motomaniac's 97GC build

motomaniac

Observer
You running an SYE?

Any chance you have the upper/lower length's written down?


I have the old XJ's rear axle about ready to swap in mine, need to install the new axleshaft bearings/seals. Then get my SYE'd 242 in after an input swap. Then hopefully it's ready for the interstate.
I don't have the length written Down. No sye havent needed one. I have no odd vibs under hard accel decel or constant speed I cruse the interstate between 60-70 mph. I will be pulling the front axle out to put in the gears in the next week I will try to remember to get a measurement on the rear arms.
 
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motomaniac

Observer
I finally built one of those cool storage systems in the back of my grand.
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One drawer with 100 lbs slides and a flip up lid with gas charged strut.
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Even put a sub in it.
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And got some ruff tuff seat covers, Very nice product. I'm pretty impressed with the fit and thickness of the material.
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motomaniac

Observer
I haven't really been keeping up on this so some more updates are coming. Did some work to the front axle when I put the new gears in. I had originally built a simple tube truss on the long tube when I built the 3 link to keep the axle tube from spinning, but I was never really that confident that it was actually going to help, so a little 1/4 plate thrown at it and now I'm pretty happy with it. I also put a solid diff cover on to match the rear.
Old.
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And new.
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While I had it apart the shafts got some new spicer u-joints as well.
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motomaniac

Observer
Took the teraflex front track bar off that has been on my jeep for the last couple years and put on a rubicon express extreme duty.
Old vs new.
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I did not get the frame side bracket. I made my own from a stock mount. I had made one for the Teraflex bar and it has proved to be very durable and it was hastily thrown together the night before a run so my confidence in this one is much higher.
New frame side bracket right after welding.
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The two I made Side by side the on the left is for the rubicon express bar and the right is for the teraflex.
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The rubicon express trackbar also replaces the 10mm factory axle side bolt with a grade8 1/2 inch bolt.
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And one of the bar installed for good measure.
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motomaniac

Observer
Took the jeep out for a little stroll yesterday. Just an easy run by myself so I could mess with the gopro.
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Also bought an early bronco 69 to be exact.
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Lecoq

Explorer
Your Jeep looks awesome! Every custom bit you built is well designed and suits the ZJ perfectly.
 

motomaniac

Observer
Thank you very much.
So a few months ago I bought a 69 bronco it has a carbed 327 small block chevy, th350, dana 20, 1/2 ton 9inch and dana44 and wildhorses 5.5 coils and leafs, it's got potential. Unfortunately every thing has to be redone or fixed. The good. The drivetrain is solid motor runs good, tranny shifts good, axles are geared to 4.56, lock rights front and rear, power brakes, good leaf springs and coils and a decent set of 35 12.50 bfg km1's. The bad. Motor swap was done sloppily. it has a homemade full cell in the back that is poorly done. The fenders are cut huge.the ford radius arms have been extended terribly. Basically someone had a decent idea to build this thing and poor execution. But I have always wanted to build one, and I got a smoking deal on an early bronco so I bought it.
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Then a couple weeks ago I acquired a 1988 jeep grand wagoneer totally stock 140k miles in really good condition. Which is another vehicle I've always wanted to build.
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I should also mention at this moment I have no plans to sell or stop building the zj, but I'm also not willing to let the bronco or the wagoneer go.

I think I have a sickness.
 

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