The Challenge Build

[Pinkyman]

Looking good Jake!!

[abebehrmann]

That wall looks really nice with that old weathered barn wood. Very cool that it's re-purposed and staying in the family.

Congrats on the wedding! Hopefully she doesn't come to her senses before 10/15... :smiley-laughing021:

[xj-jake]

No kidding Abe. I keep my fingers crossed!

[xj-jake]

Finally got it all finished up!

[Pinkyman]

Looks great Jake!

[xj-jake]

The last of them.

[zombiedog29]

Nice job! Cozy and welcoming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xj-jake]

I only have one picture from our wedding this weekend but there will be more.

[Pinkyman]

Youre a lucky man there, Jake :thumbsup:

[Brasscatz]

Congrats good buddy!

[XJ Wheeler]

Congratulations Jake!!!

Sent via messenger pigeon. I talk, he types.

[oderdene]

Congratulations Bro!

Sent from my ASUS_Z00VD using Tapatalk

[xj-jake]

Well after all the hustle and bustle of the new house and wedding we finally got a chance to get out and abuse the jeep over the weekend. The local park Freedom Ridge had a wheeling event we attended with a friend of mine and his 2015 JK Rubicon. The kids were along and Steve had never been offroad before so it was a great time and place to break him and his jeep in.

[xj-jake]

The 2 hooligans hanging out in the back are mine. They had a blast of a time with his top off all day. We hit some of the easy stuff then proceeded to try and find some rocks. Sadly the locker I put in the front on Friday was having none of what I wanted to throw at is but it didn't slow me down.

https://youtu.be/AeFKIA5gq-A

https://youtu.be/d05HM-O2kVk

[xj-jake]

We tested out Steve's skid plates.

https://youtu.be/W9GS6Y8av4c

[xj-jake]

Stretched everything out.

https://youtu.be/5r3lX0n5-xc

[xj-jake]

Saved Steve.

https://youtu.be/7fLrNf5JBNI

[xj-jake]

And just had a great time!

https://youtu.be/CixSLUIYwFg

[xj-jake]

Even let the Wife drive!

https://youtu.be/sLsN-p-FF-E

[xj-jake]

All in all it was a great day with minor damage. Scrapes on a skid plate don't count for me but I'm not making the payments on it either.... Finished up the day with a stretch on the RTI ramp and headed back home!

[4.3LXJ]

You are right about that locker. What kind was it?

[Pinkyman]

Ugh, i hate my jeep........

I wish i would have made it :-(

[xj-jake]

You are right about that locker. What kind was it?

It's an older style Spartan. I'm not really happy about it. I was just gonna pick your brain about it actually. Any ideas?

[4.3LXJ]

It looks to me like it is not getting enough pressure from the pin to keep it locked. Maybe the teeth are rounded off by now. They should be nice and sharp. There is a spacer on the new ones, make sure it is in properly. The new ones will only allow you to put the cross pin in if it is right though.

[xj-jake]

It looks to me like it is not getting enough pressure from the pin to keep it locked. Maybe the teeth are rounded off by now. They should be nice and sharp. There is a spacer on the new ones, make sure it is in properly. The new ones will only allow you to put the cross pin in if it is right though.

Yup that's what I kinda figured. Oh well it was used anyhow and I got the carrier that I needed for the other gears. I'll chalk this one up to whatever and take my lesson.

[4.3LXJ]

One thing you might try just for giggles is swapping the inner sprockets. I have seen it work before.

[xj-jake]

I think if I'm gonna pull it apart I'm just gonna replace it.

[4.3LXJ]

:thumbsup:

[xj-jake]

A couple more from the weekend wheeling trip. Before pic.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w564/xj-jake/IMG_20161105_123620953_HDR_zpsgx9nxdil.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/xj-jake/media/IMG_20161105_123620953_HDR_zpsgx9nxdil.jpg.html)

At the top of 21 Stitch Hill.

http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w564/xj-jake/IMG_20161105_141440571_zpspadeb3k3.jpg (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/xj-jake/media/IMG_20161105_141440571_zpspadeb3k3.jpg.html)

[xj-jake]

In my search for gears and a new front locker for Christmas I came across an interesting option on an order page. I have an XJ Dana 44 in the rear of my jeep and one site asked to add the option of extra thick ring gear for 3.73 and down carriers. Having 3.55 gears in my jeep now, if I'm reading this correctly, this is what I'd need correct? Instead of paying $89 for a new carrier I could just buy the thicker ring gear for $10 more and be a happy camper?

To that tune then wouldn't a later model JK ring gear work?

Also, with the plethora of WJ's that are floating around in the junk yards, are the D44A and the D44 the same internals? Some of the WJ's came with a 4.10 gear ratio. Could one gut the gears out a WJ running gear to convert their D44 equipped XJ with factory gears? Or take that carrier out a D44A with 4.10's and use it as the carrier for my XJ D44 with steeper gears instead of the thicker ring gear?

[4.3LXJ]

The JK D44 is a different D44 than the old ones. They take different gears. I wish they would fit, they are much cheaper than the gears for the older ones

[xj-jake]

Do you know how they're different Steve? Is it that the gears are thicker?

[xj-jake]

Here's the site I'm referring to.

http://www.rwkhaussupply.com/magento/jeep-specific/jeep-xj/usa-standard-xj-gear-package-special.html

[abebehrmann]

Do you know how they're different Steve? Is it that the gears are thicker?

I'm pretty sure the ring gear is a larger diameter in the JK Dana 44.

Edit: See the chart at the bottom of this link.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/131-0906-rubicon-jk-dana-44-axles/

[abebehrmann]

In my search for gears and a new front locker for Christmas I came across an interesting option on an order page. I have an XJ Dana 44 in the rear of my jeep and one site asked to add the option of extra thick ring gear for 3.73 and down carriers. Having 3.55 gears in my jeep now, if I'm reading this correctly, this is what I'd need correct? Instead of paying $89 for a new carrier I could just buy the thicker ring gear for $10 more and be a happy camper?

As far as I understand, this is correct.

[xj-jake]

I'm pretty sure the ring gear is a larger diameter in the JK Dana 44.

Edit: See the chart at the bottom of this link.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/131-0906-rubicon-jk-dana-44-axles/

Great reference Abe. That answers half of my questions. The D44A innards still peak my interest.

[4.3LXJ]

Carriers are different too. Cannot interchange lockers or spiders IIRC. The JK and Wj versions are the D44 HD. Supposed to take more engine torque. It is the same one they put in the Viper

[xj-jake]

Some more videos from the outing to Freedom Ridge.

https://youtu.be/7l8ayBrmz58

https://youtu.be/_UIXu7n4PJw

https://youtu.be/AnjJZLdGivU

https://youtu.be/Njk9skRmbtQ

https://youtu.be/tuAmxr1CdXs

https://youtu.be/0Xl1rxi3EZI

https://youtu.be/4i0CKcYKQSw

[Pinkyman]

Wow youre right Jake, there are some crazy looking hills there!

[xj-jake]

Yeah it's pretty fun though. I have a bunch of pics too but I can't figure out how to size them down to go on the forum.

[4.3LXJ]

Yeah Jake, looks like fun there

[xj-jake]

I'm back and yes I'm still alive. Winter, wife, and work have kept me super busy for the last while. With the wheeling season right around the corner and my time short I outsourced my axle work. Blue got dropped off at a local driveline shop for some work. Next week it should be back home with 2 rebuilt axles with all new Yukon guts including 4.88's and Grizzly lockers. I hate to pay someone to do it but I simply don't have the time. The shop doing the work is Sidco 4x4 in Glencoe, Mn. He's been around a long time and definitely knows his stuff.

Check out his website. http://sidco4x4.com/

[bluedragon436]

I'm back and yes I'm still alive. Winter, wife, and work have kept me super busy for the last while. With the wheeling season right around the corner and my time short I outsourced my axle work. Blue got dropped off at a local driveline shop for some work. Next week it should be back home with 2 rebuilt axles with all new Yukon guts including 4.88's and Grizzly lockers. I hate to pay someone to do it but I simply don't have the time. The shop doing the work is Sidco 4x4 in Glencoe, Mn. He's been around a long time and definitely knows his stuff.

Check out his website. http://sidco4x4.com/

I wish I had the knowledge and tools to be able to do my own gears.. I would have done my full axle rebuild and gear/locker install myself before I spent almost as much as I did on all the parts on the work.. Not to mention.. I'd be done with it by now... and not still waiting on getting her back...

[xj-jake]

I don't have the knowledge or the patience for it right now either. I need it to just run and be ready when I am. Should be going under the knife on Wednesday, and hopefully they don't find too much other stuff that needs attention.

[xj-jake]

Well Blue came back from the doctor last week with all kinds of new axle guts. It was in dire need of a rebuild, the 30 was awfully noisy. So here's how it went, both axles got new guts from flange to flange. All new bearings and seals along with Yukon 4.88's and Grizzly lockers. When I loaded the jeep on the trailer while picking it up from the shop I didn't even have to touch the gas pedal. It crawled right up all by itself.

I asked the guys in the shop if there was anything to be concerned with or if they had any issues with the install. Blue got a clean bill of health with the warning that I will probably start breaking D30 axles, which I'm aware of.

Food for thought and things to consider

They told me that while disassembling the rear axle they came upon something that I wasn't aware of on the outer bearings on the D44. Apparently the races were spinning in the housing. They told me it was very common on them and they see this issue more than one would think. It's nothing that can't be fixed and nothing to worry about.

First impressions

I drive this both on and off road. With a few very fun trips planned for the summer I knew it wasn't going to make another year on subpar (in my opinion) lockers and stock gearing. After the butt chewing I got from the wife in November about her not able to climb stuff like she wanted the green light came on.

On road, peppy. It's actually fun to drive again. I don't have to worry about making sure there's enough time for me to accelerate so I don't get creamed by the semi. On the highway it actually goes into overdrive and even sometimes in town. I can't remember how long its been since it just does it without me having to try to make it go in overdrive. It runs high rpms on the highway, thankfully it wont be on the highway for more that 30 or so miles at a time.

Off road, this review is still to come. At the end of April I'll be heading out with some locals to give it a throw. I'm excited to get this thing dirty because I can tell the difference already. I had to try it out on my rock at the house. Stay tuned for pics and vids from Freedom Ridge at the end of the month!

[xj-jake]

I tackled the cut and fold on the rear fenders yesterday in preparation for the upcoming wheeling weekend. There's tons of write-ups out there on how to do this mod but what I found is the best thing to do is wing it. The side that I initially thought was the worst side actually ended up being the better one.

I buttoned it up for the weekend, there isn't a good way to get this done the way I'd like it done. It's good to go for now but I will be rewelding in sheet metal so I feel better about it.

[xj-jake]

Here's the finished for now product. As much as I hate to say this word I may have to put mudflaps on it. :bang: There's not much for coverage back there from flying tire debris.

[xj-jake]

I'm also trying to chase down an intermittent speed sensor issue. Ever since I've had this jeep the speedo works only from time to time. It never bothered me so I never bothered to chase it down.

Most of the time after driving the jeep for a while the speedo would work just fine and then if shut off it wouldn't work again until it was warmed up again. Well with the new gears I'm guessing that it's warming up faster but now the speedo will pin at a Hondo twenty and it won't downshift when coming to a stop.

I spoke with one of the techs here and did the factory diagnostics and ordered a speed sensor for it. Hopefully this will fix my problem, I just really didn't want to have to drop $100 on the speed sensor from Rugged Ridge!

[bluedragon436]

Glad you got your axles done flange to flange far quicker than I did.. What gears did you go from, was it stock gearing originally?? I went to 4.56's on mine, and so far definitely notice a difference on the road.. I drove mine home from the shop (roughly 70 miles on the new gears by the time I got her home), and I don't remember what the RPM's were @ on the highway... but wasn't too bad.. either way my average MPG was 15.. no complaints about that... not so good MPG in the city I'm sure... but still going to be better than it was with the stock gears and 3.55's... I'm @ 315 miles in on the break-in process... Going to try and go out and get some more miles in today... and hoping the weather will be better tomorrow so I can go out and get some more miles in and some pictures... and maybe take the Yak out and check out a sunken fishing boat I found on my adventures yesterday while the cool down cycle is going.. Mine won't be as nice gears and locker wise like yours... then again for now, my wheeling is nearly as nice as yours either... (unfortunately I'm stuck with mud only for now)...

Great videos by the way... can't wait to get to some good wheeling as close to that as I can get anyways... Love the exhaust note too... is that a FM exhaust or just a cut up stock system??

[xj-jake]

Yeah the axles got done and we're gonna give them the test this weekend. They got done quick but I paid for it as well. Actually more than I paid for the Jeep initially. You gotta pay to play right?? I went from 3.55 gearing to 4.88's and it made a huge difference. As far as mileage I honestly don't care what it gets. I have new tires going on this afternoon and I should be set for the summer, if I spend any more on it I'm sure the wife is gonna hang me.

If I remember right the exhaust is a Magnaflow? I honestly can't recall. It has a nice throaty sound.

[xj-jake]

Check out Pinkyman!!

[Pinkyman]

Cant a guy just change his pants in public without getting any grief??? :smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021:

[xj-jake]

Okay that probably wasn't nice, I'll make it right! Pinky laid it down out at the convention this weekend!

[xj-jake]

Moar

[xj-jake]

Babe the Blue jeep

[xj-jake]

More pics of mine. This thing was impressive this weekend. Anything I pointed it at it took. I'm very happy with the recent mods.

[bluedragon436]

Cant a guy just change his pants in public without getting any grief??? :smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021:

Apparently not!! :bacondance::bacondance:

[xj-jake]

Finally placed an order for the proper shocks for my Jeep. It's been being run with 4" lift shocks on 6 1/2" of lift. It's worked but it also needs to be right!

[bluedragon436]

Finally placed an order for the proper shocks for my Jeep. It's been being run with 4" lift shocks on 6 1/2" of lift. It's worked but it also needs to be right!

Did you order some DT shocks through IRO?? I mean you act like you have to wait forever to get shocks.. and can't just drive over to IRO to purchase them darn near off the shelf (if not off the shelf, never been there...YET)..

[xj-jake]

I did and I did wait forever lol. It's about an hour and a half drive

[bluedragon436]

I did and I did wait forever lol. It's about an hour and a half drive

Wouldn't have thought it should have taken that long to get the shocks or any parts from them, unless they were out of stock @ the time or something.. I want to say I had all the parts including shocks I ordered from them within a week.. Either way I've liked them so far... granted I don't get to run my lift & DT shocks like you get too.. so certainly look forward to hearing your feedback on them, once you get em in and run em for a bit..

[xj-jake]

I've been lazy on ordering them. I had other things I wanted to get lined out before getting the shocks in. Everything is coming together nicely. Shocks should be here tomorrow or Thursday. Going to look at a tow rig on Friday, hopefully that'll pan out alright.

[xj-jake]

Friday went well. We drove over to New Richmond, Wi to save a truck from a certain cheesehead disaster. With how my jeep is getting and future plans for the house we decided it was time to bite the bullet and find a truck. For once the truck actually looked better in person than it did in the pictures. I've been selling cars for nearly 3 years now and I've seen 2014 trucks come in that are in worse shape than this 2008 was in.

Needless to say, it came home with us. This truck was originally a Texas truck that came to Mn in 2011. The previous owner used it as his work truck. Obviously the dude was a total freak because it really is almost like new. Still has the frame stickers on it with only 3-4 small rust spots in the usual areas.

Either way here she is, 2008 Dodge Ram Laramie 2500. Loaded with heated leather bucket seats, and the sunroof. 6.7L Cummins, 68RFE transmission with the engine brake, and 124,000 miles. Full Sinister Diesel Performance EGR, DPF, NOX delete with EFI Live tuning. 5" turbo back exhaust. Has a giganticly gay exhaust tip that needs to come off with a vengeance. Either way it runs like a champ. We got 26.1 mpg on the way home for an average! Meet Ram-Jam, extra points if you catch the pun, Pinkyman Ryan you don't count :smiley-taunt002:

[Pinkyman]

Meet Ram-Jam, extra points if you catch the pun, Pinkyman Ryan you don't count :smiley-taunt002:

OHHH OHHH!!!! Pick ME!! I know!! :bacondance::bacondance::bacondance:

[xj-jake]

Does anybody know anything about EFI Live tuning in these CTD's?

[bluedragon436]

That looks like an awesome deal you found there... Would love to find (and will have one day), a decent shape CTD 2500/3500 Ram... Would be even nice if it already had the deletes done and exhaust... but not mandatory... Either way that will handle anything you can or would want to throw at it... If you don't mind me asking, how much did you snag it for?? As far as the EFI Live... I know a few years back when I was really hardcore researching for a truck, and what is the best options to do to make them better.. there was a few awesome EFI live resources, and quite a few that were great for learning folks how to use/make changes with it... as well as some good tunes and such to get get the most out to the setup people were running.. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find those resources again...

[xj-jake]

James,

Thanks for the answer and sorry I haven't been on in quite a while. It's surely been a busy month for the Xj-Jake household.

The thing that really turned me on to this truck is that the dealer didn't really know what they had. The photos they had showed a gigantically gay exhaust tip which was the first clue to me that someone had deleted it. When we showed up and I looked under the hood I found out that it in fact was fully deleted with parts from Sinister. The cooler is gone, crossover tube is gone, all DPF and NOX filters are gone and it's straight piped 5" turbo back.

Surprisingly enough its really not that loud and pulling the jeep up to Gilbert and back last weekend we AVERAGED 18.6 mph with the jeep on a 20' trailer, rough estimate at around 8500 lbs. I bought the truck with a touch over 124k for miles for $22,500

[xj-jake]

14655

[xj-jake]

I have been VERY LAZY in updating this thread, I almost threw up a little bit when I saw it on the second page. Tony sent me a very nice email to thank me for my continued support of the forum, only to realize I hadn't even logged in for a year. Oh the huge manatee. Well the jeep has been wheeled for the last 2 summers nearly as seen in the last update. I'll throw some pictures and videos up for you to examine. Glad to be back and please ask questions if needed!

[xj-jake]

14656

[4.3LXJ]

Nice pics Jake

[xj-jake]

Thanks Steve! Here's a few more for everyone's viewing pleasure.

14658146591466014661

[xj-jake]

Wife driving a tight little area. Check out how "cool" she is at the end!

https://youtu.be/xvHfHmHzefY

[4.3LXJ]

Putting it to good use Jake

[denverd1]

taking on some good trails. love it

[xj-jake]

More Wife Driving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPFNBuDLtMk

[xj-jake]

The Gorge part 1 and part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVVYdAKQJic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvoQ4xF6ENE&t=7s

[xj-jake]

More playing, and I see someone thinks this video is stupid, web wheelers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otoVPmxOxjU

[XJ Wheeler]

Awesome bud! Glad to see the xj is tearing it up out there and the wife is getting involved! We are gonna need more updates though! (I also have been slacking in the updates...)

Sent via messenger pigeon. I talk, he types.

[xj-jake]

I'll do my best. She's down now for the time being, it eats axle shafts like tic tacs now. Something needs to drastically change...