2005 LJR Flame Red

[DeltaNu1142]

2/21/2025

OK, found another bargain I couldn't pass up: a brand-new pair of these for $100. Had to cough up $25 for shipping.

I bought a full set of Core 4x4 control arms used, as well as JKS front quicker disconnects. When it comes to springs and shocks, though, I'm buying new. If I get real lucky I'll stumble on a set of RJ 3" rear coils... but I'm not counting on it. I think all I'm missing now is track bars, rear coils, and shocks. If I don't have that stuff by the time the snow melts, I'll start shopping like an actual grown-up.

For now, though, I'm on my way to putting together the cheapest 3" suspension lift this side of 2020.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

2/26/2025

Scored a pair of new front Bilstein 5100 shocks. I'm $750 in on front coils, front shocks, control arms, front & rear sway links, 1" BL, and front bump stops, with some extra for shipping.

Still need:

• 3" rear springs (RJ CE-9131RH1P)
• rear shocks (Bils 24-185264)
• front & rear track bars (JKS?)
• rear bump stops (?)

 

[DeltaNu1142]

2/28/2025

Cleaning up on Marketplace! I just picked up a new adjustable rear track bar, JKS p/n JKSOGS151. I can knock that off the list.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

3/11/2025

JKS HD front adjustable track bar showed up today. I also picked up a Super Start Platinum AGM battery from O'Reilly.

I think I'm going with 2-1/2" rear springs to match the 3" RJ coils up front. Between the bumper and winch up front, and only the spare with no hard top in back, I'm hoping that will level things out.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

3/13/2025

OK, I installed the battery today and fired up the Jeep for the first time since 10/12/2024! Just over 5 months in storage. After a few cranks the engine started and idled smoothly. I bumped the clutch and rolled it forward and back.

There's one concerning thing going on, and if anyone is paying attention to this thread and has seen anything like it before, I'd like to hear from you: I heard several very loud "TAK!" sounds coming from the firewall area of the engine compartment... randomly, maybe eight times over a few minutes. I shut down the engine and restarted it, and it continued. It sounds just like electrical discharge. It's a singular sharp snap that happens every 30-60 seconds, and I can't place it. It doesn't sound like pinging from thermal expansion, and it wasn't that cold out, anyway. I heard it while idling, in neutral, parking brake set. The fan is spinning smoothly and there's no debris blowing around. The battery terminals are clean (new), and I don't see anywhere that cables are shorted. I didn't see any sparking. Most strangely, the last time I heard it was a second or two after I shut the engine down.

I'm driving it home tomorrow or Saturday. It's a 25-minute drive, and I'll report back if it continues.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

3/15/2025
150,074 miles

Drove the Jeep home, no issues to speak of. If it's still making any noises, I can't hear them over the wind. The radio is still acting up. I might get the chance to upgrade the sound system this summer, we'll see how it goes. Picked up some Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers and ordered rear shocks.

I recorded the ride height at the fenders because the lift is going on soon. It’s got quite a rake, made worse by the front bumper. I don’t dare put the winch on until I replace the springs:

FD: 32-3/8”
FP: 32-1/2”
RD: 35-1/2”
RP: 35-7/16”

 

[DeltaNu1142]

3/19/2025

Driving around today, the fuel light came on directly in front of a gas station. I don't actually know what the range in this thing is, but I know the tank is supposed to be 19 gallons. I filled it with 16.000 gallons on the dot... couldn't have hit that if I were trying. One would assume I have 3 gallons left when the light comes on. I reset the trip meter. I'll ride around with a gas can for the next couple of weeks and see how many miles I can squeeze out of this tank.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

4/2/2025
150,205 miles

I dropped off the LJR at a shop today loaded with boxes: springs, shocks, tracks bars, control arms, and other goodies. I’ll have it back in a few days to see how it sits on 3” front / 2-1/2” rear Rock Jock springs.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

Ordered a body mount bushing kit (Crown 55176180K) and a pair of Barnes rear bumper tie-in brackets. A Smittybilt SRC rear bumper arrived yesterday. It’s heavy, and the finish is garbage, but the D-ring mounts are (mostly) welded on both sides and it’s tow-rated.

I’m expecting to pick up the LJR from the shop Sunday morning.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

4/11/2025
150,207 miles

I picked the LJR up early--and it came out great! Parts installed:

• Rock Jock CE-9132F1P 3" front coils (measured 21")
• Rock Jock CE-9133RH 2-1/2” rear coils (measured 15-1/2")
• Bilstein 5100 24-185287 front shocks
• Bilstein 5100 24-185264 rear shocks
• Core 4x4 adjustable control arms
• JKS JKSOGS151 adjustable rear track bar
• JKS JKSOGS128 adjustable HD front track bar
• JKS-2001 Quicker Sway Bar Disconnects (front)
• JKS-2942 Adjustable Sway Bar Links (rear)

I got it up to 65 mph on the way home, no wobbles to speak of. That mildly unbalanced tire up front must have gotten swapped to the back, because the 55 mph shimmy is gone.

I have a set of Falken Rocky Mountain ATS II tires in 285/75-R16 and 1.25" Spidertrax spacers ready to go on the Moabs... it's looking pretty anemic on the bottom with the stock tires.

It's level, still a little rake, but better than it was. I'm going to get a full-sized spare on the back and install the rear bumper... then maybe cut down the stock front bumper to a stubby and install the winch on that, so I'll see how it sits after that stuff. (measurements taken at the fender flares)
EDIT: I'm trying to paste a table, but the forum doesn't like it.

....Original....After Lift....Net Change
FD...32.325.....36.875..........4.55
FP.....32.5.......36.5...........4.0
RD.....35.5......37.75..........2.25
RP..35.4375.....38.125........2.6875

​

 

[DeltaNu1142]

4/12/2025
150,2xx miles

I removed the OE bumper and tow receiver this afternoon. "Removed" involved an angle grinder and some grunting. The Smittybilt bumper went on easily enough without help, but I cross-threaded one of the lower bolt holes. I have it tacked in place with four horizontal bolts and one vertical; I'll need to run a tap through the other vertical hole, and I'm only waiting for the paint to dry on the new holes in the crossmember to install the remaining four horizontal bolts.

Much to my surprise, I couldn't get the bumper on until I removed the stock spare... so, I removed the carrier and added the MorRyde offset brackets. I don't have a full-size spare yet, but as soon as I do I'll see how it fits up.

Shout out to @Just.Thorne71 for the info on the Barnes rear bumper tie-in brackets. Those will get installed as soon as they arrive and I get them powdercoated.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

Noodling on this a bit… my OEM carrier is rusty. It’s not beyond repair, but I do have this shiny new JK-patterned carrier that came with the MorRyde hinge/reinforcement kit.

I really don’t want to space the spare out even farther from the tailgate. I’d like to mount it so it rests on the bumper. And it’s always bothered me a little that the spare is off-center... mainly because I want to fit a camera to it. So, what I might do is grind the studs off of the JK carrier and either bolt or weld a plate to its face, then install 3 studs spaced 5x4.5. That should let me position the spare where I want it while keeping it tight to the tailgate.

EDIT: it’s got to clear the inside of the wheel….

 

[DeltaNu1142]

4/13/2025
150,2xx miles

I pulled off both passenger-side wheels to get tires mounted tomorrow. I only have two jack stands, but my local shop is 5 minutes away and will just be doing them between jobs anyway. I'll have to make 4 trips (drop/pickup/drop/pickup).

Rear spring looking alright as is? I haven't checked it's full travel yet. I'm trying to set aside some time to put on the MML/BL, and then I can set my bump stops.

Ordered JBD 4.75" fender flares with marker lights. Using @MikekiM's TJ as inspiration, but I don't have the scratch for the Bushwhackers. Gonna have to slow down on mods soon anyway, the tax man's knocking.

 

[MikekiM]

4/13/2025
150,2xx miles

I pulled off both passenger-side wheels to get tires mounted tomorrow. I old have two jack stands, but my local shop is 5 minutes away and will just be doing them between jobs anyway. I'll have to make 4 trips (drop/pickup/drop/pickup).



View attachment 608500

View attachment 608501

Rear spring looking alright as is? I haven't checked it's full travel yet. I'm trying to set aside some time to put on the MML/BL, and then I can set my bump stops.

Ordered JBD 4.75" fender flares with marker lights. Using @MikekiM's TJ as inspiration, but I don't have the scratch for the Bushwhackers. Gonna have to slow down on mods soon anyway, the tax man's knocking.

Rock on Brother!!

 

[JMT]

Rear spring looking alright as is?

It’s normal after a lift for the rear springs to arc. The fix is to cut the top perch off the frame and relocate them further back. It’s not fatal to leave them arced.

 

[lBasket]

4/11/2025
150,207 miles

I picked the LJR up early--and it came out great! Parts installed:

• Rock Jock CE-9132F1P 3" front coils (measured 21")
• Rock Jock CE-9133RH 2-1/2” rear coils (measured 15-1/2")
• Bilstein 5100 24-185287 front shocks
• Bilstein 5100 24-185264 rear shocks
• Core 4x4 adjustable control arms
• JKS JKSOGS151 adjustable rear track bar
• JKS JKSOGS128 adjustable HD front track bar
• JKS-2001 Quicker Sway Bar Disconnects (front)
• JKS-2942 Adjustable Sway Bar Links (rear)

I got it up to 65 mph on the way home, no wobbles to speak of. That mildly unbalanced tire up front must have gotten swapped to the back, because the 55 mph shimmy is gone.

I have a set of Falken Rocky Mountain ATS II tires in 285/75-R16 and 1.25" Spidertrax spacers ready to go on the Moabs... it's looking pretty anemic on the bottom with the stock tires.

View attachment 608130

It's level, still a little rake, but better than it was. I'm going to get a full-sized spare on the back and install the rear bumper... then maybe cut down the stock front bumper to a stubby and install the winch on that, so I'll see how it sits after that stuff. (measurements taken at the fender flares)
EDIT: I'm trying to paste a table, but the forum doesn't like it.

....Original....After Lift....Net Change
FD...32.325.....36.875..........4.55
FP.....32.5.......36.5...........4.0
RD.....35.5......37.75..........2.25
RP..35.4375.....38.125........2.6875

​

What tier arms did you get?

 

[DeltaNu1142]

What tier arms did you get?

You’d have to ask @TJTJ04 … I got them from him. Six of them have Johnny joints on both ends, IIRC.

 

[TJTJ04]

You’d have to ask @TJTJ04 … I got them from him. Six of them have Johnny joints on both ends, IIRC.

I can't remember. Probably tier 2? Glad they are working out for you.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

4/16/2025
150,228 miles (same mileage since 4/12 update)

I installed three 285/75/16 tires today! I did not install the 1.25" spacers. I want to see if I can pass state inspection either with the OEM Rubicon flares or with the KBD flares that are inbound. And, I want to see if/where they'll rub.

I know the suspension will settle a bit, but look at all that room! I haven't even put on the BL yet. It makes me wonder if I should consider 35" tires next year.

I get the last tire mounted tomorrow and it'll finally be back on the road. It's been a long week.

The Barnes 4WD rear bumper tie-ins arrived. I laid on two coats of black matte primer and I'll install them this weekend.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

4/16/2025
150,228 miles

Installed the Barnes bumper tie-ins this morning, but haven't tightened everything down yet... need to get a 1/2-13 tap to run through the vertical frame hole on the driver side. Also, need to go on the hunt for M5-0.8 hardware for the passenger side inside door handle. But I got all of the tires on... I'm liking how it sits. It is definitely a challenge to enter now, though, and I haven't even put in the 1" BL yet. Wife's gone for a few days, and it's 50/50 whether when she sees it she's going to say she's done driving it until I add a way to get in. I'm not opposed to a stepstool on a string. Better that that nerf bars.

This photo is the best example of the difference between the '97 door color and the '05 body color that I've taken so far.

No next steps planned, yet... front ball joints need some attention. Oil change is coming due soon. Dunno if I'll do the MML/BL this summer based on the suspension lift results. And that skid plate... that thing's gotta go eventually. If I get a wild hair this weekend, I may cut down the OEM front bumper and see how it looks with the winch plate and winch on it.