Shiny's LJ DD and Desert Explorer

[ShinyTravisto]

Hello All,

Lurked here a bit, and have asked a few questions, but I think I'm ready to concentrate my nonsense into a thread.
As a kid my Dad had a '86 Scrambler that he swapped a 350 sbc into w/ B&M quick shifter, and eventually ran 38's on. Having your Dad pick you up from school in a monster truck was the coolest thing ever and it's always been a vehicle I loved.

After he rolled it, he lost interest and sold it. When the LJ came out we were both stoked on a new 'Scrambler', but not until recently was I able to make it a reality. Long story short, a former coworker of my Dad hit me up that he was selling his and so I made some (likely poor) financial decisions and bought his '04 LJ.

Here it is as I bought it. Horrible DW and a lot of 50% correct work done on it by his local 'Jeep Guy', but I was ready for a new vehicle project.

It had 89k on the ODO, Dana 44's w/ 4.88 gearing from a Rubicon with the lockers as well. Blown out rough stuff shocks, unknown springs and spacers for 6" of lift, 35's on 17" MT rims and an interior full of dog hair.
To play catch up here's what I've done so far;
Currie Currectlync
Rock jock 4" springs F &R w/ their bumpstops
Antirock front swaybar
Stock rear sway bar to replace cracked one
Genright steel Front Bumper to replace the cracked Smittybilt
Warn M800 winch to swap out barely working Smittybilt winch
Garvin swing out rear bumper
Garvin roof rack
Fuel pump access panel
Genright Safari tank
Accessory fuse box
Aftermarket Switch panel
Deraile transcooler
Autometer transtemp gauge
Storage shelf in the back to replace rear sear
Sub and amp to boost the sounds

I use it as a daily, haul a small trailer for yard waste as I live in the woods, use the roof rack in place of my pickup I sold to buy it, and for exploring the deserts of Southern California.

I have run Gold Mountain so far in it, but that's about the most 'technical' crawling I've done. Trying to find some balance of not breaking it all the time as I need to get to work and afford gas and a mortgage.

Some shots of my use in the last 2 years of ownership;

Currently as it sits

 

[Wildman]

Nice LJ....
Welcome to the Jeep family. I'll bet it was super cool to have your dad picking you up from school in that lifted Scrambler..

Looks like you've got a good foundation to build off of.

 

[RocknLJ]

I’d recommend looking at a big brake kit as it appears that there is a bit of weight on your LJ as well as possible towing.
I blew out a caliper piston(grenaded) years ago in my TJ on 35’s while towing my Canadian M101 trailer with camping gear.
My LJ has a BBK and it is a world of difference stopping, especially if you have to lock em up due to some of the idiots on the road.

 

[ShinyTravisto]

I’d recommend looking at a big brake kit as it appears that there is a bit of weight on your LJ as well as possible towing.
I blew out a caliper piston(grenaded) years ago in my TJ on 35’s while towing my Canadian M101 trailer with camping gear.
My LJ has a BBK and it is a world of difference stopping, especially if you have to lock em up due to some of the idiots on the road.

It's definitely on my short list of upgrades for the near future.

I'm chasing an evap code and some death wobble at the moment. Haven't had time to really test everything, but I know the bushings are shot in the PO installed cheap control arms. Might be time to be making a decision on a mid arm vs short arm upgrade

 

[Wildman]

It's definitely on my short list of upgrades for the near future.

The BBK is well worth it if you run anything over stock sized tires.

I'm chasing an evap code and some death wobble at the moment. Haven't had time to really test everything, but I know the bushings are shot in the PO installed cheap control arms. Might be time to be making a decision on a mid arm vs short arm upgrade

What codes are you getting? A bad gas cap can cause some codes.

Being honest with what your future usage is going to will point you in the correct direction.. While the midarm is a great suspension you unless you're pushing the limits of your rig there isn't any reason for one to be installed. A quality shortarm lift will get to many places that will test the limits of your rig. I'd look at the RockJock 4" shortarm kit & a BMB 1.25" body lift. This will allow you to run 35" tires.

 

[RocknLJ]

Yeah I’ve had the debate about long,mid and short arms many times.
Being old now i didn’t want to spend a whole lot of time cutting and welding so went Currie adjustable SA’s on the somewhat new to me LJ and couldn’t be happier. Especially with the bit longer wheel base on an LJ.
Ran Currie for many years on my TJ with 35’s and never felt the need to go LA.

But IF I had more time I would seriously look at mid arm for this Jeep.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[ShinyTravisto]

What codes are you getting? A bad gas cap can cause some codes.

Not remembering the # off the top of my head, but it's the 'Major Evap Leak.' Gas cap is new. I bought a small smoke machine on some amazon sale, so just need a free weekend to figure out how to use it and start searching. I know the larger T connector on the evap pump (?) behind the passenger wheel well like to rattle loose, so maybe I just need to get aggressive on re-attaching that.

 

[ShinyTravisto]

Decided to get the wallet fire re-kindled and ordered Savvy short arms and skid plates. The joints on whatever control arms the PO installed were totally blown out.

View attachment 629086

 

[ShinyTravisto]

Still working my way through the install,
So far have all the new short arms in, t case cable shifter in, and I’m working on the skid plate. Need to get the arms and shifter adjusted still, and get a new driveshaft ordered after all this fun.