Third Time's the Charm LJ

More like fenders and tires be damned lol.

Valid point. I misinterpreted and thought that the MetalCloak 3.5" lift was actually a 3.5" fender system, so yeah don't do what I said haha. When you get the MC rockers I'm very interested in seeing how they mount, as the plan for my new father/son Jeep build is to Cloak it all around but I'm still up in the air on going with their rockers.

We can do them together if you're around when they come in. First hand knowledge is always best.

Parts are starting to come in. I received the BL, SYE, tie rod, speedo gear, and teraflex spare tire mount. Also received the hitch to mount our bikes one the priusC:

dongalonga wrote:We can do them together if you're around when they come in. First hand knowledge is always best."

Works for me, just let me know when and where. Seems like you'll have plenty to do before then anyway with all the goodies you just got. I finally pulled the trigger and bought some front TJ flares and will be doing that mod this weekend. I may trim the front bumper as well, but only if I feel like going to Harbor Freight early tomorrow morning to buy an angle grinder and some cut off wheels.

Tires are ordered as of yesterday. 33x12.50R15 Duratracs.

It's coming together nicely...when do we get to see the parts in the boxes?

Finally went and picked up some 3/16" roll pins to fix the nonsense hardware the previous owner used when the stock rivets let go on the sunrider.


I wanted 3/4" long ones but they only had 1". No worries the angle grinder make quick work of that. The sunrider sleeves no work and I can easily put the top back.

Tomorrow I will start putting some of the parts from the build on.

Tonellin wrote:It's coming together nicely...when do we get to see the parts in the boxes?

As they go on, I will take lots of pics as always.

I was able to get a few odds and ends done in preparation for the lift and tires.

Started off switching out to the wide flares yesterday. What a pita that was. Stupid rivnuts love spinning. Eventually got the all out with Jenny's help. :






I felt like I was being watched the whole time:


Then I installed the wheel spacers. One of them had a slight burr on it. I cleaned it up with the Dremel. I contacted the retailer and they are sending me a replacement. The bad one will get moved to the spare tire carrier:


Got everything cleaned up with a wire brush and applied the red locktite:



Some different angles of the new flares. They should be perfectly flush with the new tires:





And yes I shined up the flares. They were quite dingy before.

Last project was the teraflex spare tire relocation bracket. I am not sure I will keep this once the replacement wheel spacer comes in. I had to use a few washers on the bottom lug due to the wheel contacting the tire carrier on the inside edge:



I also removed the CHMSL as it would have not allowed the new tires to clear. There was barely enough room with the teraflex bracket and a 9.5" wide tire:



That's it for now. My Novak shifter came in today and I was notified my tires are in. Once I get my MML, I will install the BL and Novak as well and get the tires installed. I am sure it will be fine on the street and I will avoid offroad until the lift comes in.

Looking good. The flares were quite dingy, I can't disagree on that front.

One thing worth noting about the third brake light out back: technically you can fail an inspection for removing it (if the guy who inspects it is a real stickler). Slight paraphrasing here, but Mass. inspection requirement says that if the Jeep came with the third brake light from the factory ('93s and earlier did not) it needs to be present and functioning (like your other brake lights) or the vehicle is subject to failing the safety check. Now there's no saying the person who does your inspection will have any idea there's supposed to be a brake light there, but just something to keep in mind.

I cut the wiring in a fashion where a couple of butt connectors will get everything back together for inspection. I will just remove the spare tire.

The replacement spacer came in today. I can't recommend Precision European Motorwerks on Amazon enough. If nothing else for their excellent customer service. They got me a replacement out in under a week.



I think this is going to be a better solution than the Teraflex mount. I may have to clearance the bumper pads a hair. It will be pretty close which is good for keeping the tailgate happy.

Leaving for a weekend away in VT tomorrow. I was able to get some prep work done for when we get back. I loosened the gas filler neck, removed the fan shroud, removed the TCase linkage, and loosened all of the body mounts.

When I get back the BL, MML, and Novak go in.

Sounds like you got some good prep work done! Can't wait to see the progress when you return!

I got up early before we left for VT and got the BL done. I couldn't help myself. We get back tomorrow and the work continues.

Body lift is in:



Motor mount lift is in as well:



And today I finished up the Novak shifter install. That was a blast considering I received no instructions and Savvy no longer has them on the site. I took my time and figured it out though. The only issue is my shift bezel and boot had to be removed until I do the tummy tuck. I wasn't able to get into 2,4,6,R due to it hitting.

I took it for a spin over to a local quarry yard and gave the Jeep a good work out. I wanted to get everything worked in before doing the re-torquing of the body mounts. I did determine the 33s definitely won't be possible until the lift is installed. I was hoping to get a way with putting them on and keeping the sway bar connected while at Rausch Creek.

What a difference a body lift makes, looks great!

Looking good dude. It's amazing to me that the body mount bolts broke free so easily for you...I can't imagine what it would be like trying to get the bolts free on mine. Amazing what 22 years of New England can do to a vehicle.

I use an electric impact. No messing around with ratchets. I also put anti seize on all of them before reinstalling.

Man that's coming together quickly. I can't believe you had that easy a time with the body mounts either. I've *never* heard of that going quickly with anyone before.

I must be lucky as I am 2 for 2 with TJ/LJ body lifts.

Could very well be the impact versus a breaker bar. I've never had the luxury of using an impact but I'm sure it makes things a breeze.

I bought my electric impact gun years ago. Worth the investment for sure.

Today's Jeeping:

Pulled out all of the carpeting, washed, vacuumed, febreezed, and dusted the interior.

The more I've been looking at my stock wheels the less I love them. I was poking around and saw procomp was running a $50 rebate on wheels. I came across a set I liked and was surprised that I could get a set shipped for under $550. Here is what I ordered:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KKXYA4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Once I get back from Rausch I will have the tires mounted on them and do a test fit. Then I can sell my stocker wheels, nearly new GY Silent Armors (30x9.5R15), and wheel spacers.