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The Black and Yellow TJ Build

10K views 75 replies 21 participants last post by  Tab 
#1 · (Edited)
Figured it times to start a build thread seeing as I've had the jeep almost 3 years.

It is a 2002 Wrangler X. Had 65,000 miles on it when we picked it up from Tennesee. This is what she looked like:



First thing I did was install some Rubicon Flares since they were faded and throw on a 2.5" Rc 2.2 performance kit with a steering stabilizer



Heres's a comparison of the old vs new flares



My new lift installed and a box of goodies!!



Took her wheeling and already was posing for my first stuck:rock:




Here's the video



After the lift the tires came! Went with 285/75/16 Bridgestone Dueler Ats and Rubicon Rims. Had some fun at this point!



Got a ticket at the dunes for destroying vegetation thats some bullshit


Here's me saving the Z which was Wadeys rig back in the day. Lets just say back in the day he needed to be rescued alot:teehee:

[url=http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=29399]

To support the new tires I added a d44 rear out of a TJ with an Aussie Locker as well as regeared the front d30 to 3.73s to match the rear. Also installed a Banks catback exhaust for a little added oomph, some 3/4" rear and 1.25" front spacers and RC quick discos for some more articulation on the trails......

Next on the list were bumpers. I went with a rear bumper first with the swing away tire carrier from Nates4x4. The mounting brackets didnt line up correctly so me and my dad cut them off and rewelded them. In order for Nate to make up for his shitty product he opted to give me a front bumper for free. I added the front hoop for $50 and was happy!

Here they are. Man she was pretty before I started beating on her:sonicjay:



Here I am pulling the bikes to the dunes. That sure was a blast!!


With the abuse the jeep was now seeing I managed to bend 2 output shafts it was time for a Rugged Ridge SYE. Got that done with a new driveshafts from Tattons driveline and threw on Solid diff covers front and rear.
Added tube seals, an adjustable trac bar and Rustys HD steering to the front axle. Also bought a stage 2 clutch and dual core radiator to keep her running smooth:bdr2:

That front bumper was looking pretty bare so I bought a new winch, went with a Smittybilt Xrc Comp 8 winch which had synthetic line. Paid under $500 for it which included shipping so that was a hell of a deal and something I couldnt pass up. Also acquired some 130w long rang KC slimlites which really would light up the sky when night wheeling!

Here's some pics at Bundy Hill my first time there:



Random snow wheeling pictures



Some short videos of me doing work on my 28" winter tires:

 
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#3 · (Edited)
At this point I wanted some new meats! I went with a set of 315/75/16 or 35" Km2s. In order to fit them I needed a new lift or some high clearance tube fenders. I decided to build a set of tube fenders:rock:

Here's a buddy of mine tigging them up


After the fenders I got some new CA's up front, got a Spectre CAI, and threw another Aussie locker up front. Needless to say being fully locked on 35s got me into some trouble:sonicjay:

This:



Turned into.....This:



Got a little over my head at Bundy hill but had fun



Then again at silver lake:


GF wasnt very happy:sonicjay:


This time Wadey and the Z saved my day. Notice whats on the back of the blazer? Someone had plans for her:thumb:



At this point just like everyone else I wanted to play in the rocks!! That's when I knew sliders were a requirement. I bought some from Unlimited Offroad then had Justin (xjeeper) weld on the tube. Have held up great so far and I sure did abuse them at R&V



Heres some cool pictures from that trip. Both couldnt move on the 2nd picture using my 8000lb winch so BigBlockFord had to come save the day!!!



The last thing I did was buy and install some Chromos up front! They are Yukon shafts with Alloy USA joints. Breaking my d30 stock shafts started to be a somewhat common thing so this was a must. Had them out once at Snofari with good results. So far Im happy:woot:

Heres a few pics of me and Wadey at the event. I was the lucky winner of a powertank thanks Unlimited Offroad!




It was warm again finally. We thought we would have some fun at work as well as hit the dunes. The jeep was trailered for the first time and since then I never looked back:woot:

(Wades blazer grew up:rock:)


Just ordered some Smittybilt Corner Guards and Lite Dot Tails should be on soon!!
 
#11 · (Edited)
Just got a new car a 06 wrx so I haven't done much work on the Jeep. I did throw in a new transmission today the other one grinded pretty bad when going into 1st and 2nd. Throwing my crush corners and led tail lights on finally next. Can't wait for the blessing and twisted trails!!

Heres the new whip
 
#19 · (Edited)
Trans is all done but I have one minor problem. The reverse switch on the one I bought is made so the plug goes straight into it instead of having 2 wires come off of it and plugging in to the side.

What happens is that the linkage for the tcase hits it and would break it off. Anyone know where I can get the switch with 2 wires like my original nv3550 had?

edit: Just spliced them works fine
 
#23 ·
I plan on running bigger meats by next year. I need some real axles before I do anything else.

Looks good cam. is it true that you dont have both sides on. austin said that you only had the pass. side done :teehee:
Yes its true. Took me all night to do the one side and i haven't had much time since to finish it up. I plan on doing the other side tomorrow
 
#28 · (Edited)
On the way home from the blessing and TT had a blast! Most fun I've had wheeling yet




Couple pics:

Buddy Drew (TJ) on the RTI ramp at TT


Wadeys Dad Mike (Needafix)



New greatlakes sticker what you think....



Here's a random picture at the chili run in 2012


New corner guards and lite dot tail lights!!



She stayed like this for awhile just did some wheeling:rock:

First was a dunes trip


Wadey in trouble


Now rescueing a buddy


The next trip was R&V to get the Jeep ready I added a CB and an oil pan skid


Also took my winch somewhat apart because the engage/free spool lever was seized. I regreased it and put vasoline on the ball part of the lever inside. Smooth as silk now!




CB still doesnt work right thinking my ground isn't good enough....any suggestions?

Have some pics from R&V which was a blast....


until this happened:(


Broke all sorts of shit and it was time to fix it on the trail:beerbang:
 
#32 · (Edited)
Haven't made any updates to the build thread in awhile so here you go.

The result of my last break was a bent lower C (about 1/2" upward) and a ovaled out knuckle



Also managed to find my oil pan was bent in a weird spot any ideas?



Due to the bent C I had to buy a new housing and get all my parts swapped over before Snofari 2013 :woot:

First I stripped the old axle only have a few pictures of this. Took out the carrier then locker and R&P


Sandblasted and painted my new housing and put all the goodies back on:rock:


Pretty turdy:naughty:


Got some new 3" BDS coils and some Currie rear upper and lower control arms. New axle in and adjusting the CA's

Notice the spacers? Those are RC 1.5"

Adjusting the CA's right now jeep is at a 96" WB and as far as I can go with stock mounts. Rear diff cover just hardly rubs the gas tank


Got to test the new axle and parts at SNOFARI!! Everything worked awesome and although I didn't win anything huge this year my buddy who rode with me won a 10k Warn and I won a Snofari blanket and a Hi-Lift banner:thumb:



Loading up to head home. Can't wait for next year:nana:
 
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