1997 Jeep XJ Country

[MrMindless]

Well put, Harry.

[Callelle]

I've decided to go with the TnT kit. The main reason being is that it's within my budget, or at least what I planned on this being. I liked the idea of running a 3 link but I'm not planing on staying at 4" of lift forever. With the Radius arms, I can see it being easier to adapt to a different lift height than a 3 link. There were also some things that I was reading where people have retro fitted the TnT belly pan to a 3 link set up, so I have that option available if I feel like going to a 3 link later. TnT's long arms still have a great reputation for it's flexibility and how strong the belly pan is. Another thing I like about the TnT kit is that it's something I can instal myself, not that I don't like having smike build stuff for me and working on my XJ, I just like being able to do what I can to it to understand it better and make it more of my own. That all being said, I should hopefully be ordering the kit tomorrow.

[Wingman]

Another thing I like about the TnT kit is that it's something I can instal myself, not that I don't like having smike build stuff for me and working on my XJ, I just like being able to do what I can to it to understand it better and make it more of my own.

Nothing wrong with that.  If it breaks, you'll be better equipped to fix it.  sMike won't always be with you.

[Callelle]

All prep work done. Was supposed to have the frame stiffeners in today but 2 friends that were supposed to bring over their welder bailed on me. One of them is supposed to show up first thing tomorrow morning to get these on. If that happens, with any luck, I should be able to get the rest of the long arms done. On a side note, this belly pan is friggan beefy. Damn thing weight 57 lbs alone, 1/4" steel everywhere on it. The control arms them selves are heavier duty than I thought as well. I don't see this bending anywhere near as easily as my Rusty's T-case skid did from one weekend of Rausch.

[Wingman]

Git-r-dun so you can field-test it next weekend at RC!

[Callelle]

If I could have one thing go smoothly with this, it would be a miracle. Fitment issues with the belly pan, welding that my friend did could probably have been done better by a crippled guy having a seizure. Have to call T&T Monday and figure out what to do about the fitment issues. May just throw the stock cross member on and ask Mike to do the driver's side stiffener and get the passenger side in better.

[xjh3]

If I were around, I'd have welded them on for nothing as long as you kept me topped off with greasy food and beer! 

How's it going though? Any chance of making it to Rausch this weekend?

[Callelle]

No Rausch this weekend. Taking this pile to Smike Monday or sooner to fix the passenger side stiffener and instal the driver's side one. Also need him to put a new weld nut in where the stud for the T-Case cross member attaches to frame. Tried extracting one myself letting it sit in PB and heating it, just ended up breaking the weld nut. T&T is sending me a new skid (the smaller piece that attaches to the back of the main belly pan), guy said that there was a batch that was made wrong. I can still instal the rest of the belly pan, just not the smaller skid plate on the back.

[Callelle]

Jeep came home Monday after Smike did an awesome job fixing/installing the frame stiffeners. Haven't done anything other than put it up on the lift and look at it. Between waiting for replacement parts from T&T and lacking ambition to work on it. I'm gonna take a swing at it tomorrow, goal is to finish getting the belly pan mounted and maybe get to hacking off control arm mounts.

[Callelle]

All support brackets for the belly pan mounted. Never thought drilling 6 holes would take all day, but between the positioning, drilling, having to run to the hardware store to get stuff. Pretty much all there is left to do is mount the long arms, cut brackets, and get it all aligned.

[Callelle]

Been slacking off for a few days and got back into it today. Both LCA brackets cut off. They aren't pretty, I'm a little nervous with the grinder and getting that close to the frame rails. I'll probably just leave them for now since they clear and figure out what to do about them later. Aligning this thing should be easy. It's already pushed the axle forward a touch with the 1 long arm in and as short as I can make it on the passenger side and the short arms still on the driver's side. Might push it forward a hair more once I have the tires on it and see how it sits before I get everything tightened down.

[Spencer]

loosen the banjo bolt at the caliper and rotate the line so its vertical. you'll reduce the stress on the hose where it comes out of the metal sleeve.

[Wingman]

Doubles as a limiting strap! 

[Spencer]

Doubles as a limiting strap! 

This is what old seatbelts are for!

[Wingman]

or HF ratchet straps...