'02 TJ with i4 -- Mid Life Crisis

[M4wdFab]

i usually recomend go 8.8 or go 1 ton.  not much inbetween worth swapping the 30 out in the front for anything else.  if it were a leaf sprung yj, maybe if the deal was right for more gear or more track, but doing two serous axle swaps on a streetable jeep is a big jump.


what is your tire size you want again?33 or 35?

get a set of cromo rear shafts and be good ? cut back on labor and keep it pretty "stock"?

[M4wdFab]

chromo rear shafts
front ZJ tie rod
solid diff covers
skid the oil pan / trans
rocker rails / gaurds
front / rear recovery points
carry a pare set of shafts
get a 36M socket or whatever it is to change them

[jaysenodell]

I plan on sticking with 33s.


As to be good... I'm more likely to be a spectator when you folks go flying up rock creek than ever want to actually try it myself (you guys are nuts) but I would like to be able to wheel at the place in VA. Once the male child is gone the Mrs expects to be the co-pilot (that's only 1 year away) which will greatly impact my ability to be stupid. Not that I won't be stupid, but she makes it harder.


It does seem that locking a 35 is a very bad idea while a locked d30 ... not out of the question. was thinking 4:1 tcase to be nice to the little engine but that seems to be a good way to make a d35 very unhappy.


If I stay stock the list seems to be
1. steering
2. gears + spare d35 shafts (chromo)
3. front locker
3. protection from idiot driver
4. seats


I expect I will put some plates and covers in starting when diff covers at the move to 4.56.

[Ryan]

chromo rear shafts
front ZJ tie rod
solid diff covers
skid the oil pan / trans
rocker rails / gaurds
front / rear recovery points
carry a pare set of shafts
get a 36M socket or whatever it is to change them

This is what I would do barring a 1-ton and 37"-40" tires.

Add Aussies front and rear.

Carry a FULL set of spare shafts, front and rear even with Chromo shafts.

[wnyjpgy]

None of them need anything, gears suck though 3.00 range.I could even throw in a 50% set of 35" Cooper STT's all for $500 that would really clean my shop out of extra stuff.

[rejeep]

as with every winter I plan on pulling my 4:1 case....

if it actually happens this year ill let you know

[jaysenodell]

Swapped the 33s for the 30s and this morning MLC is undrivable over 50MPH. Shakes to the point of no control and skipping across the road. have it at the mechanic for basic check out. No obviously missing wheel weights and nothing out of place when the wheels were off. Hopefully it is something I needed to upgrade anyway.

[Wingman]

"death wobble"?

...and don't call it that in front of your wife!

[jaysenodell]

Death wobble is definitely accurate. It was bad enough that a person behind me stopped to make sure I didn't need a ride. I'll have the mechanic check that.


BTW, the wife caught on that it was bad by the look of terror on my face when I came home.

[M4wdFab]

toe is way in, id bet

[Wingman]

BTW - the bigger the tire, the more pronounced it is because of the extra mass being tossed around!  Been fighting this in the Rubicon lately...

[jaysenodell]

Never had it with the 33s. Only happens with the 30s. Called mechanic. Happened to him at 45mph. Scared the crap out of him too. He's looking at death wobble now...

[M4wdFab]

in my experience its always:

track bar axle location shot
>1" toe in
way out of balance tires
steering box loose from frame

[gslarue]

BTW - the bigger the tire, the more pronounced it is because of the extra mass being tossed around!  Been fighting this in the Rubicon lately.       ditto.

[jaysenodell]

Mechanics are sound. Nothing loose or broken. Only bend is the tie rod. Heading for alignment as soon as the wife is home.