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While I can't stand multiple page articles, my build up is over a hundred images these days, it's time to split this up into a few pages. This is my YJ as I bought it. Completely stock, Sahara, 4.0, 5spd, cruise, A/C, block heater, yada, yada, yada. ![]() Check out the flex: ![]() So I had the itch to lift my Jeep some, so I found some 2" lift shackles for my Jeep and added some 31x10.5 ATs. If I had to choose anyone point that I thought my Jeep looked its best, I'd say its right here, I love the 2" lift 31" tire look. ![]() ![]() My first custom project for the Jeep was a hi-lift jack hood mount. ![]() So after "wheeling" my Jeep through some puddles it was clear I need more lift and bigger tires. This my Jeep with the 2" lift shackles, a 4" RoughCountry lift, and a 3" body lift, with 33x12.50s on 15x10 wheels. ![]() As a reminder if your Jeep is covered in wet mud when you get home at 1 AM, and its 20 degrees outside, if you lock your doors you won't be able to unlock them in the morning, luckly I had another vehicle to drive in the morning. ![]() Rubbing 33s isn't a problem now, finally some real flex: ![]() The next mod on the list was TJ Flares, flat fendering, and truck bed lining the tub. I ordered some used TJ Flares, and went to work. ![]() TJ Flares installed, and flat fendered: ![]() Truck bedliner prep work: ![]() Truck bedliner completed: ![]() So it was about this time that I decided locking the Dana35 was a good idea. I'm easy on the skinny pedal, why not? Yeah so the very first trip out, I destroyed the Dana35. Bad part is that it went just letting out the clutch nice and easy getting ready to do an obstacle, I wasn't even to any aggressive terrain yet. Worst part of it was that after 7 hours of calling and searching I find a new Dana35 shaft, only to find out I can't replace the shat as the carrier distorted and the center pin won't come out, so nothing short of torching the carrier open will get this axle apart. ![]() So not wanting to repeat this experience, I opted to the replace the Dana35 with a Ford 8.8. Since I was welding on perches, why not go SOA too at the same time? This is my Jeep SOA on 4" RoughCountry leafs, stock shackles and a 3" body lift, on 33" tires. In this picture you can just barely see that my wrap bar is on the wrong side too, lessons learned I guess. ![]() After the broken axle experience I realized how much I need a winch, so I added a Tabor 9000 pound winch. ![]() Some SOA flex, finally clearing 33s: ![]() I decided I wanted a new rear bumper and decided to build a new one: ![]() Mrs.OhioYJ came up with the idea of capping the ends off with Pinions, one of them is from my Broken Dana35, the other is from the Dana30. ![]() Hunting for a gas station to air up your tires really gets old, so after several recommendations for the PUMA unit I decided to add one to my Jeep. Initially I built a box to turn it on and off as I wished. ![]() ![]() So I had decided I needed larger tires, and a front locker, which meant the 30 had to go, and I swapped in a Waggy 44, locked of course with a true high-steer setup with 1-ton tie-rod ends. ![]() Well the Waggy44 was 6-lug, so I had to buy new rims, and they might as well be beadlocks right? 32-bolt, Allied Rock-a-thons, 15x10 4" backspace. Now the 8.8 needed to be converted to 6-lug as well, so might as well be with Moser Custom Alloy shafts, and since I had it apart, might as well throw in a locker. ![]() ![]() All the axle work finally down, sitting on 36x12.50s. ![]() With the new higher center of gravity I wanted a real roll cage. This was taken while I was removing the interior to start the roll cage add-ons. ![]() Tacking new pieces in place: ![]() Roll cage removed for final welding: ![]() So it took Dave and I all weekend, but we got it done: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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