Dan's BDS YJ

11/06/05

Here is my new Jeep. I bought a 1995 Wrangler from a customer whose son wrapped it around a tree. Now it is a 4 cylinder 5 speed but will soon be a 4.0 litre. I am going to build this using every component that BDS makes for a YJ and a few parts from a TJ. When its done it will sitting on 37" tires, have an 8.8 rear axle, 4.88 gears and a 4 to 1 transfer case. Stay tuned--

Dan

12/01/05

I installed a few Tera items on the YJ. It now has a Tera Super Short SYE and a 4 to 1 transfer case. A Tera flatskid was put on as well. A YJ flatskid is very flat so the extra driveshaft length gained with the SSSYE is a plus. The rear driveshaft length is 23 " with this setup. I have also swapped the 4 cylinder motor out for a 4.0 from a 97 TJ. I have also started to bob the front fenders and included a few photos of that as well. More to come--

12/13/05

Here is a little more progress on the YJ. The front fender bob is done and ready for paint. I will be putting flames on this but have not decided on the color yet. I have also marked the rear 1/4 panels showing where they will be cut in order to gain more tire clearance. I have also decided to change out the front axle for a high pinion 30 from a Cherokee so I can eliminate the front axle disconnect portion of the axle tube completely. The 4.88 gears and Detroits will be going in shortly.

01/11/06

More progress on the YJ.4.88 gears have been installed front and rear with Detroit lockers. Rear wheel spacers were installed to convert the rear wheel bolt pattern from 5x4.5 to 5x5.5. The front axle has been set up with a Warn front hub conversion with a 5x5.5 bolt pattern. We installed LED taillights in the rear at the same time that I cut out the rear fenderwells to fit the 37" Krawlers better. I am installing a set of TJ Rubicon flares front and rear to help cover some of the tires. Next is to paint the bobbed front fenders and set up the Kilby air system.

01/23/06

The fenders are painted now but instead of the Kilby York system I decided to put on the BDS rocker guards instead. These rocker guards are meant for a TJ but we are putting them on a YJ. The install went right according to the instructions with the exception of one of the spacers for the floor fasteners needs to be a little longer. The bolts for the side panels are all held on with nylock nuts. BDS provides padded tape to cushion the side panel to the body and it will help keep out dirt and moisture. It adds a nice beefy look to the jeep. These rocker guards cost $299.00.

03/18/06

I took the AX15 out of the YJ and transplanted the 6 speed manual out of the 2006 Rubicon we are putting the Liberty diesel into. The 6 speed is exactly the same length as the AX15 and was a perfect fit. The 6 speed has a lower 1st gear and the spacing between all the other gears is perfect. I love this tranny. I also installed the flywheel and clutch out of the 2006. Now as soon as the correct t/case shifter bracket arrives from Advance Adapters I can go wheelin'.

03/19/06

I installed a set of front shock hoops from Tera so I could install longer front shocks. I opted to weld them on rather than bolt. I also installed wider Warn flares in order to keep the State Patrol happy.

04/05/06

Alot has happened in the last week. At the last minute I have decided to go to Moab for the EJS. So here is the list of the last minute upgrades:

• AGR Rockram
• Revolver shackles
• Tera Z-boxes
• Warn 9.0 RC winch
• Warn SDB 120 lights
• Finished up the 6 speed install
• Superlift Extreme ring for 8.8 rear axle.

Everything installed according to plan except when I took off the rear BDS shackles I knew I would not have enough lift for the rear. The Revolver shackles are stock height at rest. So I called BDS and ordered 5" lift springs to make up for that . The Rock ram does a great job of assisting the steering when you have a Detroit up front. Sometimes having 2 low in the 231 just is not enough. The extra droop from the Revolvers is surprising. I will post some shots of the flex in another week. See you in Moab!

06/28/06

So the BDS YJ cannot be called that anymore. The latest round of upgrades has changed the axles and leaf springs using all Teraflex components. When I was out in Moab this year I stopped and talked to the guys in the Tera display and looked real hard at the new Fiberflex springs they had on display. I promptly ordered a set as I needed new rear springs after bending both rear spring packs at Area BFE the day before. The fiberflex springs are a pressure molded fiberglass composite monoleaf setup that promised no sag and no axle wrap. But how would they ride? The guys at Tera had nothing but good to say about the springs so I figured I had made a good choice. And a good choice it was. The springs perform just like they said. Quiet, smooth, no axle wrap, and a great ride. The springs come with a special built rotational eye that all but eliminates any bushing bind. The weight savings over a conventional leaf is also substantial. The springs come coated with a spray on bedliner to help with rock rash. The spring eye can be flipped over to either have 4.5" or 5.5" of lift. Greaseable spring eye bolts are also included. I also decided at this time to drop in a pair of Tera CRD 60's to complete the package. Axle breakage is something I will not have to think of now. I also added a high steer arm and tie rods made out of 1 1/4" DOM tube with 1 ton ends. I kept 4.88's and the Detroits front and rear.