The "greenbean" buildup

[greenbean]

All,
I guess this will be the start of my thread. Here are my particulars;
98TJ sport, Banks stinger exhaust, RE 4.5 superflex lift(Still in boxes!) SYE, AEV Argent 16x8 wheels, Wrangler 315 75Rx16 MT/R tires. Future parts to be installed: Ford 8.8 with the new superior c-clip eliminator kit, Dana 300/flip kit/4:1 low range/Ox-lockers, skid plates!!!

Here are some pics of my wheels, they are sweet! ;D
Will

members.cox.net/wandsva/wheel1.gif
members.cox.net/wandsva/wheel2.gif

This link is also to my web page, it's kinda corny but it was my first attempt at using frontpage, so I'm still working it!


A few stock "Before" pics for the thread to compare to and a couple of pics of the Nylint Crawler for the heck of it!
i104.photobucket.com/albums/m165/wandsva/AEVWheels032.jpg
i104.photobucket.com/albums/m165/wandsva/AEVWheels033.jpg
i104.photobucket.com/albums/m165/wandsva/AEVWheels035.jpg

26 AUG 2006

Alright, made some small progress on the Jeep,....Finally got the tires and wheels back from APO all ready to go, When all my Chief stuff is finally done, maybe I can do the actual lift, Errrrrr! .Labor day weekend is actually looking good to do it since it will be a 4 day weekend for us at work. Here are the wheels with tires mounted:



Should look pretty sweet once they are on the Jeep!!!! ;D


02 SEP 2006
Alright, Here are some pics DAY 1 of Black Betty's Buildup! I have to honestly say I was a little unsure of my skills, add to that some very uncooperative fasteners, and two wheel lugs that had to be drilled out, and waiting for a lift for about 2 hours! Whew, It was a painful day for me and my buddy Mike who has never did a lift either,....but we kept at it and got the TJ to the point where we can put some of the "New" stuff on tomorrow! Yea!


Jeep going UUUUPPP on the lift.

Mike, working on the left rear wheel, little did we know what a problem child that wheel would be!

Picture of the same wheel where we finally realized it wasn't coming off without taking drastic measures!

Problem #2 for the day, nither one of the bolts for the front shocks(The ones at the top) would come off, soooo I got the grinder and cut both of those little suckas out of there!

Shot of the front end that I was working on.

Mike, with the drill working on those lug nuts,...just keep drilling, just keep drilling!!!

Frontend, end of day one.

Rearend day one, the rear trackbar was a real pain to get out!

Jeep on the lift, all secured for tonight.

Pile of scrap left from todays work!(Or crap if you prefer!) Will update tomorrow with more Pics, hopefully I can get it all finished up, I still have to do the SYE and Rear Driveshaft, Oh yeah and replace 2 wheel studs somehow!!!! Later Folks!

Will aka greenbean

3 SEP 2006
Things seemed to go well today but the time just disappeared and so we didn't get it finished, matter of fact it's still stuck up on the lift at Oceana, waiting for me tomorrow. I had 1 major problem today,...I could not for the life of me get the old pitman arm off, made multiple attempts with a puller, tried beating on it in the hopes it would help knock it loose, and after cranking on the puller several times trying to get it off and ending up sprawled out on my back, I left it alone and worked on other stuff. I am out of ideas on how to get that sucker off without destroying my steering box. Heres todays pics;


Rear lowers installed and rear track bar bracket,....

Upper adjustable arms and extended sway bar links,....

Extended bumpstops, minus the stock portion.

Rear coils, spring compressors are definitely a plus!!!

Right side rear nearly completed.

Front lower arms and upper adjustables,......

New rear shocks installed,....

Left rear drum, notice I didn't get around to replacing the missing studs today!!!

Shot of the rear track bar bracket and the Tera Flex shock re-locators I picked up on Ebay for Cheap!!!!

Right rear shocks installed,...

Shot of the front stainless steel extended brake lines installed.

Shot of the parts left to install, Both front and rear track bars,...Front coils, and still have to get the SYE and driveshaft installed,...Man this is going slow!!!!!

7 SEP 2006
Man, I finally finished Here is some pics of the TJ sitting in the driveway at home.

i104.photobucket.com/albums/m165/wandsva/BuildupDay3-4001.jpg[/IMG]
Left front view of suspension,....

Shot of driverside rear upper/lower control arms,....

Driveshaft shot,....

Transfer case pucs,....(these are temporary)

View of the front from underneath,....

Front driveshaft control arm shot from the drivers side,.....

Left side shot,...

Right side shot,....

Comparison shot to wife's new 4Runner,.....

Front trac-bar view,....

Sorry no new wheels yet, will get them on this weekend hopefully! As soon as I do along with the new bumper I'll post some more pictures,.....Will ;D

Alright, here are some pics of the nearly finished product!





Here is a pic with the LOD tire carrier/rock bumper installed, and yes I know it already has a tidewater 4wheelers sticker on it because I bought it from a club member ;D




Also today I re-dyed the fender flares so it looks a little better in that regard. Took the girls for a ride to get donuts at 7-eleven down the road and then we went for an extended test drive,(All pavement,....sorry! ) And I was freakin amazed by the Dyna-bead internal balancing and how incredibly quiet those big MT/Rs were. It was literally as quiet as the stock Wrangler GSA's. Needless to say I was pleasently surprised by this because I was having some doubt about this. My hats off to the American Powerhouse Off-Road guys for backing an excellent product!

One more item of note: The LOD rock bumper/tire carrier is money. It is very simple to install and the price is the best out there. I would recommend this bumper to anyone wanting a inexpensive aftermarket bumper/tire carrier combo! Thats all till the next time! Enjoy! ;D

Will 10 Sep 2006

[greenbean]

All,
I have the stock 15x8 wheels with tires that I will be offering up for a small fee for anyone wanting stock wheels and I have a manual tranny attached to a Dana300 for free. Will post the stuff in the for sale section with pics once I get a chance!

Will

[CORE 4WD]

Welcome back Wil. Thanks for helping keep us safe and preserving our way of life! When do you go back to work?

[greenbean]

Monday, I have to work this week then I'm on leave till 6 AUG yeah. Time to work on the JEEP!!!!!! ;D

[greenbean]

Took the wheels and tires to American Powerhouse Off-road to get mounted and balanced,...going to do the Dyna-bead thing. If anyone isn't familiar it uses hundreds(or maybe thousands) of ceramic beads inside the tire as the counterweight. As the tire spins the centrifugal force puts the beads where the tire needs to be balanced out. Supposedly makes tires wear much more evenly and ride considerably smoother,....Lets hope it lives up to the billing. I will give a report on it once I get them on and road-test the tires. By the way the APO guys seemed like some pretty good people so far. I know RedNBlue has dealt with them. Anyone else have any feedback on their shop? They will also be moving within a week or so up to VA Beach Blvd, which sucks because they were just right around the corner from me. Anyway thats it for now, getting prepped to tear into my TJ and finally get the lift put on that sucka!!!!!

Will

[greenbean]

New links to my before pictures at the top of the thread!

Will

[greenbean]

New pics at the top of the thread!!!

Will

[greenbean]

All, Heading over to the Oceana Hobby shop to do the TJ Lift. If anyone wants to swing by and give a hand you are more than welcome, my cell is 274-6294.

Will

[greenbean]

New pics top of the thread 2 Sep 2006!!!

Will

[greenbean]

New pics added at the top of the thread,....3 SEP 06!

Will

[What It Was]

Looking good man!!!... Can't wait to see the Jeep when completed... Did you get that pitman arm off yet?.... If not, put a torch to it and then try pulling and tapping.. should come off... Just don't heat it too much or burn stuff up... ;D

[greenbean]

Thanks Bro, It is still taking Waaaaay longer than I wanted it to. All those Murphy's law things popping up here and ther slows things down! By the way I have give shout out to my buddy mike for helping out again today, wouldn't be nearly as far without the extra hands!!!!!

Will

[What It Was]

Trust me man... you don't have to speak about Murphy's Law... It's perminitely attached to me.. no matter what I do some how some way it's always there!.... Even if I try to approach it from all angles and aspects... It's always with me.... Some say luck of the draw others say cursed!.... How far is Oceana from P-n-P?.. I have to grab some AMC 360 parts... one of these days.. let me know when you're gonna be there.. I'll get a little dirtier (If possible after being at P-n-P).

[greenbean]

I'll be there again tomorrow morning. If you come doen Va Beach Blvd to Oceana(West) Just stay on Oceana Blvd till you come to the front gate of the Master Jet Base,...It is about3-4 miles or so. The hobby shop is all the way on Base, go through the main security gate, them take a left where all the old Jets are on display, hang a right at the BOQ office and go straight till I think you hit E street, take a left you will see enlisted barracks on the right for about 2 blocks then on your left you will see a gas station and beyond that a exchange convenience store. Turn left in-between those 2 stores and the hobby shop is all the back by the car wash. Kinda trcky to find if you haven't been there before!!!

Will

[What It Was]

Yeah man... I'm good with directions (Sarcasm). After I change the fluids (oil/coolant) in the Jeep and set the timing.. I'll head over to P-n-P after that if it isn't too late I'll try to swing by.... No promises but, I'll try.