1987 YJ

[Andy1]

I hesitated to post my build due to the fact I?m slow. Now not slow in thinking/learning (Ha! some may disagree here), but to finish the project. I purchased the YJ with a locked up 5 speed tranny with the thoughts of just replacing it and going on my merry way. However, the people on this site have changed my outlook on my YJ!! After reading a lot of the post on this site, there is so much knowledge and I think I can accomplish the build with the advice given here.

The body is in good shape so I have already purchased the following:
1. Complete 4.3 with throttle body, computer, and wiring harness
2. 700R4 trans with 231C transfer case (don?t know if it will work with SYE)
3. B&M Megashifter
4. Advance Adapter Motor mounts
5. Dana 44 High Pinion front axle, drivers side drop
6. Dana 60 Rear axle

I?m rebuilding the axles with new ball joints, axle joints, gears, locker, etc. I will be doing a SOA conversion, but having a hard time finding stock front springs (one is bent). Also, still trying to cipher what is needed to do the high steer (have flat knuckles) and where to get the parts at a reasonable price. I too like to save every penny I can as the build can get out of hand quickly. At times I have to reel my mind back in and get focused on what I need first.

Tires ? Plan now is to run 35? tires (possibility of 38?s later) so this brings up questions as to how much body lift, gear ratio, suspension travel, etc. I?m hoping a 1? inch body lift with the SOA will work for the 35?s and 3? later if I go to 38?s.

I would like to thank Hokie_YJ for taking the time to talk with me on the phone about his rig and HotRodYJ for his confirming the Megashifter. Also, TiredIron?s advice on another post, ?Don?t skimp, wait until you can afford to do it right.? This is what I want to achieve, because I?ve been there and done that.

Pics later.

God bless and bear with me. Thanks everyone!!!

[BillM]

Sounds like a solid plan. I been waiting to see how a 4.3 would do in a Wrangler.

[Hokie_YJ]

You're very welcome, I'm glad to help anytime I can. You could probably run 35's without the body lift. A little trimming might be necessecary depending on the amount of sag in your springs.

As far as gear ratio, I'm running 5.38s. It seems to be a bit too deep for 35's, but once I move to 37's it should be pretty good. But you're gonna have a little more motor than me, :smokin: you could probably run something in the 4.88 to 5.13 range.

[Gordon]

Great plan. Thought out & researched. You should end up with an excellent rig.

[TiredIronGRB]

I agree sounds like a solid platform, as far as the springs and highsteer I'm sure these guys can point you in the direction :wink:

[HotRodYJ]

Yes SYE will work in a NP231C. I got my kit from JB Conversions. Great guys there and easy to talk to. Tell them what your doing and they'll set ou up with the correct parts. I used their Super Short SYE kit and love it, but I lost the cable output for the speedo. They gain the shortened length by going to a tone ring ans sensor output instead of a cable output that requires the gear inside and takes up more space. Not a big deal to me to run with no speedo. I could always put an electric speedo in it but I';m too cheap to buy one.

On the gearing, I'm guessing your D44 and D60 already have 4.10's in them maybe? 4.10 felt really good in mine on 35's. I'd start there if thats what yiour axles are already geared at. If you do have to regear just to get started I'm thinking 4.56 or 4.88 may be a better fit for the smaller motor. When you go to 38's you'll want at least 4.88, maybe even 5.13. One of these days I'm going to 5.38's in mine, but it's not driven that much anymore so the deeper gearing wont bother me. It's mostly just driven around town anyway.

[Andy1]

Didn't luck up in the gear area. They have 3.54's so I need to change. I'm leaning toward the 4.88's due to the 700R4 having overdrive, but have not ruled out the 4.56's

[Gubni]

You will be happy with the 4.56 gears. That's what I run with 38's. With 35's and OD that would be great.

[Andy1]

Put the 4.3 and 700R4 in this afternoon for mock up purposes. Trying to set the angles and Advance Adapters motor mounts before welding in.

[Andy1]

Ordered front and rear electric lockers (Thanks Country Boy for the show and tell :-o ), 4.88 gears and master install kit.
UPS delivered my rear disk brackets, seats, seat covers and inline fuel pump today. Looks as if I'm going to change my water pump out, because mine doesn't have a hose hookup for heat core and this will allow use of a radiator I already have.

Started doing the Chris thing. Saving my lunch money :grin:

[Hokie_YJ]

Nice! :smokin:

[Gubni]

Electric lockers are the best IMO. Which flavor did you get?

[Country Boy]

Sounds like the plan is coming together.

[Andy1]

How it look when I started
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1452.jpg
4.2 out of jeep
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1458.jpg
Dana 44 in front
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1512.jpg
Dana 60 with rear disc brake
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1513.jpg[/img]

[Andy1]

36 Irok's
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1508.jpg

[Jeep07]

Sweet!


OT: How many VW's do you have?

[Andy1]

Two. 1972 with '66 front clip and a '74 super. They've kinda taken a back seat since the yj build

[Want2Wheel]

That looks great, just keep it up.

[Bluegill]

:smokin:
Niiicccee!!!

[Gordon]

Great progress!

[TiredIronGRB]

How come the tires are on backwards?

[BillM]

Andy, man that is looking good. Great to see the progress. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

[Dino1967]

looks kool

[Hokie_YJ]

Very nice Andy!

[Andy1]

Thanks guys. George you're correct about the tires :oops: as I just put them on to see how it looked. It did get me excited to see it with tires and rims!! :grin:

Ordered the high steer arms a extra studs today!!

Bill, there's something you can do! donate $$$$$$$ :lol:

[TiredIronGRB]

I've seen people run them like that :wink:

[Country Boy]

Lookin good, man!

[BillM]

I tell you what Andy. I got a bowl full of change I could donate.

[Rtaylor]

I've seen people run them like that :wink:

In my Unimog owners manual it says to run all four tires with the points of the "V" facing forward if you will be primarily doing hard surface trails/roads. It says to point the front tires "V" forward and the back tires "V" facing the back of the vehicle if you are in soft or loose soil/mud. It doesn't say why, but I suspect it is a compromise to help you back out of a bad situation...

[Andy1]

Drilled, tapped and intsalled my high steer arms. This is passenger side.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1531.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1529.jpg

[pplblazerdude]

Looks sharp man.

[Bluegill]

;-)

[HotRodYJ]

Looks good, and that's passenger side not driver's :wink:

[Andy1]

You are correct. Typing and mind don't work good together. I did fix the text. Thanks :grin:

[Andy1]

Can anybody say, "Where do these wires go?". These are the wires I discarded since using the 4.3 wiring harness. Motor still runs :shock:
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1535.jpg

[Dino1967]

WOW :!:

[Andy1]

Welded in my bunges from PSC. Still have one TRE to go because they sent a wrong bunge. :cry:
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1537.jpg

Test fitting in-line electric fuel pump for RCI fuel cell.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1540.jpg

[Country Boy]

Lookin good!!!!!!!!

[Hokie_YJ]

:smokin: Looking great man!

If you don't already have the soft lines for the calipers you can use the front brake lines from a '80's model Chevette.

[Andy1]

Thanks. I have not got the soft lines yet so this is good to know. I'm running new lines along the axle too.

[Andy1]

Since I got the engine running with the key start I took a break and worked on the hysteer and installed the electric locker switches. :grin:
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1566.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1563.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1558.jpg

[Jeep07]

Nice! Thats gonna be a nice rig.

[Dino1967]

kool

[Country Boy]

SHOTGUN!!!!!!!!

[Jazzman31]

I as official keeper of the man law book state rule 15.
When calling shotgun, all riders of the car must be outside, and shotgun can only be called when the car is in view. Riders in the car are not allowed to run to shotgun and steal it before the person who called and deserves it arrives there. The driver of the car has no authority to decide on who gets shotgun. If a legitimate confrontation comes up where the rightful owner of the shotgun can not be determined then it will be decided by one round of paper rock scissors (with no shoot). If the two contenders tie 5 times in a row then the rightful owner of the shotgun is to be decided by a UFC cage match in which the first blood drawn decides the rightful owner of shotgun.

So good sir you are in violation of Manlaw. LOL

[Country Boy]

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Gordon]

I as official keeper of the man law book state rule 15.
When calling shotgun, all riders of the car must be outside, and shotgun can only be called when the car is in view. Riders in the car are not allowed to run to shotgun and steal it before the person who called and deserves it arrives there. The driver of the car has no authority to decide on who gets shotgun. If a legitimate confrontation comes up where the rightful owner of the shotgun can not be determined then it will be decided by one round of paper rock scissors (with no shoot). If the two contenders tie 5 times in a row then the rightful owner of the shotgun is to be decided by a UFC cage match in which the first blood drawn decides the rightful owner of shotgun.

So good sir you are in violation of Manlaw. LOL


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Want2Wheel]

Good looking ride

[Andy1]

Drive shafts in, new M8000 Warn and finally move it out of the garage for the first time since I started. Going to try and get exhaust put on this weekend. Still a lot of little stuff to do.

Notice the new granddaughter God has blessed us with!!!!!
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1648.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1647.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1638.jpg :grin: :grin: :grin:

[TiredIronGRB]

That's awesome....and the Jeep ain't bad either :wink:

[BillM]

Congrats times two.

[BroncoMike]

What they said!!!! :thumbright:

[Hokie_YJ]

Looks good, and congrats! :grin:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

yeah looks like you rgonna have alot of crawling in your future :lol:

[Andy1]

Drake built me sliders, shocks towers, anti wrap bar and fenders. Sorry Drake for taking so long to post pics and quality of pics.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1690.jpg
Great looking cross member for the anti wrap bar.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1692.jpg
Shock towers.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1686.jpg

[Andy1]

Working on flex and shock lengths. Had to extend brake lines and cut back fender as you can see they hit.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1665.jpg
First trip out. Sliders worked great, but had a few little problems. Battery not charging, Temp gauge - both of these are fixed now.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/100_1711.jpg

[Hokie_YJ]

That thing is looking awesome Andy :!:

[Andy1]

Thanks Ben. First run at Bays.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/hpis_35713688.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/hpis_35713683.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/hpis_35713676.jpg
My son's XJ - notice the Drake built bumper
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/smokey10000/hpis_35713691.jpg

[Jeep07]

sweet. rig looks awesome.

[Bluegill]

sweet. rig looks awesome.

x2 - both of them :!:

[Gordon]

Lookin' good, Andy.

[BillM]

Pretty sweet Andy. Did you get your shock length figured out?

[Andy1]

Here's what I'm thinking. If the shock measures 22" at rest on the front and I buy a shock which is 29.8 extended and 17.3 collapsed then I will have 7.8 down travel and 4.7 up travel. Am I looking at this correct?

[BillM]

You would be correct Andy. Just remember what I told you about the shock leaning into the middle. You will get more up and down travel than the numbers show.

[Andy1]

Order set of Greatlakes DIY beadlocks today and front diff cover for the 44.
It will be mid to late January before I get the beadlocks done. I have to wait for my son to go back to welding school.

[BillM]

SOunds good Andy. You will feel safer with the beadlocks. ;)

[Hokie_YJ]

Sounds awesome Andy! I've been keeping my eye out for some 16" beadlock wheels for you, but I haven't seen anything. The DIY's will be great, and GLO makes some good stuff.

[Andy's01]

Cool Andy!!! I really like the folks up at GLO. They make good "tough" stuff. Once you get the beadlocks on you will see a huge difference in traction once you air down below 10psi.

[Andy1]

Got my spool install in the front 60. Disc brakes installed on the 14 bolt.
Beadlocks are here just waiting on my son to go back to school so he can weld them.

Ordered rear extreme duty 14 bolt diff cover and pinion guard from GLO. Should be here next week. I'll get pics later.

This time I don't want my jeep down for a long period of time. So I'm taking my time and want everything ready to go when I drop the axles and put in the 4:1.

[zj4life]

Looking good Andy!

[Jeep07]

This time I don't want my jeep down for a long period of time. So I'm taking my time and want everything ready to go when I drop the axles and put in the 4:1.

Smart man :)

You gonna go big tires with beefier axles?

Figure out how to stretch the rear using leafs? There used to be a build thread that TNRanger did for a friend on RRORC.com that had a YJ stretched in the rear using leafs but the thread is gone :(. Anyway basically take the bumper off and extend the frame out with the fish plates and put a new rear xmember in and weld your shackle hangers to it then move your front perches accordingly.

This is the only pic i could find that shows the rear xmember :(
http://www.rrorc.com/gallery/data/500/medium/12.jpg

[Andy1]

Well, the trip to Harlan (Aug 22) brought some carnage. I broke a front spring and it drove the front drive shaft back causing the transfer case to break the adapter between the case and tranny. Pulled it tonight and the transfer case is noisy just turning the shafts by hand. The adapter is in about five pieces.

Maybe time for the doubler.

[Hokie_YJ]

Ouch... Is the tranny ok?

[BillM]

That is a bummer Andy. Let me know if you want some help.

[Dino1967]

ouch!!

[Andy's01]

Dang Andy...sorry about the bad luck.

[Andy1]

Found my YJ springs. Got one side almost on. Still working on the transfer case.

Kinda felt sorry for the jeep so I order a synthetic rope, Excel hook and fairlead from Barnes 4WD. Got it on and it looks as if the YJ is smiling!! Ha!