Jinx
when in doubt, upgrade!
- Location
- So Jordan, Utah
If CJ parts will work on that I probably have a bunch that can help. 
YJ build
- Thread starter kmboren
- Start date
pkrfctr
Registered User
- Location
- Spanish Fork, UT
Look lets call a spade a spade..... Kevin lost his jeep to his daughter so now he is building himself a yj so he can wheel again..... Hes going to need 40's and 1 tons.
Jinx
when in doubt, upgrade!
- Location
- So Jordan, Utah
We can probably come up with some 40's to help a brother out.
Those Tera axles I posted a while back would be super tempting if I were in his shoes... 
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
I also might accidentally run my camaro into something so I am forced to pull out the 5.7 LS1 and swap it into the YJ. 😉
pkrfctr
Registered User
- Location
- Spanish Fork, UT
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
But it has a rebuilt 4l60 in it. Plus it is not a new camaro. It is a 1998. First year of the aluminum block ls1 5.7. 😈
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
So I bringing this back up to speed. I was gathering parts to build this before the XJ rolled off the cliff.
I have been so busy at work I haven't had time to do anything on it. I am starting a different Nursing job on Monday that is going to give me more time. Moving from four 10 hour shifts with call, back to Three 12s with no call and 5 min commute now vs the 25 one I just had.
This YJ will be a daily driver that is capable of 7-8 trails. When Katelynn turns 16 in a year it will be the car she will primarily drive. Since the new buggy is only a 2 seater it will allow us to take the family on outings again.
The build:
The goal of this build was to make the YJ like our XJ. Since I have wheeled XJs for the last 20+ had a crappy coil conversion lift on it that had to go. Stretch to 100-101. Leafs rear and 3 link front.
Ford 8.8 rear axle with Yukon grizzly locker and the c clip eliminator kit and 4.88 gears. HP XJ dana 30 with with lunch box locker and 4.88 gears with Artec truss and c arm gussets.
I stole the XJ Summit Machine links and arms and will be transplanted to the YJ. True 3 link long arm with Artec mounts on axle and body side. Suspension will be 12 inch ORIs. I sold my mountain bike that I never rode to fund those. I will use artec mounts. Hoping to push the front axle as far forward as possible without moving the steering or relocating the box.
Rear will be sprung under with Waggoner front Springs. I will move perches to get the stretch I need. Hoping 4-5 inches in the back and 3-4 in the front. I have installed a genright stretch tank with skid plate already.
Motor and tranny will stay the 2.5 4 cylinder and the 5 speed manual.
I replaced the rear seat with a best top seat that use to be the XJs 3rd row seat. We tore all the gross carpet out for now and drilled holes in the floor so water could drain. Rain water likes to gather inside weather the top is on or off.
It will need armor in the future but we will address that in the future when we have it back on 4 wheels again.
So far we took the old axle out. And started cutting/removing the old perches/mounts.
Thanks for looking.
I have been so busy at work I haven't had time to do anything on it. I am starting a different Nursing job on Monday that is going to give me more time. Moving from four 10 hour shifts with call, back to Three 12s with no call and 5 min commute now vs the 25 one I just had.
This YJ will be a daily driver that is capable of 7-8 trails. When Katelynn turns 16 in a year it will be the car she will primarily drive. Since the new buggy is only a 2 seater it will allow us to take the family on outings again.
The build:
The goal of this build was to make the YJ like our XJ. Since I have wheeled XJs for the last 20+ had a crappy coil conversion lift on it that had to go. Stretch to 100-101. Leafs rear and 3 link front.
Ford 8.8 rear axle with Yukon grizzly locker and the c clip eliminator kit and 4.88 gears. HP XJ dana 30 with with lunch box locker and 4.88 gears with Artec truss and c arm gussets.
I stole the XJ Summit Machine links and arms and will be transplanted to the YJ. True 3 link long arm with Artec mounts on axle and body side. Suspension will be 12 inch ORIs. I sold my mountain bike that I never rode to fund those. I will use artec mounts. Hoping to push the front axle as far forward as possible without moving the steering or relocating the box.
Rear will be sprung under with Waggoner front Springs. I will move perches to get the stretch I need. Hoping 4-5 inches in the back and 3-4 in the front. I have installed a genright stretch tank with skid plate already.
Motor and tranny will stay the 2.5 4 cylinder and the 5 speed manual.
I replaced the rear seat with a best top seat that use to be the XJs 3rd row seat. We tore all the gross carpet out for now and drilled holes in the floor so water could drain. Rain water likes to gather inside weather the top is on or off.
It will need armor in the future but we will address that in the future when we have it back on 4 wheels again.
So far we took the old axle out. And started cutting/removing the old perches/mounts.
Thanks for looking.
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
That last pic with the tank comparison is an eye opener. ORI's simplify so much of the work. I'm quite jealous of those and your new work schedule. Congrats on both.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
Thank you. The Gas tank still has a 17 gallon capacity. I am also REALLY looking forward to these things. Especially the 3 12s again. Probably will be a pay cut in the long run but happiness comes in many forms other than money.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
The jeep came with new BFG 33x10.50 R 15s KM3s. Probably just run those until they die which will take a while. Then go to 35s.
K that’s what I was wondering. If you stretch it so much you have to comp cut it we’re going to fight. I’d actually say you should shoot for like 96 but that’s JMO
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
I refuse to comp cut it. I hate that look. Plan is just to take it back to the seam line or there abouts. So I would join you in fighting me.
Tacoma
Et incurventur ante non
- Location
- far enough away
That's a good plan, exactly what I'm planning for mine as well
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
Finished cutting the front brackets off the frame Started mocking the front axle up with full bump and ORI mount. I purchased the Artec shock tower mount. It leans to far out board and I will need to modify it to lean back a little more. Need to take the steering/knuckles and unibearings off the old axle and put them on the new axle Hopefully this week. I also ordered a simple tie rod flip kit that I need to drill the knuckles out for.
I know the pinion is sitting too high. I need to buy a little angle finder so I can set it where it needs to be and then finish the mock up.
I am so excited for the simplicity of these ORIs.
I know the pinion is sitting too high. I need to buy a little angle finder so I can set it where it needs to be and then finish the mock up.
I am so excited for the simplicity of these ORIs.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
I have the front end completely mocked up and tacked in. I had to modify the upper link bracket further back but to fit my XJ upper arm but it turned out well. I only have a Hobart Handler 140 which does good for a 110 outlet but I will take it to Todd Littles to have everything burned in hot. Happy so far how everything has turned out. I have pulled the rear dana 35 out and will start mocking that up Tomorrow on my day off. I mocked everything up with tight clearance at full bump then flexed. Everything seems to be good. But close. Can't wait to have this back on the trail again. The ORIs will have around 4 inches of up travel with 8 of down.
Last edited:
- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
Kev, build looks awesome!
I've got a new in box 8.8 Detroit for sale if it'll help.
I've got a new in box 8.8 Detroit for sale if it'll help.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
Thanks but I already have a Yukon Grizzly locker it the 8.8 with 4.88s.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
So I have been putting in some work on th YJ. Mocking up the rear. When I cut the old leaf spring mounts up I thought I could reuse them. I made them with some adjustments and cut them a little shorter.
I purchased some Waggoner front Springs. I really wanted to rancho 44044 springs but they seem to be discontinued so I found these. They are suppose to net you 2 inches of lift. To make that up it looks like I will need around 9.5-10 inch shackles if I use the existing shackle mounts. Or I could use my old XJ IRO shackles I am not sure what to do. I could also possibly make a bastard leaf pack to get more height/lift.
With The Genright tank I was able to maximize the stretch to its full potential. I have about 2 inches of clearance as it sits now. I need to go full bump and see what it does and how close it is from hitting. If it is too close or hits I'll move the leaf to the forward most hole. As it sits right now I am at 98 inch wheel base. I am hoping to be wheeling this in the next 2 weeks during my kids spring break. Hopefully I can make that dead line. I have 5 more days I can work on it to finish it up.
I purchased some Waggoner front Springs. I really wanted to rancho 44044 springs but they seem to be discontinued so I found these. They are suppose to net you 2 inches of lift. To make that up it looks like I will need around 9.5-10 inch shackles if I use the existing shackle mounts. Or I could use my old XJ IRO shackles I am not sure what to do. I could also possibly make a bastard leaf pack to get more height/lift.
With The Genright tank I was able to maximize the stretch to its full potential. I have about 2 inches of clearance as it sits now. I need to go full bump and see what it does and how close it is from hitting. If it is too close or hits I'll move the leaf to the forward most hole. As it sits right now I am at 98 inch wheel base. I am hoping to be wheeling this in the next 2 weeks during my kids spring break. Hopefully I can make that dead line. I have 5 more days I can work on it to finish it up.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
Some YJ goodness showed up yesterday. Adams driveshafts for the win. They were one of our first and Major sponsors. I called them to order Drivelines for the YJ expecting to just pay for them. After some talking they decided to hook us up on these. They upgraded our rear to a 1350 flange on T case and 1350 yoke with half circle retainer.
For the front they added full u-bolt style yokes and hardware. Can't wait to get these installed after I paint the axles.
Yj is just about done. In this picture it is sitting at ride height with ORIs filled and about 4 inches up up travel. Rear we outboarded the XJ fox 2.0 with reservoir and then we frenched in the tera speed bumps into the rear frame. Todd Little welded it all solid for me as I just have a 110 welder and fabrication skills came into play on the upper rear shock mounts and install of the rear bumps. He also cut the rear boomerang shackles for me out of 3/8 plate to get the desired ride height.
All I have left to do is:
Paint axles
Install drivelines
New hardware for links leafs ect.
Alignment
New muffler.
I work until Wednesday but hope to have this up and going for the weekend and 80 degrees temps we are about to have. Can't wait.
For the front they added full u-bolt style yokes and hardware. Can't wait to get these installed after I paint the axles.
Yj is just about done. In this picture it is sitting at ride height with ORIs filled and about 4 inches up up travel. Rear we outboarded the XJ fox 2.0 with reservoir and then we frenched in the tera speed bumps into the rear frame. Todd Little welded it all solid for me as I just have a 110 welder and fabrication skills came into play on the upper rear shock mounts and install of the rear bumps. He also cut the rear boomerang shackles for me out of 3/8 plate to get the desired ride height.
All I have left to do is:
Paint axles
Install drivelines
New hardware for links leafs ect.
Alignment
New muffler.
I work until Wednesday but hope to have this up and going for the weekend and 80 degrees temps we are about to have. Can't wait.