What I have been up to lately!!!

[matts88yj]

Hey gang I know that I don't make it on here quite that often anymore but I thought that I would update you on the progress of my YJ (aka Peanut).

Here is what she got reciently. 8.8 rear, Super 88 kit, Detroit locker, F-250 front shock mounts, 36" long front shocks, MORE extended rear shock mounts, new rear shocks, LED rocklights, Revolvers up front ( I know what your all thinking but if setup properly they work and work well), new seats, lap belts, and probably some other mods that I forgot to mention. Anyways here are some pics from wheeling this past weekend! Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/KjColumbo/2007%20Rausch%20Creek%20June%2015th/RauschCreekJune162007050.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/KjColumbo/2007%20Rausch%20Creek%20June%2015th/RauschCreekJune162007008.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/KjColumbo/2007%20Rausch%20Creek%20June%2015th/RauschCreekJune162007006.jpg

[DrLewall]

COOL! Am jealous!

[BigMudder]

Looks awesome man

[wissemeier05]

looks good!!


time for a cage and winch !

[loaf]

Originally posted by wissemeier05:
looks good!!


time for a cage and winch ! Just what I was thinking. Now that you can get yourself stuck like never before, it's a good time to make sure that you're safe doing it and can get out once stuck.

[BigMudder]

Just what I was thinking. Now that you can get yourself stuck like never before, it's a good time to make sure that you're safe doing it and can get out once stuck.
graemlins/ditto.gif

[Texas4X4]

yeah just about every time i go wheeling now, im REALLY glad i bought a winch

[4bob4]

Looks good man. You made those front fenders right?

How about a few night pics of the rock lights and a write up on em?

[matts88yj]

Thanks for the replys guys! Trust me Im working on getting a cage and winch probably next year! Being in college and just dumping a summers worth of income on her at once does take its toll! In fact, if you send me 2 grand, I could have that cage and winch installed and ready to go for you all by next week! :D It feels so good getting rid of that crappy Dana 35 rear axle and not worring about it every second on the road!

4bob4 - My buddy made those fenders for me right out of his shop in about a day. Very strong and I can even stand on them! They take a lickin and keep on tickin! Highly recommended mod! I netted about 2 - 3" of clearance and Im currently working on a plan for a rear crusher corner, flat fender, cut out wheel well combo piece that should be very sturdy as well! I will get you those pics of the rocklights and a write up on them this weekend after I install the other 3 that I ordered! Im going to have a total of 9 rocklights under there! I know Im crazy but you can never have too much lighting at night right? Especially when you are wheeling!

Thanks again guys for all of the replies! It has been a long and rough road to get to this point but things are finally starting to come together! I have a few other things I would like to take care of such as taking out all of the old Carter wiring, setting up some power distribution blocks for all of my electricial goodies, TJ front axle shafts, taking out the rear seat and building a trail box for all of my spare parts, blah blah blah you get the idea! I can't believe that 5 years ago it was bone stock in full Sahara trim! I just worked on it during the weekends and on my spare time and this is what I have today! I can't help but :D :D

[Rit]

Matt, Nice job! Hope your Dad was in on it also. ;)

Great idea for mirrors!

p.s., never felt I needed a winch, just surround yourself with people with winches and/or carry straps.

[matts88yj]

Hey Rit how are you doing? Long time no talk! Hope all is going well on your end! Dad was sorta in on this one but I bought all of it!!! He just thinks Im flat out crazy now!!! As if I wasn't before!!!

[rockyjeep]

thats a sexy YJ there, bro!

[Rit]

Originally posted by matts88yj:
Hey Rit how are you doing? Long time no talk! Hope all is going well on your end! Dad was sorta in on this one but I bought all of it!!! He just thinks Im flat out crazy now!!! As if I wasn't before!!! Dads are that way ;)

Things are well. Retired, couldn't stand it, got my CDL and I'm now driving a school bus in a rural town called Redding, CT. Like off roading a 77 passanger machine. My kids are great, it certainly isn't for the money. :D

[matts88yj]

Haha yeah aint that the truth! Glad your wheeling the big yellow bus! Kids? What are those? Haha Im never having any so no worries on that end!

Im going to head up to the local electricial supply store and see if they have any of the goodies that I need for setting up everything that I need! If they do I can install the rest of the rocklights this weekend and set up the power distribution blocks for all of my other goodies! I will keep everyone posted and I will do a writeup about the lights! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

[RoCKSToRM]

matt that yj is awesome, i'm very jealous. do your tires rub on your fenders at full front flex?
i need more clearence as i rub mine. what size tires? i love the big shocks and revolvers. how long did it take you to set the 8.8 up for yj and install it?

[matts88yj]

Thanks RoCKSToRM! The tires don't rub at full flex! I could probably get away with running a 36 in there! The rear is what is holding me up as far as tire size goes. I can get a 35 in there but it would just start to rub under full flex. Im currently running 33's but my next set will be 35's. The shocks and revolvers up front help a lot. With the revolvers set up properly with the correct suspension and shock length, they work well. I have wheeled blacks at Rausch Creek and even in the off camber sections they didn't "unload" like everyone says they will do as soon as you hit a side hill or anything like that. I had my local Jeep club sponsors shop set up the 8.8 for me since I wanted it to be done right and I didn't want my first ring and pinion install to be in my daily driver! Plus there was some fabbing involved since I wanted the shock mounts and whatnot in different locations. Only took them about a day to swap all of the old junk out and swap all of the new goodies in! I can snap some pics of the final product of the rear axle if anyone wants to see them! If anyone has any pic requests please let me know! That is what Im here for to help everyone out with their builds that want to do something similar to mine or just to get ideas! Oh and that gives me an excuse to play around with the new camera!! smile.gif