 70 and 2500 at 60 with a 31" tire. But it would still allow me to return to a 33 in the future if so desired. I really dont care to drive the TJ over 70. The LJ is fine up to 85 but even then 70 is just a lot less stress on the roads out here except for the idiots doing 95 and cutting back over 2' in front of your bumper. Anywho, curious to see if the 4.56 ratio is in line with what most do here - fully understanding many are rolling on 35's or larger.

Started getting a box built for the TJ today. So far I'm pretty happy with how it is coming along although I wish it didn't have to be so tall. Hopefully next weekend I can get it finished. A similar box will be made for the LJ, only using baltic birch instead of the cheap stuff here. Next steps will be gluing and screwing the back and sides together. Hopefully finding bolts for the base to secure to the tub, and then bolting the sides to the base. The top has a 32" hinge that needs to be attached to the back and top. Once that is complete I can shellac it for protection, and then start adding electrical.

Been wondering for a couple years now how the springs have faired the last 10 years. Looks like they're still right at that 4" of lift. I think it was closer to 4.5-5 when they were new though. Although the isolators look either worn out or upside down. I don't recall them sagging like that before.




Fronts looking pretty good as well. Its nice to know where it sits approximately to see what lowering 2 inches will result in.
Interestingly, it seems WAY taller than the LJ and the LJ isn't sagging too bad as I had thought.

Well not a whole lot happening this past week with having the flu and all but I did come across another track bar option that is adjustable and functions, supposedly, at stock ride height. Which potentially gives the option to use stock replacement springs and maybe a 3/4" spacer for a little clearance for smaller 31's. I had almost forgotten about Iron Rock until reviewing some messages on the other forum. If the JJ's can shorten enough for stock ride height, which I believe they can, then that's a really good option.

Last few weekends I have been playing around with a storage solution. Using the TJ as a test dummy for now since it's the grocery getter and groceries are an hour away, so having a fridge/freezer is important. And using this as a test before getting the nice baltic birch for the LJ's system. I haven't quite sorted out where to put the electrical components yet but I'm leaning to the exterior wall on the right side so that recovery gear can go on the left. Unfortunately theres just not enough room to stack the battery behind the fridge in the TJ, but there is sufficient room in the LJ of course. So that does take up space for storage on the left side which is a bummer.

Man what an ordeal lately. Something has been getting very noisy. So bad I didnt' even want to drive it. So took it to the only off road shop in town to diagnose what I thought was a botched gear repair from a couple years ago due to a local shop forgetting to put gear oil back in the rear diff after a simple service. Both myself and the off road shop came to the conclusion the rear end needed to be rebuilt again since the local shop used used gears. Both front hubs were just replaced, but the front diff was in need of a full rebuild as well just due to age and some neglect. What should have been a simple repair turned out to be a 5 week long headache. Between very poor communication, new employees, and memory problems, the shop finally rebuilt the front including outer U-joints, and the rear end with new bearings, seals, gears at a 4:10 ratio and a true track out back.

However, this did not solve the primary grinding noise. I had a suspicion that it might have been in the trans or transfer all along considering I drove it without the rear DS and the noise was still present, although significantly reduced. Primarily while on throttle under load - all things pointing to a classic case of rear diff gears/bearings. So...hopefully the next step is a simple one. I am expecting a transfer rebuild - perhaps it's the chain/bearings in there causing problems.

While it was in the shop, I ordered some new tires. The KO2's I was talked into getting, IMO, are a terrible worthless tire. Just my experience anyway. So on went some $400 discounted new Duratracs, of which I have had excellent experience with on the old OBS Ford, and most of our gov trucks. Oddly, the tire shop that put them on from my insurance portal order was right next door to the shop, so that was pretty easy! These should serve much better this winter.

And....OEM replacement suspension components are trickling in. Only the shocks, cam bolts, and fixit washers remain on order. Yep, after driving the LJ for some time, I am going back to stock +3/4" spacers with 1.5" longer shocks. There is zero need for a 4" lift on the TJ for my use case, and a more stock friendly 31" tire fits perfectly and will be easier on the body to get into. I am finding out though that 31's for a 15" rim are getting harder and harder to find. Some day those G.E. rims might end up having to go if the duratracs are no longer made. Unfortunately the new duratrac RT versions are not made to fit a 15" rim.

At least the shop, despite pretty terrible communication, is keeping it safe inside. I definitely need it back soon to prep the frame and under body for winter salt nastiness before it snows.

NashvilleTJ said:

That’s a beautiful shop.

Click to expand...

Sure wish I had one like it. I would be happy with just a 16x24 garage at this point.

FINALLY got the TJ back today. 3 months.... Lots of problems with the shop, much of it due to their own internal struggles. Things finally got ironed out. Unfortunately it destroyed my fall, but I had house work anyway. It all started with a re-gear due to an unfortunate accident with a small shop local to my town. After they replaced the rear gears, there was a terrible grinding noise. This led to a full rebuild of both axles, and a re-gear at the same time since another well known shop determined the gears were either bad or installed incorrectly. That resulted in needing a new rear carrier as it was determined, after installing new gears, it was warped (should have been replaced the first time, hopefully it didnt damage gears being bolted on to a warped carrier....). So I opted for a TrueTrack having had them in the past. Unfortunately, this did not resolve the nose. So a goose chase resulted in a rebuild of the transfer case, and chain replacement - which was ultimately the source for the nose despite rabbit ears saying it was the axle still. I also had the shop replace the clutch and flywheel while they were under there knowing it was past time for a replacement and could have been the source of a noise with a potential broken finger. Since the transfer case and transmission situation took them forever, I encouraged them to have a different tech start on the suspension work. We were able to return it mostly to stock. With fix-it washers for the drilled out frame side front track bar mount, it could return to OEM track bars front and rear, OEM replacement springs + 3/4" spacers for clearance of the 31" tires. Removal of the wheel spacers. Replaced the lower Currie arms with OEM, but left the Currie uppers for caster and driveline adjustments - some day they will be replaced with Metalcloaks to reduce NVH. Shocks conducive to a 0-1.5" lift (for the spacers). New HD OEM steering linkage. I'm happy with the ride. I'm sure to get a bunch of crap from the naysayers here but with a bad back, hips, knees and everything else, I can get into/out of without pain and without needing powered side steps, and it is WAY quieter and smoother than before. No doubt the combination of worn out shocks, Fox shocks, 4" currie with JJ's, and the 33" K02's all worked together to make it ride terrible. And it is comforting to have appropriate gears with overdue rebuilds on the axles. Hopefully the break-in goes well and there are no further issues for a while.

As purchased a long long long long time ago


Right after the Currie 4" lift with 31x10.5's


New shoes (31x10.5) with 4" lift (no pics of it with the 33's)


Back down to OEM style suspension +3/4" spring spacers. Wheel spacers removed, OEM lower control arms, track bars and 0-1.5" lift shocks. I did retain the Currie upper control arms to adjust for caster, which is quite a lot. In the future they will be replaced with Metalcloak's to have better vibration dampening.


I might have to install a taller spacer in the rear, or depending on how I build the back end for storage might opt for a OME heavier rate spring or just some air bags, time will tell. But as the grocery getter, this makes my life a lot less painful.


So naturally I do have a set of take-off components. Currielink front steering components. Currie front/rear track bars. Currie lower adjustable arms. Fox 2.0's with reservoirs for 4" lift with adjustor. In case anyone is interested.

2” risers installed on both TJ and LJ from https://buchananprecisionmachine.com/t/jeep-seat-riser-lift-kits. Nice solid aluminum instead of plastic like other options. I may look at swapping the front posts on each seat with 1.5” risers instead to angle the seat a little more for better back comfort. But they work great and give better viewing angles for shorter people. The packaging is perfect too. Small details matter.

Took the TJ out for a nice little cruise over the weekend. It drove very well. Happy with returning the suspension back to stock, although it looks like the spring rate of these OEM replacements are even less than the originals, so it likely will push me into some OME springs due to weight of daily gear. Steering is tight and tracking is excellent. But there is still a pretty bad grinding/reverb noise, so the shop missed something. You would think in 3 months they could fix it.... But at least I can get into it without killing my hips or back.





Just about the most 'off-road' it gets out here. Wild Bill is a solid 2.5 hours northeast. There are a couple old Jeep trails an hour south but we close the road before I ever have a free weekend to go check it out.


This is a great little camp spot


The interesting things you can find out here.

And, she goes back to the shop tomorrow. For leaking rear axle, and the noise/vibration has not been fixed. :-/

For anyone following my other build thread, I also put the BD fog lights on the TJ today. For sake of comparison here are the results of the BD fog lights with the discontinued truck-lites with a built in heater to de-ice them. Photos are in the same order as the LJ: fog lights, headlights, both, brights.









They are pretty comparable - the truck-lites to the KC's on the LJ. The beam pattern of the truck-lites are a little more full and wider, but the KC's are significantly brighter, for the brights and low beams. It's hard to tell in these photos though unfortunately.

I am putting a set of at home studs on the Duratracs for the TJ. Here is what I'm using - https://www.igripstore.com/products/ss-08-igrip-shouldered-tire-studs?variant=35763604881570 They go on easily, and can also come back out easily if desired. These tires will end up being a dedicated winter tire so the studs will stay in place after this winter.

For several years I have contemplated what to do with the carpet. When I saw armorlite as an option for my Gladiator before selling it I thought it would be a fantastic option for the TJ and LJ, but at that time it wasn't available. Now it is. I then contemplated what color to go with. I asked Armorlite if they would send me a small sample of the tan since pictures and real life sometimes look different. The TJ is tan inside, which I much prefer over an all black interior. However, since the paint is black, I opted for black.

Removing the seats, theres a decent amount of cleanup to do.


So I vacuumed, sanded down any small amount of rust, wiped and cleaned everything and laid down a fresh coat of paint after some rust converter for a couple divots I couldn't get into.


Installing the flooring in 20 degree temps was a challenge, but they did sit inside to warm up over a couple days. First impressions are good. Although the fit is very tight under the dash, probably because my TJ is one of the rare ones that actually has ABS, so the modules are right there (seen in front of the shifter of the second photo above). The drain holes also did not line up perfectly either, but they were close enough to get the drains in place - I suspect over time and summer heat things will conform much better.


Finally the seats were back in. It took me 3 days in all to get it done since I only had a couple hours each day to work on it. You can also see a piece of the original carpet I saved as an example of the previous interior flooring.


After install, it works amazingly well. It is significantly quieter than the stock carpet which has no insulation material. I thought the grip might be sketchy in winter with water and ice on the flooring but it actually grips quite well still so no fears of slipping when trying to get in or out.

Here is a photo of the interior with a piece of OEM carpet and a sample of the tan Armorlite. I'm still undecided on the tan, its awful light, but for the LJ I'm considering the tan since everything is some shade of that color.

jrfuda said:

Thank you for sharing the Armorlite install. I've been on the fence about it for a while and am torn between the tan and black too. The few reviews and podcast that have mentioned it said the tan is great for hiding dirt/sand and mirror your comments on the noise. If I do end up buying, I will probably forgo the cargo mat and save a little money since I already have a cargo mat that does all I need. I have WeatherTech on my F150 and love how easy it is to clean compared to the carpet, especially since it can be removed, so I'm still deciding between them and Armorlite. Seems like they both have advantages - full coverage, drain holes, and noise reduction for Armorlite, price and removability for WeatherTech.

Click to expand...

The armorlite definitely has good coverage, but it's not perfect. Areas around the seats and the roll cage definitely have gaps where water/dust/dirt can get in and cause problems. It's also a very tight fit under the center console - probably mostly because its 20 degrees outside..... But how often does water and stuff really get there?? Everyone is different on that. I did order the cargo and wheel well area mats as well but haven't put them in yet as it requires removing the storage box I have. For me, I didnt want something that I would have to take out all the time like the weather tech mat's. Theyre great, but I always found needles, dust, dirt, rocks, and things still got past them into the carpet so it still ultimately required vacuuming. Which is fine, however carpet is SO much more difficult to clean good. It's definitely not cheap, and I put off buying this for about 2 years. But now that it's installed, I think it's well worth the cost and should be a one time mod. As for the color, I really wanted tan. The black actually looks good in the TJ since it's painted black. I think it would be the same for one painted in green or grey, blue, etc... But for the lighter colors I really wanted to go with tan just because so many vehicles these days are entirely black inside and thats dark, dingy, and boring IMO. Unfortunately though the tan is very very light. Almost too light. It's more like a desert sand tan, or even a few shades lighter. I wish it was a dark tan more like the OEM carpet. It's even lighter than the 'tan' seats on the Gladiator's. So it kinda stands out weird. I am not sure who or why that particular shade was chosen but I suspect not many people buy it. I'm very undecided on if it's a color I want to go with for the LJ or not. My LJ is the light kaki metallic color, and it's borderline too light of a tan even for that I think.

Finished the armor lite last night, with the back panels installed. I am curious to see how much of a noise difference adding in the back panels makes. They do not have the thick insulation like the front, just some felt backing behind the rubber. It will be SO much easier to clean now though.