"Single Barrel" My LJ build.

[jeepster1407]

Figure it's about time I introduce myself and create a thread showing My current Jeep that I've been working on over the last year. I've been a member here for a while but haven't posted much since my primary wheeling style has always been crawling. Over the last couple years and after 2 kids I have grown to appreciate camping and Expo wheeling with my family. This will be my 4th and hopefully last build (at least for SEVERAL years).

I picked it up at the end of June 2015. After I got it home I was doing the typical wash, vacuum, and detail of a newly purchased vehicle and found a 12 Ga shotgun shell in between the backseat and fender well thus project "Single Barrel" was born.

My first order of business was to ditch the super heavy fornt bumper. (I know most of you would have probably kept it for overland wheeling but since this is going to serve a dual purpose it had to go.) Before I sold it I weighed the ARB bumper and Winch with steel cable and it came in at 178 lbs. Once I took it off the front raised up 1-1/8". That was the deciding factor that I want this next bumper to be Aluminum. I already have a Synthetic rope for this winch so I'll save a few lbs there.

Here's the front bumper I drew up. It is .190" Aluminum and will work with either the factory sway bar or an Antirock. It has two sets of winch mounting locations. One for running the factory sway bar and one further towards the grill for running an antirock.

Here it is Installed...

Bestop TrekTop NX and a Poison Spyder hawse fairlead thanks to Tim at Northridge4x4.

A set of Bilstein 5100's thanks to Craigslist

And heres a synthetic winch rope I got a while back from a local club member

Got some new tires thanks to Craigslist. I saw someone with a 4cyl YJ with stock gears and axles wanting to trade his 35's for 33's. I took him up on the offer. Not sure how I feel about the tires yet but surely there better than the AT's that were on it...

Due to this the Lift came sooner than I thought... I'm also ditched the spare until I can build a tire carrier to support it.
I added some LED's from amazon and there actually very bright and have a decent throw to them. I ordered the Spots because all the reviews I have read said they are a very wide spot and I think I'll be happy with them.

Managed to pick up a Currie Steering setup last weekend from a local club member.

I also had a chance last night to give the Jeep another good washing. It was much needed. I was surprised how much the original paint still shined up. This was right before we headed out for the Great Smokey Mountain Jeep invasion in Pigeon Forge.

 

[jeepster1407]

Thanks to Tim @ Northridge4x4 I had a package waiting on me when I got back. It was my 3.5" Rock Krawler Triple rate springs. I imediately started the install to make sure I would be finished in time for the Sheriff's Jeep fest in Jasper, GA

Next I pieced together an exhaust from Advance. It was a super simple bolt on. I was able to get all this along with a spare spicer 5-760x joint shipped to my door for $85... with a coupon code. I didn't think that was a bad deal.

Put the turtle shell on for winter.

I quickly threw together a CB rack that runs from above the windshield to the B pillar. It should last until I do a front cage add on, at which point i'll mount my CB to the cage.
First step was to drill out the factory rivets holding on the footman loop above the rear view mirror in the windshield and install some new rivet nuts so I can bolt on the mount.

Next I bent a bracket to mount here.

I had to sort of bastardize it with a few holes so the factory clips in the windshield trim piece will still clip into the windshield frame.

After the front support was semi finalized I worked on the rear. I forgot to get a picture of these mounts but I made 2 that are identical. They sandwich the factory B pillar with factory padding and hold the mount between them.

As for the Mount between the brackets I used Advantech house sub floor, Its got like a 30 year guarantee not to swell if left out in the weather so that's plenty good for me. The mount simply bolts to the bottom of the windshield mount and is held between the two rear mounts. I found some fabric that matched the roll bar padding and wrapped it in that.

I won an IAS setup thanks to a drawing on another forum.

 

[jeepster1407]

Time to break out the sawsall!!!

Step one of the powder coating. Everything was painted a gloss black that matches the factory paint.

Step two was the textured flare portion. I'm happy with the outcome. These crappy cell phone shots do no justice! I was going for a stosh-ish look that sort of resembles the factory scheme.

I didn't know what to do with the insert panels from poison spider for my XC front fenders and I wanted something a little different. Here's what I did. Sort of like what Genright offers.

The first night I worked on the Defenders was successful. I have found the only way I can get anything done on my projects is to cut out non productive activities such as sleep so most of my work is done from 10:00 pm to about 1:00 am while the kids are in bed. I got the hood off decently easy. Just taking my time not to strip the stupid Torx bolts. There almost as bad as flat heads. Then I disconnected all the under hood things mounted to the factory fenders. Took the fronts off and threw the new ones on. The fit is outstanding for as complex as they . Everything lined up near perfect. Next I started on the inners and had no trouble at all. Looks like poison Spyder did forget to put one hole on the bottom of the inners that mates up to the fenders but that's quick work since its aluminum. I got a good bit done for only 3 hours of work. I swear this is the cleanest jeep I've ever owned. Every bolt came out with little effort and no stuck/broke bolts.

 

[jeepster1407]

I made a couple 2 wire to 3 wire LED converters so they would work with my parking lights and turn signals. I already had the LED's so this was a better option than just buying some 3 wire LED's. Found a write-up online and followed it and they seem to work.

I got the factory hood chopped and it wasn't all that hard at all. My method was cut less than the directions said then slowly grind down the edge with a 60 grit flap disk and it worked great. Just have a pair of comfortable safety glasses because you will be wearing them a while... Now that I've done this once you could have cut the full 3" and still had plenty to grind down. But since I wasn't sure I did less just in case...

Here's what I cut on the back

Here's the front.

Finally done with the fenders and flares.

Next I designed some custom rock sliders. These will be Powder coated the same textured black as my flares on my fenders. They go fender to fender and have a replaceable striker made from 3/16" Aluminum.

img]https://c3.staticflickr.com/2/1667/25790006674_90a21bf657_c.jpg[/img]

Ready for paint...

HOT out of the oven.

And done...

Finally got around to installing the Currie Currectlync steering setup I've had sitting in the basement along with a new metal cloak adjustable track bar.

 

[jeepster1407]

Started making some aluminum half doors. Here's the first template.

A little more progress on these doors. This was before I ordered cables to actuate the latch. Old speaker wire will suffice for testing.

And done...

I have started collecting parts I need for my tummy tuck...

Undercover Fab original "extra-clearance" Transfer case skid and Engine skid

Undercover Fab Low-pro mount (Decided not to use this. Instead I'll use a new factory mount)

Savvy double adjustable upper arms for the rear

Advance adapters cable shifter

Finally that brings us to my most recent update. I Traded my TrekTop NX for a SuperTop NX + some cheddar. I was concerned when I go to add a cage that the TrekTop will no longer fit as good as it did without the roll bar padding. I also like the idea of having a little more covered cargo room for camping supplies.

 

[mtbxj87]

very nice!

 

[KillerSloth]

Amazing build so far! Definitely giving me some ideas for my LJ.

 

[piratenation90]

Great build so far, really like what yo are doing with the LJ.

 

[pittsburgh]

Finally that brings us to my most recent update. I Traded my TrekTop NX for a SuperTop NX + some cheddar. I was concerned when I go to add a cage that the TrekTop will no longer fit as good as it did without the roll bar padding. I also like the idea of having a little more covered cargo room for camping supplies.

How do you like the Trek Top NX vs Super Top NX? I think I would prefer the Super Top so that my cargo area is still use-able? But, for some reason I like the Trek top???

 

[jeepster1407]

I liked the TrekTop fit and style but wanted the cargo storage back so I switched to the SuperTop. The Trektop was actually a little bit quieter also.

 

[Lacy Hershey]

Great build!

Making me wish I still had my LJ.

 

[jeepster1407]

very nice!

Thank you.

Amazing build so far! Definitely giving me some ideas for my LJ.

I appreciate the kind words.

Great build so far, really like what yo are doing with the LJ.

Thank you. I'm trying to get it as light as possible.

Great build!

Making me wish I still had my LJ.

Thanks! It's by far my favorite jeep I've owned to date. I've had a YJ, TJ, JKUR and this LJ



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[FosterWV]

Nice fab skills ! That bumper and doors are impressive!

 

[Whaler]

I really like what you did with the front bumper to save that weight. Nice design.

 

[Zeep]

Are you interested in fabbing another bumper for sale?