AZVAJKU Build
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AZVAJKU
Hooked
As the kid in Southpark Colorado says "I learned something today".
I recently changed my rear diff lube after break-in on my PR80. I did this in preparation for the drive up to PA to attend the Butler Jeep Festival.
The change went smoothly even though it was a real bear to remove the diff cover due to the massive amount of RTV (you will NOT have a leak on a new PR80) and cleaning the old RTV off was labor intensive. I selected 85-140 non-synthetic lube and followed the Dynatrac instructions for refill and torqued the diff bolts to 35lbs.
I filled with this:
A few days later I drove up to Butler and had some fun. On a muddy hill I switched on my rear locker and to my surprise all I got was lots of air pump noise and no locker engagement. My initial thought was that I had a damaged air line or was experiencing a major air leak. My ARB had been working perfectly on some recent local trail runs so I knew it was set up at Dynatrac correctly. After inspection I discovered my ARB was leaking inside the diff and that air was escaping out of my diff breather tube. The leak only occurred while moving. Additionally there was no lube in my airlines. Engaging the locker while stationary did not cause it to leak, however once I started moving the ARB would leak air heavily and would not stop until I turned off the locker.
Once I returned home I did some research which led to draining the diff and refilling with this.
Now the locker works perfectly and I am very happy.
I bet most of you were already aware of this but it was an important learning experience for me.
I recently changed my rear diff lube after break-in on my PR80. I did this in preparation for the drive up to PA to attend the Butler Jeep Festival.
The change went smoothly even though it was a real bear to remove the diff cover due to the massive amount of RTV (you will NOT have a leak on a new PR80) and cleaning the old RTV off was labor intensive. I selected 85-140 non-synthetic lube and followed the Dynatrac instructions for refill and torqued the diff bolts to 35lbs.
I filled with this:
A few days later I drove up to Butler and had some fun. On a muddy hill I switched on my rear locker and to my surprise all I got was lots of air pump noise and no locker engagement. My initial thought was that I had a damaged air line or was experiencing a major air leak. My ARB had been working perfectly on some recent local trail runs so I knew it was set up at Dynatrac correctly. After inspection I discovered my ARB was leaking inside the diff and that air was escaping out of my diff breather tube. The leak only occurred while moving. Additionally there was no lube in my airlines. Engaging the locker while stationary did not cause it to leak, however once I started moving the ARB would leak air heavily and would not stop until I turned off the locker.
Once I returned home I did some research which led to draining the diff and refilling with this.
Now the locker works perfectly and I am very happy.
I bet most of you were already aware of this but it was an important learning experience for me.
AZVAJKU
Hooked
I have been off the net a while but here is an update to my Jeep.
After attending EJS in Moab I drove my Jeep out to EVO and dropped it with Mel to get coil-overs and long arms installed. He also tuned my steering up a bit and did some tweaking here and there. Part of that included re-routing my rear brake lines.
I flew in to LA, picked up my Jeep and drove back to Virginia. It was a long drive but the Jeep drives better on the highway now than it did stock! I am really impressed. At 75 it tracks straight and true with the 40's. I can control it with one hand. Off road the coil-overs are awesome and provide great articulation. Once I got back to VA, I hit a couple of the trails I run usually run. The Jeep had a whole different feel. It easily glided over rocks and ruts. I am extremely happy with it. Thanks again Mel!!
Front
Rear
My Shrockworks rockrails were not compatible with the new long-arm mounts so I elected to have EVO rock rails installed. The Shrockworks rails served me well but I really like the fit of the EVO rails and being welded on they are rock solid.
After attending EJS in Moab I drove my Jeep out to EVO and dropped it with Mel to get coil-overs and long arms installed. He also tuned my steering up a bit and did some tweaking here and there. Part of that included re-routing my rear brake lines.
I flew in to LA, picked up my Jeep and drove back to Virginia. It was a long drive but the Jeep drives better on the highway now than it did stock! I am really impressed. At 75 it tracks straight and true with the 40's. I can control it with one hand. Off road the coil-overs are awesome and provide great articulation. Once I got back to VA, I hit a couple of the trails I run usually run. The Jeep had a whole different feel. It easily glided over rocks and ruts. I am extremely happy with it. Thanks again Mel!!
Front
Rear
My Shrockworks rockrails were not compatible with the new long-arm mounts so I elected to have EVO rock rails installed. The Shrockworks rails served me well but I really like the fit of the EVO rails and being welded on they are rock solid.
AZVAJKU
Hooked
One of the issues I have had with my build is clearance between the trackbar and the DynaTrac XD60 front dif. When I bought the Jeep in 2009 it came from the dealer with a TF lift and TF front and rear trackbar. When I installed the axles the front trackbar rubbed on the original DynaTrac Dif cover when the suspension cycled. (See pic) After a call to DynaTrac they sent me a newer version of the XD60 Dif cover with a relief cut (see pic).
Original Dif cover with rubbing
New version Dif cover (Not my pic)
I could shorten the front control arms a bit, however I really like the ride and don't want to give up any approach angle. :thinking:
I installed a brand new Synergy front trackbar thinking it might give me better clearance on the XD60. However the pinch bolt was directly above one of the Dif cover bolts and would make contact when the XD60 cycled up. I ended up putting the TF trackbar back on. The Synergy TB is nicely made but its not going to work with my current set up. :doh:
I know some here have been able to use their stock track bars, however that is not an option for me so other recommendations are appreciated.
In addition, has anyone running an XD60 tried a different Tie-rod than the one that came with the axle? Mine flopped around (fixed by EVO) and is a PIA to grease due to the zerks facing inward toward the knuckle. :hmm:
Merry Christmas!
Original Dif cover with rubbing
New version Dif cover (Not my pic)
I could shorten the front control arms a bit, however I really like the ride and don't want to give up any approach angle. :thinking:
I installed a brand new Synergy front trackbar thinking it might give me better clearance on the XD60. However the pinch bolt was directly above one of the Dif cover bolts and would make contact when the XD60 cycled up. I ended up putting the TF trackbar back on. The Synergy TB is nicely made but its not going to work with my current set up. :doh:
I know some here have been able to use their stock track bars, however that is not an option for me so other recommendations are appreciated.
In addition, has anyone running an XD60 tried a different Tie-rod than the one that came with the axle? Mine flopped around (fixed by EVO) and is a PIA to grease due to the zerks facing inward toward the knuckle. :hmm:
Merry Christmas!
wjtstudios
Hooked
Awesome build!!
I’m interested as well on the TB. My synergy TB just barely touched at full flex on my Fusion 60, but I do have my CAs adjusted back to clear the tires around outside corners of my full width front bumper. Once that gets chopped and I push the axles forward a bit to clear the 40s, I’m worried that it will make contact like yours.
2015 JKUR AEV JK350
1985 CJ8 Scrambler
I’m interested as well on the TB. My synergy TB just barely touched at full flex on my Fusion 60, but I do have my CAs adjusted back to clear the tires around outside corners of my full width front bumper. Once that gets chopped and I push the axles forward a bit to clear the 40s, I’m worried that it will make contact like yours.
2015 JKUR AEV JK350
1985 CJ8 Scrambler
AZVAJKU
Hooked
A.J.
Active Member
Synergy should work just fine. Fusion rotates the pumpkin back a little more than the Dynatrac. Mine does not touch with 3” bump stops.
Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
wjtstudios
Hooked
AZVAJKU
Hooked
I have fallen a bit behind on my build thread so an update is in order.
I have been very, very happy with my EVO Long Arm with coilover set up. It rides great on the road and performs awesome off road. I have nothing but good things to say about the way my Jeep was set up, however I have always secretly lusted after the EVO Double Throwdown front and EVO Lever rear. I fully blame this on Eddie and Greg.
After EJS 2021 I decided to go for it. Directly after Easter Jeep I drove to Fort Mohave Arizona and dropped my Jeep at EVO’s new facility. It was a complete change to my plans and my Bourbon Trail tour during my return trip to VA was put on hold- much to my wife’s extreme disappointment. (She partially forgave me after we spent a night at the Virgin Hotel in Vegas)
I just recently got a chance to get out to AZ and pick up my Jeep. The results are nothing short of amazing.
I have not had a chance to really put the Jeep through its paces, however the suspension has really impressed me with the ability to eat up the bumps. The front is awesome and the rear is nothing short of magical. EVO performed a stretch on the rear and it is truly incredible.
I have been very, very happy with my EVO Long Arm with coilover set up. It rides great on the road and performs awesome off road. I have nothing but good things to say about the way my Jeep was set up, however I have always secretly lusted after the EVO Double Throwdown front and EVO Lever rear. I fully blame this on Eddie and Greg.
After EJS 2021 I decided to go for it. Directly after Easter Jeep I drove to Fort Mohave Arizona and dropped my Jeep at EVO’s new facility. It was a complete change to my plans and my Bourbon Trail tour during my return trip to VA was put on hold- much to my wife’s extreme disappointment. (She partially forgave me after we spent a night at the Virgin Hotel in Vegas)
I just recently got a chance to get out to AZ and pick up my Jeep. The results are nothing short of amazing.
I have not had a chance to really put the Jeep through its paces, however the suspension has really impressed me with the ability to eat up the bumps. The front is awesome and the rear is nothing short of magical. EVO performed a stretch on the rear and it is truly incredible.
Last edited:
AZVAJKU
Hooked
So now that I have the suspension that I have always wanted I need to increase my velocity. I have been told that “velocity increases the atrocity“ so I definitely need that. 
Following Eddie’s experience, I contacted MOTECH. Kalan has been my POC and has provided excellent guidance and has made solid recommendations. Another awesome factor in all of this is that MOTECH is in Las Vegas. Close to friends and relatives so it really worked out. When I picked up my Jeep from EVO I drove up to Las Vegas and went directly to MOTECH. (I made a minor detour and stopped at the Searchlight City Museum and the Nelson Ghost Town, highly recommended).
At MOTECH Kalan gave me the grand tour. Very impressive. The facility was bigger than I expected. Hundreds of thousand of dollars worth of Jeep’s were on site getting GM V8 swaps. Kalan let me drive his personal two door JK that has a GM V8 swap. It was all I could do not to squeal the tires. Thanks Kalan, greatly appreciated!
I also got the chance to talk to Robbie and put a face to the voice on the videos.
During my tour of MOTECH this was laying around. I think it would look great on my Jeep!
Now comes the hard part- waiting!!
Following Eddie’s experience, I contacted MOTECH. Kalan has been my POC and has provided excellent guidance and has made solid recommendations. Another awesome factor in all of this is that MOTECH is in Las Vegas. Close to friends and relatives so it really worked out. When I picked up my Jeep from EVO I drove up to Las Vegas and went directly to MOTECH. (I made a minor detour and stopped at the Searchlight City Museum and the Nelson Ghost Town, highly recommended).
At MOTECH Kalan gave me the grand tour. Very impressive. The facility was bigger than I expected. Hundreds of thousand of dollars worth of Jeep’s were on site getting GM V8 swaps. Kalan let me drive his personal two door JK that has a GM V8 swap. It was all I could do not to squeal the tires. Thanks Kalan, greatly appreciated!
I also got the chance to talk to Robbie and put a face to the voice on the videos.
During my tour of MOTECH this was laying around. I think it would look great on my Jeep!
Now comes the hard part- waiting!!
Snboarder113
Hooked
Ha. That’s my new favorite saying. Good work.I have been told that “velocity increases the atrocity“ so I definitely need that.
wjtstudios
Hooked
Was EVO able to get their hands on a set of kings for the DTD in a timely manor? Asking for a friend….
AZVAJKU
Hooked
I am going with the LT1 and the 8-speed. Kalan recommended the 8-speed over the 10-speed due to its increased strength. That sounded good to me!!