The Gen IV YJ is getting back into shape with the help of Jeremy Thompson at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive in St. George, Utah.
In this installment, we cover the installation of Currie Enterprises Ford 9-inch front and rearends, BDS 3.5-inch suspension, a new gas tank, Savvy Off-Road aluminum skid plates and aluminum bumpers, Warn rocker guards and 9.5cti-s winch, and 35-inch Goodyear MTR with Kevlar tires on 17x9.5 Raceline Monster beadlock wheels. Check out the photos and captions for the complete story.
Next, the Gen IV YJ gets a GM Gen IV aluminum block 5.3L V-8 and 6L80 automatic transmission.
Before taking the YJ to Dixie...
Before taking the YJ to Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, we mounted the 35x12.50R17LT Goodyear MTR with Kevlar tires on 17x9.5 Raceline Monster Beadlocks. The Raceline Monster aluminum rings are thick and have a deeper step milled in them. Coupled with the deep step milled in the wheel itself, the Monster Beadlocks make mounting tires with thick bead bundles easy.
We’re using a Teraflex Belly...
We’re using a Teraflex Belly Up skidplate/crossmember for better breakover clearance. Because of this, Jeremy installed a Currie 1-inch body lift so the Atlas T-case will fit. Savvy Off-Road’s aluminum rear bumper is clean, strong, and lightweight.
Savvy’s aluminum front bumper...
Savvy’s aluminum front bumper comes with a fairlead and winch mount, the perfect place to install our Warn 9.5cti-s winch. The 9.5cti-s is contactor controlled, sealed from the elements, and comes from the factory with Warn’s new Spydura synthetic rope.
Quadratec supplied a set of...
Quadratec supplied a set of their 7-inch TJ flares. TJ flares fit well on a YJ and allow the YJ’s small fender cutouts to be opened up for better tire clearance.
The Gen IV YJ is shaping ...
The Gen IV YJ is shaping up.
Someday, the YJ will get an...
Someday, the YJ will get an engine. Until then, this is its motive power.
Warn YJ rocker guards were...
Warn YJ rocker guards were trimmed six inches to work with the TJ flares.
The cracked OE gas tank was...
The cracked OE gas tank was replaced with an OE-replacement 20-gallon tank that fits well in the Savvy aluminum YJ gas tank skid plate.
M.O.R.E. offers these YJ rear...
M.O.R.E. offers these YJ rear upper shock extensions. More travel is always better.
The Ford 9-inch from Currie...
The Ford 9-inch from Currie Enterprises has been a proven commodity for decades. The 9-inch housing is strong, yet relatively light weight compared to most of today’s aftermarket housings. Chromoly axles are strong. We shipped Randy’s Ring & Pinion Warn premium hub conversion kit to Currie and they installed it there. The hub conversion kit required turned down CJ rotors. Currie also sent tie rod and drag link blanks.
Currie’s high-pinion 9-inch...
Currie’s high-pinion 9-inch third member uses Ford 8.8 gears. It gets the pinion up high for better driveline clearance and angles. We’ll be trimming the U-bolts when we decide what we’re using for U-bolt plates.
The 9-inch frontend came with...
The 9-inch frontend came with lower gussets. TJ and YJ knuckles (Cs) don’t bend as JK knuckles do, but Jeremy gusseted the upper arm of the knuckle for insurance.
The tie rod and drag link...
The tie rod and drag link came with Chevrolet one-ton tie-rod ends.
BDS springs feature tapered...
BDS springs feature tapered leafs, anti-friction pads, bolt-style leaf alignment clamps, and are made in the USA.