Justin's TJ

Greg · Mar 22, 2018

Very clean build, Justin... nice parts selection and execution!

TJustin · Mar 23, 2018

Thanks Greg!

TJustin · Dec 31, 2019

A few updates to this:

Since originally posting this I grenades my NP231 w/ Teralow 231HD. I was wheeling at Sand Hollow returning to the highway from Milt's Mile and must have over revved the planetary gears because it started making noises (more than it already did) and upon inspection the thrust washers were ruined. . Thanks to @N8RB8R who helped me in a big way by helping inspect it. At that time, I ordered a 4.3 Atlas, and now no longer have to worry about going too fast in 4L. Looking back, I think I would have preferred the 5.0:1 ratio instead of the 4.3:1 solely for the little bit bigger crawl ratio.

Last spring I purchased a Poison Spyder Trail Cage Kit and installed it before EJS. At the time, my expectation of weld quality was higher than my capability so I tacked the cage together and had a friend TIG weld it, and man did it turn out great. I then had Barber Welding powder coat the entire cage satin black. While we were adding the trail cage to the existing cage, we welded some trick tabs in the center section, and configured it so that I could mount my Yaesu FT-2980R there for easy access and ability to hear trail comms easily. This has worked out great with exception of having the mic cord swing around sometimes too much and being distracting. I have yet to come up with a long term solution.

I have been in discussions with @LJTim quite a bit lately regarding suspensions, who has been a great help. Up until a year or so ago, I was in the "short arms is better" camp because of concerns of clearance and break over angle etc. and figured that with only 3" suspension lift that it was good. I shared with Tim my beefs with my suspension and he pointed me towards doing a linked suspension. Since then I've spent time reading build threads, reading CRAWLpedia, playing with the triaged calculator and reading chassis design books to hopefully ensure that the build goes well.

For Christmas, my wife surprised me with Johnny Joints, and a bracket kit so I could start compiling parts. Plan is to have the new suspension built and installed with enough time to do a shakedown run before EJS. I've spent my time off this last week buying the bulk of the rest of the parts. I'll be using the Genright 4 link rear frame bracket kit for both front and rear suspensions. Using the rear on the front will require some massaging to get it to work, but like that I then have adjustability with the vertical separation at the frame.

Hickey · Dec 31, 2019

This is what I do about the swinging mic cord. It's been like this for over a million miles now.

ZMotorSports 2011 JKUR Build Thread

I am new here but thought I would throw up some pictures of my latest Jeep build. It is not real time as I have owned it now for almost two years. I bought the Jeep with only 3208 miles on the odometer and commenced building my "Dream Jeep". This is my daily driver and weekend wheeler. On...

www.rme4x4.com

TJustin · Jan 1, 2020

Nice iteration. That may do just the trick. Is the magnet anything special?

Hickey · Jan 1, 2020

Tuff Jeeper said:
Nice iteration. That may do just the trick. Is the magnet anything special?

No special magnet, but it was hard to find at the time. There are a billion phone mount magnets now that would do a better job for less money.

WizGear Universal Flat Stick On Dashboard Magnetic Car Mount Holder for Cell Phones and Mini Tablets with Fast Swift-Snap Technology - Extra Slim https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F7KNJDM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_I0mdEb71TKV1B

There is a also a mini bungee cord through the mic cord to keep it tight against the radio.

TJustin · Feb 12, 2020

Well, I've now passed the point of no return. I am hoping that over the next few weekends I can get things buttoned up so that I can have some shakedown time before EJS. This last Monday I was able to finish welding the frame side control arm mounts, weld the new coil mounts for the 1-2" front stretch mimicking what @corbin.black did on his Red LJ, as well as weld on the Savvy Offroad front truss, and Black Magic Brakes Sway bar mounts. Aside from the new track bar bracket needing to be welded on, the front axle is now complete.

This weekend I'll be welding the frame side mounts to the frame, and finishing up the front axle. The following week, I'll be working on the rear axle, and welding the bungs onto my control arms.

LJTim · Feb 13, 2020

That looks lo good dude! I was planning on getting my front links mounted up in the next week or 2, but some family drama popped up, and that gets put on the backburner again. I'm excited to see your's all mounted up! The welds look awesome. Nobody would guess you are so new to welding.

Greg · Feb 13, 2020

LJTim said:
... The welds look awesome. Nobody would guess you are so new to welding.

Seriously, those welds look great! Nice work!

glockman · Feb 13, 2020

If you really are new to welding, would you come teach me before you forget. Those are VERY nice! Good penetration too. Sorry if that sounded dirty. Well, kinda.

TJustin · Feb 13, 2020

LJTim said:
That looks lo good dude! I was planning on getting my front links mounted up in the next week or 2, but some family drama popped up, and that gets put on the backburner again. I'm excited to see your's all mounted up! The welds look awesome. Nobody would guess you are so new to welding.

Hope all is well with the family! Im getting excited to take it for a spin. It should come together nicely. I've been very happy with the welds. I'm surprising myself.

Greg said:
Seriously, those welds look great! Nice work!

Thank you. I appreciate it. The build is coming along nicely.

glockman said:
If you really are new to welding, would you come teach me before you forget. Those are VERY nice! Good penetration too. Sorry if that sounded dirty. Well, kinda.

haha. Thanks. I've been around welding most of my life in one form or another, but neglected to take the class in high school as I was distracted by the small engines classes. Currently I'm in a community education welding class held in Spanish Fork. So yes, I've only been welding for the last month and a half technically. That class has been worth every penny.

TJustin · Mar 17, 2020

Got the front axle under the Jeep yesterday. It went in easily. There are a few clearance issues I'll have to address, but otherwise it fits nicely. Hoping to have the rear axle installed in the next day or two. In this picture the control arms are almost fully extended, the final resting place will be roughly 1" further back than they are now.

Bart · Mar 18, 2020

Looking good

corbin.black · Mar 18, 2020

Looks awesome man! 👍

TJustin · Mar 26, 2020

Got the suspension under it and dialed in on Saturday. Found out that my aftermarket track bar mount that I installed 2 years ago was not far enough forward for the front stretch. Cut it off and welded a new one on at work last Monday on my day off. In order to get it on the trailer to get to work, I had to ratchet strap the axle somewhat centered under the Jeep.

Now just waiting on the front drive shaft to come back from Tom Wood and needing to install the new belly skid among a couple other things I hope to finish this weekend.

TJustin · Apr 28, 2020

Got everything back together, and driveable. Fabbed up the exhaust, and was able to get a shakedown run in this last weekend. 2 things need addressing at this point. At extreme full bump the driveshaft and front UCA contact each other, and the exhaust rattles against the gas tank.

Both should be simple fixes. The front I will be pulling back out and welding a taller axle side UCA mount to give me the clearance required, which will help me get a little more vertical separation at the axle.

For the exhaust I'll be looking for a mount that limits side to side movement. I am using the stock style mount currently, but allows anywhere between 1/4" to 3/4" of side to side movement with ease.

Below is a video of our trip. Know ahead of time that I do not claim to be a pro at editing, or claim to have high production quality.

TJustin · Jul 2, 2020

The TJ has been running well. Went to the Vernal rock rally, and had a great time. Over the weekend, found a set of Walker Evans Racing Beadlocks on 37" Cooper STT Pro's. Took it out to West Mountain near Payson and flexed it last night to check out clearance issues. I apparently had too much bumpstop on 35's because at full bump, the tires were still .5-.75" away from body panels. Just need to trim the front fender flare by the turn signal to accomodate the tires with a bigger stretch.

Before

After

Flexed

Jinx · Jul 2, 2020

This is awesome. I have to smile because I didn't recognize you in Vernal but now I recognize your Rig. Sweet set up!

TJustin · Jul 3, 2020

Thanks! I'm happy with it. What rig do you wheel?

Justin's TJ

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