The saga of my atlas install

[astjp2]

So I bought my 05 LJ in 19 as a wreck. Copart delivered it and I was able to put on a basic lift, 2 different dana 30’s and straighten the frame. This summer after years of collecting parts, including an atlas and a ucf high clearance skid it was time to get to work. Well the skid and frame alignment is acceptable after straightening, but now it’s time to get the skid and transmission mount to fit with the atlas.

 

[astjp2]

So I made some alignment pins for the ucf skid. They were front unit bear bolts. This sure makes it easier to put in 2 bolts in the center. Now I can see what my clearances are.

 

[astjp2]

So the engine and transmission is not parallel to the skid, I am also installing zone mml to match the 1.25 body lift and reduce the rear driveshaft angle.

 

[astjp2]

The reason I am going this rout is because the LoPro doesn’t clear the atlas and the original mount with the ucf skid location put the atlas hard into the tub. So moving the LoPro to the transmission from that goofy factory bracket gives me 7/8-1” lower and clears the tub now. I will have to countersink the bolts on the atlas and I have to weld a wedge of steel as a new skid plate location for the more forward position. I will match the angle of the transmission and skid which loos like about 15-20 degrees. I won’t know till I get the mml installed. I also extended the 4wd shift switch wires. Standard supply electronics on Main Street carries heat shrink with adhesive so I hope no corrosion in the future. That’s all for now. Till tomorrow when I can see how the mml changes the angles and start making the new bracket to weld the exhaust hanger to and make the new bracket to weld to the skid.

 

[bobdog]

A lot in those posts I don't understand. I am really going over in my mind though why a Motor Mount lift is ever a good idea and why driveshaft angle would be a problem on a LJ.

 

[Kevin B.]

Standard supply electronics on Main Street carries heat shrink with adhesive

This stuff is tits. I've been using these heat shrink solder connectors from Amazon for a while now and love them. I'll have to go see what Standard has on the shelves.

 

[I Lean]

This stuff is tits. I've been using these heat shrink solder connectors from Amazon for a while now and love them. I'll have to go see what Standard has on the shelves.

A lot of what they have is in back, not up front on shelves necessarily. And the grumpy guys working there will roll their eyes if you don't know exactly what you want, or call it by the wrong name or something. 😉

 

[astjp2]

I will say that the zone offroad mml was supposed to take 1-2 hours, took 2 days and I need to pull the passenger side and trim some more once I get the the skid and lopro mount installed. I trimmed the exhaust hanger and welded a piece of angle to support it. T
The cutting and trimming was slow, trying to only remove enough but the heat finally got to me. The cut on my had told me it was time to go home.

 

[astjp2]

Made progress, skid should bolt in, I also get the exhaust hanger welded up and painted. Once skid is bolted up, I can get the passenger mount clearanced a little more and the shifter installation.

 

[astjp2]

Right motor mount clears and the skid now fits. So if there is no weird vibration it’s good. Now off to getting the rear axle back together and the pinion angle set. Then front with new dual piston calipers and elockers. The skid bolt went right it once the transmission was lowered a tad bit and the skid plate bolts went right into the frame!

 

[astjp2]

Exhaust hangar hits the skid on the back, off with the skid tomorrow and a little grinding and it should be good!

 

[astjp2]

Exhaust hangar ow has 1/4” clearance

 

[astjp2]

Yep, poor man’s driveshaft fix. Now for the crappy part, went to put in the front driveshaft and the front output is wiggling, so now I need to pull the output and see if the shims are jacked up or missing. So much for a deal

 

[astjp2]

Friend gave me a driveshaft with a short boot, shaft is now 1”shorter and sealed. It still has more spline than my 78 power wagon had.

 

[astjp2]

I contacted advanced adapters the parts to reshim the should be under $100 if that is all that is wrong. I will open it up later. I just need to get this thing mobile again so I can free up some shop space.

 

[astjp2]

Well test drove today, the atlas howls in low and high range, bought a lemon. I do have another atlas I can put in out of my other jeep, but still a lot of work. AF! Oh well at least the clutch works.

 

[Greg]

Was it a used Atlas then? Wonder if you could have AA go thru and rebuilt it for an affordable price.

 

[astjp2]

Yes, used. The kit is 1000 plus labor and shipping, I can do it, just need the time and motivation. I was hoping it was good, guy asked premium money. It’s just how my life goes.