Platinum Member The Smiths Posted April 28, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted April 28, 2017 Had it a couple of weeks now, being doing some bits to get it ready. We have bought a Jeep Commander - looks like an XJ, but a bit bigger and newer and shinier. Anyway, had it a week now and it is time to start modding it. It helps that the lift kit arrived today....... Now the kit is levelling kit - 6mm down on the back, so Debby made some spacers so that they were the same front and back So today we got the back done, a couple of hours - including about half an hour looking for bolt that had rolled away.... Suppose I should also mention that we did a road trip the other day to go and get some wheels and tyres These are originals - but old owner had them refurbed - they are in excellent condition. These are the new ones. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ones - the grey matches the colour of the Commander lol So here is the lift half done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted April 28, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 28, 2017 Had problems lifting drivers side, struggled for a good few hours, but finally got it done. The passenger side was not too bad - undid the top wishbone thing, did the 4 bolts holding the strut, pulled it forward put spacer on and then managed to push it down low enough to just push it in and do up the 4 bolts agaon. Really easy. Anyway the finished picture. Hopefully get some rock sliders sorted for it tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted April 28, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 28, 2017 Well over the last couple of days (well a day really) Nidge has been working his magic. Now have a set of rock sliders - all painted and fitted ready for Wales this weekend. Now to find out how it tows, and how it offroads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Wales will be a good proving ground for your recent efforts. Well done. Keep us posted how you get on with your modifications :great: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 29, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted April 29, 2017 Nice work loving the extra spacer Idea mine has the same ever so light sag that yours had .. I'd also recommend som JBA UCA's the UCA's on these don't like being lifted I killed a new set of OEM ones in less than 3000miles you can see the difference in the angles on mine since they were done keep up the good work and enjoy your trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member RAIDER Posted April 29, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted April 29, 2017 wicked job commanders looking really good now ,good choice on JBA I just put a new set of cheap originals on mine and don't expect them to last . as for the old nylon bread board trick ive seen loads with that mod done , Im going to add some to the rear of my commander but made mine from alum plate just getting round to fitting them see you at some of the meets :great: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Fourpot Posted May 2, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted May 2, 2017 Looks really good, I love Debby's innovation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted May 2, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted May 2, 2017 The new UCA's are going on the list - where did you find the best place/price for them? Used the cutting board trick about 15 years ago on XJ's - these are just a bigger circle lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted May 2, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted May 2, 2017 Well for it's first trip out it got well and truly christened. Split the side wall on a tyre Cracked a wing mirror mount Some good scratches and managed to get all these to light up Got to say though it tows the caravan brilliantly (when not in limp mode - but even then it got us home) and when off road it was great, just popped it into reverse and it just drove out without a spinning wheel All the warning lights (except check engine) are now out - cleared esp etc by disconnecting the battery and touching the leads together The throttle one was because a small oil leak has buggered up the swirl motor while we were out - so we got some advice as to what it might be from Andy (madmechanic) and also a bit of reading and we went off to Maplins and bought a 4.7K resistor for 9p - fitted it and all is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted May 2, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted May 2, 2017 The new UCA's are going on the list - where did you find the best place/price for them? I bought them direct from JBA in the states i don't think you can get them elsewhere tbh.. certainly made my front end a whole lot better ... good work on the swirlpot resistor thing I bottled that and fitted a new swirlpot motor and inlet pipe with the new seal and modified leak pipe.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted May 2, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted May 2, 2017 the resistor fix took 15 minutes, including a test drive. I do need to sort some new seals, the ones in were the red/orange ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member RichBris86 Posted May 6, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted May 6, 2017 Well impressed with those sliders. Great skills :coolphotos: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted July 1, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted July 1, 2017 Well we have just done a 4 day laning trip from Port Talbot to Rhyl, wild camping as we went. There were 320 miles of laning involved. Completed everything OK - but did pick up a noise, and noticed upper control needed changing a "little" movement in the joint. So ordered these Wednesday, delivered Friday - not bad from America... Found the noise - front prop needs the bottom CV changing. Also need to do the front diff bush - good bit of this is that all the above need disconnecting do to the bush... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member RAIDER Posted July 1, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 1, 2017 Well we have just done a 4 day laning trip from Port Talbot to Rhyl, wild camping as we went. There were 320 miles of laning involved. Completed everything OK - but did pick up a noise, and noticed upper control needed changing a "little" movement in the joint. So ordered these Wednesday, delivered Friday - not bad from America... Found the noise - front prop needs the bottom CV changing. Also need to do the front diff bush - good bit of this is that all the above need disconnecting do to the bush... hi mick who did you buy them from , think i'll swop mine out too :icon_e_biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted July 1, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 1, 2017 The only come Direct from JBA mine were the same ordered wed arrived within 36hrs for the record I put a new set of OE UCA's on and because of the lift they failed the MOT the next year with only 4000miles on them as OE's are steel ball in a nylon socket so as soon as they've been flexed one time they're already toast. Mine drives and handles so much better since these were fitted ...if you are going for them Raider remember and order the ones for lifted commanders as there is a stock height version too. I also ordered a couple of replacement ball joints just incase just remember to get it fully aligned when they're on before and after on mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member RAIDER Posted July 1, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 1, 2017 thanks for the info ian do you have the web address for jba ?.. i will put them on my shopping list :great: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted July 1, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 1, 2017 http://jeepinbyal.com/commander-2006-2010-xk.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted July 1, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted July 1, 2017 Excellent service, and items look good - only positive things are said about them, but they do work out expensive - initially Hotwheels - did you get a DVD included???????????????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted July 2, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 2, 2017 yup everyone gets one it's just Marlins thing word is he a long time ago he was in a bad place and the church helped him through it so it's his way of spreading the love, He also put up a new video regarding the UCA's you have with the proper fitting instructions as some have been miss reading them and putting the washer in the wrong place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted July 2, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted July 2, 2017 Thanks for the vid I would have done my usual and just ploughed ahead, and then stopped and tried to find out lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member RAIDER Posted July 7, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 7, 2017 look what turned up for me today from JBA wasn't expecting till Monday , order was placed late Wednesday and here by 11.30 ish on Saturday . cant fault those guys at jba :great: and I even got this mysterious dvd too :icon_e_biggrin: . atleast now when Ive fitted them I wont be worrying about breaking that top ball joint when the front wheels are off the ground :icon_jokercolor: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted July 7, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted July 7, 2017 Finished fitting mine today (they did not take 2 days, but doing the front diff bush and a CV on the front prop did push it to 2 days) Drives nice, the clunks going over potholes have stopped as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted July 11, 2017 Platinum Member Share Posted July 11, 2017 Everything just feels a lot more solid after these are fitted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member The Smiths Posted July 11, 2017 Author Platinum Member Share Posted July 11, 2017 It does help - especially if both original joints are shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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