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New SoCal/Remote

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Old 12-19-2022 | 03:33 PM
  #1  
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From: Winnetka
Default New SoCal/Remote

Hello! First time Jeep owner, originally bought for ease of flat-towing behind our motorhome, but then our first off-road experience was Imogene Pass from Ouray to Telluride and we caught the bug. Now we have three badges (Imogene Pass, Fins & Things, and Schnebly Hill Road) and a few non-Badge of Honor trails under our belt and I am researching what exactly we are driving! Any insight, comments, suggestions are welcome as we begin our Jeep journey! https://www.youtube.com/@stayclass-c6138 for our adventure videos.

We are signed up for Adventure Academy in Texas in April. Hope to meet some of you on the road!

2012 JK Wrangler Sport 2dr, 6spd manual transmission
- 35" Les Schwab Open Range tires, Method 305 wheels
- Unknown lift kit and unknown suspension (I tried contacting Desert Concepts, but they said they never worked on this Jeep)
- Appears to be a stock Dana 30 front and stock Dana 44 rear, but I am unsure if there has been regearing. Unknown LSD, lockers? I believe LSD.
- I have an unknown switch by the steering wheel but it doesn't seem to affective handling (ie. locker)? Haven't been able to trace the wiring yet.
- K&N 77Series Metal Air Intake
- Some custom wiring for top mounted LED light bar and bumper mounted LED fog lights
- Smittybilt XRC winch
- An overly loud muffler

My modding wish list so far is mainly to focus on safety and performance, starting with brakes (parking/emergency brake does not engage and regular braking squeaks when mildly depressing pedal). Maybe replace the super loud muffler.

More than happy to provide more specific pictures for any parts!














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user 729872082 (12-20-2022)
Old 12-19-2022 | 04:39 PM
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Welcome to JKF.. You guys are "rockin" good you are getting your Jeep out. Congrats and keep rolling.
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riianjames (12-20-2022)
Old 12-20-2022 | 05:28 AM
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Welcome from GA!
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riianjames (12-20-2022)
Old 12-20-2022 | 03:51 PM
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Welcome... from the looks of the diffs in your pics...there doesn't seem to be evidence of an aftermarket locker. My guess on the switch is that it went to a set of lights or something. Taking the time to grease things, clean things... might help some of the squeaks... looks like a lot of fun there!
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riianjames (12-20-2022)
Old 12-21-2022 | 04:55 AM
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might want to check out that front Rzeppa joint on the rear derive shaft, check the boot for being ripped or torn... looks to be greasie there and it should not be. Did you remove the engine cover or was it missing when you bought the rig? engine bay is embarrassingly dirty... by the way welcome to the Forum from dusty Arizona - I was not trying to break bad or anything - just observations all is well
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riianjames (12-21-2022)
Old 12-21-2022 | 09:32 AM
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Thank you, I am originally from Gilbert, AZ and regularly visit family just north of Tucson!

Front and rear drive shaft joints seem to be a common theme as people comment on the status of my Jeep. It is currently undergoing an inspection at the local shop, so I will take all of this combined feedback and I imagine that those will become high on the list to fix/replace. Someone else mentioned that because of the lift, the angle is simply too great for the stock shafts. Any suggestions on aftermarket parts to look into or should I just assume that I'll be including joint/boot replacement in my standard maintenance schedule?

The engine cover was removed for the pictures, but I do have it on usually. Engine is scheduled for a detail/clean tomorrow! We had a lot of fun in Moab & Sedona and that redrock clay/mud sure does leave a mess. No offense taken here, I am a newbie still learning as much as I can and looking for the honest feedback.

Originally Posted by XJRefugee
might want to check out that front Rzeppa joint on the rear derive shaft, check the boot for being ripped or torn... looks to be greasie there and it should not be. Did you remove the engine cover or was it missing when you bought the rig? engine bay is embarrassingly dirty... by the way welcome to the Forum from dusty Arizona - I was not trying to break bad or anything - just observations all is well
Old 12-21-2022 | 05:15 PM
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Just came back from Pima air and space museum 80 acres of vintage aircraft in south east Tucson. Worth the trip! anyway, adjustable front lower control arms is one way of helping front driveshaft angle. A simple angle finder should be in your toolbox. Iam guessing that is a Rubicon Express lift kit (springs, front trac bar, sway bar extended links) the color of the components seem correct and the trac bar looks like Rubicon. but just a guess. From viewing your pics I don't believe you have a muffler... I see a chrome tip and a big empty spot below the heat shield where the muffler should be.
Old 12-22-2022 | 09:19 AM
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Well, that should explain the loudness.

Someone else guessed Rough Country for the lift, also based on component color. It may just be a mystery for now.

So, after yesterday's inspection at the local shop, no one had any notes on the shafts or joints, even after asking specifically to have a look at them. They said all looked good there. I am going to power wash the undercarriage and keep an eye on these joints over the next few weeks.

They do however suggest a fair amount of replacement in the front end. Offset Ball joints, Tie Rod and Drag Link, Trackbar, and Front lower control arms. Based on the chart they provided (below), they said these fixes would get me back into better alignment. I don't notice any pulling or off center steering, etc. while driving and at ~$3500 of parts (majority Teraflex) + labor quoted, I'm wondering how much of a difference this will all make.




Originally Posted by XJRefugee
Just came back from Pima air and space museum 80 acres of vintage aircraft in south east Tucson. Worth the trip! anyway, adjustable front lower control arms is one way of helping front driveshaft angle. A simple angle finder should be in your toolbox. Iam guessing that is a Rubicon Express lift kit (springs, front trac bar, sway bar extended links) the color of the components seem correct and the trac bar looks like Rubicon. but just a guess. From viewing your pics I don't believe you have a muffler... I see a chrome tip and a big empty spot below the heat shield where the muffler should be.
Old 12-22-2022 | 11:14 AM
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Welcome and it looks like you enjoy it. If you want to make the engine look good simply close the hood. I am not a fan of spraying the engine bay too much just to clean it for the next mudhole (mine resembles yours but it still runs good). There are a lot of electronics in there to get wet.
Not sure what height the lift is but the front TB and drag link are pretty steep angles but at least they appear parallel. For 35's you only need a 2.5-3" lift.



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