Rob's 97, nothing crazy

I guess my introduction thread is sort of turning into a build. It seems more appropriate to be here now, specially since I have some "during" photos.

You can reference everything up to this point here:

https://northshorejeeps.forumotion.com/t209p60-hi-i-m-rob#2722

If you don't feel like it, here's the short version:

'97 Wrangler 4.0L
3" Suspension lift (from Zone)
12.5k winch
33" Wrangler DuraTracs

Everything has been a struggle pretty much. This thing is fraught with rust on every fastener. But that's the fun of it...or something? So anyway, after I did the suspension lift, I was getting a bad driveshaft vibration when pulling away from a stop. I guess I needed a transfer case drop or a SYE. Due to the kindness of awesome fellow jeepers on this forum, I was gifted a transfer case drop. Unfortunately, when I went to install it, most of the nuts inside the frame were rusted out and just spun. Sweet, so now I can't get my skid plate off. It took me a few days to come to my senses. I honestly thought about scrapping the thing. But I got the repair sections and welded them in. Since the skid plate now sits a little bit lower, I didn't need the drop kit! BONUS! So...enough talking, onto the pictures.

Problem:



Solution:



Had to bust out some O.G. multi-tools:



And finally got the skid plate down:



That's a heavy-ass plate.

I trimmed out the gross areas:



Did some quick practice welds:



They look like garbage, I know. I hadn't welded for at least a few years before this. This part was just for a spacer, part of the body lift.

Got a bit better in doing the frame sections:



Always remember that a clean garage is a happy garage:



But even the happiest of garages can piss you off:



Got better after laying down several feet of weld:



I saved all the crud that fell from in, on or around my frame during this process. It was probably about 10-15 pounds:



You can see the old motor mounts for reference.

And FINALLY, last night at about 7, the moment I've been waiting for for what seems like ages:



IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIIIIVEEEEE

Maiden voyage, everything went smooth like budda. I drove it with a smile from ear to ear the whole way home. I did a 1-1/4" body lift and motor mount lift at the same time. I didn't really get any pictures of that though. Also finally got both rock sliders on. I don't have any "finished" pictures since it was dark out, but I'll get some for you today.

And I gotta say, honestly, if I wasn't on this forum, I'd have thrown in the towel a long time ago. I just wanna get out and wheel, you guys keep me motivated.

Nice, man! And a motor mount lift and body lift sets you up for a easy tummy-tuck once you get an SYE put int.

....it's a slippery slope, ha ha.

CrawlingForward wrote:
....it's a slippery slope, ha ha.

Ain't that the truth!

We should meet up sometime, check out the Jeeps, just over in Salem.

Looking good ,coming along nicely.
So when are you going to hit the trails?

Nice job. Love the duratracs. Great all around tire.

Anyone wanna meet up/go wheeling on Sunday? Its short notice, I know. I'll probably go anyways.

Looks great Rob. Thanks for your input on the ART frame sections.

I've spoken with one of our club guys Duncan and we'll be doing the repair in his garage/shop with plasma, oxy acetylene torch, and either my Hobart or his (Miller?) welder.

Have fun tomorrow if you take the TJ out. I'd love to join but will be working... as usual. Hopefully you can make it out to a November club run???

Excellent! I'm really proud of my work and glad that I did it myself now that it's over, but damned if I wasn't wishing someone would do it for me when I was under there going for it. I'm planning to drive this through the winter, so I should be on any/all runs from here on out.

Rob Cote wrote:Excellent! I'm really proud of my work and glad that I did it myself now that it's over, but damned if I wasn't wishing someone would do it for me when I was under there going for it. I'm planning to drive this through the winter, so I should be on any/all runs from here on out.

ART wants $750 to install them. 7-8 hours (1 day) of work.

Today I decided that I will call her Stella.

It's a good job I got that body lift done because:





Only had about a half inch to the fender in this pose.

Got 'er REAL stuck, played an epic game of winches:





The whole area around here was just mushy. Total surprise plowing into a ditch too. Oops. It was much more enjoyable with help to get me out, though. Then we tossed my cousin into the mud:



The aftermath:



She's a tank

You really don't want to be leaving your winch slacked out like that... Pull it in tight.

The manual with the winch said when it's not in use to leave it in freewheel. It's usually in a bit tighter than those pictures. Should I pull it in til the hook hits the fairlead and just leave it?

New to winch ownership.

Just tighten it up and leave engaged , hook it to bumper hook and take out slack.
But do not leave it loose and free wheeling. FORGET WHAT MANUAL SAYS ON THAT ONE.
That is dangerous being loose like that.

Hmm, I just have done what I've seen or been told, never read my manual.

I personally like to have the spool tight and not loosen up. And if you leave it slacked out like you have it that could easily be snagged on something and do a lot of harm...

I leave mine engaged, have the hook hooked to the recovery point and pull it in nice a snug. I don't see any harm to having a winch rated to 9k or whatever pulled in tight.

Alroight! Will do, boys. Thanks for the protip!

What brand of winch is that?

The winch is by Tuff Stuff:

http://truckandwinch.com/tuff-stuff-4x4-ts-12500-b-winch.html

It has a waterproof sister (the one I actually MEANT to buy ) but I've gotten it pretty wet and it still functions fine.

So I'm still plugging away over here. I picked up Josh's light bar, most recently.

The lights had been lightly used, but after some cleanup, they're practically new!





I started wiring them up last night:



Aside from that, I picked up some Bestop seats that I'm really not a fan of. I'm just too tall for them, so I'm getting some upper back pain from leaning forward while I drive just to see out the windshield. Expect to see them in the garage sale section soon or shoot me a PM if you're interested.

Also did the front brakes and I've been pushing off doing the rears because I hate drums. Probably gonna happen this weekend, though. Other than that, I've just been loving it. Hope you all are doing the same!

Oh yeah, it was mentioned we should meet up in Salem sometime on the last page. I'm down whenever, meet up at the willows or something and check out some other Jeeps. Lemme know!

Rob, are you installing the lights on the windshield frame, hood or ?
I have submerged my winch dozens of times and it works fine so far.
you should purchase a combination kit or complete spring kit at AZ for about 10 bucks, it does both wheels, those springs get fatigued
Also shoes, and 2 self adjuster kits and you will have all new hardware for cheap money.
Wheel cylinders are about 10 bucks each.
Is it the I'm not comfortable doing drums part of it that you do not like about doing drum brakes?
If so then I could possibly walk you through it if you have a dry and warm garage to do it in and all parts in hand.
I can do them with my eyes closed. LOL. Ok with one eye half open at least.
I have been doing them since the 1970s.
Holy Crap I'm OLD. HAHAHA
LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A HAND I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP.
Mark.

Hey Mark, I've already got the parts. I have done drums before, and there isn't really anything that scares me. I mean, if someone else put it together, there's no reason I can't take it apart and put it together myself, assuming I have all the necessary tools. I'm mainly worried about running out of time. The last time I did them, it was an epic battle just to remove the drums. After that, it's pretty much a cake walk. But putting all the springs in is a pain in the ass. I can do discs with my eyes closed hahaha but drums are just an unnecessary pain to do. I got drums, shoes, hardware and wheel cylinders. I just want to make sure I have a full day ahead of me in case shit goes south, you know? It's always time that I'm short on, it seems. It would be cool to have someone around for moral support anyways, thing is "my" garage is in Nashua, so it's kinda a haul. If someone more local would let me use some space for an afternoon I could supply adult beverages... hint hint

I travel with my own tools, I just don't have jack stands (I leave them in the garage).

Make sure that you get 2 self adjuster kits that include adjusters, the cables and cable guides.
Left and right kits.
Relatives garage in Nashua or renting the garage?
Putting on the springs with the correct tools is very easy

ha ha the disc brake conversion is half the reason I upped to an 8.8, ha ha

Hate drums. To many stupid rusted small parts.

It's my mom's garage. I got the adjusters and all. I'm good to go, just need a day off haha. Looks like we're working this weekend. Maybe even monday, too. I'm hoping (double time and a half!)

YUP I hear ya on the mom's garage and work thing.
Geoff, drums are easy if some one that knows them shows you and you have the right tools.
But yeah 8.8 or 35 ahhh i'll take the 8.8