Member III
Now that winter is closing in on us things are slowing down around the farm and snow in the mountains isn't far off, that means time to start planning winter projects for the WJ! For the most part I think the WJ did everything I wanted and the modifications I've made were on point, but there is always room for improvement and more things I'd like to do. So I'll run through some of the things I've done, how they've work and what I might change about them. Also I have a bit of a project list of things I'd like to do to make it a better "overlander"
Suspension- Current setup for those that don't want to go back and read is 3" IRO springs with 3/4" leveling spacer in front, adj. front upper and Lower CA's (short arms), Rubicon Express disco's, IRO TB, HD steering stabilizer, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks, Addco HD rear sway bar. For the most part this setup works and handles really well, plus it rides great which is always a bonus. After going up to the 33's I still have some rubbing in the front so I need to build some bump stop extensions. The rear HD sway bar, while great on road has definitely limited flex in the rear so I want to come up with a disco option back there. Once I disco the rear bump stop extension will be needed there as well. Another area I might make some changes are the springs, the IRO's ride great but sag a lot when I'm loaded with gear. The 3" I'm running has a spring rate of 175lbs/in, their 4" is 185lbs/in which would be a little better for the weight and give me another inch. But the other option I'm looking at is Clayton's 4.5" that has a spring rate of 225lbs/in, just not sure if that would be too stiff. Also going to the 4" or 4.5" I would want to switch to adj. arms in the rear to fix the pinion angle. For anyone out there that has experience with these springs or a 4" short arm lift I'd like to hear your thoughts. I know long arm is the better way to go but that'll happen down the road.
Bumpers- Really like what I got and would recommend the Trail Forged stubby bumper and high clearance Rad. support to anyone in the market. It involves a bit of cutting to make it go in but totally worth it, I still might redo the wings on mine and add an upper hoop to put some lights on but it's not high priority. I like how the rear tire carrier turned out, but I went a little light with the 2"x3" tube (1/8" wall is what I had and didn't want to go buy more) it flexes on rough trails/ roads under the weight of the tire and water jug. Even with the bounce and flex I think it is strong enough it wouldn't break on me, just annoying. Also I would put the tire on the driver side so I could see in the rearview mirror and maybe add a flip down table. So the rear will either get rebuilt this winter or a full bumper built.
Roof Rack- Solid, plenty strong for what I carry up there and doesn't rattle anymore! I don't really like the lights up top but I had them on the shelf and it was a place to mount them so that's where they went. Only down side to the rack is it's size, I sometimes want a little more room up there. If other projects get done this winter a new rack might happen, but again not high priority.
Fender trim- Everything seems to be holding up well, there is still a couple places I missed that make contact when the suspension flexes. Both places that still rub are in the inner fender area and not at the openings so it will involve a BFH and the cut off wheel to fix them.
Other than addressing some of those problems this winters projects will hopefully be geared more towards comfort and overland type things. I'd still like to remove the back seats and build boxes to go in there place, get my air compressor hard mounted with quick connects ran to the front and back, wire in a dual battery setup, install some lights in the rear hatch for at camp, possibly a deck in the back that would still leave access to the spare tire well and a few other things. As usual, any questions feel free to ask and here's some pictures of some of this summers adventures I never got around to posting.
Suspension- Current setup for those that don't want to go back and read is 3" IRO springs with 3/4" leveling spacer in front, adj. front upper and Lower CA's (short arms), Rubicon Express disco's, IRO TB, HD steering stabilizer, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks, Addco HD rear sway bar. For the most part this setup works and handles really well, plus it rides great which is always a bonus. After going up to the 33's I still have some rubbing in the front so I need to build some bump stop extensions. The rear HD sway bar, while great on road has definitely limited flex in the rear so I want to come up with a disco option back there. Once I disco the rear bump stop extension will be needed there as well. Another area I might make some changes are the springs, the IRO's ride great but sag a lot when I'm loaded with gear. The 3" I'm running has a spring rate of 175lbs/in, their 4" is 185lbs/in which would be a little better for the weight and give me another inch. But the other option I'm looking at is Clayton's 4.5" that has a spring rate of 225lbs/in, just not sure if that would be too stiff. Also going to the 4" or 4.5" I would want to switch to adj. arms in the rear to fix the pinion angle. For anyone out there that has experience with these springs or a 4" short arm lift I'd like to hear your thoughts. I know long arm is the better way to go but that'll happen down the road.
Bumpers- Really like what I got and would recommend the Trail Forged stubby bumper and high clearance Rad. support to anyone in the market. It involves a bit of cutting to make it go in but totally worth it, I still might redo the wings on mine and add an upper hoop to put some lights on but it's not high priority. I like how the rear tire carrier turned out, but I went a little light with the 2"x3" tube (1/8" wall is what I had and didn't want to go buy more) it flexes on rough trails/ roads under the weight of the tire and water jug. Even with the bounce and flex I think it is strong enough it wouldn't break on me, just annoying. Also I would put the tire on the driver side so I could see in the rearview mirror and maybe add a flip down table. So the rear will either get rebuilt this winter or a full bumper built.
Roof Rack- Solid, plenty strong for what I carry up there and doesn't rattle anymore! I don't really like the lights up top but I had them on the shelf and it was a place to mount them so that's where they went. Only down side to the rack is it's size, I sometimes want a little more room up there. If other projects get done this winter a new rack might happen, but again not high priority.
Fender trim- Everything seems to be holding up well, there is still a couple places I missed that make contact when the suspension flexes. Both places that still rub are in the inner fender area and not at the openings so it will involve a BFH and the cut off wheel to fix them.
Other than addressing some of those problems this winters projects will hopefully be geared more towards comfort and overland type things. I'd still like to remove the back seats and build boxes to go in there place, get my air compressor hard mounted with quick connects ran to the front and back, wire in a dual battery setup, install some lights in the rear hatch for at camp, possibly a deck in the back that would still leave access to the spare tire well and a few other things. As usual, any questions feel free to ask and here's some pictures of some of this summers adventures I never got around to posting.
