AZMikeD's LJ Build Thread
- Thread starter AZMikeD
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AZMikeD
New member
AZMikeD
New member
This is my first Jeep and true off road vehicle. I'm not planning anything too extreme yet as I need to practice my off road driving first. ;-) I just wanted to do a budget boost and a little bit bigger tire. As you can see from the pics this LJ already has a budget boost. Most of the mods in my immediate future will be relatively minor. At some point I'm sure I'll want to do a proper lift and even bigger tire...and empty my bank account at the same time.
Thanks!
AZMikeD
New member
First order of business was to figure out why the Sony stereo wasn't working. I gotta have some tunes for in between trails.
That'll do it:
Look at how the guy crimped these things. That ain't gonna work. :crazyeyes:
Much better:
Now I can listen to my Huey Lewis and the News CD. :cheesy:
That'll do it:
Look at how the guy crimped these things. That ain't gonna work. :crazyeyes:
Much better:
Now I can listen to my Huey Lewis and the News CD. :cheesy:
AZMikeD
New member
Thanks for the suggestion. Is that something that could have been fitted from the factory or aftermarket only?
Moabbnd
New member
Aftermarket. B&M coolers would be one of the best, but I had a heavy duty hayden cooler on my last auto and it worked great. The 42re doesn't like overheating and it is prone to it with larger tires
AZMikeD
New member
I did a little more research and see that the transmission fluid gets cycled through the radiator. I also found some info on installing a supplemental cooler in front of the radiator. Seems like a relatively inexpensive install and makes sense for here in Arizona. Thanks!
AZMikeD
New member
Great, thanks for the suggestion. I saw some info about installing the B&M one in front of the radiator. Doesn't look too difficult and is cheap insurance. I'm only planning on stepping up to a 32" tire initially.
Did you install a transmission temperature gauge as well? I think that would be useful. Thanks!
AZMikeD
New member
Safety first! The front brakes have been pulsating like crazy so I knew some brake work was going to need to be done. I noticed this on the test drive and used this in the negotiation. Also, the brake fluid was due for a flush. The fluid was dark and I could tell the brakes became less effective when it was hot.
I changed the front pads and rotors and flushed the whole brake system last night. I used Performance Friction Pads and AC Delco Professional Durastop Rotors. This is the first time using the PFC pads and so far first impressions are great. I'm looking forward to getting them fully broken in.
I had planned on changing the rear brakes as well but after a closer look the rears aren't that bad yet. The pads are about half way through their usable life and the rotors have no wear lip on the outside as if they've been turned recently.
I see an oil change in my future, too.
I changed the front pads and rotors and flushed the whole brake system last night. I used Performance Friction Pads and AC Delco Professional Durastop Rotors. This is the first time using the PFC pads and so far first impressions are great. I'm looking forward to getting them fully broken in.
I had planned on changing the rear brakes as well but after a closer look the rears aren't that bad yet. The pads are about half way through their usable life and the rotors have no wear lip on the outside as if they've been turned recently.
I see an oil change in my future, too.
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AZMikeD
New member
I mounted 2015 Rubicon wheels to my LJ a couple of weeks ago. Been meaning to post but life happens.
I picked them up from ORE. A fun road trip from AZ! I got to spend some "quality" time with the new Jeep. Thanks to SaddleTramp for selling me the wheels. Good luck with your new build!
I used Spidertrax wheel adapters/spacers.
And a few pics on the Jeep...
I spaced the third brake light up an inch to fit the new spare:
I picked them up from ORE. A fun road trip from AZ! I got to spend some "quality" time with the new Jeep. Thanks to SaddleTramp for selling me the wheels. Good luck with your new build!
I used Spidertrax wheel adapters/spacers.
And a few pics on the Jeep...
I spaced the third brake light up an inch to fit the new spare:
FastZach
New member
Good looking Jeep. I recently picked up a 2005 LJ Rubicon from a friend. I'll probably do the rubicon take-offs until I lift the Jeep more for 35s. I noticed the pulsating brakes on mine as well so I'm do for some new ones for sure. I also noticed you have airbags in the rear springs? The previous owner on my Jeep installed airbags in the rear and I can wait to get them out with a new lift. Hopefully we can get out on the trail sometime
AZMikeD
New member
Yeah, I thought the JK Rubicon wheels were a good, inexpensive way to get some more rubber under the Jeep until I can afford a proper lift and 35's. I'm hoping to be doing a lift next spring. I'm leaning towards the Rock Krawler 3.5" short arm kit. I'll probably be stuck with the Rubicon wheels for a couple of years so will probably throw 33's (or possibly 34's) on them when these tires wear out.
A previous owner installed airbags in the rear seemingly for towing. Same as you I'll probably remove them when I do the lift. Don't think it will be worth the trouble to do before. I've read they don't hinder off-road ability much.
I met a small group of locals who hit the trails about once a week. Great people. We are driving down to Tuscan this weekend to do the Chiva Falls trail. They usually post the events on WAF. I'd like to meet another LJ/TJ owner. I seem to be the only one in the group without a JK! :crazyeyes:
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AZMikeD
New member
It's been a while since I've updated this thread, because I haven't done anything major to the Jeep. Catching up on a lot of maintenance items but managed to catch a few pics of some of the mods I've added to the Jeep. My next mod will be much more exciting, can't wait for it to finally get here and get installed!
One of the stock fog lights had a broken lens so I replaced them with these inexpensive LED spot lights from Amazon.
Installed an inexpensive Midland CB with Firestik antenna. I'm not entirely sold on the center console mounting location but is OK for the time being.
Made a custom bracket for the antenna from a piece of angle aluminum I had laying around.
I had to space the 3rd brake light up higher to clear the bracket.
A generous local Jeeper gave me his old JKS sway bar disconnects from his JK. (He's got anti-rocks now) I had to buy the bracket from JKS where they bolted to the LJ sway bar and some hardware but for $50 in parts was well worth it!
Disconnected! You'll also notice I added another set of lights, LED flood lights from Amazon, to the KC light mount on the front bumper. The KC light mount came with the Jeep but didn't have any lights on it. I don't particularly like the way the four rectangular lights look on the front and will probably do something different down the road.
"Blinders" light switch for the flood lights. I purchased it from Amazon from Gold Coast Distributing.
Poison Spyder Bombshell diff covers. My awesome wife was kind enough to paint the rear one for me!
Poison Spyder Steering box skid. I only bought this because PS wanted $36 to ship the two diff covers so I only needed to spend $52 to get free shipping. A few more bucks and I got the skid. :thumb:
Bought some goodies to help on the trail. Staun tire deflaters and a Warn recovery kit.
Lastly, my son checking out my Trasharoo. Much bigger than I was expecting!
One of the stock fog lights had a broken lens so I replaced them with these inexpensive LED spot lights from Amazon.
Installed an inexpensive Midland CB with Firestik antenna. I'm not entirely sold on the center console mounting location but is OK for the time being.
Made a custom bracket for the antenna from a piece of angle aluminum I had laying around.
I had to space the 3rd brake light up higher to clear the bracket.
A generous local Jeeper gave me his old JKS sway bar disconnects from his JK. (He's got anti-rocks now) I had to buy the bracket from JKS where they bolted to the LJ sway bar and some hardware but for $50 in parts was well worth it!
Disconnected! You'll also notice I added another set of lights, LED flood lights from Amazon, to the KC light mount on the front bumper. The KC light mount came with the Jeep but didn't have any lights on it. I don't particularly like the way the four rectangular lights look on the front and will probably do something different down the road.
"Blinders" light switch for the flood lights. I purchased it from Amazon from Gold Coast Distributing.
Poison Spyder Bombshell diff covers. My awesome wife was kind enough to paint the rear one for me!
Poison Spyder Steering box skid. I only bought this because PS wanted $36 to ship the two diff covers so I only needed to spend $52 to get free shipping. A few more bucks and I got the skid. :thumb:
Bought some goodies to help on the trail. Staun tire deflaters and a Warn recovery kit.
Lastly, my son checking out my Trasharoo. Much bigger than I was expecting!
