2004 LJ

[Harold&Cat]

Howdy
We are new to the forum , but have had our Jeep since August of 2013 .
I'll post a few pictures of the progress . Next month it will be upgraded to 4.88 gears , Eaton Tru Trac differentials and 255/85r16 Falken Wild Peak at4w tires .
This first picture is the day we bought it .

 

[Harold&Cat]

We started with a 2 inch OME lift kit , custom wheels and Lt 235/85r16 Cooper at3's.

It sat too high in the rear so I reinstalled the factory rear springs to set it level .

Removed the passenger air bag and did a custom Ham and CB radio install .

Installed front led flood lights and new led turn/park lights to give it the older look . I removed the original ones and replaced with red plexiglass to fill the holes .

Next we custom built a rear bumper .

Didn't like the led tail lights so I installed a set of flush mount LEDs.

Recently installed a 13000 Open Road winch .

 

[Harold&Cat]

This is how our Jeep normally travels around the country .

 

[Harold&Cat]

We've made a few upgrades to LJ lately . 4.88 Revolution gears along with Eaton Trutrac differentials. New ball joints , wheel bearings , front axle u-joints , aluminum differential covers , 2 inches of lift rear , 3 inches of lift front , shocks and new Rough Country fender flares that are the same width as the Rubicon flares . A new set of Falken At4w 255/85r16 tires . Also a new Ham-GMRS antenna . My old antenna was too tall to fit under the carport after the lift and tires .

 

[Harold&Cat]

Recent photos after cleaning .

 

[Harold&Cat]

Removed the rear seat and built a platform for more cargo capacity . Planning on a few off road camping trips .

Removed the Bearcat CB and installed an Icom 706mk2 HF radio so we will have extra communication abilities . The cut out in the dash was made for different radios , but it doesn't look too bad. I wish someone made new replacements for the airbag cover , ours is all gummy from the heat down here . Now we have mobile Internet , Cellular , VHF , UHF , HF , GMRS , CB and GPS capabilities . Probably overkill , but in case of emergency we should be able to make contact with someone

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Removed the rear seat and built a platform for more cargo capacity . Planning on a few off road camping trips .

Removed the Bearcat CB and installed an Icom 706mk2 HF radio so we will have extra communication abilities . The cut out in the dash was made for different radios , but it doesn't look too bad. I wish someone made new replacements for the airbag cover , ours is all gummy from the heat down here . Now we have mobile Internet , Cellular , VHF , UHF , HF , GMRS , CB and GPS capabilities . Probably overkill , but in case of emergency we should be able to make contact with someone

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Why remove the airbag if you still drive on the street?

 

[Harold&Cat]

Personally , I prefer vehicles without airbags . This Jeep is our only vehicle which an airbag . I removed the passenger side airbag because our pup rides in my wife's lap often . An airbag deployment would likely kill or make her . I also didn't want the possibility of it accidentally deploying while trail riding . I have worked accidents for 36 years and have seen the damage and airbag can do . Yes , they do save lives in most serious accidents , especially if it is a head-on collision . Seat belts also save lives in most situations , but not all . In the end , it is our personal preference .

 

[Harold&Cat]

I lowered the front by 1 inch . Now the Jeep sits about 1 inch higher in the rear until you load it down , then it sits pretty level .

We recently used it to anchor a canopy during high winds .

 

[Harold&Cat]

I lowered it back to my original lift . I didn't like the ride or handling . Might even go back to 32 inch tires , we'll give it some time and see . Each tire is 14 lbs heavier than what I was running and I can feel the difference . New shocks will will also be a good idea .

 

[gbirk]

I really like the wheels! I love a well done set of steelies.

 

[Harold&Cat]

I haven't had the chance to trail test the Eaton Trutracs yet , but I have been playing around with them on the driveway . I have successfully crossed a ditch in 2 wheel drive with one rear wheel in the air by applying brake pressure . If the wheel in the air starts to spin , you stop and start over gently while applying brake pressure .

 

[Harold&Cat]

Decided to raise it back up . It now has the 2 inch OME springs front and rear with a 1 inch spacer up front to level it . Installed Black Max shocks and steering stabilizer .
I've been down the rabbit hole trying to find a vibration . It's been there for years , the lower gears seem to have made it more noticeable . Later this week I'm changing the harmonic balancer , it's got cracks in the rubber . It might not help , but it needs changing anyway . Also putting new belt , belt tensioner and idler pulley . Next will be radiator hoses .

 

[Harold&Cat]

I didn't like the handling and ride with the suspension setup and the 33 inch tires .
My current configuration is :
Front OME 942 springs with a 1/2 inch spacer
Rear stock springs with a 2 inch spacer .
Black Max shocks
Cooper Discoverer Stronghold 235/85r16 tires 31.7 inches tall

The Jeep is driving and handling great and the 31.7 inch tires work well with the 4.88 gears and 42rle transmission . In the grand scheme of things , I only lost 3/4 of an inch ground clearance . I'm good with that

 

[Harold&Cat]

I finally had a chance to try out the new Cooper Discoverer Stronghold tires and Core disco's . I must say I was impressed with the traction. We traveled through rocks , gravel , dirt and mud . Navigating through the many deep washouts was almost too easy , however they were dry . With the disco's disconnected and the tires at 14 psi the flex and traction was great , pretty smooth ride . The tires easily clawed their way through what little mud we went through . I believe the bottom of the hole was fairly solid once I got through the silt . The loose rock hill climbs went smoothly . These are the most aggressive tires we've had on it .Looking forward to getting back out there and exploring the trails.