Thirty7s
New member
So I'm almost complete with phase #1 of my 17 JKU Rubicon build and getting it set up for 37's. The 1st phase included replacing the budget AEV lift, replacing all the steering components to fix death wobble and installing a Powerstop Big brake conversion kit. To say the least, it's been quite the adventure dealing with multiple offroad companies, waiting for parts, and working through other issues. I just wanted to share my experience so others getting ready for a project like this may know what to expect and avoid some of the mistakes I made!
Now I know that we live in a post-COVID era where customer service is horrible and product quality is crappy. I knew that going into this build, but was willing to deal with it and accept the outcome. I'm no stranger to building, repairing and modding quads, dirtbikes, cars, diesel trucks, UTVs and most recently a 40' diesel pusher class A motorhome. But this Jeep build has tested my patience, skill level and raised my blood pressure a few times!
First item I ordered was the Metalcloak Baller Ball Joints - took about 6 weeks to get, instructions were lacking info, the install videos where weak and there was limited info on how to adjust these ball joints properly. I think most of these issues where due to these being a brand new product. They are very beefy, but now I kinda wish I would have went with the Dynatrak or a BJ Delete kit just for the simplicity.
Next was a Clayton 3.5" Overland Plus lift kit - quick shipping and installation instructions are decent. However, when I was prepping all of the adjustable control arms for install, I discovered one arm had some broken or stripped threads and wouldn't allow the joint to thread in or out very far. Clayton ended up sending me a replacement, but told me that "all parts arrive assembled and there is no reason to disassemble", even though their install video shows unthreading to apply anti-seize. This issue was only about a week delay, but still aggravating!
I ordered the Steer Smarts YETI upper and lower front track bar mounts - fast shipping, great install instructions and quality parts, fitment was decent.
I picked up (locally in Chandler, AZ) a Doetsch Offroad 1 ton steering (flip kit), along with a Terraflex Nexus steering stabilizer - quality products, great install instructions.
I ordered a Adams 1310 front drive shaft - quick shipping, looks very high quality. I haven't installed it yet but I don't expect any issues.
I ordered a JKS adjustable rear track bar (Clayton kit only came with the front) - fast shipping, good instructions, quality track bar
A couple other things I did while I had the axle apart was weld on some Synergy C Gussets, installed new Spicer axle u-joints and paint the front and rear axle/differentials gloss black.
After everything was installed, I aligned everything using the methods on this site and a couple others. I used a line and dot laser to get everything dialed in pretty close, but after a test drive something felt weird so I took it to an alignment shop to have it double checked. The mechanic said everything was real close except the caster, it was at 3.2. So I had him adjust it to 4.2 degrees. - Big mistake......he used the lower control arms to make the adjustment. Although it did seem to drive a little better, something was still weird, but that's another thread (see my other thread - "After installing lift, jeep drives like crap"). I took it out on a easy trail and quickly discovered the front drivers side coil spring was rubbing the new upper track bar bracket when flexing. This was caused by the mechanic using the lower arms for adjustment and pushing the axle forward. So I re-worked all of the front control arms and got everything back to where it was and caster at 4.2.......
Lastly I ordered a Powerstop Big Brake conversion kit along with some stainless brake lines from Extreme Terrain - I received the brake lines and rear brake kit within a few days. The front kit was a no-show and after a phone call I find out it got lost in shipping and finally received it a week later. Everything in the brake kit looks good quality, but there where no instructions. I had to go to their web site just to find the break-in procedure.
So that's been my 1st Jeep build experience. I know most of the install procedures for this stuff is straight forward, but having good instructions would be really nice, especially when your dealing with critical steering and suspension components. Maybe I took on too much at one time. The Jeep is the wife's preferred daily driver so i though I was being efficient doing everything in one shot, but this project is going on 4 weeks and I'm still on the brake install!
Ok rant over and hopefully the struggle is almost over! Next up, the fun stuff - rims tires, regearing and bumpers
Now I know that we live in a post-COVID era where customer service is horrible and product quality is crappy. I knew that going into this build, but was willing to deal with it and accept the outcome. I'm no stranger to building, repairing and modding quads, dirtbikes, cars, diesel trucks, UTVs and most recently a 40' diesel pusher class A motorhome. But this Jeep build has tested my patience, skill level and raised my blood pressure a few times!
First item I ordered was the Metalcloak Baller Ball Joints - took about 6 weeks to get, instructions were lacking info, the install videos where weak and there was limited info on how to adjust these ball joints properly. I think most of these issues where due to these being a brand new product. They are very beefy, but now I kinda wish I would have went with the Dynatrak or a BJ Delete kit just for the simplicity.
Next was a Clayton 3.5" Overland Plus lift kit - quick shipping and installation instructions are decent. However, when I was prepping all of the adjustable control arms for install, I discovered one arm had some broken or stripped threads and wouldn't allow the joint to thread in or out very far. Clayton ended up sending me a replacement, but told me that "all parts arrive assembled and there is no reason to disassemble", even though their install video shows unthreading to apply anti-seize. This issue was only about a week delay, but still aggravating!
I ordered the Steer Smarts YETI upper and lower front track bar mounts - fast shipping, great install instructions and quality parts, fitment was decent.
I picked up (locally in Chandler, AZ) a Doetsch Offroad 1 ton steering (flip kit), along with a Terraflex Nexus steering stabilizer - quality products, great install instructions.
I ordered a Adams 1310 front drive shaft - quick shipping, looks very high quality. I haven't installed it yet but I don't expect any issues.
I ordered a JKS adjustable rear track bar (Clayton kit only came with the front) - fast shipping, good instructions, quality track bar
A couple other things I did while I had the axle apart was weld on some Synergy C Gussets, installed new Spicer axle u-joints and paint the front and rear axle/differentials gloss black.
After everything was installed, I aligned everything using the methods on this site and a couple others. I used a line and dot laser to get everything dialed in pretty close, but after a test drive something felt weird so I took it to an alignment shop to have it double checked. The mechanic said everything was real close except the caster, it was at 3.2. So I had him adjust it to 4.2 degrees. - Big mistake......he used the lower control arms to make the adjustment. Although it did seem to drive a little better, something was still weird, but that's another thread (see my other thread - "After installing lift, jeep drives like crap"). I took it out on a easy trail and quickly discovered the front drivers side coil spring was rubbing the new upper track bar bracket when flexing. This was caused by the mechanic using the lower arms for adjustment and pushing the axle forward. So I re-worked all of the front control arms and got everything back to where it was and caster at 4.2.......
Lastly I ordered a Powerstop Big Brake conversion kit along with some stainless brake lines from Extreme Terrain - I received the brake lines and rear brake kit within a few days. The front kit was a no-show and after a phone call I find out it got lost in shipping and finally received it a week later. Everything in the brake kit looks good quality, but there where no instructions. I had to go to their web site just to find the break-in procedure.
So that's been my 1st Jeep build experience. I know most of the install procedures for this stuff is straight forward, but having good instructions would be really nice, especially when your dealing with critical steering and suspension components. Maybe I took on too much at one time. The Jeep is the wife's preferred daily driver so i though I was being efficient doing everything in one shot, but this project is going on 4 weeks and I'm still on the brake install!
Ok rant over and hopefully the struggle is almost over! Next up, the fun stuff - rims tires, regearing and bumpers
