Independence Day: Mopar readies the Jeep Wrangler JK8 Independence Kit

So you want a Wrangler Pick-up truck, well as last Mopar are going to launch the JK-8 conversion kit, read more below.

The JK-8 gets a launch date. For those of you that have been patiently awaiting more details concerning Mopar’s Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence Kit, since it debuted in April at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, you can look forward to more than just fireworks July 4th weekend. The JK-8 Kits will be available at select dealerships beginning July 4th weekend.

Jeep and Mopar are pushing hard on suppliers to have 100 of the kits available by July 4th, a source within Mopar’s development team revealed. In all Jeep has 1000 of the kits in production, and is working hard to coincide the JK8 Independence’s launch with our country’s own Independence Day.

No word yet, on product mix of how many kits will be bolt on versus weld on. We assume that all 100 kits available on July 4th will be the less expensive and easier to install bolt on version. The bolt on kit will have a retail of just under $5,000. No word yet on the Mopar part number or which dealership will receive the initial kits. -But we can tell you the kits will come with a Mopar certificate of authenticity and die cast aluminium fender emblems bearing the “JK-8″ ensignia, similar to those used on the 1981-1986 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler.

The name of the pickup truck conversion kit and the July 4th Independence Day launch were apparently planned late last year. The move to name the JK8 Kit “Independence” is a nod to Jeep’s historical significance during World War II and coincides with Jeep’s own 70th Anniversary.

 

 

Watch a time lapsed build of the JK8 performed by the Mopar team at the recent Easter Jeep Safari in Moab:

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,JK,JK-8,Mopar

May not contain all you need!

Recently I was asked if I could check over a Cherokee that had a 3” lift kit fitted, to make sure bolts were torqued correctly, and such like. Once I had the Jeep on the ramp I gave it a good look over and a couple of items came to light very quickly one was serious. As you can see from the photo the suspension is almost on full drop with hardly any steering lock, and the brake line is ready tight and pulling. As you can imagine in an off-road situation with the Jeep articulated up and full lock being put on I doubt very much that the brake line would hold. Resulting in no front brakes not an ideal position to be in. So when fitting a lift kit it is always a good idea to cycle the suspension through its full travel and check. That way the next problem I found would have come to light as well.
The second problem I found was, there were no front bumpstop extensions fitted, now this is not as serious a problem as with the brake lines, but can still end up costing money. The gap between the the axle pad and the bumpstop on the front suspension with the vehicle sitting at rest was 4.75” the length of the shock rod left showing was 4”. So before the bumpstop can do it work at full compression the shock would bottom out and would act as the bumpstop. This would eventually end up damaging the piston rod and valve, resulting in new shocks being needed.
Not all suspension kits have all the parts you require in the box so to say when fitting the lift. Just because the parts are not in the box does not mean that you do not need them. When buying a lift kit if you are not sure ask, if they recommend any other components that may be required, it could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run and giving you a reliable rig as well.
If you have questions regarding your Jeep suspension, then give me a ring at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd. We can always advise and point you in the right direction.

C2ZN72Q53WMV Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,Cherokee,Suspension,Shocks,Brakes,Articulation,Bumpstops,Lifts,FTE 4x4 Specialists

Back to Basic “What is a SYE?”

Recently I have had a couple of guys that are just getting into Jeeping with stock Wrangler TJ’s (Yes there are still a few around) and one of the first questions I get asked is “What is a slip yoke eliminator (SYE) or short shaft conversion).

So here is the one on one on the SYE, there are a few different versions around but basically they are do the same job. They eliminate the sliding yoke joint on the transfer box end of the rear prop shaft, why would you want to do that? Well if you look at the rear prop shaft on the Wrangler TJ and YJ (not so much the YJ) it is very short and once you lift the suspension 2+” (50+mm) the angle the prop will run at will cause problems maybe vibration and at full articulation the yoke could bind.

The stock set-up on a Wrangler TJ.

The shaft that the stock sliding yoke runs on.

The heavy duty slip yoke eliminator fitted.

The SYE installed in the Wrangler and fitted with a new prop shaft, note that the sliding joint is now in the prop shaft tube. Also using a double UJ joint (Americans refer to this as a CV joint) on the transfer box end allows for a lot more articulation so eliminating bind on higher lifts.

Another advantage of fitting a Heavy Duty SYE is the increase in strength of the output shaft, as you can see from the photo below the increase diameter of the shaft.


As I said at the beginning of this article there are many different versions on the SYE, some involve cutting the stock shaft down, drilling and fitting a flange. Another version does away with the speedo drive cog converting to impulse output but also making the short shaft conversion about 1.5” shorter allowing for a longer prop shaft which helps with the higher lifts.

So if you are think of lifting your Wrangler more then a couple of inches then you are probably going to need a SYE so for more information or advice contact FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd.

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,TJ,YJ,off-road,SYE,Short shaft conversion,Slip yoke eliminator,prop shaft

J33P in Normade

For the past few days I have been in France with J33P Off-Road Adventure club on the Friday it was green laning lead by fwdfwd.com some great lanes, with a few water crossing not very deep as they have not had any rain in the region for a couple of months but still entertaining as the photos show.
 

On the Saturday and Sunday it was off to fwdfwd.com site for some more challenging routes. At there site they have a great range of terrain, as based in a valley it has some very steep climbs and descents, along with some rock crawling and of cause water. Below are some photos curtsey of Ivan Morley showing what a great time was had by all. Thanks to everyone involved in organising the event, it ran like clockwork. 
 

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,Cherokee,FTE 4x4 Specialists ltd

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If you are interested in getting involved off-road then take a look at J33P site which is sponsored by FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd

Looking for that extra storage space in your Wrangler?

Introducing the Rugged Ridge® Overhead Storage Console for 1987-11 Jeep® Wrangler

Always looking for an extra storage place in your Wrangler to store your sunglasses, maps, gloves and other stuff that ends up on your floorboards, or worse yet lost?
The Rugged Ridge Overhead Storage Console is the storage solution you have been waiting for! It instantly turns the area underneath your top into usable storage space without any interference or modification to your vehicle. Fits all 1987-2011 Jeep® Wranglers! Works with soft tops, hardtops, the top up, or the top down. The Overhead Storage Console is a fully enclosed storage compartment that installs easily without any tools or drilling. It is constructed from durable blow moulded High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), so it is safer and lighter than steel. A non-skid pad is adhered to the inside of the console to help keep your gear from sliding around, and a mesh storage net helps keep it safely stowed yet easily accessible. The console measures 41.5”x2.5”x6.5” and offers more than 450 cubic inches of storage.

Available from FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,TJ,JK,YJ,Rugged Ridge

Time for an upgrade?

The photo below shows a UJ from a Wrangler TJ front half shaft, which was only fitted 9 months ago! The corrosion is not due to lack of maintenance, as this particular UJ is classed as maintenance free or more commonly known as sealed for life ( in this case not a very long life). On a road going vehicle that does not see any real off-road use this type of UJ could last years, I know one guy with a Cherokee XJ that has never change the UJ’s and it is 16 years old and they are still in good condition!

The reason for the premature wear & corrosion is basically the ingress of water into the cups. How does this happen so quickly? You can see the seals look in good condition! When driving to the shops or work the UJ’s heat up expanding the grease and pushing any air trapped in the cups out. This is not normally a problem, as when you park up at your destination the UJ’s cool, the grease contracts and it pulls air back into the cups. When you arrive at the off-road site you drop into low box and trundle off hitting mud holes water splashes and such like. The UJ’s are cooled down by the water hitting them and the grease inside the cups cools and contracts pulling in whatever surrounds the UJ’s. Water, a water-sand mix, water-mud mix. So starts the rapid detrition of the UJ’s, and as these are sealed unless you strip the UJ out, which is not an easy job, there is no way in which to grease the UJ and push the dirt/grit out.
There were some UJ’s that were cross drilled with a grease nipple (red arrow) but this caused an inherent weakness and they often broke across the middle (in off-road use). There are a few heavy duty UJ’s available such as CTM, but these are not designed for long road use at high speed. So what is a good alterative to the stock Spicer UJ? Alloy-USA make a UJ that fits the bill, serviceable flush grease nipples at each cap allows you to flush grime and fill with grease. Made of cold forged steel composition made of chromium, molybdenum and nickel alloy, with a hardened case for excellent wear resistance. These UJ’s are not a lot more expensive than the stock Spicer units, but if maintained will last and give years of trouble free miles.

So the next time you are stripping down the front axle to pull the half shafts to change out the UJ’s why not upgrade to a serviceable unit. Its is a lot easier to pump a bit of grease into a UJ then replace it!
For more information and prices contact Steve at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd. on 01268 730131/07973 198483 or email steve@fte.co.uk 

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,Cherokee,Axle,Off-Road,UJ's,Dana 30,Dana 44,TJ,XJ,ZJ,JK

Replacement Bushings for Rubicon Express Control Arms

Daystar is now offering heavy-duty polyurethane bushings available to replace the rubber hourglass bushings used in the company's long-arm and short-arm kits. Specially formulated from a unique new blend of polyurethane, these bushings have much of the same elasticity as the original rubber bushings, yet are capable of surviving the most demanding off-road conditions.

Designed as direct replacements for the larger and smaller "hourglass" bushings used in upper and lower Rubicon Express control arms, no modifications to the arms themselves will be needed and even the original sleeves can be re-used.  They are packaged in sets of eight; four large and four small bushings in each kit.

As soon as these are available we shall be stocking these at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd. We are hoping to be able to supply the bushes individually, rather then as set of 8.

Technorati Tags: Rubicon Express,DayStar,FTE 4x4 Specialists,Wrangler,TJ,XJ,ZJ,JK,Bushes