Jeep Stretch YJ "Might as well" Build

[SSR]

Congrats! It's looking great!

Thanks!

 

[LJTim]

I'm so stoked to see this beast next week! Probably the most intriguing build going on right now for me.

 

[SSR]

Received my 125lb upper springs for the front and got them installed. Ride height looks closer to where I want it now, maybe a little tall, still have the winch and heavy skid that will bring it down some.

Had to cut the hood a bit more to fit over the coilovers, I ordered some Daystar hood pins to keep it down.


Started to mock up the recovery points and winch. I was thinking I could recess the winch down into the bumper a bit, as it is the steering box and pitman won't allow it.

 

[mbryson]

I had trouble with cooling when I had my winch blocking radiator airflow. Curious how that works for you. Looks good !

 

[SSR]

I had trouble with cooling when I had my winch blocking radiator airflow. Curious how that works for you. Looks good !

I'm concerned about it as well, I really should have went with the model winch that has the solenoid mounted to the side, just to give me every advantage.

 

[LJTim]

That was one of the reasons I went with one that had a detachable noid. I mounted my box inside the bay. It's another $75 in wire, but I'm digging it now. But I probably drive min eon the highway more than you will, so I don't know that it will make a ton of difference for you.

 

[SSR]

Big push prior to Winter 4x4 Jamboree to get it ready.

Winch and recovery points finished.


My wife found some booster pads for my boys that fit nicely in the PRP seat. Gets their shoulders up in the harness better.


Not enough time to figure out my hydraulic bumps stops so I threw a couple of poly bumps under the frame in front. Still so much to do... but there's no more time, it was time to leave for the event.

 

[SSR]

I was really anxious the first morning of the event. Excited to get it on the trail, but couldn't shake the concerns of how it would perform. First day went very well, gaining comfort and confidence with each obstacle. There was a brief period of panic when I cleared a obstacle and a 1/2" lock washer rolled out from under the jeep and down off the ledge, never found where it came from, still hoping it was a spare I dropped during the build process.

 

[SSR]

Day two of the event, most the worries have passed. I'm still getting a feel for the balance and width of a new rig. I made one big climb, but it took several times rolling up on it before I felt ok with the balance.

 

[UPNO4]

Sure looked good. Wish I could have seen it on the trail. What a blast of a weekend down there

 

[Greg]

Day two of the event, most the worries have passed. I'm still getting a feel for the balance and width of a new rig. I made one big climb, but it took several times rolling up on it before I felt ok with the balance.
View attachment 117926View attachment 117926View attachment 117927View attachment 117928

Love the height and stance of the YJ, looks perfect! Glad the first trip went well and there were no major issues, congrats!!

 

[LJTim]

Having your rig with me on my last 2 days of the event was definitely a highlight. Solid driving both days. And the fact that you pulled off Wall of Doom at all, let alone your second day wheeling it is a huge accomplishment. So fun to watch!! I love the stance, wheelbase, sound of the engine and overall simplicity of the build. Nice work man!

 

[SSR]

Having your rig with me on my last 2 days of the event was definitely a highlight. Solid driving both days. And the fact that you pulled off Wall of Doom at all, let alone your second day wheeling it is a huge accomplishment. So fun to watch!! I love the stance, wheelbase, sound of the engine and overall simplicity of the build. Nice work man!

It was a lot of fun! Thanks for showing us the trails, impressive seeing you drive all that stuff without a spotter.

 

[SSR]

Love the height and stance of the YJ, looks perfect! Glad the first trip went well and there were no major issues, congrats!!

Thanks Greg.

 

[Bart]

Glad the rig was solid and you had a good time. It's definitely a great build and you look right at home in there. Congrats.

 

[mbryson]

The width/height/wheelbase combo is fantastic. Looks awesome on the rocks!

Pics don't get much betterer than that?

 

[SSR]

Glad the rig was solid and you had a good time. It's definitely a great build and you look right at home in there. Congrats.

The width/height/wheelbase combo is fantastic. Looks awesome on the rocks!

Pics don't get much betterer than that?

Thanks guys! I agree, this photo is great! Well deserved photo credit goes to LJTim.

 

[I Lean]

Updates?

 

[SSR]

After the trip to SH for Winter 4x4 Jamboree I needed to do a little clearancing for the steering. I also mounted hydro bump stops in front and limit straps.View attachment 119812

 

[SSR]

Beginning of March I took it to Moab to help MFFW with a trail project on Metal Masher. The day before the project my wife and I ran the Pickle, it was fun because I talked my wife into driving it through a portion of the trail.

Metal Masher was wet, so “denied” was the theme on the obstacles but we did get the work project complete.