#iwannagofast ZJ build
- Thread starter Johnny Quest
- Start date
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
Drive shafts are in, and everything spins! I tried uploading a video of it idling on jack stands in my garage, but wouldn't work. Oh well. Imagine a ZJ idling in a garage on jack stands, with all 4 wheels slowly turning. Still, a big step forward. Still doesn't stop or turn, but that's next.
Got some new LEDs installed last night. Got to love quick cheap plug-and-play upgrades.
Got some new LEDs installed last night. Got to love quick cheap plug-and-play upgrades.
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
Alright. I’ve been putting this off because I know its going to be a pain. Tie rod and drag link are good. For the trackbar to be parallel AND the same length as the drag link (40”) it’s gonna have to stick way out into the wheel well; the blue tape on the 2nd pic is where the trackbar mount would be if it was 40”. Looks less than optimal for packaging, but will provide the best ride.
I know parallel and equal length is best, but how close is “close enough” when it comes to length, as long as the two are parallel?
I know parallel and equal length is best, but how close is “close enough” when it comes to length, as long as the two are parallel?
Last edited:
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
If I run the trackbar bracket I have without modifying it, it’ll put the trackbar at about 35” center to center, and be damn near perfectly parallel with the drag link.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
Is there any room to move the axle side track bar bracket closer to the tire/outward?
Psh I wouldn’t be concerned at all about matching length unless you’re going 200 mph over jumps. Your steering will be the last thing on your mind at speeds where it’ll matter.
My tracbar is 7” shorter than my draglink. Angle is not perfect but close.
My tracbar is 7” shorter than my draglink. Angle is not perfect but close.
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
room, yes. but the trackbar bracket is already welded in place, and its the Artec truss, so the brackets are all keyed to fit a specific spot. this is the only flaw ive found with this system so far
so, just weld it up where there bracket wants to go, cut the trackbar to length, and send it?
Exactly. You're building a soccer mom wheeling rig, not a 3 billion dollar space rover.
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
true, but i do want good handling and drivability.
XJEEPER
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland Springs
Ifn you really want to dial in that trackbar length..........
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
Sunday nights are for master cylinder swaps. A special shout-out to whoever pre-rounded the brake line fittings for me. 😂🍻👍
So now I get to replace those, and reflare the lines. The new MC is from a 1999 Ram van 2500. The internet told me to get this one, because of the increased fluid needs of the super duty calipers, so I did. It bolts up perfectly, but I do need to figure out the push rod.
I will also be taking the opportunity to install cutting/turning brakes. I picked up an older dual handle CNC set up a while back, and now is as good a time as any to plumb it in. So out came the factory parking brake handle, along with most of it’s assorted bits, so now I have a spot to work with. The assembly actually fits under the main compartment of the center console, so that’s neat.
I’m going to reuse part of the stock ebrake handle mount as a base to start from. The dual handles are totally going to get in the way if I leave them like this, so I’ll probably cut out a wedge toward the bottom of the handle, and bend them forward to about a 45° angle or so, so they’re less intrusive to everyday driving/trail use.
It’s a 1in/2out design, so instead of the T being on the rear axle, this setup is the new T. I’ll have a pair of lines running back from here, along the rear upper control arms, and then off to their respective calipers. Totally unnecessary for a trail rig, but why the hell not? Rear locker is selectable, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I know it won’t work as well as the moon buggies, but it might help me park in those tight spots at the mall.
So now I get to replace those, and reflare the lines. The new MC is from a 1999 Ram van 2500. The internet told me to get this one, because of the increased fluid needs of the super duty calipers, so I did. It bolts up perfectly, but I do need to figure out the push rod.
I will also be taking the opportunity to install cutting/turning brakes. I picked up an older dual handle CNC set up a while back, and now is as good a time as any to plumb it in. So out came the factory parking brake handle, along with most of it’s assorted bits, so now I have a spot to work with. The assembly actually fits under the main compartment of the center console, so that’s neat.
I’m going to reuse part of the stock ebrake handle mount as a base to start from. The dual handles are totally going to get in the way if I leave them like this, so I’ll probably cut out a wedge toward the bottom of the handle, and bend them forward to about a 45° angle or so, so they’re less intrusive to everyday driving/trail use.
It’s a 1in/2out design, so instead of the T being on the rear axle, this setup is the new T. I’ll have a pair of lines running back from here, along the rear upper control arms, and then off to their respective calipers. Totally unnecessary for a trail rig, but why the hell not? Rear locker is selectable, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I know it won’t work as well as the moon buggies, but it might help me park in those tight spots at the mall.
Last edited:
RockChucker
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland
I’ve been living the “cutter brakes are unnecessary on a trail rig” life since 2016. I wouldn’t want it any other way now. Worth the work to put them on for sure.
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
Running short on time, money, energy, and patience, but other than that, everything is going swell.
Kid #3 is about a week and a half from making his grand entrance, so I’ve been finishing up the nursery. I’m sure once he arrives, I’ll have plenty of time to get this Jeep buttoned up (yea right)
Anyway, there have been a few setbacks, mostly personal error, but here’s the current to-do list:
Kid #3 is about a week and a half from making his grand entrance, so I’ve been finishing up the nursery. I’m sure once he arrives, I’ll have plenty of time to get this Jeep buttoned up (yea right)
Anyway, there have been a few setbacks, mostly personal error, but here’s the current to-do list:
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
I got the new MC in, that sucked. Only had to line it up and take it out a few dozens times. oh well.
In other news, I came across this lightbar on FB marketplace yesterday. I didn't need it, but here we are. So now I need to figure out how to mount it. whats one more mini-project anyway?
In other news, I came across this lightbar on FB marketplace yesterday. I didn't need it, but here we are. So now I need to figure out how to mount it. whats one more mini-project anyway?
Last edited:
Johnny Quest
Web Wheeler
- Location
- West Jordan
In other news, this little guy made his grand entrance a few days ahead of schedule. So the ZJ is going to be on hold for a bit:
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
Congrats, Dan.
Thursty
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Green River
Congratulations!!
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
That's awesome!!!!