99 TJ 3 Link 4 Link Build

[barnumb]

Time to get the old Tj in to better off road condition. Was up in Grayling over Christmas and broke the spiders in the 35 so I went and bought an 8.8.

Then I started thinking why go to all the trouble of swaping it into the stock suspension. Might as well get the 4 link done at the same time.

Bought the truss, rear frame brackets and lower coil buckets along with all the Johnny joints, shocks and brake lines from Clayton.

Built all the rest.

[barnumb]

Time to get serious, hack off the old rear mounts and get welding parts on.

[barnumb]

Starting on the rear lower arms. Bought the inserts from Clayton.

[maximus1000]

Cool. Where did you get those frame mounts from? Does the upper tie into the side of the frame? Gonna be some stress having them all tied into the same bracket.

[barnumb]

Originally Posted by maximus1000

Cool. Where did you get those frame mounts from? Does the upper tie into the side of the frame? Gonna be some stress having them all tied into the same bracket.

Rear brackets came from Clayton. They are not tied in to the side of the frame but will be fine.

[barnumb]

I used Car Quest SP9746 brake hoses at the calipers. The Explorer hoses just did not lay very well (they would rub on the caliper). I had to make brackets for the axle end and they fit great.

[barnumb]

Flex Check. Springs are RE 3.5" from Craigslist but the sit closer to 4.25". The lower axle brackets took a while to figure out and build. I burned up a tree worth of cardboard getting them how I wanted them.

[barnumb]

Decided to build the front brackets myself. Wife is on the Nikon, My fat ass running is the Bridgeport. Here we go........

[barnumb]

More bracket building.

[barnumb]

Oops Missed some axel pics.

[barnumb]

Exhaust mods, moved the converter up about 18" turned the downstream O2 sensor sideways and stuffed the mufler between the t-case and the frame.

[barnumb]

Three link frame bracket.....

[barnumb]

More 3rd link frame mount and link.

[barnumb]

Back on the ground. Now I have to install the SYE and cut down my Craigslist XJ front driveshaft.

[barnumb]

Handgun mount keeps the XD handy for any trail thugs or backwoods drug runners.

Army surplus hand grenade shifter.

Stock front bumper makeover. Tow bar mounts are welded to the frame rail and receiver is pierced through the crossmember. Then the bumper just slips over the top.

[gtxracer]

Originally Posted by barnumb

Handgun mount keeps the XD handy for any trail thugs or backwoods drug runners.

Army surplus hand grenade shifter.

Stock front bumper makeover. Tow bar mounts are welded to the frame rail and receiver is pierced through the crossmember. Then the bumper just slips over the top.

I like all of this!


especially the XD mount, gotta remember that after I picked my .45 later this year. Rig looks good, my lil lady likes to snap pics too.

[barnumb]

Thanks, your build is looking good too!! I am doing mine one step at a time so I can still use it. Next installment will be a hp 44 gears and tires.

[barnumb]

Got my XJ front driveshaft cut down for the rear. I used a 1310-1330 conversion joint from Carquest and the Explorer flange.

[barnumb]

Got the SYE installed.

[57chevy4x4]

Great build, i wish i had your shop tools . i am doing my tj 8.8 swap with
and old buzz box arch welder and a 100 harbor freight mig welder and the rest hand tools LOL........

[barnumb]

Originally Posted by 57chevy4x4

Great build, i wish i had your shop tools . i am doing my tj 8.8 swap with
and old buzz box arch welder and a 100 harbor freight mig welder and the rest hand tools LOL........

Thanks!! My next project is outboarding the rear shocks and home made sway bar disconnects.

[asian195]

I like your build, simple. I wanted to comment on your springs, it's funny you say 3.5" spring measured about 4.25". I just upgraded to a 5.5" rubicon express long arm from a 4"short arm. Did before and after measuring, the 5.5" raised my tj 3" over the 4" I had in previously. As you can imagine, reinstalled the 4" springs... And I wish I had your tools, hell I dont even own a welder yet.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[barnumb]

Originally Posted by asian195

I like your build, simple. I wanted to comment on your springs, it's funny you say 3.5" spring measured about 4.25". I just upgraded to a 5.5" rubicon express long arm from a 4"short arm. Did before and after measuring, the 5.5" raised my tj 3" over the 4" I had in previously. As you can imagine, reinstalled the 4" springs... And I wish I had your tools, hell I dont even own a welder yet.

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Thanks, I think the folks at R.E. use a special tape measure... Keep in mind my springs were used off Craigslist. I wonder how tall new ones would have been.

The tools are great until everybody within 50 miles finds out you have them. If I want to get something done in the shop I have to hide the cars and pretend nobody is home. One of my neighbors admited to using his binoculars to see if I am home......

[asian195]

Originally Posted by barnumb

Thanks, I think the folks at R.E. use a special tape measure... Keep in mind my springs were used off Craigslist. I wonder how tall new ones would have been.

The tools are great until everybody within 50 miles finds out you have them. If I want to get something done in the shop I have to hide the cars and pretend nobody is home. One of my neighbors admited to using his binoculars to see if I am home......

Haha, thats funny. I could see how it would be a pain. I work on my rigs in my carport, and my neighbor always comes over to the fence and wants to talk. Real hard to work when someone is constantly taking to you. My springs were used also. The whole kit was. Just waiting for my tom woods driveshaft. should be here tomorrow. My friends are going out to a local spot saturday, and I have to work. :banghead:

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[Jpayne00]

Any updates?