Project bench wheeler

[arctcknight]

so since moving here and being with out a rig I've been doing a metric ton of bench wheeling. Now I've been running a full size rig since I started wheeling and am now looking at a TJ. So far I am with out the rig but I know what I want mainly 4.0, manual trans etc. Once i find the rig the plan is obviously put some miles on it to get used to driving what is a roller skate compared to my full size bronco and asses any mechanical issues it might have ie: rust leaks... after that its time to change stuff. the list so far

Lift:Rubicon Express 4.5 long arm kit
http://www.4wheelparts.com/prodDetai...eep-parts=true

Tires: 35x12.5 swamper truxs MT
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/Sup..._pn=SSTRXM-11R

SYE: Rubicon Express HD SYE kit
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product...ber=RUB-RE1811

Brake line extensions: 5-Layer Stainless Brake Lines by Crown Industrial Products
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/crown-i...rake-lines.htm

Gears: Yukon gear kit, ratio still undecided

front and rear locker: OX locker
http://www.4wheelparts.com/prodDetai...eep-parts=true

Front Bumper: FabFours Hard core
http://fabfours.com/Products/Jeep/Fr...BumperwStinger

Rear Bumper: FabFours Rear
http://fabfours.com/Products/Jeep/Re...erwTireCarrier

Sliders: FabFours TJ Rock Sliders w/ Tube
http://fabfours.com/Products/Jeep/Ro...ckSliderswTube

other misc. odds and ends driveshafts and what not. But I shall ask the jeep heavy group for your thoughts and opinions on what I have selected so far, anything i should do different, other products i should think of/stay away from? I would love to fab up the majority of this myself but lacking a place to do it/ tools makes that difficult.

[jlovbasz3]

Looks like a good list most will say don't waste money on the dana 35 (if equipped) go with a ford 8.8.And maybe some Mickey Thompson MTZ or Baja Claws over the truxs Mt.

[ridgerunner97]

^ agreed, sounds like a ROCK SOLID build sheet to me. On 35s if it has a Dana 35 and plan on wheeling it hard and you are hard on equipment an axle swap is definately in your cards.

[SirFuego]

Is this going to be a daily driver or trail only? If trail only, I'd go with a more aggressive tire.

[arctcknight]

this will be a DD so im sticking with a slightly less aggressive tire. i ran the truxs mt's on my bronco and loved them they performed more than admirably in the alaska soup that is mud. Ive got a pretty light foot so i think i can make the dana 35 last but if i can find a set of 44's for a good deal later down the road im definitely not against the idea of a swap. but realy at that point ill go to a 60 and call it good.

[arctcknight]

has any one here installed one of the RE kits and what am i looking at for an install moderatly difficult or should i stock up on beer and trick... err i mean convince a few of you gentleman to come help me?

[Mack]

has any one here installed one of the RE kits and what am i looking at for an install moderatly difficult or should i stock up on beer and trick... err i mean convince a few of you gentleman to come help me?

Have tools, will travel.

[highlandercj-7]

I wouldn't put alot of cash into a D35. Definately not a OX locker. In the front D30 an OX would be ok because the D30 can withstand more and usually stays in folks vehicles for a while. In the D35 it's a waste of money, you will break that axle, you will get pissed and you will swap it out. If you want to lock the D35 for a while put a lunchbox in it and buy and carry a spare set opf axle shafts. That's atleast 500-600 cheaper than the ox and 500-600 saved for the future axle swap. With 35's you will want 488 gears 456's at a minimum. Keep an eye out on Pittsburgh Craigslist there are a lot of deals on this stuff. Alot of folks dump tons of cash into the stock axles then go bigger. Then they usually sell the geared and locked stock stuff cheap.
Other than that the plan sounds good.

[skeebs]

You don't necessarily need 4.5" of lift to clear 35's. It's all up to you how high you want your COG, but coming from a full size to move into a TJ, the whole feel is going to be completely different and you may feel like you're going to roll or flop on your side every time you go in the woods......or on the rocks.

You could do a low COG build with something like 2.5" (with the possible addition of a 1" BL), flat fender the front, high-line & tube fender the rear.

Just sayin'....a lot of lift height isn't always needed to clear 35's to get the diff's off the ground. Yeah less belly clearance, but that's what tummy tucks are for.

[2002wranglerX]

has any one here installed one of the RE kits and what am i looking at for an install moderatly difficult or should i stock up on beer and trick... err i mean convince a few of you gentleman to come help me?

i've done their 5 link kit but never their new 4 link kit. i did it on a lift back in like 04. it would be tough laying on your back... but it can be done.

and the RE 4.5" is perfect for 35's. my 35's even rubbed the fenders a little with that kit. i wouldn't go much lower.

[tjblair]

Front Bumper: FabFours Hard core
http://fabfours.com/Products/Jeep/Fr...BumperwStinger

same bumper I have on the front of mine.

Also we have one of those at the shop right now.

[arctcknight]

Front Bumper: FabFours Hard core
http://fabfours.com/Products/Jeep/Fr...BumperwStinger

same bumper I have on the front of mine.

Also we have one of those at the shop right now.

yeah the thread on it is what pushed me to the bumper. and shop?

skeebs i would love to do that but with limited fab equipment (read none) its not really do able. i will be installing the majority of this stuff in my girlfriends parents driveway so..

[tjblair]

Meridian Offroad

[skeebs]

skeebs i would love to do that but with limited fab equipment (read none) its not really do able. i will be installing the majority of this stuff in my girlfriends parents driveway so..

I understand, just lending advice

If you do decide to go with that kit, do yourself a favor and go over on Jeepforum.com (you'll find a section dedicated to TJ's there) and do some reading. I am pretty sure a lot of guys have been happy with that kit, but chose to swap out the coils for a different size (like 3" or something). I cannot recall the exact coil size, been a while since I read up on that.

[2002wranglerX]

Meridian Offroad

Does installs but that's defenitely not the most economical solution... But they will do it right.

[tjblair]

Does installs but that's defenitely not the most economical solution... But they will do it right.

He was asking what shop I work at because we have one of the fab fours bumpers he is looking for in stock.

[2002wranglerX]

He was asking what shop I work at because we have one of the fab fours bumpers he is looking for in stock.

i missed that part, i thought you were just tossing that out there for installs.

[arctcknight]

hey if it comes down to me not being able to manage the install on my own i may go see them, also i like to keep my business local they may not be able to beat online prices but i feel good paying a lil more to keep a local off road shop open then a big box online shop. skeebs i will check that out, this is just a prelim list that i would like to go with it is by no means set in stone so any advice is welcome and appreciated.

[Dick.Breakey]

im surprised noone has said to sell it and buy a jeep

[tjblair]

im surprised noone has said to sell it and buy a jeep

(post #1)
so since moving here and being with out a rig I've been doing a metric ton of bench wheeling. Now I've been running a full size rig since I started wheeling and am now looking at a TJ.

[Dick.Breakey]

oh damn.

me = retarded in the morning. well more so even i guess