Snowball: the build that just keeps getting larger!!

[twiisted71]

My Jeep is going to be a hodge-podge to say the least. Hopefully once completed it will be a DJ Unlimited. I've been plugging away at it for about 2 years now. I'm changing out or modifying pretty much everything on it, with the goal of making it sledgehammer reliable, comfortable, economical, capable, and maybe even able to still fit under a standard garage door! For now I'll just post pics with captions above.

 

[twiisted71]

Picked this up initially planning on a f'glass tub swap. Quickly realized what a headache it was going to be sorting out what I had or didn't have and what I could actually use on it besides the frame.

Then along came this through some intricate horse trading. The missus was happy to have the rolling tetanus farm out of the garage, esp since I could now do the quick engine/tranny/TC swap that I'd explained the project to her as!eepwall: It as usual took a mind of its own.

 

[twiisted71]

Shortly after coming to live with us she went on a diet.

 

[twiisted71]

All that to install these:

Cummins 4BT P7100 pump version. 130hp/330tq at 2100/1700 rpm respectively when bone stock.

Ford ZF 5 speed and NP205 transfercase

 

[twiisted71]

Then there are the axles

Rear is an AAM 11.5" with 3.73 gears, G80 locker, and disk brakes. This thing is massive.

Up front is a custom built (by me) hybrid high pinion Dana 44 with 8 lug outers complete with massive rotors and dual piston calipers and a lunchbox locker.

And of course wheels and tires. I chose H1 take-off 12 bolt wheels and 37" Goodyear OZ radials that will be double beadlocked with PVC inserts

Pretty big difference between a 35" tire and a TRUE 37"er huh!

 

[SSF556]

Cool build...

 

[twiisted71]

Then came time for "customizing":sombrero:


A DJ5 grill from a postal delivery Jeep from the early '80s along with a HD f'glass CJ-7 hood.

Some super comfy Ford Windstar seats. I have a bad back and decided to build this with a soft suspension and seats to help me enjoy it more.

Pair of 2.5" Fox coilovers up front

Toyota pickup springs circa '86 paired with some boomerang shackles for a cushy rear suspension and a tunable stance while keeping the ride height low.

 

[twiisted71]

I trial fitted the Engine/Trans/TC to ensure hood clearance and figure out fore/aft placement. I have a couple different manifolds that I can vary turbo placement with. I built a custom rear turbo outlet plate along with an extremely tight radius downpipe connected via a V-band assembly.

I also had a custom turbo blanket built to help control heat coming into the cabin

 

[twiisted71]

Rebuilt a '79 F150 4x4 steering box and tapped for hydro assist if needed later

Here's the "hybrid" part of the front axle I built. I had a '77 F150 high pinion Dana 44 with the 1/2" thick tubes like the larger F trucks got, as well as a '79 F250 Dana 44 with 8 lug hubs and leaf spring pads. I swapped the parts from the knuckles to the lockouts around on the two axles so I could have the ride and tunability of a coilsprung factory 3 link Ford radius arm suspension with bulletproof reliability along with factory designed geometry and longevity. I really want this thing to last until I'm tired of owning it!

And a peek-a-boo of that big ole AAM 11.5 rear axle

 

[twiisted71]

This pretty much brings the thread up to date. Of course I've left out the boring pics of axle components and rebuild, CJ-ish dash I have planned, hydroboost brakes, the Warn 8274 or old Bellview/Warn M8000 upright winches I have to decide on, CJ tailgate conversion, CJ-7 f'glass windshield frame, barn find NOS MileMarker locking hubs, tilt steering from an '89 firebird that I'm planning to rig up the cruise control from a GM 1500 truck, and on and on.

But I've decided now to go beyond the 103" wheelbase stretch I had planned and do a full body and frame stretch to TJ Unlimited (LJ) specs. This will also allow better driveshaft angles and perhaps enough room to sleep in the bed area if need be. Hope I'm still able to get into the bed by the time I ever get it finished!

 

[Xodius]

Lol, that is a heck of a project! Looks great. Can't wait to see the middle....er end of construction/modifications.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lecoq]

Wow! This thing is going to be a monster when it's done. What transfer case are you running? Love the wheel color.

 

[Mexicant]

Very cool build!

 

[twiisted71]

What transfer case are you running?

NP205, last pic in post 4 shows it and the trans (ZF S5-42)

 

[kojackJKU]

officially awesome. can't wait to see more.