I recall seeing fab-tech literature stated its painted black, all blue kit is for advertising purposes. My front springs are blue with fabtech markings.
02 modified TJ, I don’t know where its going rebuild
- Thread starter HWNPUNCH
- Start date
I recall seeing fab-tech literature stated its painted black, all blue kit is for advertising purposes. My front springs are blue with fabtech markings.
I forgot to degrease the truss, oh well, tomorrow. Weather starting to warm up nice here.
Well, Called FABTECH and yes the rear springs would be blue. No evidence of blue under red. The shocks I have, i verified and they are for the 6” crawler kit.
I was told to call Quadratec, to find out if springs I have are ok, guess spend some time carefully removing black paint to find any markings on coil.
Didn’t do much today, pressure washed truss. Took a bike ride to Auto Zone picked up the VHT paint. Poly A-arm bushings are non universal, odd size. They are ok, put a zerk fitting there good to go.
New UNI-Ball installed, good thing the old snap ring was reusable. Replacement comes with snap ring for F150 lift kit, uses same 5ton uni-ball.
Got the a-arm and long arms painted.
The greatest job, but it will do for now.
Got a hold of Quadratek today and we feel they are Eibach springs, they sell red custom barrel springs. Put a call into them, waiting for return call.
I think I am going to add these to my list, before RP set?
Dual rate 6” lift, I think these springs will be good for my intensions to do overland type wheeling with overland trailer.
I will talk to Eibach first to verify what I have and what options are available. I would prefer to go with them. They may manufacture the springs for skyjacker.
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If you're going to tow a trailer you might want to look at installing some air bags in the coil springs to help with the tongue weight of the trailer and to keep it from sagging in the rear.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/60811
There you again, make me spend more money. That’s ok, I like the air bag idea.
Helping others spend their money is a favorite past time... Better than spending my own money...
Lots of elbow grease to clean up shocks. Got some Stuff ready to go back in. Installing johnny joints wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
I will pick up some VHT clear for shock bodies. Still need to clean up axle and coat with Eastwood stuff, install axles, brakes, clean paint truss etc… I decided to run axle as is after further discussion with my buddy. More shall be revealed with his plan? I have to save for drive shaft still, feed my guy monies. All the little stuff adds up. Not sure what to do with springs as far as finish type. All good
Hopefully I will pull t-case out tomorrow.
New thoughts of gearing up to 4.56, since it is a daily driver sort of, that will be maybe done or just new 4.88 in the rear later. Just want to get it back together before my birthday in May.
Things are real slow with my bike sales and other irons in the fire, economy not helping my progress. All good 
Good ol’ fabtech, trying to source new bushings, shock bushing mount id Is 25mm or 15/16”! I Can’t find such an animal….yet. Found 1-1/16” id, shave down somehow? I may just pick up the skyjacker Resi long travels instead. That will blow my May get er’ done target date.
I will order these and shave them down 1-1/16” to 25mm, should work, all other dimensions will fit. Upper shock mount bushings ok for now.
Positioned axle on jack stands and slapped rust encapsulation on. Finally painted truss. Hoping to have her on all fours by next week? Minus new drive shaft and transfer case removed. May have to put t-case on hold due to funds, run as is for a bit? Need to save for drive shaft still.
Progress has been made. Went back together well, with no major hiccups. No photo but she is on all fours now, been running it around in fwd. Rear suspension performing very smooth and much quieter. I greased poly-ball joints and a-arm bushings with prothane grease. I order rear driveshaft from Adams, should be arriving this week. I picked Adams driveshaft they are closer and free t-shirt and shipping. I ordered the extreme 1310. I am putting off t-case repair when I start going though front suspension, which has no major issues like the bad rear a-arm uni-ball joint. More to share soon.
I patiently waiting for the UPS truck, driveshaft should be on doorstep soon. Started soon detail work up front. Cleaned up driver remote res. Can’t see passenger side res. Still painted black.
Rear drive shaft installed, was not happy with packing, cardboard box not strong, caved in allowing shaft to move back and forth. But preliminary test drive was wonderful. Smooth as butter. I was going to have tail pipe welded back on, but I will cut the tail cleaner at a nice angle, jeep is breathing better and sounds great. Next, try to shine her up a bit more for this Friday night at Burbank/Studio City BOB’S BIGBOY car show, birthday treat for me.
Next month I will order the Rockhard harness bar and one set of straps for now. I found the seats I want in the future, Corbeau Trailcats.
I am pretty sure the rear springs are not the correct ones. With sway bar not attached and shocks at full extension springs are very loose. July purchase will more than likely be the skyjackers 6” dual rate long travel springs. Considering the relocation mounts from Rusty’s and have my buddy weld on.
T-case seems fine, just a wisp from sye seal. I used STP heave duty ATF4, it is thicker than most ATF4.
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Well, I ran her around today on local streets and the on the freeway for the first time, With all driveshaft/gear/suspension noise gone I can here the issue with t-case whole lot better more so in today’s 90 degree heat.
So new plan have a little fun with it this weekend and put it back in the garage for more work. Remove t-case for rebuild and rework front end as I did the rear. After freeway ride at 55-60, front end rework, I feel, is required.
Putting any 4x4 action off until end of summer? Wife really starting to like it, she wants to go to Pismo Beach in it. I’m all for it, shooting for September.
So new plan have a little fun with it this weekend and put it back in the garage for more work. Remove t-case for rebuild and rework front end as I did the rear. After freeway ride at 55-60, front end rework, I feel, is required.
Putting any 4x4 action off until end of summer? Wife really starting to like it, she wants to go to Pismo Beach in it. I’m all for it, shooting for September.
Well, I ran her around today on local streets and the on the freeway for the first time, With all driveshaft/gear/suspension noise gone I can here the issue with t-case whole lot better more so in today’s 90 degree heat.
So new plan have a little fun with it this weekend and put it back in the garage for more work. Remove t-case for rebuild and rework front end as I did the rear. After freeway ride at 55-60, front end rework, I feel, is required.
Putting any 4x4 action off until end of summer? Wife really starting to like it, she wants to go to Pismo Beach in it. I’m all for it, shooting for September.
COOL..... I'll bet you had a blast too.
As you fix one thing it never fails the next thing seems to crop up. I'm curious to see what you find out is wrong with the t-case.
Back in the late 60's my grandfather used to take me to Pismo in his CJ5. Specialty tires weren't a thing yet so he'd get bald tires and haul them down in the trailer I now have. We'd swap them out in the parking lot and run the dunes in the bald tires. I can say I'm sure he's a BIG reason I like Jeeps as much as I do.
And he wasn't scared to get some air in that CJ5 either.
We suspect bad bearing, I call it whirling sound. The guy that worked on the rear diff will charge about $300 bucks to go through it. Thus a new front driveshaft is required, it too started making faint sounds like the rear did when scooting around in front wheel drive. Another reason to love Jeeps can run limping.
The mechanic that helps me, CJ project his buddy was building left at his shop. Have my eye one it. I don’t have a photo of his CJ, built up v8 runs sand tires at Pismo Beach.
Well….? It’s Been while since last update. Have not done anymore work on rear suspension except got some SKYJACKER dual rate springs, spring retainers. ‘Going to leave that alone for now. Everything changes whit a meatier rear end swap. Leaning towards 9”.
What’s has been done recently
‘Finally installed Rock Hard harness bar, swapped passenger seat with to Driver, old driver still out, one seater for time being. Got a RaceQuip 5 point harness for driver, bolted on top of one inch Al spacers, rock hard lap belt mount brackets and torqued down with grade 8 bolts, grade were in there before! Feel safer now!
Installed Bed Rug in cockpit, not very pleased, but the work was half ass on my part. Still have old carpet set. I will fudge with bed rug later.
‘Discovered where the amp and XFM receiver is, under the carpet passenger side on floor near fire wall! Still there but that will change.
New fuse got amp going again, So I installed new Rockford front speakers, and hung the old Jamco speakers on rock hard harness bar. Good for now, I will update the head, amp and rear speaks later.
That sparked the wiring BS has got to be Removed, all of it, the after market alarm system, all auxiliary lights, replaced Zenon headlights with some KC H4’s and in the process of replacing grommet style led lights ( one bad ) with Micro Dots, did not get special brackets, waiting for those to come in. I also reworking Gen Right LED stealth front blinkers, eliminating the resistors, why? There is LED flasher in the column. Yes I have Genright tube fenders, well that just sparked me more!
- I removed the stainless steel diamond plate corner and rocker guards, glad i did, found some some rust brewing, They are out! I started grinding welds on the passenger slider bar, which was installed about an inch off forward! Causing tire the tire rub, driver positioned ok, but that is going as well.
I priced out a Genright package, steel sliders, al corner and tail gate guards, 2k, they are Close to me out in Slimy Valley, planning a drive out there.
-I got my first CA star smog check for next years reg. I must say she is running much better with all the electrical straightened out, like wow better!
So did some digging around under the hood to see what makes this turbo TJ function. I found a Split Second engine tuning management module with fuel enrichment module for 4.0 turbo with large injectors, cool, I need to get a hold of the software. I have talked to several peeps about this and its an all go to pass smog, no codes and all monitors ready with my reader. I have the carb compliant sticker for the BANKS Turbo system with their torque tube headers. I not sure what horsepower and torque its putting out with current computer MAP. I know one thing, when I cut the tail pipe off when rebuilt rear suspension, and ran around for a while was fun! Wonder how it would be, to remove tailpipe as before with the engine running better? I will flange it, when I do.
- I been fudging around with CB install, going to bench test here soon.
It’s gettin late, I am sure I left out some stuff, but it is funny how I went from installing Bed Rug carpet and going ballistic tearing her apart and loving it!
What’s has been done recently
‘Finally installed Rock Hard harness bar, swapped passenger seat with to Driver, old driver still out, one seater for time being. Got a RaceQuip 5 point harness for driver, bolted on top of one inch Al spacers, rock hard lap belt mount brackets and torqued down with grade 8 bolts, grade were in there before! Feel safer now!
Installed Bed Rug in cockpit, not very pleased, but the work was half ass on my part. Still have old carpet set. I will fudge with bed rug later.
‘Discovered where the amp and XFM receiver is, under the carpet passenger side on floor near fire wall! Still there but that will change.
New fuse got amp going again, So I installed new Rockford front speakers, and hung the old Jamco speakers on rock hard harness bar. Good for now, I will update the head, amp and rear speaks later.
That sparked the wiring BS has got to be Removed, all of it, the after market alarm system, all auxiliary lights, replaced Zenon headlights with some KC H4’s and in the process of replacing grommet style led lights ( one bad ) with Micro Dots, did not get special brackets, waiting for those to come in. I also reworking Gen Right LED stealth front blinkers, eliminating the resistors, why? There is LED flasher in the column. Yes I have Genright tube fenders, well that just sparked me more!
- I removed the stainless steel diamond plate corner and rocker guards, glad i did, found some some rust brewing, They are out! I started grinding welds on the passenger slider bar, which was installed about an inch off forward! Causing tire the tire rub, driver positioned ok, but that is going as well.
I priced out a Genright package, steel sliders, al corner and tail gate guards, 2k, they are Close to me out in Slimy Valley, planning a drive out there.
-I got my first CA star smog check for next years reg. I must say she is running much better with all the electrical straightened out, like wow better!
So did some digging around under the hood to see what makes this turbo TJ function. I found a Split Second engine tuning management module with fuel enrichment module for 4.0 turbo with large injectors, cool, I need to get a hold of the software. I have talked to several peeps about this and its an all go to pass smog, no codes and all monitors ready with my reader. I have the carb compliant sticker for the BANKS Turbo system with their torque tube headers. I not sure what horsepower and torque its putting out with current computer MAP. I know one thing, when I cut the tail pipe off when rebuilt rear suspension, and ran around for a while was fun! Wonder how it would be, to remove tailpipe as before with the engine running better? I will flange it, when I do.
- I been fudging around with CB install, going to bench test here soon.
It’s gettin late, I am sure I left out some stuff, but it is funny how I went from installing Bed Rug carpet and going ballistic tearing her apart and loving it!
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I must be tiered, problem with all photo down loads, tomorrow
I-pad reboot worked, remembered couple little things finally fixed driver door inside handle, fixed glove box, new center console lock, painted steering column covers with color bond Chrysler agate., and removed 4x4 DOCTORS name off this RIG! 4X4 Butcher more like it. Sorry if the fellow follows TJ FORUM, but I am into fitmenship, like driver shock tower set too high preventing tube fender fitting in proper position causing the hood sitting cockeyed, I bought a decent bases vehicle but needs a lot more to make her right and tight!
I-pad reboot worked, remembered couple little things finally fixed driver door inside handle, fixed glove box, new center console lock, painted steering column covers with color bond Chrysler agate., and removed 4x4 DOCTORS name off this RIG! 4X4 Butcher more like it. Sorry if the fellow follows TJ FORUM, but I am into fitmenship, like driver shock tower set too high preventing tube fender fitting in proper position causing the hood sitting cockeyed, I bought a decent bases vehicle but needs a lot more to make her right and tight!
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