LJ Build - Slow & Steady

[MSJKU11]

Excited to finally be back in a Jeep, seems like a lifetime but really only a year and a half ago I was in my JKUR. Scaling back a bit and found an LJ and decided to pull the trigger. I always wanted a 2 door but needed a little more room for the family and I think this is going to be a fun platform to build on. Time to research and see where to go with this build. My ultimate goal is to go rock crawling but keep it road worthy for family outings. I kept my Warn 8274 and am debating on replacing the HS9500i that it currently has. Sitting on an unknown 4 inch lift with Blistein shocks. Everything else seems to be stock from what I can tell. Previous owner just rebuilt the transmission and it's sitting at 135k miles. Absolutely no rust can be found inside, which was a huge selling point for me. Any pointers are always welcomed if anyone has suggestions for a good direction to start. It's not a Rubicon so I've got a D30 in the front and 44 in the rear with 3.73 gearing.

 

[Cousin Clyde]

Congrats. Looks clean. Love the LJs

 

[2007 JKU CANADA]

Very nice LJ and what a great platform for a build

 

[MSJKU11]

First thing to add: Wayalife banner. Always excited to represent the best Jeeping community!

Removed the HS9500i and placed the Warn 8274. Looks like it will fit with the current bumper with a little modification.

Picked up some cheap YJ half doors. Decent condition and will drop off at a body shop soon to get repainted. Need to find some round frame uppers to fit.

 

[Cousin Clyde]

First thing to add: Wayalife banner. Always excited to represent the best Jeeping community!

Removed the HS9500i and placed the Warn 8274. Looks like it will fit with the current bumper with a little modification.

Picked up some cheap YJ half doors. Decent condition and will drop off at a body shop soon to get repainted. Need to find some round frame uppers to fit.

looks great. Damn I didn’t realize YJ 1/2 doors will just drop right into a TJ/LJ tub, that’s convenient. I feel like YJ 1/2 doors are not too hard to come by and always super cheap

 

[MSJKU11]

You do have to modify it a little bit. The strikers are different so I'll have to make it a pin style vs loop. I'll also have to trim the interior handle about an inch to use it because the console is in the way. You have to be careful on the uppers too. You have to find the rounded top vs the square top to make sure it fits correctly. TJ upper pins wont fit the YJ lowers unfortunately unless you reweld one of the pins. But the cheaper price tag on this set made it worth it for me to do the extra work hah.

 

[AZVAJKU]

Awesome, love those LJ’s! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your build.

 

[MSJKU11]

Finally getting some stuff in, ready to get this thing ready to crawl. Things on the to do list.

Adding chromoly shafts
Adding sway bar quick disconnects
Mounting and modifying my yj doors, still need to find uppers. Seems no one makes them and gotta find a used set.
Adding upper adjustable control arms
Adding oil pan/trans skid
Adding control arm skid
Adding steering box skid
Adding LED headlights
Switching to new wheels with 3.75 BS, hopefully will resolve my control arm rubbing some.
Adding Bumpstops
Extending brake lines
Installing rockjock currentlync
Adding 1-inch body lift
Switching to round rear LED tail lights
Adding slim fender flares
New hood latches
Extending rear shocks
Adding OX lockers front anf rear
And lastly, adding some round lights to the top
Gotta decide on gears and lockers now. It rides without any issues on the road at 70mph. Wondering if it's already been geared. Going to take it to a shop after everything is installed to find out.

 

[MSJKU11]

Switched out the wheels today. Took off
the stock gladiator wheels and adapters and went with some polished metal, love shiny. Also went with some Cooper STT Pros. Brain lapse, didn't even check the rim size and bought 15s instead of 17s. But it worked out, much prefer this setup anyway and no rubbing now.

On a side note, decided to go with OX electronic lockers front and rear so adding that to the list. No one around here wanted to drill into the pumpkin so it's really my only option.

 

[bmkrinne]

Looks great! I’m excited to get back out on the trails with you! We need to plan a southeast meet up at Windrock once you get the LJ where you want it. Definitely need to hit up Stony Lonesome tho!!!

 

[MSJKU11]

Looks great! I’m excited to get back out on the trails with you! We need to plan a southeast meet up at Windrock once you get the LJ where you want it. Definitely need to hit up Stony Lonesome tho!!!

Absolutely! This will probably take me a couple months so let's shoot for spring of next year or after. Looking forward to it!

 

[MSJKU11]

Got the YJ doors fitted today. You definitely have to make some adjustments but nothing too hard. Removed the loop striker and took out the retaining plate. Ordered up some YJ striker bolts ahead of time. Had to open the hole a bit because the orientation of where the striker bolt was going to be didn't quite reach the door. Took 6 washers on each side and some hinge adjustments. Fits great now and time to get them painted. I'll have to trim the interior handle about 3/4 inch so it can be used to open the door inside.

 

[MSJKU11]

Finally finished cleaning up the YJ doors and painted them. I had to cut off the last peg and reweld it to fit. The seal is good except for two places but added some and now no leaks. Bought some new key cylinders for them and regreased the internal mechanisms. Turned out pretty good with a little work.

 

[MSJKU11]

Lots of progress happened in the last few months and almost got her ready to go.


Replaced the stock battery terminals. Going to give these a try as I always liked having multiple options for adding cables. These have a clamp that keeps them on tight and can loosen them pretty quickly if needed.


Added a trickle charger since I won't be driving it very much, ran the wire to the outside of where the winch cables are. Pretty handy to not have to worry about lifting the hood, I'm lazy.


Threw in an air compressor under the hood and added some air lines to the cab for quick air ups. Loved it for my JK and this time I added one for each side.


Rockhard 4x4 skids to the front and rear control arms added. The rear were a pain in the ass on the driver side. I don't know if the mount was hit and moved a bit but it was not fitting. I hammer the shit out of it to try to make it sit flush and ended up grinding it just a bit to make it fit. Love how it covers the rear shock also. Also added Core 4x4 upper rear control arms.


Installed the RockJock Currectlync on the front. Also added Core 4x4 upper control arms and replaced the sway links with JKS quick discos. Put on a skid to protect the steering box.


Threw on a simple rocker switch box for my rock lights and such. Came with fuses already in the unit and will see how it holds up.


Here she sits as is and I'll be dropping her off at the shop in the next week or so to install OX e-lockers front and rear. Upgrading the shafts to Revolution 30 spline also.

 

[wayoflife]

Nice! thanks for the update

 

[JT@623]

Nice looking LJ

 

[Ddays]

Great looking Jeep!

 

[MSJKU11]

Oh, forgot to mention this little tidbit. I noticed some atf fluid under the jeep, so I checked the fluid level and it was damn near up half the dipstick. The guy I bought it from said a shop rebuilt the transmission but I guess they got overzealous with the fluid? Luckily I only drove it a couple times before noticing.


Brian was awesome enough to send me this kit to pull some out instead of having to drop the pan.

Pulled 3 containers full of fluid before I got it down to where it should be on the dipstick.

 

[bmkrinne]

Dude, you’ve been busy this winter! The Jeep looks great!!!

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Great looking LJ! I still want one.