What was I thinking?

[Brianj5600]

I bought my TJ Rubicon on July 5, 2018. It was stock except for the Rough Country 4" lift, Pro Comp 31 wheels and 35" Dick Cepek tires. The first time I climbed a decent obstacle after watching 2 Jeeps back off, I knew the Rubicon is the way to go. To this day it still has stock front upper control arms, fixed length lowers, front and rear and single adjustable rear uppers.

Hardly a scratch to be seen, even under the jeep. It looked pretty good until the last few years. It has been getting harder and harder to keep up with the bigger Jeeps that I have been wheeling with. So, I am going more wheelbase and tire size.

This is a list of how it sits now

Narrowed Paramount? front bumper to a semi stubby
Superwinch 9500 synthetic rope by previous owner
Front Antirock
Currie Currectlync steering
Currie front track bar
Currie f/r 4" springs
Rancho RS55255/12" Fox shocks outboarded
Pro Comp 31 Black Wheels 15x8 by previous owner
Cooper STT Pro 35" Mud-Terrain Tires
Stock Rubicon Lockers with 5.38 gears
Tom Woods front DC driveshaft
Rough Country rear driveshaft
1.25" body lift
DIY Trans crossmember
Barnes 2" Tcase skid
Iron Man rear UCAs single adjustable with JJs
Rough Country fixed length LCAs modified with Trail Gear Creeper Joints
Modified rear geometry to reduce antisquat and lower and shorten instant center

Most everything under the Jeep will be replaced.

Here are a couple of things that I picked up today.

 

[lBasket]

Tons and fodeez??

 

[Brianj5600]

I'm looking for a front axle.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I bought my TJ Rubicon on July 5, 2018. It was stock except for the Rough Country 4" lift, Pro Comp 31 wheels and 35" Dick Cepek tires. The first time I climbed a decent obstacle after watching 2 Jeeps back off, I knew the Rubicon is the way to go. To this day it still has stock front upper control arms, fixed length lowers, front and rear and single adjustable rear uppers.

View attachment 595331


View attachment 595332

Hardly a scratch to be seen, even under the jeep. It looked pretty good until the last few years. It has been getting harder and harder to keep up with the bigger Jeeps that I have been wheeling with. So, I am going more wheelbase and tire size.

This is a list of how it sits now

Narrowed Paramount? front bumper to a semi stubby
Superwinch 9500 synthetic rope by previous owner
Front Antirock
Currie Currectlync steering
Currie front track bar
Currie f/r 4" springs
Rancho RS55255/12" Fox shocks outboarded
Pro Comp 31 Black Wheels 15x8 by previous owner
Cooper STT Pro 35" Mud-Terrain Tires
Stock Rubicon Lockers with 5.38 gears
Tom Woods front DC driveshaft
Rough Country rear driveshaft
1.25" body lift
DIY Trans crossmember
Barnes 2" Tcase skid
Iron Man rear UCAs single adjustable with JJs
Rough Country fixed length LCAs modified with Trail Gear Creeper Joints
Modified rear geometry to reduce antisquat and lower and shorten instant center

Most everything under the Jeep will be replaced.

Here are a couple of things that I picked up today.

View attachment 595361

That’s some good lookin’ rubber!

 

[Brianj5600]

A couple more things.

 

[Brianj5600]

I have an issue getting the emissions components out of the right rear. The shock tower is blocking. I must be missing something because the when I tried to lift the tub it would lift only about 1/2". Trying to get the tub any higher started to lift the frame. The right body bolts are removed and the left body bolts have a couple threads engaged.

Thanks for help

 

[Brianj5600]

I think I found a square to make good, 90 degree cuts on all surfaces. this what I need? I am getting ready to cut the frame. I saw a tool in another build that helps to get the cut line straight on all four surfaces.

I'm liking this one for simplicity.

 

[Rickyd]

Whatever you can find that sits flush. I have little 4" squares up to 14" ones and big sheet rock squares. Use a scratch awl to scribe your lines. Sometimes even a Manila folder or other paper wrapped around the thing getting cut and squared up to itself is the easiest way

 

[Brianj5600]

Tomorrow I am removing the front frame side track bar bracket. I have heard they are a pain in the neck to remove. Are there any tips that make it easier?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Tomorrow I am removing the front frame side track bar bracket. I have heard they are a pain in the neck to remove. Are there any tips that make it easier?

Bourbon. Lots of Bourbon.

 

[JMT]

I think I found a square to make good, 90 degree cuts on all surfaces. this what I need? I am getting ready to cut the frame. I saw a tool in another build that helps to get the cut line straight on all four surfaces.

View attachment 597575

I'm liking this one for simplicity.

View attachment 597765

That’s high class. Should work perfectly as long as you can cut straight. Probably already did. I’m late to the party.

 

[Rickyd]

Tomorrow I am removing the front frame side track bar bracket. I have heard they are a pain in the neck to remove. Are there any tips that make it easier?

Are you going to reuse it or toss it? One is much easier than the other. I'd probably buy some new die grinder bits for the weld inside the U if I was trying to reuse it

 

[Brianj5600]

I am heading back to the shop today. I almost got the track bar mount removed yesterday, but was pulled away. It definitely is not easy for a first timer. How long does this take for a rookie?

 

[Brianj5600]

I didn't make it to the shop Sunday, but finished removing the front frame side track bar mount today. Now I need a replacement bracket. I'm still looking for a front axle. I really don't want a 750 lb Super Duty axle.

 

[Brianj5600]

I was hoping to cut my TJ in half today, but didn't have the correct torx but to remove the roll bar. I did get my hood trimmed for the high line fenders. It turned out pretty good.

 

[5TTTj]

That was a nice looking Jeep in the first picture, I think its going to look even nicer.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I was hoping to cut my TJ in half today, but didn't have the correct torx but to remove the roll bar. I did get my hood trimmed for the high line fenders. It turned out pretty good.

View attachment 604767



View attachment 604766

Nice tires.



You are going to town, Brian. Looking forward to following.

 

[Brianj5600]

That was a nice looking Jeep in the first picture, I think its going to look even nicer.

Things happen in the woods. One benefit is you don't get ducked. I hope to it will stay nice with the armor waiting to be installed.

 

[Drastic]

Our builds are very similar, I went with a rubicon until I couldnt keep up with other jeeps on the trail haha. Mine sits on 40s, 100" WB and dynatrac 60s. Genright full armor, genright stretch tank, highline fenders. Cant wait to see the build continued!

 

[Brianj5600]

I'm going TJ6. It won't be anything fancy, but might get me over some of the harder obstacles.

I ran into some rust at the base of the main hoop that I didn't anticipate. It doesn't look like any other rust issues.