Budget first:
previously was 1619.16
new money:
rear shoes: 19.99
drum hardware: 9.99
returned wheel cylinders: -17.66
serpentine belt: 39.99
power steering gearbox: 95.99
rear bumpstops: 9.99
heater hoses: had
Heater hose adapter 7.99
remove grand cherokee box from budget -40
new total: 1745.44
non picture heavy update. It was a LOT of work, but doesn't photograph well.
We finished up getting the rear suspension put together except for the notches. The DJM spring plates requires some machining for clearance of the new spring centering bolts. I went ahead and cut down the u bolts as well, as there was a good 5 inches extra hanging below the spring. Got the shock extenders bolted on, got my ass kicked by rebuilding the drums, and bolted it all back together except for the notches. Even went ahead and re-lubed the spare tire carrier and hung a donut spare from the elky up there, as I believe something (that fits) is better than nothing. And this is sure something....
20180331_193237 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_152334 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
everything is finger tight right now, except the brakes, which are completely bled, and the driveshaft. I still need to positively locate the DJM notches and fit them, and need to squat the back end as much as possible to do so. Ill tighten when I get there.
Up front, lots of work. I shortened every tie rod ½ inch per DJM instructions, re packed the wheel bearings, installed the new hoses and calipers and rotors and tie rod ends, went to put the pitman on the steering box and found that the output shaft had LOTS of play. The grand cherokee box didn't work out, as the mounting pattern is different. I found that oriellys sells the 454SS box that its quicker ratio with a lifetime warranty for 105. they knocked it down to 95 with my commercial discount. Put new lines on it, and ran it home. Went and put the drop shocks that came with the truck back on it, as I struck out on junkyard bilsteins for now. Same with the delivered front sway bar. Didn't find anything bigger on my last run. I did learn, the hard way, that the DJM LCAs need something to limit down travel with lowering springs. I had one pop out, and it cost me two hours. I also learned that the camaro wheels barely fit on the old front rotors, and the new ones had a hub that was a few thousandths larger so I had to bore all 4 wheels (tire rotation will happen sometime). Regardless, the front end is together, with the control arm to frame bolts finger tight, and no steering shaft. Had to see how it sits, and needed to bring it down to be able to reach the engine bay to put some of the engine bay back together.
20180331_152355 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_152349 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
I NAILED my stance I was wanting. I wanted, on 245/55/18 tires, to have a fender lip height in the front of 28 inches. Im at 28 1/8 up front, and expect another half inch or so with all the weight on it and a properly settled suspension. Rear end is unknown, but looks right. Frame height is at 7 inches under the center of the cab, as judged with a 1x6 you can see in a couple of the pictures. The DJM LCA don't hang below the rim, and I feel comfortable with the scrub line. Additionally, I tried that “selfie” thing all the teenagers are doing. Purely as a reference point. Im 5'9, and the roof is at my nose. I freaking LOVE it. Im also uglier than homemade sin, so be warned.
20180331_192410 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_192521 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_192441 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_192449 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_192753 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180331_192605 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
lastly, today after Easter festivities, I got the new belt on, lower radiator hose, and lower shroud in. also got the new thermostat and gasket in. old one was stuck open, so that should help. New belt wound up being 4 inches shorter than the old.
20180401_175619 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20180401_175631 by
Michael Crawford, on Flickr
until next time, y'all.