Jeep YJ Chassis Assembly and 5.3 LS Install

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

Bob, You've done an A Class job on this so far. Everything looks fantastic. Thumbs Up! Cheers... Mike

[@BobWilson84]

Thanks Mike, looking forward to your next update on project Rowdy.

[@mr.pinder5367]

Awesome Job bro, giving me the inspiration to pull the trigger on one of these YJ's ....

[@cretebest3202]

You are doing an amazing job, you have inspired me to take my TJ to this level!

[@longhorn8459]

Way to go Bob. Looking forward to an update!

[@ashleyarmes8977]

Great progress keep it up!

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

Very clean looks great

[@ty27328]

Get rid of the track bar. I put a 5.3 in my YJ with 35s and have no issues with out the track bar. Drives awesome

[@joshnasche5495]

Can't wait to make some upgrades to my jeep wangler YJ 😁👍

[@markdauray264]

I'm a bit confused with a track bar used in conjunction with leaf springs. A sway bar or anti-roll bar for street driving is good and the ability to disconnect yours is also good, but the track bar would have to go.... they will fight each other. At the angle the track bar is at it will try to move the front axle towards the passenger side and the leaf springs will not want to let that happen. Anyway, keep up the good work. I'm restoring/improving my 1977 CJ-5 that I bought new when I was 23 years old. It only has less that 18,000 original miles but I always hated the 304, so I'm putting a new rebuilt 401 and a new rebuilt SM465 and Dana 20 with Teraflex low gears in it. I haven't chosen new axles yet, but I'm leaning towards high pinion 9 inch axles front and rear.

[@BobWilson84]

Yep, you nailed it. The track bar was added by Jeep in the YJ to help with bad image of poor handling CJ7. In normal driving I could see a benefit to keep the axle centered but indeed it will fight the sway bar and even the steering when the suspension articulates. I didn’t build it for off-road and it had good manners once it was complete. I did an alignment with strings and took my time, it drove great.

[@aaron5287]

How’s going it’s running now ? Any video missing ?

[@joshsoudah8533]

Looks good

[@davidjessee7701]

I took my track bar off and it rode smoother

[@tonyparson4392]

I know this is four years old, but do you remember where you got the transfer case shifter?

[@BobWilson84]

Ha, ya, actually I do. Was a part I bought from Novak conversions

[@gasratzcustoms]

We are doing a similar swap and this is a good video!

[@BobWilson84]

I checked out your projects, very cool. Let me know if you have any questions along the way. heads up.... the passenger side exhaust manifold is a close fit to the Novak mount. There’s enough room is you clock the flange correctly. I did not, so I trimmed a small portion of the frame mount. Hindsight is 20/20. Good luck with your build

[@richardconrad698]

are you still happy with this setup? We've basically had the whole frame restored on my wife's '95 YJ. And I'm replacing the tub next winter. Any extra tips that you wish you knew before you got started? Also, everyone tells me to go with an LS. We really don't take our jeep on trails, just the dunes. 2.5l manual(AX-5) with 31's. I've heard that an LS is too much power for the AX-15, plus the wiring costs a bit.... So i had planned on going with a 350 crate engine(since they are pretty cheap now), with a rough idle cam. I just want it to sound good, and anything will have more power than the 2.5! haha thoughts? this chassy looks amazing by the way!!!

[@BobWilson84]

I only owned the Jeep for a few months after I finished it, so I really can’t help ya much. The LS vs 350 topic is a whole different animal.

[@jasonmiller3529]

I'm doing a similar build with my YJ and have 2 questions. 1. What track bar is that in the front? 2. Looks like you're using the Novak transmission mount. Was yours slightly off center to the passenger side and you had to drill new holes? Thanks!

[@BobWilson84]

Hey Jason, I think it’s the M.O.R.E. Track bar.... I’ll check for sure. And yes I had to drill new holes and weld a plate to the existing crossmember. It’s just about centered in the frame, mocking everything together before I committed was a good idea because I had to shift it around a few times for clearance. (Like the passenger side header clearance).

[@v7nf]

really nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@keithpope7258]

What headers did you use? Im having clearance issues with the frame on the drivers side with my stock manifolds on a LQ4 6.0L into a YJ 95.

[@BobWilson84]

Sanderson

[@delfi861]

Love the work that you do. Would you work on other peoples Jeep.?

[@BobWilson84]

Thanks Delfino.... I’m kinda just a 1 man operation and always have something of my own to tinker with.

[@jaimemartinez3711]

What is the motor mount number?

[@Mike-md7op]

Did you leave some diapers hidden in the frame for people to look for? That would be fun!

[@BobWilson84]

Diapers diapers diapers