Red YJ Too Build

[adamk]

I figured I’d start a second thread for the second YJ so to keep the other thread from getting too confusing.

I’ll start from the beginning. This Jeep was first seen when I dropped off some DOM to @Brownsxj. It belonged to his brother-in-law and wasn’t for sale. I left from dropping off the tubing with telling Robbie that if it was ever to go up for sale, I’d like to know.

Skip forward to October of 2022, and I get a text from Robbie that the motor in this Jeep has developed a huge knock and will likely be for sale. He shot me some pictures, details, and contact info for his BIL and I started the conversations of buying. Went to look at it one Sunday morning and it followed me home.

About a week after getting it home I finally unloaded it and dove into the engine knock. From listening to it when loading on the trailer, I knew it was very likely a rod bearing so I went ahead and ordered a set before tearing into it. After dropping the pan, it was confirmed to be a rod bearing. Inspection of the rod and crank revealed that this motor was about ready for the scrap yard. All rod bearings were heavily worn and the crank was severely damaged on cylinder 1 along with the rod. Just for fun I went ahead and threw the bearings I bought it in and sealed it back up.

It started right up and held 40psi at cold idle and when cruising down the road. At hot idle it would drop to around 10-15psi. It also has a knock that starts once it reaches 3k rpm but it drives just fine otherwise.

Although this rig has its problems, my wife and son enjoy it so it was decided to keep it. That then meant i was on the hunt for a replacement motor.

 

[adamk]

I posted on here in the WTB section looking for a used 2.5L. A forum member here chummed in with one and we set the plans for me to make the drive out to pick it up.

@Chris_Keziah and @Joe J. rode with me out to Harlan to pick up the used motor. We had a pretty good time just BSing the whole way there and back. This new to me motor has been gone through, inspected, and given the OK from myself (see this as who to blame if it doesn’t work).

My wife and I started making plans of what we wanted from this Jeep. She wants to be able to go wheeling in a rig of her own so we agreed this would be it. She also laid out what she wanted for size, drive-ability, and comfort so we started searching for parts.

@tobaccoroad4wd had a set of Corbeau RS seats from his wife’s YJ he was looking to move so we struck a deal and I wasted no time getting them installed. My wife and son both agree this was good purchase.

It was desired to have this rig on 33s so I set out hunting for a set. Luckily for me a set popped up on here for a very good price so they came home with us.

Obviously they didn’t fit without a lift so we set out searching and found a used 4” Skyjacker kit for dirt cheap. Made that deal and promptly started installing it.

That brings everything up to date. The replacement motor still needs to be installed but I’m waiting on some more parts to show up before beginning on that.

 

[adamk]

If you’ve read my other YJ build update then you already know I’ve made a move down to Houston, TX. This little Jeep has gotten some attention here and there but got most of its attention in preparation for the move. Since the last update an SYE and rear driveshaft have been installed. I bought an 8.8 and regeared it to 4.88. Also threw in a LSD thanks to @Joe J. A motobilt stretch tank and skid were installed along with 1” lift rear shackles. Finally, the new to me motor was refreshed and installed. Again, @Joe J. showed up to help finish the installation. I did learn a valuable lesson during this process. When installing new lifters, make sure to soak them in oil before installing. This new motor made a hell of a racket until oil pressure was as had and pushed through the lifters.

The Jeep is now running great and I daily drove it for a couple months while the move took place and I got the AC in my truck fixed.

Next steps are to regear the front and install the Detroit I picked up used for a decent price. Once that is complete, I’m not sure what else will come to this rig but we’ll see what happens.