Glad to see you're taking your time...
Hey, not judging. Who am I to question the allure of modding / fixing the new toy? Best of luck, and congrats on the purchase.
Newbie Introduction / Purchase challenges / Ignorance Acknowledgement
- Thread starter BlackLab
- Start date
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Glad to see you're taking your time...
Hey, not judging. Who am I to question the allure of modding / fixing the new toy? Best of luck, and congrats on the purchase.
- Thread starter
- #22
Dog,
Thanks. I am excited. I have learned so much since I wrote the first post by reading this and talking to people that I realize that a lot of what i said was stupid. I was just excited about about a shiny opportunity. Here is a photo of the car as i am buying it. The jeep is sold tomorrow. Anyway, looking forward to reading more.
Thanks. I am excited. I have learned so much since I wrote the first post by reading this and talking to people that I realize that a lot of what i said was stupid. I was just excited about about a shiny opportunity. Here is a photo of the car as i am buying it. The jeep is sold tomorrow. Anyway, looking forward to reading more.
My $.02 on the exhaust matter...
There are exhaust replacement options out there that will give you the growl you're looking for without causing highway drone. There are LC specific kits or you can just have your local exhaust shop fabricate one with a Flowmaster/Magnaflow/Jones/etc. Either way is better than the boring OEM. I wouldn't spend the money if you don't have to, but if you NEED to replace the OEM exhaust, go aftermarket. One of the few times when OEM is not the way to go. Exhaust manifolds is the other.
Welcome to MUD and good luck!
There are exhaust replacement options out there that will give you the growl you're looking for without causing highway drone. There are LC specific kits or you can just have your local exhaust shop fabricate one with a Flowmaster/Magnaflow/Jones/etc. Either way is better than the boring OEM. I wouldn't spend the money if you don't have to, but if you NEED to replace the OEM exhaust, go aftermarket. One of the few times when OEM is not the way to go. Exhaust manifolds is the other.
Welcome to MUD and good luck!
Be aware that you may or may not get 2.5" on the front. It is my understanding (on the OME at least), the same torsion bars are used across all of their kits. You can preload them to the point that you have 0 (or near 0) droop (down travel) and the ride goes to hell. Make sure you leave the recommended 50-70mm of droop. This is not a knock on OME, it's probably the same across all kits.
You may want to include the SPC UCA that Slee sells to be able to add back some caster to get back w/in factory specs otherwise it acts pretty nervous.
295 75r16 makes sense, 295 75r18 doesn't.
- Thread starter
- #25
Thanks. I need an exhaust and catalytic converters now so thanks. Does the OEM advice apply to Catalytic converters as well, as long as they are mainstream and warrantied for 5 years or so? I have been reading on the different systems tried out here, but still reading. Any specific thoughts?
- Thread starter
- #26
I will ask about all that. If i went with a 17 wheel what would be the optimal tire size for the lift? I was looking at the rock warrior thread, and looking at some others. I have been reading up on differences between the new BFG's and Nitto terra 2's.
I love the way the money goes poof when you start with "well, it needs new tires now, so i may as well get wheels i like, and it wont make sense to replace them if i do a lift, so i may as well do that....."
When I said i was going to slow down, i meant a week or two. hahahah. I meant going to focus on the PPI concerns like timing belt, brake pads, and some other things.
- Thread starter
- #27
A last random thought before I go to sleep and dream about car things. I am really concerned about making the switch friendly for my two labs. I dont want them to rip up interior because its really nice, but they love riding around with me. Something easy to remove.....temporary seat covers.....dont know....would love to hear how anybody else made this transition.
You probably want to be looking at:
16" wheel - 285/75r16
17" wheel - 285/70r17
18" wheel - 285/65r18
All of which would be just under 33" in diameter. In theory, these should also fit without a lift, if you decide to replace the tires before you install the lift.
You don't mention relocating the spare to a carrier on an aftermarket rear bumper. You might want to double check that a 295/75r16 fits in the factory spare location before you decide to go that route.
Collapsible canvas crates...
something like this: http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/GoPetClub-32-inch-Dog-Folding-Soft-Crate/5118896/product.html
.
Check Duluth Trading (google)...
and I have a Border Collie and an Australian Cattle Dog. You could say they're somewhat active
. I have the cover that attaches to headrests on both sides of the front and middle seats. You could also consider a dog barrier that will keep them in the rear cargo area, and maybe a Weather Tech or thick washable carpet in the rear to keep the dirt down.
It may help to give them each a nylabone or something to chew on, other than the upholster.
- Thread starter
- #31
Check Duluth Trading (google)...
I have the cover that attaches to headrests on both sides of the front and middle seats. You could also consider a dog barrier that will keep them in the rear cargo area, and maybe a Weather Tech or thick washable carpet in the rear to keep the dirt down.
It may help to give them each a nylabone or something to chew on, other than the upholster.
I love the sound of the cover that attaches to the headrest for front and middle. I could make one for the middle compartment. DO you have a link or info on those covers? Thanks a ton.
- Thread starter
- #32
I have read every tire and lift thread on the site so far. It also has helped to read all of the old for sale links because if they included specs then great for lift introspection. I am going with the medium slee 2.5 lift with diff drop. Thanks to jlb i am considering the upper control arms as well. Love to hear more about that if anyone wants to chime in.
I have also done a good deal of reading about aluminum vs steel wheels. I will not be doing any serious wheeling. Beach stuff, farm stuff, etc maybe occasionally so I am willing to give up that aspect of the wheels for cosmetics (shallow..i know) so the wheel i mentioned before is this:
http://www.rpmware.com/catalog/item/1731921
and here is the pic again of my LC:
I hope that link is accessible. I will check it after i post. I have seen pictures of this wheel on trucks and i like it. The gunmetal gray goes well with my stripping and bumpers, and would look good even if i change the bumpers. At r18 it seems to look like it will fit. The bolt pattern is the same as stock and offset works i think. I just want to make sure that with whatever size tire i get, there is enough tire to look at. I also want to have nice size ratios to wheel well and truck in general. Still thinking terra grappler 2 or new BFG tires. Is the 285/65 r18 size the best bet or could i go bigger. I am a little lost on exactly what it would look like. I was laughing with the guy that started out saying "i know there has been a lot of tire/lift threads, but i need to ask again because now i am actually doing it......." Any pics of that size exactly or recommendations would be hugely appreciated. and of course, thoughts in general.
Still wondering about non stock catalytic converters meeting forum approval, since exhaust will be aftermarket.
I really appreciate and am enjoying the site. Happy Saturday.
I have also done a good deal of reading about aluminum vs steel wheels. I will not be doing any serious wheeling. Beach stuff, farm stuff, etc maybe occasionally so I am willing to give up that aspect of the wheels for cosmetics (shallow..i know) so the wheel i mentioned before is this:
http://www.rpmware.com/catalog/item/1731921
and here is the pic again of my LC:
I hope that link is accessible. I will check it after i post. I have seen pictures of this wheel on trucks and i like it. The gunmetal gray goes well with my stripping and bumpers, and would look good even if i change the bumpers. At r18 it seems to look like it will fit. The bolt pattern is the same as stock and offset works i think. I just want to make sure that with whatever size tire i get, there is enough tire to look at. I also want to have nice size ratios to wheel well and truck in general. Still thinking terra grappler 2 or new BFG tires. Is the 285/65 r18 size the best bet or could i go bigger. I am a little lost on exactly what it would look like. I was laughing with the guy that started out saying "i know there has been a lot of tire/lift threads, but i need to ask again because now i am actually doing it......." Any pics of that size exactly or recommendations would be hugely appreciated. and of course, thoughts in general.
Still wondering about non stock catalytic converters meeting forum approval, since exhaust will be aftermarket.
I really appreciate and am enjoying the site. Happy Saturday.
duluthtrading.com, oddly enough.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/search...&p_origin=SiteSearchResults&processor=content
- Thread starter
- #34
thanks!!!!
duluthtrading.com, oddly enough.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/search...&p_origin=SiteSearchResults&processor=content
Congrats on your new-to-you LC! Love the color! Looks to be in very nice shape from the one pic you posted. So, what's the story? How did you find it, who was selling it, why so much rust, etc? $10K looks to be quite a steal - how many miles?
- Thread starter
- #37
I appreciate your interest. My wife is out of town for a week so I have been living this project for the last few days. I have learned, short attention span and all, a ton from this site and from people who know more than me about cars (everybody). I got this LC the other night from a family friend, who recently bought it from her best friends who were getting newer cars. It was a favor price she was nice enough to pass to me. I was not thinking about a new car. The rust comes from NY ten years. It has 128k on it. I am very into the project and am moving forward on couple of fronts tomorrow morning:
1) ordering the medium 2.5 from slee (unsure about UCA still)
2) getting borla exhaust , and am leaning toward direct fit catalytics over universal or semi-universal. seem to be decent ones from around 300 each, as compared to 900 OEM
I already ordered timing belt and all related things, which arrive thursday for friday install, so hoping to the exhaust by then.
Looking at this in two stages right now. First get timing belt, brake pads, rotors, diff service, steering flush, and all of the other things to get it internally sound. Next do the lift, tires, wheels. Lastly, some minor stuff, bluetooth, keys, speakers, etc, and the detail it. That is when i will feel like the vehicle is mine and i have put my stamp on it. I am sure other things will come along.
I will post more extensive pre pics soon.
- Thread starter
- #38
and i also like the color but can appreciate what a few others with same have said about it growing on you quickly even more.
Question .... are your catalytic converters bad? If they are, you should replace them. If they aren't, why throw that money away? You won't gain enough performance to justify the swap IMO.
- Thread starter
- #40
One of them is bad, and the muffler is bad too. I had this verified by non-dealer mechanic as well. That is what sparked the exhaust interest. I am actually getting ready to buy right now. Going with the borla cat back. I think i am going to go with direct fit cats from Benchmark instead of the universals. They are 350 apiece but the stock was 900. They also have 5yr 50k warranty and are high flow. Anybody have experience with these? Ordering a lot of stuff this morning.
I know people may think I am moving fast on lift, wheels etc but two tires are also in need of replacement.
Since going with new wheels, i am drooling over the performance rotors that slee sells. I may get 4. I need new front pads and rotors anyway, or at least it was recommended by mechanic as "soon". The calipers are very rusty and I am looking at new ones. I read every thread on pulling them off and wirebrushing, etc, and maybe down the road i may do more "hands on" but i am sort of giving myself a break for first round so i may get new ones. Is there a solid favorite in this category from you guys? The pickings seem a little slim.
