Rusty PW Journal

[Rusty PW]

Trying to motivate me to change my main project back to installing the lift kit I have. back when the adjustment coil spring spacers came out of for XJ's I thought about trying then. Obviously they work great... being they are still making them now for JT too.

If you install the adjustable coil spring seats. Remember that you will get 2" of lift with just them adjusted to the min setting.

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[Blade1668]

If you install the adjustable coil spring seats. Remember that you will get 2" of lift with just them adjusted to the min setting.

That was the turn off to me adding them to my XJ back then, I would have to get a long arm kit as it was already 6 + inch lifted. And had suspension dialed in pretty much.

It's a dead XJ right now, but the one setting next to it is going to get its suspension, T-case, and axles. Funny part is it's behind it and has a 3 inch lift already setting higher on slope but barely visible.

 

[Dougstdig]

That was the turn off to me adding them to my XJ back then, I would have to get a long arm kit as it was already 6 + inch lifted. And had suspension dialed in pretty much.

It's a dead XJ right now, but the one setting next to it is going to get its suspension, T-case, and axles. Funny part is it's behind it and has a 3 inch lift already setting higher on slope but barely visible.

Oh wow does that bring back memories. I had a red over silver ‘89. Loved it. Installed the lift with my left arm strapped to a wedge pillow after an attempted shoulder reconstruction surgery. It was still fun.

 

[Rusty PW]

Oh wow does that bring back memories. I had a red over silver ‘89. Loved it. Installed the lift with my left arm strapped to a wedge pillow after an attempted shoulder reconstruction surgery. It was still fun.

Had an '88 Cherokee.

 

[Rusty PW]

Change of plans. Figured that I'm already at 4" in the front. Just go ahead and finish the rear properly. I'm sending back the rear spring spacers. Ordered Clayton 3.5" rear springs. Also ordered KLM 4" over stainless brake lines, and 5 Eldorado Mud Claw Extreme MT 37/12.5R17 from Walmart for $273.00 each. The tires are made in the US by Cooper Tire.

 

[Rusty PW]

Up-dated my mod list in post #7.

 

[Rusty PW]

I don't like wheel spacers, but had to install a set. Don't have the coin right now for rims. The bead locks I want are close to $600 each. So I'm saving up for them. My 37" tires should be in this week. My trip to Rausch Creek is next month. I need the tires for that. Time is a factor right now. So I installed a set of 1.75" thick Synergy spacers.

 

[Rusty PW]

Finished phase one of the Frankenstein lift. Swapped out the Clayton 2.5" rear springs for the Clayton 3.5" rear springs. This leveled out the JT better. Installed the Core Crawler front lower control arms. A note on these. They are a 1/4" longer then stock with the Johnny Joint screwed all the way in. Installed the Eldorado Mud Claw 37's. Measured from the bottom of the Rubi rail. It's 23" all the way around.

 

[Rusty PW]

Had mod the Rock Hard front lower axle skid plates. Had to clearance them for the zerk fitting on the control arms. I cut them about 1". Think a half inch would have been enough. Can't use the front lower control arm skid plates from Rock Hard. Need a LONGER bolt. And maybe a piece welded on to it for extra support.

 

[Rusty PW]

To adjust the headlights up and down. Here is what you are looking for. It takes a 6mm Allen.

 

[Rusty PW]

Still need a few things. Have to get new threaded rods from Clayton for the sway bar end links. I cut mine for 2.5" lift, so they are a bit short. Also have to get sometime for the front brake line at the lower control arm. The Core arms don't have a mount for the brake bracket.

 

[Tuna]

Did you find it difficult to install the lower control arms? What's the easiest method, at ride height or lifted?
I have a pair of Teraflex arms to install but found it difficult to get them alinged when measured for my lift. I'm off by 1/4" to get the bolts in and my axle didn't want to budge forward anymore.
I actually only have one in but I set it to stock length while I plan on how to get them both in, lol.??‍

 

[Rusty PW]

Did you find it difficult to install the lower control arms? What's the easiest method, at ride height or lifted?
I have a pair of Teraflex arms to install but found it difficult to get them alinged when measured for my lift. I'm off by 1/4" to get the bolts in and my axel didn't want to budge forward anymore.
I actually only have one in but I set it to stock length while I plan on how to get them both in, lol.??‍

Same problem. The Core Crawler arms are a 1/4" longer than stock sucked all the way in. What I did was to work on the driver side first. Removed the stock arm. Installed the new on the axle first. Then put a jack under the frame at the transfer case cross member on the drivers side. Jacked it up a little at a time and the bolt holes lined up. Put the bolt in. On the passenger side. It was a bit shorter. So I kept the jack on the drive side and jacked it up a little at a time until the holes lined up. did all of this with the tires on the ground. I also put a bungy cord around the arm to keep it it place.

 

[Tuna]

Thanks for the advice Russ. Gonna try it out

 

[Rusty PW]

My review on the 37" Eldorado Mud Claw tires. This is strictly an on road review. Haven't had them in the dirt yet. Have them mounted on the stock 7.5" Rubi rims. Have the air pressure set at 30 in the front and 28 rear. The tread still doesn't sit flat. Need a wider rim for sure. The tires flat spot after sitting for a while. Have to drive around 10 miles to get them to round out. It's nothing serous, but they let you know as you can feel each knob. Fuel mileage took a hit. Back and forth to work. Lost about 2.5 mpg. Went from 22 to 19.5. Just did a 1900 mile round trip. I really took a hit here. Same trip as in Marsh. Got 28 mpg. Now 22.5 now.

I'll have them in the dirt at the end of the month at Rausch Creek.

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