YJ Wrangler Expedition project

[96discoXD]

I recently acquired this 1994 Jeep Wrangler and am in the process of building it up for expedition/hunting/camping and just plain four wheeling.
It is a 4 cylinder 5 speed which will have to do for now, but long term I plan on putting a small block chevy V8 in it with a 700R4 transmission, and probably Dana 44 front and Ford 8.8 rear at the same time.
So far I've added a custom front winch bumper built by a local gentleman along with a rear bumper with a built-in 2 inch receiver. Both bumpers include plates for 3/4" D-rings to be added for recovery points. I just had them bedlined instead of powdercoated as I figured it would be easier to touch up.
I'll be mounting a Smittybilt XRC-8 (8000lb) winch on it as soon as the bedliner cures sufficiently.
I also had a couple of light tabs added to the upper center bar so I can add a couple off road lights later on.
I just installed a Uniden CB today along with the cable and antenna bracket. I still have to drill a hole in the tub and bolt the bracket to it to better secure it. The antenna is a 4' wilson fiberglass whip. Once I get the power and ground wires hooked up I'll work on getting it tuned.
I also removed the factory soft top and installed a hardtop I picked up locally for just $100. It has a couple nicks here and there but is structurally in good shape. I gave it a quick coat of satin black and have installed it on the truck. I also have hard doors for cold weather but the window regulators need work to get them functioning properly. I pulled the driver's side door completely apart today so I can set about fixing it.
I also ordered my OME 2.5" HD lift today along with an OME steering stabilizer. My plans are to install 31x10.50R15 BFG Mud Terrain KM2's after the lift is installed.
I also removed the rear seat and will be building a modular carpeted storage platform for the rear of the jeep. I'll have a lower level that will be the same height as the fenderwells inside the tub. This will have one or two drawers that will be behind the tailgate. I will have an additional section that can be bolted to the top of that with just a couple of lift-up storage compartments that will be lockable. The plan is to leave enough space up high to be able to slide in one of my large rubbermaid action packers on top. I'll be incorporating tie down rings into the platform to secure any loose items sitting on top so they don't shift while off road.
Eventually when the V8 gets installed I will build a trailer with a roof top tent, but for now I'm planning to purchase a tent that has a sleeve that can be attached to the rear of a SUV. This will allow me access to the rear of the jeep and the cargo platform from inside the tent.

[Mr. D]

great start and nice looking jeep

[CoronaKJ]

I will be following closely as i am also doing the same with my 95 yj...right now i am looking into sound deadening the tub and for a used hardtop to do the same....but it is great to see another guy out there with the same equipment and motivation as my self...have fun!

[Sknowskier]

:Astrologist:You might want to look into AC with that hardtop. I like what you have planned I'm doing something similar with my 95. I just finished the 350/700r4 swap. I just have to get it wired.

[96discoXD]

Yeah, I've got a herculiner kit that I will probably use for the floors in the front and perhaps for the rear bed area. My OME lift should hopefully be here by this weekend so I can at least start working on installing it. I also ordered some rear boomerang shackles and my 31" BFG Mud Terrain KM2's today. Happened to look at Discount Tire Direct's website and they have a $60 mail in rebate on a set of four or more tires, and since they only show 16 in stock in their warehouses I jumped on it. I'll have those mounted and balanced by the time the lift is on the jeep if all goes well. I will take lots of before and after pics.:victory:

I'm not worried about AC. I'm keeping my half doors so I can easily run sans top or with just a bikini top in the summer and just park the jeep in the garage. The hardtop will be mainly for cooler/cold weather use. I will probably pick up a set of soft uppers for the hardtop too so I don't always have to run full steel doors. I'm jealous on the V8 swap, you're definitely ahead of me there!

[Piet]

Cool build. Will be watching. I have an 1988 YJ (with a CJ Front end). Debating stretching it or going with a 4 door.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2491/821/31225410029_large.jpg

[96discoXD]

Cool build. Will be watching. I have an 1988 YJ (with a CJ Front end). Debating stretching it or going with a 4 door.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2491/821/31225410029_large.jpg

Love the CJ front end! A customer of mine just did a resto on his CJ and went with a 1-piece fiberglass front end. I may be acquiring his old hood and grill and getting some new fenders to put a CJ front end on my YJ down the road too. Definitely better than the YJ, which has a face only a mother could love with the square headlamps!:coffeedrink:

[96discoXD]

Look what the big brown truck brought to my house today...:drool:
I decided to skip the factory alloys and go with a little less backspacing so I don't lose any turning radius with tires rubbing on the springs in the front, especially with the lugs on these babys! I ordered a set of 15x8 black Cragar soft 8's with 4.75" back spacing that should be here tomorrow.

[96discoXD]

I'll have to post some updated pics soon. Since my last post I have installed the following:
- OME 2.5" HD lift with new springs, shocks, bushings and steering stabilizer
- 31" BFG Mud Terrain KM2's mounted on 15x8 Cragar soft 8's
- ARB Safari Snorkel
- Crosby 3.75 ton D-rings on the front and rear bumpers
- Full hard doors are mounted (probably won't bother painting them until spring)
I hope to get my oversize tire carrier installed on the tailgate tonight and my winch on the front in the next few days. I'm going to make a carrier from the old spare mount to allow me to carry my hi-lift jack, and a shovel and/or axe on the back of the jeep when needed, but quickly remove them for the street. I'll post on that project when I get to it soon.
It's been slow progress with a little one at home, but it's getting there.
I just can't wait to get out and do my first trip with it.:coffeedrink:

[PhotoJeeper]

Love the CJ front end! A customer of mine just did a resto on his CJ and went with a 1-piece fiberglass front end. I may be acquiring his old hood and grill and getting some new fenders to put a CJ front end on my YJ down the road too. Definitely better than the YJ, which has a face only a mother could love with the square headlamps!:coffeedrink:

I think you can't tell the difference between a square and a rectangle. The lights are rectangle.

[BigAl]

I'd stay away from the round headlights. I helped my buddy do a CJ clip on his YJ. He ran into a lot of fitment issues, all can be resolved, but what a hassle. The biggest downside I think was the need for a fast and the furious open air filter. They have no place on an off-road vehicle. Your rectangular lights look cool. Round headlights remind me of a dog's face if you were passing him up latter and accidently slipped a thumb into aft facing orifice.:ylsmoke:

Another easy upgrade to a weak link you should consider is getting rid of the straps that hold the drive shafts to the axles. Several companies make kits to switch over to u-bolts. I had a strap let go and ended upside down

[96discoXD]

I think you can't tell the difference between a square and a rectangle. The lights are rectangle.
Are you sure? Cause I checked all over the interweb and wikipedia says they're square!:victory:










Yes, I know they are rectangular, and not a square per se, but thank you for taking time to point out the obvious anyway.

[96discoXD]

I'd stay away from the round headlights. I helped my buddy do a CJ clip on his YJ. He ran into a lot of fitment issues, all can be resolved, but what a hassle. The biggest downside I think was the need for a fast and the furious open air filter. They have no place on an off-road vehicle. Your rectangular lights look cool. Round headlights remind me of a dog's face if you were passing him up latter and accidently slipped a thumb into aft facing orifice.:ylsmoke:

Another easy upgrade to a weak link you should consider is getting rid of the straps that hold the drive shafts to the axles. Several companies make kits to switch over to u-bolts. I had a strap let go and ended upside down

Yeah, the more I look at my YJ the more the front end is growing on me. I still prefer the classic round headlamps, but I'll probably leave well enough alone. If I really "need" round headlamps I'll just wait a couple of years and pick up a JK rubicon unlimited for my new DD. As for the aircleaner, I'm running an ARB safari snorkel and I plan on retaining it not matter what I do. I will probably be doing a V8 conversion this winter/spring and will fabricate an airbox to enable me to keep running the snorkel even with a carbureted engine.
Thanks for the heads up on the u-joint straps, I'll look into that.

[BigAl]

A V8 conversion sounds like fun:smiley_drive: I swapped a 4.0 in place of my carburated 258. I have some diagrams scanned of the pin outs you need. Basically just 5 wires. If you want it, I'll try to find it.

[Root Moose]

I was originally going to do a V8 swap. Decided to use a XJ drivetrain (4.0/AW4) instead. Sold my Gen I SBC. Decided the PITA and $$$ for a SBC was not worth the effort since a YJ doesn't need a V8. Maybe if I lived at altitude I'd feel different about that.

If you are going to bother with a V8 swap do at least a GenIII/IV SBC. The older stuff is not as nice. A Toyota 1UZ or 2UZ might be interesting. I like all iron engines in a truck though. They tolerate overheating much better than aluminum engines. That's another reason why I stuck with a Jeep engine. I think all the Gen III/IV stuff has at least aluminum heads to get the compression ratio up.

Just some thoughts. I haven't seen a v8 swapped YJ yet that I didn't like.

[96discoXD]

I'll be running a carb'd motor with an edelbrock offroad carb for now, and may switch to a TBI setup down the road. I'm doing the carb setup because it's nice and simple and I'm doing the conversion on a tight budget.
I'm picking up a rebuilt 700R4 trans and NP231C transfer case this coming Saturday so I won't need any adapters for the trans/TC. The mistake most guys make on the V8 swaps is paying Novak or AA for adapters that aren't really necessary.
My dad already has a nice rebuilt 350 sitting in his garage that I can get cheap, so I'll use the AA bolt in engine mounts, a 22x19" aluminum radiator, a plate-style cooler for the trans, and cable shifter for the 700R4 and a modified shifter for the TC. Some guys have been able to retain the stock driveshafts with this configuration as well. I do plan on either adapting the stock airbox to the carb inlet if there is room to retain it, or building a custom airbox that will allow me to maintain the functionality of the ARB snorkel too.
I will eventually swap a 8.8 rear into the YJ as well.
I agree that a V8 isn't needed, but it would cost me just as much and take just as much work to swap in a 4.0 at this point based on my scenario. I have a 2.5 4 cylinder right now with a gimpy AX5, so the engine swap was a foregone conclusion.
Big Al, if you have that diagram it would be great. I'm not sure yet what wiring I can use and what I will need to modify, but the beauty of the carb'd SBC is it doesn't require much wiring to run it, and if I swap to TBI down the road stand alone wiring harnesses are readily available.

My primary rationale for the V8 swap is so that if I have this thing loaded down with gear for an expedition or week-long camping trip I will have no problem keeping up with traffic on the highway or with getting up any hills on trails. Most guys that have gone V8 can just put it in low range and practically idle over obstacles on the trails.

[Root Moose]

Yeah, sounds like you have it covered. In my case I have the converse setup (a relatively low mileage, running XJ with a rusted out body lying around). I was actually hoping to get the engine swung out this past weekend but the holiday weekend conspired against me with my queue of work in the garage.

Youa re correct on the adapters thing. There is no need if you use GM from stem to stern. You can even mix and match NV231C and NV231J parts if you wanted. For example, if you stumbled across a cheap SYE's J case for sale. Or if you needed the Jeep specific speedo gear or VSS setup to drive the Jeep speedometer.

Consider doing some weld in engine mounts. The AA bolt in "cradle" type mount works but it is a bolt in to one place kind of thing. You do not get any flexibility with regard to placing the engine in the engine bay. It may or may not matter but from my perspective I like the idea of having the flexibility to offset the drivetrain to the left or right as required. It may help with prop shaft angles depending on what axles you end up going with (for example).

Again, just some thoughts. I've put a lot of thought into this in the past so I'll share what I've read while I can still recall it. :)

Back to wrenching...

[BigAl]

http://pics.tr33ph0rt.com/pics/albums/userpics/88yj~0.jpg

yj - b5 (black) ground
yj - d4 (red) 12v ignition switch
yj - d5 (yellow) Ignition switch "start/run"
yj - g5 (green) 12v from ignition to starter

[96discoXD]

Thanks for some well thought out advice, I do appreciate it.
I'm probably going to do a bit more research into doing TBI, but since I can get a good used edelbrock carb from my father for $50 and spend $13 for the off road needles and seats, I will probably just run that for now for budget reasons.
Big Al, thanks for the pinout information, I'll verify if my '94 is roughly the same, but that definitely gives me a good starting point.

[x32792]

:Astrologist:You might want to look into AC with that hardtop. I like what you have planned I'm doing something similar with my 95. I just finished the 350/700r4 swap. I just have to get it wired.

Hard top and AC is very nice if you're going long on hot and dusty roads.

[96discoXD]

Hard top and AC is very nice if you're going long on hot and dusty roads.

I may well look into that. I'm planning on using this for some trail rides and off road parks, but also for some camping and mild week-long expedition trips with my son, so the AC might be worthwhile.

I'm assuming I would have to go aftermarket though since my jeep wasn't originally equipped. I could probably use the stock compressor from a GM, but I would need all of the other components to make it work.

I am planning on working something out to run half doors with the hardtop though. Modified TJ upper soft doors will match the contour of the YJ hardtop perfectly, so I may pick up a set of those. That would allow me to do trail runs with the half doors and I could just throw the uppers on in case of rain, cold weather, whatever. I figure with half doors and a vented YJ hardtop I should get a decent amount of airflow at moderate speeds, but on the trail it would certainly not make a lot of difference.

Based on my budget it may have to wait a while though.

[Root Moose]

FWIW, I took the AC out of a wrecked YJ. Still sitting on the shelf obviously... These Jeeps are beyond simple, it all comes apart easily since there is not a real dash per se.

Now, if you just want the convenience of a "guaranteed to work the first time" AC setup then buy new stuff (Collin's Bros and others sell the whole Jeep specific setup for ~$1k IIRC).

Time = money : it's always a struggle to determine which one to spend.

[96discoXD]

I guess I'll keep my eyes open for a wrecked YJ with AC in the local boneyards, but they don't show up often and get picked clean to the bone very quickly when they do.
Since I'm home this morning I thought I would post some quick progress pics. I've modified a 40mm grenade ammo can to serve as a center console which will be lockable, and houses my CB to keep it secure and out of sight. I've also added a smaller 7.62 ammo can underhood on a modified jack mount to carry small spares and a small tool kit. I'll get some better pictures once I have it out of the garage.
Excuse the filthy garage, my son broke his arm and had surgery a few days ago so the jeep and the garage have been on the back burner.

[tip]

I'm loving this thread so far! I'd love to find a clean YJ like that.

Cool idea with the ammo cans... What way are you going to rig up a lock?

Keep up the good work!

[96discoXD]

Thanks tip. I actually put the lock on already, I just used a stainless steel eye bolt through the front of the latch assembly and put a padlock on it. It's pretty unsophisticated but it will work. I'll probably put some kind of foam or rubber sleeve over the body of the lock to keep it from rattling. I won't lock it most of the time, but if I'm running with no top or my half doors then I'll lock it. The tricky thing with the 40mm ammo can is they have latches on both ends, not a hinge like the smaller cans do. I just had my neighbor weld one latch to the body of the can and voila, instant hinge.
I will also keep all my registration, insurance and other important papers inside so they're secure.
I'll probably make some little dividers or modular drawers that will fit inside to store little stuff like an LED flashlight, knife, multitool, and other misc items.

[CoronaKJ]

I like the ammo lock box under the hood idea....might steal this idea for my yj....keep up the progress.

[cavedave]

I agree with the others on the storage unit under the hood. I just recently destroyed my stock jack, so now I have a great place for one of these very same boxes. Question, what did you do to the old jack mount frame before you placed the box on it? I recall the jack mount frame being covered in posts and tabs. It does not seem like a sturdy mount for anything other than the jack. Whatever you did, it's working, and I like it.

[96discoXD]

I just took the stock mount and used a cutoff wheel to remove all the upright tabs to create a flat mounting surface.
A couple caveats though.
You will need to use spacers to mount the can to make sure that the lid clears the lip on the top of the fender when you open it.
Also, I mounted it with two bolts, but I will be adding a third mounting point between the ammo can and the lower mounting point for the jack mount using aluminum or steel stock to keep it more stable when there is some weight in there so it doesn't flex or bounce around.
I certainly can't take credit for the idea, I took the idea from someone on one of the jeep forums. It is definitely a great spot to store a small tool/spares kit though.

[96discoXD]

I thought it was time to post a few better pictures and a quick update. I packed up the jeep last weekend to head up north for deer camp. I made a plywood shelf to secure more cargo in the back of the jeep for now until I can get a modular cargo unit built for the back of the jeep. All in all it worked out quite nicely except for losing fifth gear in the AX5 gearbox on the way home. Fortunately I was just a few miles from home and was able to take dirt back roads in 4th gear. The transmission and transfer case for the upcoming V8 swap are in my garage and the engine is at my father's house waiting to be moved over. I will probably start on the swap soon. Here are some pics of the jeep as it sits now along with a couple pics at deer camp with my awning setup, which was nice to have as the wind and rain were ugly for a while.

[Mr. D]

wow awesome progress and work from when you first got the jeep, very impressive job

[wjeeper]

All in all it worked out quite nicely except for losing fifth gear in the AX5 gearbox on the way home.

Same thing happened to me one day on the way to work. There is one snap ring on the main shaft (or counter shaft I cant remember) that breaks and the the gear slips back on the main shaft. It was a relatively cheap fix (so long as bits of that snap ring just settled down to the bottom of the transmission)

Wanna donate your old drivetrain to me?:elkgrin:

[96discoXD]

We'll see what happened. I'm going to do one of two things right now. I'm either going to just rebuild the AX5, checking prices now, or move forward with the V8 swap. If I rebuild the AX5 I'll find out in rather short order how bad the damage was, but I caught it relatively quickly and it still runs through 4th without any problem. I've only driven it about 15 miles that way and won't drive it more until I know the extent of the damage. I'll probably drain the fluid soon to check for chunks of the teeth/gears.
I'd sell you my old drivetrain if you want it... :)

[reece146]

You could upgrade the transmission to an AX15. That will live behind the V8 when you get around to it.

[96discoXD]

I thought about that, but I already have a rebuilt 700R4 and NP231C that will bolt right to a V8 sbc without requireing any adapters which allow me to avoid needing a $500 adapter from AA or Novak.

[wjeeper]

We'll see what happened. I'm going to do one of two things right now. I'm either going to just rebuild the AX5, checking prices now, or move forward with the V8 swap. If I rebuild the AX5 I'll find out in rather short order how bad the damage was, but I caught it relatively quickly and it still runs through 4th without any problem. I've only driven it about 15 miles that way and won't drive it more until I know the extent of the damage. I'll probably drain the fluid soon to check for chunks of the teeth/gears.
I'd sell you my old drivetrain if you want it... :)

Sounds exactly what happened to my AX5! This was a few years ago but the local dealership and paid $500-600 for it. However next time I know its an easy fix as long as you dont find lots of metal in the oil. Its seriously as easy as taking off the t-case, unbolting the rear case half and replace the $2 snap ring. Then go fishing with a magnet of try to flush the broken snap ring out of the drain with lots of oil.......or the next to free option is if the fifth gear and the gear on the countershaft are trashed just slip off 5th gear, throw it away and the transmission is a 4 speed :)

(stole this off of Jeepfourm BTW)

What you have is a VERY common AX-5 problem.
The snap ring that holds the 5th gear in place has fallen off.

The one that's suppose to be here...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/kloppk/AX-5%205th%20Gear%20Snapring%20Repair/AX-5withBroken5thGearSnapRing3.jpg

Your snapring probably looks like this laying in the bottom of your tranny case...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/kloppk/AX-5%205th%20Gear%20Snapring%20Repair/AX-5withBroken5thGearSnapRing2.jpg


The allows the 5th gear to slide back like this....
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/kloppk/AX-5%205th%20Gear%20Snapring%20Repair/AX-5withBroken5thGearSnapRing1.jpg

It's just a matter of removing the rear half of the AX-5 case, sliding the gear back into position and installing a new snapring. This can be done with the tranny in the Jeep.

There is also a modified snapring assembly that can be purchased that is suppose to fix it for good and not come off again.
It looks like this....
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/kloppk/AX-5%205th%20Gear%20Snapring%20Repair/AX-5withBroken5thGearSnapRing4.jpg

$22 up graded snap ring (dont care for the design much, I would rather chance a new snap-ring failing in the future than this "update") http://www.allstategear.com/AX5%205th%20GEAR%20SNAP%20RING%20RETAINER.htm

[96discoXD]

I have seen a collar assembly that can be put on the shaft to prevent the gear from moving if the snapring breaks again. I checked with the guy my dad uses for all his transmission work and he said a full rebuild will run $800 with them removing and re-installing the transmission, but if the main gear is chewed up and needs replacing it's going to jump to $1200. I'm not going to bother, I'll sell the AX5 as a core and move forward with the V8 conversion. In the end I'll have a lot more power and a vehicle that's more enjoyable to drive.

[mike94yj]

I had to rebuild my AX-15. It would not go into gear. It started being hard to shift and eventually it would not come out of gear. My syncros were wore out. they are bronze and do wear. The gear lube today contains less additives that can cause them to wear very fast.

[96discoXD]

I had to rebuild my AX-15. It would not go into gear. It started being hard to shift and eventually it would not come out of gear. My syncros were wore out. they are bronze and do wear. The gear lube today contains less additives that can cause them to wear very fast.

At least when you rebuild an AX15 you are reasonably assured that it will last a long time. :) I simply don't see the payoff in rebuilding an AX5 that was really inadequate when it was new anyway. I would look at doing an AX15 swap if I were going to keep the 4 cylinder engine, but I already have a rebuilt 700R4 and NP231C setup that will bolt up to a chevy small block without adapters, so I'm going to move in that direction. IIRC the AX5 actually just uses a 30 weight engine oil, not a specific gear lube.

[mike94yj]

I am pretty sure the the 30 weight oil has too high a sulfer content. I would check the specs before putting it in your tranny. Their are some good pruducts out their that would be much better.

[96discoXD]

I am pretty sure the the 30 weight oil has too high a sulfer content. I would check the specs before putting it in your tranny. Their are some good pruducts out their that would be much better.

I just remember someone pretty knowlegeable mentioning it. I have no plans to do anything with it anyway since I'll be pulling the entire drivetrain either in the next couple weeks or in the spring depending on how motivated I feel.:coffeedrink:

[mike94yj]

have you thought about an automatic?

[96discoXD]

I'm going to swap in a 700R4 automatic with the V8 swap.

[farrell]

I guess I'll keep my eyes open for a wrecked YJ with AC in the local boneyards, but they don't show up often and get picked clean to the bone very quickly when they do.
Since I'm home this morning I thought I would post some quick progress pics. I've modified a 40mm grenade ammo can to serve as a center console which will be lockable, and houses my CB to keep it secure and out of sight. I've also added a smaller 7.62 ammo can underhood on a modified jack mount to carry small spares and a small tool kit. I'll get some better pictures once I have it out of the garage.
Excuse the filthy garage, my son broke his arm and had surgery a few days ago so the jeep and the garage have been on the back burner.

what did you use to bolt down the ammo boxs on jack holder?

[96discoXD]

what did you use to bolt down the ammo boxs on jack holder?

If I recall they were just 5/16 or 3/8" stainless steel bolts with nylon locknuts that I had on hand. I did have to use spacers to make sure that the lid would clear the lip on the fender when opening the case.

[96discoXD]

Update: "Reality sets in"

After doing some real thinking about the direction I was taking my YJ in, I realized that I was going to end up with a very capable off road vehicle, but not a very good adventure/overland oriented vehicle which is what I wanted.

As such I just made a deposit on a really nice '04 WJ Grand Cherokee Laredo today. It has just 46K on the odometer and with the 4.0 liter engine it should last a long long time to come.

I'm looking at lift/wheel/tire options right now. My intent is to use this as a daily driver that will be capable of hauling lots of gear for hunting, camping and the occasional overland adventure.

I've decided to sell the Wrangler and a bunch of parts I have accumulated in anticipation of the V8 swap to pay for a good portion of the upgrades I will end up doing on the WJ.

I'll close this thread out with some pics of the new mistress when I bring her home, hopefully before Christmas.:coffeedrink:

[wjeeper]

Ha ha its funny your seriously thinking of changing from your YJ to a WJ now...........i did exactly the opposite!:elkgrin:

I built my WJ for rockcrawling and quickly got tired of the single purpose nature of a rock truck. Then a YJ fell into my lap for a good deal so I kinda went a new direction. I do think a WJ is a better platform for "expedition" travel but for me there is a certain character that you loose when you move to a WJ. Never got the "Jeep wave" when I drove a Grandy..............

For lift options I really like a 2-3 inch lift with some Rubicon JK tire/ wheel take-offs. A friend of mine has them on her Grandy and they look great! Also I strongly reccomend reinforcing your lower control arm mounts. I have helped repair three WJ's now that have had bent or cracked mounts. One of mine ripped nearly off on the drive home from a wheeling trip......death wobble from hell at 70+ MPH. Its worth the $30 (plus having them welded on) for that extra piece of mind.
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-WCASB&Category_Code=PFW

[96discoXD]

Thanks for the tip on the lower control arm reinforcement, that's definitely something I'll look into doing.
I was dead set on the V8 swap, 8.8 rear diff and running 35's with tube fenders on my YJ, then I realized it would suck for most of what I wanted to do.
The WJ should be a reasonable compromise between a good daily driver and light duty wheeler. More than likely my son will get it in a couple years when he turns 16 and I'll get myself a JK Rubicon then!

[96discoXD]

Well the plot thickens. I have apparently been screwed out of the WJ since the seller's brother decided after I made a deposit that he wanted to buy it.
The upside is I found a really good deal on a low mileage JK Unlimited today. I'm looking at a couple others but it looks like there is a JK Unlimited in my future...which still means I probably won't get the jeep wave. :)