JTR Crawler Build and Daily Driver

[RodRecket]

Herss a post with pics so you can see it now sits above the frame rail

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ts-aev-jt370-build-journal.63331/post-1388941

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[ChrisFixesThis]

Since your intending on crawling this thing I'll share my experience with the stock exhaust. That round resonator is the main snag point when traversing over a ledge. I have dragged the frame and then snagged the round bottom edge of the resonator causing exhaust leaks 3 times. Once i seperated the flange at the y pipe and twice it pulled at the manifold hard enough to force me to replace the drivers side manifold gasket. PITA

My solution was welding in the dynamax resonator in place and leaving the stock muffler and then cutting the tiny rear resonator off dumping the exhaust behind the rear axle. Its hardly louder than stock and keeps fumes farther away. Just some advice from someone who's using their jt in similar fashion.

Thanks for the info! yeah ill do a skid on it then or move it up a bit higher past the frame

 

[imallcrawl]

Ok so i had to get rid of the front bumper but my pockets are pretty tight right now from buying synergy knuckles and balljoints so i chopped up the oem plastic one. whatcha think?

Years ago I did this to my JKU as well LOL! I kinda liked it but not really, I had no choice my pockets were completely empty too and did not like the look of all that plastic. My cuts were horrific you did a waaaay better job than me with the cuts! I rocked this for almost a year before I got my Smittybilt XRC Gen2 bumper.

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

Years ago I did this to my JKU as well LOL! I kinda liked it but not really, I had no choice my pockets were completely empty too and did not like the look of all that plastic. My cuts were horrific you did a waaaay better job than me with the cuts! I rocked this for almost a year before I got my Smittybilt XRC Gen2 bumper.

nice you put the fog lights back in! i was thinking the same

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

I

Dont even know what I did with my original bumper hooks

well everybody knows where mine are you cant miss them lol

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

Machining my new HD knuckles for the rock krawler draglink.

For anyone who has done this upgrade is there a noticeable difference over the factory knuckle? also doing synergy hd ball joints and throwing on so Timken unit bearings because im already there and the jeep has 80k miles on it.

Im expecting...

• Zero flex — steel knuckles hold geometry true under load, keeping steering angles consistent.
• Tight steering — Synergy ball joints eliminate slop and give a direct, responsive feel.
• Improved road feel — the Jeep will feel more planted, especially at speed or during lane changes.
• Better durability — less stress transferred to other components means longer life for tie rods, bearings, and steering box.

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

I installed limit straps over the weekend and im very happy with the results. I installed JKS 2in shock extensions to get even more droop and mounted my limit straps to the original shock location and through the eye of the top of the sock. I seems to be perfect now. i gained more droop and am protecting my shocks from overextension. At the max flex with my current setup. any further droop my pinion does not like it. it will bind and in the rear the coils will fall out lol.

 

[redline61]

Love the limiting strap setup. I'd also love to hear how the knuckle/steering upgrade feels after you get a chance to get some miles on the setup.

 

[RodRecket]

Good idea on the limiting straps. I'd say for rock crawling its not a big deal to hang on the shock, its sudden droops like in whoops that blow them out. But the pinion also matters so it sounds like you're resolving multiple issues.

I'm enjoying this build! Probably because its damn similar and makes me feel better about the money I've spent haha.

To get the most out of that triangulated rear 4link I'd suggest an antirock. The reduction of trail sway is awesome

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

Good idea on the limiting straps. I'd say for rock crawling its not a big deal to hang on the shock, its sudden droops like in whoops that blow them out. But the pinion also matters so it sounds like you're resolving multiple issues.

I'm enjoying this build! Probably because its damn similar and makes me feel better about the money I've spent haha.

To get the most out of that triangulated rear 4link I'd suggest an antirock. The reduction of trail sway is awesome

nice yeah i was thinking of doing somthing like the antirock. I have ripped bilstein 5100s apart on my toyota crawling the rubicon trail. the eye is just threaded in an i used to just weld them so they wouldnt pop out.

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

OK so got the knuckles and ball joints installed over the weekend. on my test drive on road i noticed a much tighter and predictable handling. Steering became a bit more touchy but in a good way. It was easier recovery from uneven ground and and potholes. no more wandering and constantly correcting. bumps do feel slightly more harsh (added unsprung weight). i was running higher psi in the tires in the old set up (36 psi) to help out with the handling. im going to drop it to 30-32 and see how that helps. now im curious if the aluminum knuckles were partly chosen by jeep over the steel because they do flex a bit more over harsh ground and have less unsprung weight. but with an oversized tire i highly recommend this upgrade. It makes a very noticeable difference on road and the jeep feels about as close to stock drivability as it ever has.

drivability upgrade list
synergy selector shaft brace
hd ball joints
hd knuckles
rock krawler hd steering draglink flip kit

 

[Stan H]

nice yeah i was thinking of doing somthing like the antirock. I have ripped bilstein 5100s apart on my toyota crawling the rubicon trail. the eye is just threaded in an i used to just weld them so they wouldnt pop out.

What brand of bumpstop plate extension is that ?

 

[ChrisFixesThis]

What brand of bumpstop plate extension is that ?

rock krawler

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