@WhiteBronze392 Build

Jgc650i · Apr 13, 2023

Also, FYI, I had the shop do an alignment and check caster after everything was installed. This setup and the Mopar LCAs from the 2” lift kit put the caster dead on at 6°.

@WhiteBronze392 · 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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Same here! And yep your description is spot on! Looks great BTW

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 13, 2023

Jgc650i said:
Also, FYI, I had the shop do an alignment and check caster after everything was installed. This setup and the Mopar LCAs from the 2” lift kit put the caster dead on at 6°.

Perfect

good to know thanks

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 17, 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.

I installed the Rusty’s track bar brace tonight. Thanks for the recommendation! Install turned into much more of a PITA than expected due to a little metal tab not shown in the instructions or any pic I found online except yours. It doesn’t appear to do anything (hope I’m right lol) but blocks the brace from going up as far as needed. I looked at your pic and couldn’t tell if you notched the brace or the tab but I chose to use a cutoff wheel to notch the tab. I didn’t get a chance to test it yet but will tomorrow when I get home. I was also planning to install the metal cloak rear sway bar spacers but ran out of time.

Jgc650i · Apr 18, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
I installed my Rusty’s track bar brace tonight. Thanks for the recommendation! Install turned into much more of a PITA than expected due to a little metal tab not shown in the instructions or any pic I found online except yours. It doesn’t appear to do anything (hope I’m right lol) but blocks the brace from going up as far as needed. I looked at your pic and couldn’t tell if you notched the brace or the tab but I chose to use a cutoff wheel to notch the tab. I didn’t get a chance to test it yet but will tomorrow when I get home. I was also planning to install the metal cloak rear sway bar spacers but ran out of time.

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Yes, I had the same issue. Not sure why we have the extra tab. Sorry, I should have commented on that in my earlier post. I notched the Rusty’s bracket slightly on the one side to allow for fit. Also, I had to install bolts in reverse order than their instructions. Doing the top bolts first made aligning the bottom bolt that goes through the track bar impossible. When I reversed the order it lined up fine with top bolt torque tightening ultimately providing the flex to make everything snug.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 18, 2023

Jgc650i said:
Yes, I had the same issue. Not sure why we have the extra tab. Sorry, I should have commented on that in my earlier post. I notched the Rusty’s bracket slightly on the one side to allow for fit. Also, I had to install bolts in reverse order than their instructions. Doing the top bolts first made aligning the bottom bolt that goes through the track bar impossible. When I reversed the order it lined up fine with top bolt torque tightening ultimately providing the flex to make everything snug.

Haha no worries. Yes that little tab was a head scratcher but after I cut it out of the way install was pretty easy. I went in the recommended order for bolt install with no issues but would have been much easier to get the new little bolt in and started before reinstalling the track bar. I am looking forward to a test drive today

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 18, 2023

Went for a short test drive today to check out the track bar brace and from my short run could definitely tell a difference. Also had some extra vinyl lying around so decided to wrap the bumper reflectors

Viking Jeeper · Apr 19, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Went for a short test drive today to check out the track bar brace and from my short run could definitely tell a difference. Also had some extra vinyl lying around so decided to wrap the bumper reflectors View attachment 20308 View attachment 20309

That last picture reminds me I want to get those backup lights. Did you end up with them on an aux switch or with the reverse lights?

redbeard719 · Apr 19, 2023

How does the Rusty's Trackball Bracket compare to The Synergy Bracket that also braces the sector shaft for the steering?

The Synergy is more than twice as expensive, but is it worth it?

Synergy Jeep JL / JLU / JT Front Track Bar and Sector Shaft Brace

www.synergymfg.com

I've got an entire Clayton Overland+ 2.5" kit waiting for my Jeep to get here, and it includes new trackbars as well as Currie's RockJock drag link and tie rod. I hate to chase problems I don't have, but adding the brace seems like it might be a worthwhile addition.

Awesome build, too, by the way! I'm envious of all you guys with your Jeeps!!

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 19, 2023

Viking Jeeper said:
That last picture reminds me I want to get those backup lights. Did you end up with them on an aux switch or with the reverse lights?

I decided to leave them on the Aux switch as there may be times I want them on when not in reverse and times when in reverse I may not want them on

And that picture reminds me I still need to line up the exhaust tips better lol

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 19, 2023

redbeard719 said:
How does the Rusty's Trackball Bracket compare to The Synergy Bracket that also braces the sector shaft for the steering?

The Synergy is more than twice as expensive, but is it worth it?

Synergy Jeep JL / JLU / JT Front Track Bar and Sector Shaft Brace

Synergy Jeep JL / JLU / JT Front Track Bar and Sector Shaft Brace

www.synergymfg.com

I've got an entire Clayton Overland+ 2.5" kit waiting for my Jeep to get here, and it includes new trackbars as well as Currie's RockJock drag link and tie rod. I hate to chase problems I don't have, but adding the brace seems like it might be a worthwhile addition.

Awesome build, too, by the way! I'm envious of all you guys with your Jeeps!!

As for the end result unfortunately sorry I have no idea. It looks like it would brace it more but not sure if the difference is perceptible between the two maybe on bigger lift & 40's? TBH I probably wouldn't have shelled out over $300 to try it but $135 was a no brainer. Maybe someone who has installed the Synergy can give more perspective but to me it would be hard to tell what advantage comes from the frame track bar bracket vs the sector shaft brace.

Thank you very much!! How much longer is your wait?

redbeard719 · Apr 19, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
As for the end result unfortunately sorry I have no idea. It looks like it would brace it more but not sure if the difference is perceptible between the two maybe on bigger lift & 40's? TBH I probably wouldn't have shelled out over $300 to try it but $135 was a no brainer. Maybe someone who has installed the Synergy can give more perspective but to me it would be hard to tell what advantage comes from the frame trackball bracket vs the sector shaft brace.

Thank you very much!! How much longer is your wait?

Thanks, I appreciate it!

I think the Synergy Sector Shaft Brace/Trackbar Bracket is probably better suited to the early JLs that had the aluminum steering parts. I think the recall & and design changes to steel has alleviated a lot of this problem.

I agree though, adding a trackbar brace alone is probably a good idea. I'm not going to 40s, but I do have 37s waiting to go on.

As for my wait, my dealership has told me my scheduled build/ship date is 5/2. It wouldn't be so bad had I not originally been scheduled for 3/14, and then hit with the D1 to D regress! Not too much longer, but still long enough! Hopefully I'll have it in early June.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 19, 2023

redbeard719 said:
Thanks, I appreciate it!

I think the Synergy Sector Shaft Brace/Trackbar Bracket is probably better suited to the early JLs that had the aluminum steering parts. I think the recall & and design changes to steel has alleviated a lot of this problem.

I agree though, adding a trackbar brace alone is probably a good idea. I'm not going to 40s, but I do have 37s waiting to go on.

As for my wait, my dealership has told me my scheduled build/ship date is 5/2. It wouldn't be so bad had I not originally been scheduled for 3/14, and then hit with the D1 to D regress! Not too much longer, but still long enough! Hopefully I'll have it in early June.

Agreed I completely forgot about that change you are correct I am sure.

Oh man so sorry I feel for you for sure but its definitely worth the wait!!

Viking Jeeper · Apr 19, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
Mounted the BD S2 reverse lights this morning in an alternate location. The suggested location was right in line with the exhaust tips and hung down a little far for my liking. There were some existing bumper bolts where I mounted them but had to drill out the hole in the mount to enlarge them. I am going to to fab a pívot of some sorts to swing the trailer plugs down for use or relocate them. I rarely tow and when I do it’s borrowing a utility trailer to go short distances. I have not wired them yet trying to decide if I want them on an auxiliary switch or tied to the reverse lights.
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How is the amount of light you get out of them? I ordered today but now I'm thinking I may just put one on, not in front of the trailer light outlet and put the other light on my LJ.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 19, 2023

Viking Jeeper said:
How is the amount of light you get out of them? I ordered today but now I'm thinking I may just put one on, not in front of the trailer light outlet and put the other light on my LJ.

It’s quite a bit I will get you a picture tomorrow night or later tonight if I can escape back to the garage without getting in trouble lol. I will cover one up as well. You can put them where BD says and they won’t interfere with your trailer light outlet instead of where I did.

Viking Jeeper · Apr 20, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
It’s quite a bit I will get you a picture tomorrow night or later tonight if I can escape back to the garage without getting in trouble lol. I will cover one up as well. You can put them where BD says and they won’t interfere with your trailer light outlet instead of where I did.

No big deal with the light, I'm going to start with one on the right side where you have it. I ended up buying the generic kit for less since I am wiring it to an aux switch. On my LJ I have a great place to mount one but not both on the tire carrier so it will work out to just have one on each Jeep.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 20, 2023

Attempted to install the MC rear sway bar mount extensions but the supplied bolts were too short. They were actally shorter than the OEM bolts. There was also already what looked like a extension from the factory so wondering if this was added to XR or all 392’s, Gonna swing by Lowe’s this weekend and grab some longer bolts

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 21, 2023

So I acquired these today via trade for my OEM XR wheels and tires. I had a possible trade lined up these for white ones but it fell through. Either gonna have these painted or wrapped, sell them or trade for white. I got a quote today to wrap them either matte black I thought may look cool or white if I could find a match to the paint and it was

. Have not had any replies on anyone willing to paint them

i guess i could just switch to theUSPS scheme lol

Viking Jeeper · Apr 21, 2023

@WhiteBronze392 said:
So I acquired these today via trade for my OEM XR wheels and tires. I had a possible trade lined up these for white ones but it fell through. Either gonna have these painted or wrapped, sell them or trade for white. I got a quote today to wrap them either matte black I thought may look cool or white if I could find a match to the paint and it was . Have not had any replies on anyone willing to paint them

i guess i could just switch to theUSPS scheme lol

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I'd say the doors are worth more than the wheel package but now you have to paint. Black doors on a white vehicle would remind me of a police car.

@WhiteBronze392 · Apr 21, 2023

Viking Jeeper said:
I'd say the doors are worth more than the wheel package but now you have to paint. Black doors on a white vehicle would remind me of a police car.

Agreed that’s why I decided to do it. Thanks for the visual lol. I searched and found pics of white with black aftermarket half doors and it actually didn’t look bad so that’s where i got the idea. The uppers would be black anyway. If could trade for black doors I would just wrap the outside a matching white if possible but wouldn’t do that with blue. I was quoted $600 but they want $300 per door for the jambs! I hope i can find someone to paint them but no luck so far.

I need @Ted392 white ones but not driving it Michigan lol