- Thread starter
- #561
Rear links arrived…
Builds Homer's 2003 GX470 Build 8.2 4.56 2.5 34s (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter HomersCanyonero
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- Thread starter
- #562
Found a muffler/tire shop who was willing to weld the eimKeith LLS brackets for the lower link mount points.
He also said he could put spot welds on the factory cam tabs.
Two-twenty cash out the door…He was available to do it on the spot. He said it would take him two hours. He’s never done eimKeith brackets before!
Two hours later and now I’m ready to install the 4 Apache Offroad rear links.
Not the pretty welds you see on bumpers, but I guess you get what you pay.
He also said he could put spot welds on the factory cam tabs.
Two-twenty cash out the door…He was available to do it on the spot. He said it would take him two hours. He’s never done eimKeith brackets before!
Two hours later and now I’m ready to install the 4 Apache Offroad rear links.
Not the pretty welds you see on bumpers, but I guess you get what you pay.
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- Thread starter
- #563
Installed the Apache rear lower links.
One of the photos has the new Apache rear lower link on top of the factory rear lower link. I aligned the holes but the Apache one is about ~1/16” to 1/8” of an inch longer.
I dropped the axle as far as it goes while on jackstands to tighten the bolts to 96 ft-lb. Nothing rubs or touches, so that’s a good sign.
I’ll do the the uppers soon.
So fortunate to be in socal in a socal 21.7 year old rig and near zero rust.
Original lower arms came off easy…I did put wd40 just in case, but bolts come off easy.
I did have to use a ratchet strap to move the axle back like 1/16” to align the hole for the bolt.
One of the photos has the new Apache rear lower link on top of the factory rear lower link. I aligned the holes but the Apache one is about ~1/16” to 1/8” of an inch longer.
I dropped the axle as far as it goes while on jackstands to tighten the bolts to 96 ft-lb. Nothing rubs or touches, so that’s a good sign.
I’ll do the the uppers soon.
So fortunate to be in socal in a socal 21.7 year old rig and near zero rust.
Original lower arms came off easy…I did put wd40 just in case, but bolts come off easy.
I did have to use a ratchet strap to move the axle back like 1/16” to align the hole for the bolt.
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- Thread starter
- #564
The factory bushings on the rear upper link looks worse than the factory lowers
And rear spring hits factory gas tank skid plate on full droop. I measured my rear shocks at 28” long between the center eye to the first bushing on top.
And rear spring hits factory gas tank skid plate on full droop. I measured my rear shocks at 28” long between the center eye to the first bushing on top.
Interesting that your spring hits. I have a similar setup with dobinsions rear links (never replaced my uppers but them as well) and my springs don't touch there. My driveshaft hit the tank skid though but I have full budbuilt skids
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- #566
My dobinson c59-675V springs were hitting factory gas tank skid even with factory rear upper/lower links. I run icon 56550 long travel shocks, timbren bumpstops, and OCD rear sway bar links on a Nolathane HD rear sway bar. Factory pan hard bar.
The Apache rear lower link pushed the axle back like 1/8” so I was hoping it didn’t hit. I was extended about 10” in that picture.
I also run a 5th gen 8.2” rear diff, but I can’t remember when I started hitting the gas tank. I recently saw teal paint. Not sure when it happened. Good thing is my rear drive shaft doesn’t hit anything. It clears the factory gas tank skid.
Too many mods recently and not sure which one caused the spring to touch the factory gas tank skid plate
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- #568
Yes, I have the welded eimKeith PCK
Intersting, i'll defintily have to watch this on my rig. I think it is pretty close.
Big hammer to the gas tank skid might also fix it
.
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- #570
Haha! It’s just kissing it so might not be a big problem…and I have red dobinson c59-701Vs waiting in the wings for when I install the JW Offroad half swing out tire carrier.Intersting, i'll defintily have to watch this on my rig. I think it is pretty close.
Big hammer to the gas tank skid might also fix it
So, the lipstick will change from teal to red!
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If you keep your rear sway bar you shouldn't have drive shaft contact with the gas tank. I removed mine and have been too lazy to reinstall. I got an 80 a while back so not planning on offroading the GX much anymore. East coast rocks have smashed up the underside pretty good and the 80 is better in that environment
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- #572
Good to know on the rear sway bar removal being a cause for the rear drive shaft to hit the gas tank skid.
I’m glad I have a HD rear sway bar
- Thread starter
- #573
Restless Offroad front bumper on my GX470 is up…test install to fit trim, lights, and reinforcement bracket.
Still trimming factory bumper and waiting for custom heavy duty back frame support bracket
Lights needs to be wired…waiting for DT 2-pin connectors with pigtails to use existing wiring harness/switch from previous Auxbeam spot light kit.
Still trimming factory bumper and waiting for custom heavy duty back frame support bracket
Lights needs to be wired…waiting for DT 2-pin connectors with pigtails to use existing wiring harness/switch from previous Auxbeam spot light kit.
- Thread starter
- #574
Install video…
- Thread starter
- #575
Getting ready to go shake out all my recent mods…
I feel like I didn’t load as much as usual…hmmmm
Testing out:
1. New Apache rear upper and lower links
2. New restless Offroad front bumper with Auxbeam lights
3. New bison gear interior molle panels
4. EimKeith LLS brackets for the rear lower links
I feel like I didn’t load as much as usual…hmmmm
Testing out:
1. New Apache rear upper and lower links
2. New restless Offroad front bumper with Auxbeam lights
3. New bison gear interior molle panels
4. EimKeith LLS brackets for the rear lower links
- Thread starter
- #576
Came down a steep hill and stuffed my front wheel to where it rubbed on the upper liner pretty loudly.
I got off to check but I had advanced like a foot after hearing the rubbing and was surprised to see how much flex my rear wheel.
This is with rear HD sway bar and no front sway bar. And the recent Apache Offroad upper and lower rear links.
I got off to check but I had advanced like a foot after hearing the rubbing and was surprised to see how much flex my rear wheel.
This is with rear HD sway bar and no front sway bar. And the recent Apache Offroad upper and lower rear links.
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- #577
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- #578
My friend who has a Jeep and followed me in the last 3 outings…says my GX470 was flexing better than before and it doesn’t squeak anymore.
Maybe the new duroflex joints in the Apache Offroad extended and offset links (upper and lower) are making a bigger difference than I thought!
Maybe the new duroflex joints in the Apache Offroad extended and offset links (upper and lower) are making a bigger difference than I thought!
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Pretty awesome flex for sure! I'll likely add a set of those to the longer-term list, or potentially DIY a set if the bushings and shells are available separately.
One question - how have you been noticing overall Jeep vs. GX performance? My GX has seems quite a bit faster on higher-speed rutted/washboard stuff and highways than my buddy's Jeep. Not sure if it was IFS vs. SFA or just a shock setup thing. He can pretty significantly out-flex me, however.
One question - how have you been noticing overall Jeep vs. GX performance? My GX has seems quite a bit faster on higher-speed rutted/washboard stuff and highways than my buddy's Jeep. Not sure if it was IFS vs. SFA or just a shock setup thing. He can pretty significantly out-flex me, however.
