***MF Steve's Project Wife Beater Commanche***

[andrew2516]

Looks good man...I know its nice to have packages of parts at your house everyday

[Krod]

What was the issue with Ballistics's Adapters?

Keep us updated on link progress!
Are you sticking with the leaf's in the rear? or is that getting a 4-link too?

[DMG]

What was the issue with Ballistics's Adapters?

Keep us updated on link progress!
Are you sticking with the leaf's in the rear? or is that getting a 4-link too?

I believe Ballistic sent him a completely wrong order and then they were rude on the phone. They messed up one part of my order as well but they overnighted the part to correct it.

[MF Steve!]

What was the issue with Ballistics's Adapters?

Keep us updated on link progress!
Are you sticking with the leaf's in the rear? or is that getting a 4-link too?

First off, they sent the wrong shit. I was supposed to get 3" Ballistic Joints, tube adapters and the stuff for my uppers. They sent all heims, and round tube adapters. Thought it may have been someone else's order. Then upon a phone call I placed, I found that their adapters aren't threaded all the way through, and only half of the 3" stud would be threaded in the arm. No go...I want as little thread showing as possible.

[jeepxj3]

I found that their adapters aren't hreaded all the way through, and only half of the 3" stud would be threaded in the arm. No go...I want as little thread showing as possible.

I dont blame you, If your building your own kit, make sure to have as much thread engagement as possible.

[gearhead313]

I wonder why they wouldn't thread them all teh way through... Do you know what ends your going to switch to?


On the other hand, I kept my ZJ arms about 1/2 way out to move the wheelbase as far out as i could. I think i had around 1.5-2" threaded into the JJ. I never had one problem with them as hard as I beat that ZJ.

[MF Steve!]

You can get just about any manufacturers joint in the stud size those adapters are. It's 1.25 x 12tpi. Pretty much a standard. I'm using 2.5" Johnny Joints as a substitute. As far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong. Simple, no goofy tool to rebuild them, and a good sized 9/16" bolt for attachment.

I don't want much thread sticking out, just as you wouldn't want on steering, etc. It is acceptable, but since I'm building from scratch, I will not need to crank them out for max length. As long as I take my time when I fabricate them and get all my measurements correct, I should have no more than 3/4" of thread exposed on the stud of the joint.

[13below0]

As long as I take my time when I fabricate them and get all my measurements correct, I should have no more than 3/4" of thread exposed on the stud of the joint.

Bingo!!!! Steve waht about running tons full width w/ the h2s? Frined of mine just finished his yj and left in full width w/ some Walker evans wheels I think there 4.5" back spacing and the tires dont stick out that much. EIther way you should build a YJ and sell me the MJ cheap.

[MF Steve!]

Bingo!!!! Steve waht about running tons full width w/ the h2s? Frined of mine just finished his yj and left in full width w/ some Walker evans wheels I think there 4.5" back spacing and the tires dont stick out that much. EIther way you should build a YJ and sell me the MJ cheap.

LOL! I thought about putting 1-tons under it, but I'm gonna keep her street friendly. Once I get this thing buttoned up, I may buy a TJ tub, and make a nice 2" x 4" frame, stretch, 1-tons, bla bla bla.

No, I will not sell it to you cheap!

[gearhead313]

Ya, no doubt build the link to length with just a little adjustment in and out.

I loved the JJ's on my ZJ, very quiet and easy to rebuild IF they are still round when you take them apart . I remember having to massage a few of mine when i went to rebuild them. I also had a couple bolts freeze in them. Granted I had a lot of force on them, but DEFINITLY had to keep them anti-seezed.

[MF Steve!]

Ya, no doubt build the link to length with just a little adjustment in and out.

I loved the JJ's on my ZJ, very quiet and easy to rebuild IF they are still round when you take them apart . I remember having to massage a few of mine when i went to rebuild them. I also had a couple bolts freeze in them. Granted I had a lot of force on them, but DEFINITLY had to keep them anti-seezed.

IIRC, you had an RE lift. Which would have RE superflex joints, not Johnny Joints. Currie also offers a greaseable bolt to go along with the joint, which I have coming. Regardless, I've seen quite a few that have not been maintained properly, so I know what I need to do to keep them in good shape!

My joints will be damn near 100% protected, as they're kinda gonna sit above the height of the skid plate.

[Krod]

First off, they sent the wrong shit. I was supposed to get 3" Ballistic Joints, tube adapters and the stuff for my uppers. They sent all heims, and round tube adapters. Thought it may have been someone else's order. Then upon a phone call I placed, I found that their adapters aren't threaded all the way through, and only half of the 3" stud would be threaded in the arm. No go...I want as little thread showing as possible.

Thats pretty lame. I've seen J's tube adapters on his TJ, they're nicely done. Should work well for your links.

[gearhead313]

I could definitly be wrong.... but this is what mine were:




these are JJ's from curries website:



I guess they are a little different, but i always assumed they were the same.


The greaseable bolt is a heck of an idea, maybe for leafs... not links IMO. Maybe with a lighter rig they'd be fine, but I've seen them break.

[OverkillZJ]

That's RE's JJ knockoff, but same idea. Never had an issue with the greasable bolt, just point it towards the side least likely to take a hit. If it breaks off, replace it. It's EXCELLENT to keep ap JJ working well, never had an issue with one, and will definitely use them again on the next build!

[gearhead313]

ok cool... i didn't know a JJ was a specific joint and not just refering to the design.

[MF Steve!]

ok cool... i didn't know a JJ was a specific joint and not just refering to the design.

Yes. Currie's Johnny Joint is the original. They kinda made it just for the evolution of the TJ. Go on their website, they have a video w/ the story behind it, and exactly what is involved. RE's joint is called a Superflex Joint, Ballistic Fabrication has a Ballistic Joint, and so on. They're all pretty much the same general idea.

[MF Steve!]

I cut a bunch of shit off this weekend. Thought taking the stock control arm brackets off the uni-rail would be cake w/ the plasma. Not so true. There is a lot of shit there, and a lot of spot welds...SHITTY SHITTY SPOT WELDS. I'm too much of a perfectionist to leave any of it there, and spent much time heating/gouging metal away. Burn the shit out of my arms, even with the cut/weld jacket on. Got some slag in my ear...about shit my pants. Thought i was gonna become half deaf REAL QUICK. WEAR EAR PLUGS IF YOU'RE CUTTING OVERHEAD!!! Stock crossmemeber tabs are also gonzo.

Man...parts are taking forever. Waiting on packages from:

Currie (horribly slow, ordered 6 days ago, just shipped out today): two forged 2.63" Johnny Joints, two forged 2" Johnny Joints, jam nuts, etc.

Polyperformance: 2.63" x 2.63" DOM sleeved rubber bushings

Ballistic Fab. (they better not phuck it up this time): 3/4" x 16TPI tube adapters.

I figured out my skid/crossmember design, and hopefully I'll have some time to go get raped on metal prices this week. I wanna put those bitches together this weekend!

[Bill]

I got another package today from Oakley. Now I am only waiting on 3 more. Just hope that yours show up quicker than mine have.

[Harley25]

I got another package today from Oakley. Now I am only waiting on 3 more. Just hope that yours show up quicker than mine have.

I got mine today, they shipped last Tuesday...how much junk did you order?

[MF Steve!]

Hey Bill, do a split for the sunglasses! GTFO my build thread!!! LOL

[Bill]

I got mine today, they shipped last Tuesday...how much junk did you order?

Of course this is going totally off-topic...

1st order -
Oakley Square Wires (came today)
Soft case (for square wires) (showed up 2 weeks ago)
Oakley hat (still isnt here yet)
Backpack (showed up with the soft case - BAD ASS!!!!!!!)


2nd order - (still in processing)
Oakley Big Dogs (not for me, for someone else - Guess who?)
Oakley Backpack # 2 (It is that BAD ASS I wanted one too - the first one went to Michelle)

[Bill]

Hey Bill, do a split for the sunglasses! GTFO my build thread!!! LOL

Opps, too late...

[MF Steve!]

They're monster dogs, not big dogs! GTFO whore!!!

[Bill]

My bad.. Monster Dogs.

[MF Steve!]

AAAAAAASS! Go away!!!