@WhiteBronze392 Build

Jgc650i · Apr 10, 2023

Since we’ve been comparing notes (and increasing our spends - ha ha) over the past couple weeks, wanted to tell you about one other mod I installed today that I’m very pleased with. I added the Track Bar Brace from Rusty’s. I put the Fox ATS Steering Stabilizer on when I first got the Beast last year and while it was a definite improvement I still felt the steering was too loose even with adjustments on the FOX SS. I know a lot folks like the Synergy brace, but I was already spending a ton of money on Rusty’s skid package, so got theirs.

Wanted to get it installed today so I could feel the difference before the shocks, coils, and LCAs get installed later this week. It made a very noticeable difference. The steering is very tight and no wondering. I expect it will also benefit from the Mopar LCAs once I get them on, but made quite a bit of difference on its own.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 10, 2023

Jgc650i said:
Since we’ve been comparing notes (and increasing our spends - ha ha) over the past couple weeks, wanted to tell you about one other mod I installed today that I’m very pleased with. I added the Track Bar Brace from Rusty’s. I put the Fox ATS Steering Stabilizer on when I first got the Beast last year and while it was a definite improvement I still felt the steering was too loose even with adjustments on the FOX SS. I know a lot folks like the Synergy brace, but I was already spending a ton of money on Rusty’s skid package, so got theirs.

Wanted to get it installed today so I could feel the difference before the shocks, coils, and LCAs get installed later this week. It made a very noticeable difference. The steering is very tight and no wondering. I expect it will also benefit from the Mopar LCAs once I get them on, but made quite a bit of difference on its own.

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Awesome thanks ! Ordering now

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 10, 2023

Oil change today. Removed the little plastic thingy it kinda served a purpose but was mostly in the way. Also removed the front brake line brackets to the LCA. Talk about unnerving lol my $

);$-&/( was puckered the whole time with the dremel tool afraid I was going to cut the brake line

Ted392 · Apr 10, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Oil change today. Removed the little plastic thingy it kinda served a purpose but was mostly in the way. Also removed the front brake line brackets to the LCA. Talk about unnerving lol my $);$-&/( was puckered the whole time with the dremel tool afraid I was going to cut the brake line View attachment 20025 View attachment 20026 View attachment 20027

I still need to do this brake bracket mod. So far I have only bent the brackets up to provide slack.

Funny looking oil can you got there!

Jgc650i · Apr 10, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Oil change today. Removed the little plastic thingy it kinda served a purpose but was mostly in the way. Also removed the front brake line brackets to the LCA. Talk about unnerving lol my $);$-&/( was puckered the whole time with the dremel tool afraid I was going to cut the brake line View attachment 20025 View attachment 20026 View attachment 20027

Haven‘t tackled the LCAs yet, planning to do that tomorrow. Why the cut to the brake line brackets, haven’t hear about that one? Not looking forward to dealing with the 190 ft-lb of torque from under the Jeep. . . ugh!

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 10, 2023

Ted392 said:
I still need to do this brake bracket mod. So far I have only bent the brackets up to provide slack.

Funny looking oil can you got there!

Trust me I thought about just bending them lol

It identifies as Pennzoil as to not offend anyone

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 10, 2023

Jgc650i said:
Haven‘t tackled the LCAs yet, planning to do that tomorrow. Why the cut to the brake line brackets, haven’t hear about that one? Not looking forward to dealing with the 190 ft-lb of torque from under the Jeep. . . ugh!

I noticed when I was changing the shocks since they are longer it got more get more down travel. Without the OEM shocks to stop it at a certain point the next in line is the brake lines as that bracket hold them at exactly the right length for OEM shock length.

I was worried more out pulling them out more than re-torquing them. I got lucky and my 1/2” dewalt battery impact yanked them right out. If you don’t have one it may be worth the investment as it even tightened the to right at 190 as well. I used it for everything (shocks sway bar etc)

Jgc650i · Apr 10, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
I noticed when I was changing the shocks since they are longer it got more get more down travel. Without the OEM shocks to stop it at a certain point the next in line is the brake lines as that bracket hold them at exactly the right length for OEM shock length.

I was worried more out pulling them out more than re-torquing them. I got lucky and my 1/2” dewalt battery impact yanked them right out. If you don’t have one it may be worth the investment as it even tightened the to right at 190 as well. I used it for everything (shocks sway bar etc)

That makes sense, thanks for the heads up!

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 10, 2023

Jgc650i said:
That makes sense, thanks for the heads up!

Also sorry I missed a question. The cut is so you can bend them open. They are strong not sure how to do it otherwise. I can’t take credit for the dremel score bend idea I read it on here somewhere.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 10, 2023

Brake Line Anchor Kit w/ 1 Mounting Hole

TeraFlex–s universal Brake Line Anchors properly locate your brake line for safe tire clearance during full suspension movement. The secure mounting eliminates unnecessary movement of the flexible brake line and/or ABS/wheel speed sensor.

teraflex.com

Not sure if the brake lines are ok as is or the need for something like this? Thoughts

I also need to check the rear to make sure. I just removed the Ebrake bracket and didn’t reinstall per Clayton instructions. I have seen Ebrake relocation brackets as well

Jgc650i · Apr 11, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Brake Line Anchor Kit w/ 1 Mounting Hole

TeraFlex–s universal Brake Line Anchors properly locate your brake line for safe tire clearance during full suspension movement. The secure mounting eliminates unnecessary movement of the flexible brake line and/or ABS/wheel speed sensor.

teraflex.com

Not sure if the brake lines are ok as is or the need for something like this? Thoughts

I also need to check the rear to make sure. I just removed the Ebrake bracket and didn’t reinstall per Clayton instructions. I have seen Ebrake relocation brackets as well

I’ll take a closer look after my shocks are installed tomorrow for a more apples-to-apples look-see. At face value these look like they’d offer good flexibility on the brake lines and are pretty inexpensive for the peace of mind.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 11, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Agreed but so far I believe it achieves what I was looking for. I am happy with the overall height and especially now that IT IS LEVEL! I will let you know for sure about adding the shocks after some driving this weekend but I suspect it will be

What I found interesting in this link https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-wrangler-392-25-premium-lift-kit-2018-jl (good video BTW) is the Clayton 2.5" lift gives very close if not the same amount of lift (1") I am at now with just their performance coils. I am going to do some more measurements at each if his locations. He is also running Nitto 37's but on 7.5" wheels vs my 8.5" and RG vs TG but should be very a similar comparison.

Right now I am in just right at $3500 with shocks, bump stops, LCAs and Springs vs the Clayton 2.5" lift $3200 no shocks, no bump stops but with control arms, track bars, and sway bar links. I may reach out to Clayton just to see about $ to buy the control arms, track bars and sway bar links separately if I ever decide they are needed.

Obviously this equation doesn't work if you want to go 3.5" lift or more. I had to keep reminding myself that any advertised lift height a portion (approximately 1.5" it seems) of it gets swallowed up by the already higher stock height of the 392. Of all the company's I spoke with the only difference between a 392 specific lift was stiffer springs for the weight but lift was the same.

I heard back from Clayton and if you ever wanted add to the other parts of their 2.5” lift to go with the performance coils you could do so for $2632

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 11, 2023

Jgc650i said:
I’ll take a closer look after my shocks are installed tomorrow for a more apples-to-apples look-see. At face value these look like they’d offer good flexibility on the brake lines and are pretty inexpensive for the peace of mind.

Agreed they are shown on the outside of the shock in the pic (not stock brake lines) but I’d probably put them on the inside

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 11, 2023

I installed some Jeep grab handles today to help the wife get in until/if I go with power steps.I ordered and had to return the JL handles that @Ted392 managed to install with the SOT as they interfered with the hot head sun shade clamps but these work well. Part # 82211740AC.

Chrysler Genuine 82211740AC Grab Handle , Black https://a.co/d/eFblVjT

And then assembled a trampoline for my sons birthday tomorrow. The instructions said it requires two adults in good physical condition but I did it with my 3 year old daughter helping so no criteria was met

Never pay attention to the instructions!

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 12, 2023

Jgc650i said:
I’ll take a closer look after my shocks are installed tomorrow for a more apples-to-apples look-see. At face value these look like they’d offer good flexibility on the brake lines and are pretty inexpensive for the peace of mind.

Did you get them installed?

Jgc650i · Apr 13, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Did you get them installed?

Yes, and it is awesome! Picked it up late in the day and haven’t had much time to really check everything out other than the 30 min drive home and a quick inspection. Will spend more time with it later today but so far I’m really happy with the outcome. The ride feels great and firmly planted. Body roll is gone. I need to measure it more precisely, but very quick look with a tape measure last night shows I’ve regained what I lost in sag from my various mods plus another .75” to 1” of lift with the Clayton coils and Fox shocks.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 13, 2023

Jgc650i said:
Yes, and it is awesome! Picked it up late in the day and haven’t had much time to really check everything out other than the 30 min drive home and a quick inspection. Will spend more time with it later today but so far I’m really happy with the outcome. The ride feels great and firmly planted. Body roll is gone. I need to measure it more precisely, but very quick look with a tape measure last night shows I’ve regained what I lost in sag from my various mods plus another .75” to 1” of lift with the Clayton coils and Fox shocks.

Awesome man! Congrats and basically the same reaction as I had. I am convinced this is the way to go with the 392 for suspension mods without getting into the realm of creating issues! And pics!!

Bobo57 · Apr 13, 2023

With the Clayton coils and the Fox shocks, how would you characterize the ride as compared to the stock XR 392. Harsher, smoother, other?

Jgc650i · Apr 13, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Awesome man! Congrats and basically the same reaction as I had. I am convinced this is the way to go with the 392 for suspension mods without getting into the realm of creating issues! And pics!!

Thank you, appreciate the collaboration we’ve had over past week or so. Had more time to check everything out today and I’m REALLY happy with everything. Regaining the lost height from the mods plus the little extra beyond stock lift feels just perfect for me and my needs. @Bobo57 I would say it’s smoother than stock, but I think the better adjective is planted. Hit a couple speed bumps while out today and it just absorbs them like they’re nothing. It feels ready to conquer anything (for this slightly modified stock lift and 35” tires), and there’s a significant improvement with the body roll.

Bobo57 · Apr 13, 2023

Jgc650i said:
Thank you, appreciate the collaboration we’ve had over past week or so. Had more time to check everything out today and I’m REALLY happy with everything. Regaining the lost height from the mods plus the little extra beyond stock lift feels just perfect for me and my needs. @Bobo57 I would say it’s smoother than stock, but I think the better adjective is planted. Hit a couple speed bumps while out today and it just absorbs them like they’re nothing. It feels ready to conquer anything (for this slightly modified stock lift and 35” tires), and there’s a significant improvement with the body roll.

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Thanks that helps, I may be adding those items after I take delivery. Let's see how it feels first. My only reference right now was a short XR 392 test drive. I thought it felt harsher than an XR Rubicon with the 3.6. Looking at the spring rates that mod initially scared me but real world feedback like this is worth a million.