Low budget YJ build

Figured I would keep track of this Jeep I acquired with a build thread. I'm sure I'll need some help or opinions soon enough.

93 YJ. I bought it from a friend for $500. Originally a 4 cylinder, but a previous owner swapped in a new 4.0 from Jasper. AX-15 Trans and 4.10 gears. I proceeded to demolish the Dana 35 in no time at all so the Jeep ended up on jack stands and I started a "build" yet again.

The goal for this Jeep is to be low and stable. It most likely won't do anything great, but I want it to be well rounded enough to bash some trails, crawl some rock pits and drive to the beach at 70mph.

Parts I have acquired:

8.8 rear axle with LSD and 4.10's.
RuffStuff brackets and hardware.
Using factory high pinion 30 up front for now.
CAD deleted and using TJ shafts up front for bigger u joints.
General Spring Wagoneer 7 leafs for roughly 2" of lift and 4" of total stretch.
Parts Mike steering box relocation bracket.
Jeep came with a SYE and Adam's driveshaft.
Stainless braided brake lines.
Poly bushings for the suspension.
1/2" lift boomerang shackles.

I've cut a ton of metal out of the fender areas for clearance. Will do a 1" body lift if I need more uptravel clearance.

So far I've got about $1700 in the whole thing.

This is the day I bought it. Pretty ugly and was running on 5 cylinders, no heater, no blinkers and no 4x4. Stopped on my way home and fixed an injector clip and it ran perfect. Got the rest working once home for $0. Just needed some TLC.

The inevitable breakage of the welded Dana 35 was pretty much instant. Broke a front axle just afterwards trying to get out of the woods. Loaded it up and took it to my garage.

I know the jack stand situation is not optimal lol. I've got the front diff out to install some seals now that I don't have CAD. Hopefully I can start getting the rear axle fitted and ready to weld up. The RuffStuff brackets look real nice.

Damn where do you live? I'll let you borrow some jack stands!! I LOLed on the can holding up spring.

Went to Johnson City yesterday for some wheels and tires. 35" km3's and pro comp beadlocks.

Bateman said:

Went to Johnson City yesterday for some wheels and tires. 35" km3's and pro comp beadlocks.

Click to expand...

You might have just doubled the money you have in this project... ha

I like this low budget build. Looking forward to keeping up with this one.

Haha definitely doubled the investment. I believe it will be ready to hit the road by end of April with less than $5k in it.

After a couple beach trips I will have another round of upgrades to do. For now, it has to be drivable for the beach. After being spoiled with driving to the water with all my gear and two big dogs, I'll never walk again.

Slowly getting the rear set up and ready to weld. Any tips on pinion angle? I've got it pretty much dead straight with the drive shaft (double cardan) thinking I might need to put a couple degrees down for axle wrap on the throttle.

I feel like 2° down is typical for a double cardan on leafs.

That's the type of info I was looking for thanks. I better get an angle finder. These eyes can't ball 2* I don't think.

Overdue update. My truck laid down on me and I had to get the Jeep going in a hurry. I've been daily driving it and have done some light off-roading. I'm pretty impressed for what it is.

I was a dumbass and let the hood fly up so now I need a windshield frame and glass. Had some real wild electrical problems that I finally tracked down. Got some upgrades to make once I have my truck fixed. I'll post a few pics of the Heep.

Pics..

That stinks on truck/hood/electrical issues but with it being a daily you are getting seat time now.

Anyone got a YJ windshield frame? I'm having a really tough time finding one. Going to have to spend the big bucks on a new one if I can't find a used one soon.

So I haven't had much updates lately. My Cummins is taking up the garage unfortunately and I've been daily driving the YJ.

we just got back from a nice beach trip for my bday and I put 1700 miles on the Jeep. Probably half of that was on sand haha. I buy a beach driving permit every year and this was the third vehicle I've taken. It did great. Next plans are the front stretch with wagoneer springs, an Adam's shaft up front and installing my TJ axles with fresh joints. Currently running a set of borrowed ZJ shafts.

anyways, here's a couple pics that might entertain someone.

Getting some good use out of the rig!

Love the beach pics and seems like it was a great trip !

Thanks guys. I've been looking into AW4 swaps. I've always had manual jeeps and it's always been the one thing I wished was auto. The TF999 would be much easier but I'm just about sure I would hate not having OD. I do 75-80mph on the highway it would be screaming with a 1:1 ratio.

Rad Designs also has a pretty slick setup using a Winters shifter that can be used as full manual or auto.

Rory at RAD is a great guy.
And the AW4 is the best transmission ever put behind a 4.0.

I'd say do it !