Mikes 1993 YJ

[MikeB78]

Well Ive been browsing around on here for almost a year now and I figured it was about time I started a build thread. Here it is my 1993 Wrangler YJ I picked up for $2200 with zero body rust and 126,000 miles.
Here is one of the first pictures from when I brought it home.

I quickly fell in love with it and had big plans but thanks to an inatentive driver trying to make a U-Turn that came to a halt for a while. I only had liability insurance on it and without getting in to any of the details lets just say I got royally screwed by the other driver, the cops, and her husband (the local retired police sargeant.) I also didnt have the money to fix it right away so heres how it has set for most of the last year.


I know it doesnt look so bad but the worst part was that it bent the leaf spring and shoved the axle back on that side 2" or more.
I did start slowly and go ahead and replace the fender and pull out the bumper straight. With the assistance of my little helper we got that part fixed with ease.


I decided that if I was going to "rebuild" after my accident that I was going to come back bigger and better than before. Fast forward to a year later thanks to a bonus from work and a settlement from a previous accident. Im ready to get rolling again (no pun intended) I started researching lifts and after going back and forth for a while I decided against the Rough Country and decided to go ahead and spend the money for the Rubicon Express 4" kit.

I also picked up a set of Crown automotive HD Greaseable shackles from one of our forum members.
Next time for wheels and tires. I sprung for the wheels new, and did something really original (sarcasm implied) Black Steel Cragar soft 8's, when looking for tires Craigslist became my best friend. I found a guy who had a set of 33x12.50-15 BFG AT's with almost 1/2 tread for $150 for all 4. The guy had bought new tires because he thought he had a tire out of round only to find that the problem followed him to his new tires and he had a bent rim. Here they are after getting them mounted.


Here it was just a little while ago with the fender and flare replaced waiting for the lift.


Today the lift is mostly done just still need to finish extending the brake lines and then get the wheels and tires mounted up. Still need to get the windshield replaced and then hopefully be driving it regularly again by Saturday. Here is how she sits now.



Future plans include a custom bumper and custom rock sliders Soon I will have it back and I have to wire up a new interior light, and I have a new Bestop Replace-a-top that I probably wont install until summer is over. In the future the skys the limit I know I want to prob. switch to a Ford 8.8 and regear to 4.88's. I will post up more pictures soon once the lift is complete and I get the new wheels and tires mounted up. Thanks to all of you for the advice you have given me along the way. I just cant wait to get back on the road again these 70 degree days are just teasing me!

[scivic05]

Looks good Mike! I am glad the shackles worked out and you have your rig ready to be enjoyed again

[MikeB78]

I do want to get an alignment here pretty soon. Does anyone have any suggestions on somewhere that is reasonable and won't try to rip me off??

[hadfield4wd]

Cute little helper there.

[xjtrailrider]

Wow, those original springs were toast! Kudos for doing full springs and resisting the urge to do a SOA. That will work well for you off-road.

Cute kid

[jhowery]

Little helpers are the best!

[MikeB78]

Ok so I just picked up the Jeep and have a few questions. This is my first lifted vehicle so bear with me. When I first take off I feel and hear what sounds like a popping sound and then it goes away. Secondly I have a really rough ride between 40 and 50 mph but slower or faster and I'm fine my mechanic said it looked to him like I needed to have the tires balanced which I didn't have done. Any advice, suggestions, or insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Mike

[YJeXtreme]

I've ran across popping issues along with vibrations from wrong driveline angle. Were any degree shims installed long with T-case drop? This will help alleviate the issue. Balancing tires will help too specifically if vibes are in higher speeds. I'd also check the ujoints, if they're bad they can cause popping at takeoff too.

[xjtrailrider]

Take a picture of the driveshaft, output shaft, and rear axle pinion yoke in one shot as level as you can get the camera to it and post the pic, it would be easier to diagnose the pinion angle.

If you are NOT running a SYE then the pinion needs to be on the same imaginary "Parallel" lines as the output shaft on the T-case. If you are running a SYE then point the rear pinion right at the output shaft or just below. This is done with shims that look like wedges and fit between the axle and the springs and change the angle of the pinion.

Your profile says Roanoke county, you could PM me where you are at and I could come by and look at it, Or you could bring it by my place. I live in SW County.

[MikeB78]

Yea im not running an SYE yet and hoping I dont have to. I will shoot you a PM when I get back into town and if you dont mind taking a look at it then I would appreciate it. I fly out tonight to Wisconsin to pick up our van and then start driving back tomorrow morning. I will be back sometime on Thursday. Thanks for the help.
Mike