Long Jeep.....chasing unicorns

[Metcalf]

More...



Front axle upper control arm tower.

-6.5" tall currently, will change most likely depending on how the engine and chassis play together.
-3x3, 3/16" wall tubing
-7 degree twist to the inside
-3/16 gussets with a few holes
-Drain hole in each lowest corner of the main bracket

 

[Metcalf]

A simple bracket for all the lower control arm mounting points at the axle....





Details...

-3x3, 3/16 wall tubing
-7 degree angle to the bracket design
-It is a mirror of itself and can be flipped and flopped for all the lower control arm locations on the axle.
-Cut for a 3.125" axle tube
-Designed to keep the joint flush to the bottom of the axle housing
-The arm position vertically from center line can be adjusted by rotating the bracket slightly to tune the suspension numbers.

Now to spend like the next week trying to design a rear axle truss.....thinking cap on.....

 

[Metcalf]

Ok......had a brainstorm....didn't take a week....



Please excuse my rough model of a D60 axle housing.

Details...

-Designed to fit as close to the top of the housing as possible.
-It would have to be trimmed to fit on top of the center of the housing and perhaps where the diff tube meets the housing.
-The truss fits inside a 30" inside to inside frame
-10" joint separation to keep the joints lower and outside the housing for access to the mounting hardware
-7" vertical seperation from the axle centerline
-Uses standard 2.63 suspension joints
-Vertical joint position to allow for adjustable triangulation and packaging
-22.5 degree angle on upper arms in existing design
-Truss can be rotated during building to provide 0-degree joint angle at static ride height ( slightly back from vertical according to layout )
-Should work with slightly offset rear axles....most 'centered' axles are usually 1-1.5" offset to one side...most commonly the passenger side these days.

I still need to spruce it up a little bit still......and lighten it up a bit.

Thoughts?

You guys and gals getting bored of this stuff yet?

 

[jeepdreamer]

I like the integrated truss design. Curious if it matters if the axle is high or low pinion? I don't remember what your thinking of using and I'm guessing its not going to be a rock jock?

 

[Metcalf]

I like the integrated truss design. Curious if it matters if the axle is high or low pinion? I don't remember what your thinking of using and I'm guessing its not going to be a rock jock?

The rear axle will be a low pinion design. I think they oil better in the long run....stronger....etc. It would be nice to get the driveshaft up a bit more but the high pinion D60 is only like a 2.25" difference from a low pinion if I remember right.

 

[locrwln]

Incredible work. Looking forward to seeing the real version.

Jack

 

[Metcalf]

Incredible work. Looking forward to seeing the real version.

Jack

Thank you. I think the design work now will pay off later. I'm still waiting on my quote on the tub, and some measurements, from Aqualu. I'm not in a rush, this is going to be a long project I think. Hopefully the all the design work now will let me order the parts for most of the frame and suspension at once. If I get it right I should be able to knock the frame and most of the suspension together pretty quick. I'm sure all the other stuff like a heater, dash, defrost, top, doors, etc will eat up the fab time....

 

[Metcalf]

Can someone with a TJ/LJ get me a measurement from the back edge of the hood to the face of the grill ( the lower part ) please?

Thank you...

 

[jeepdreamer]

Can someone with a TJ/LJ get me a measurement from the back edge of the hood to the face of the grill ( the lower part ) please?

Thank you...

You should ask JSCHERB if you can put him on speed dial. He's a genius with TJ related stuff. And your project would look awesome with one of his TJ to CJ grille conversions!

 

[Metcalf]

You should ask JSCHERB if you can put him on speed dial. He's a genius with TJ related stuff. And your project would look awesome with one of his TJ to CJ grille conversions!

His stuff is pretty cool for sure.

I am going to stick with a TJ grill, hood, and TJ based fenders I think. The TJ grill is shorter vertically than the CJ5/7/8 grill. That should allow me to run more front frame kick to allow for a little more compression travel space in the front suspension......steering, suspension, panhard bar, etc. This will be important with the lower stance of this vehicle. A TJ grill is pretty cheap and easy to find. It should allow me to use easy to find headlight adjusters, trim, lamps, radiators are available for LS conversions, factory electric fans, etc. I would like to use the new Poison Spyder raised fenders. I got an up close look at them in moab....nice units. They are suppose to be making them in aluminum soon too and that would be nice for weight savings. An AEV highline hood is also a bolt on product, which will work with the PS fenders, and looks like a clean finished factory part. The TJ is still VERY well supported in the aftermarket making parts easy to find. It might even be more well supported now than 10 years ago since people are more willing to cut them up....

 

[wild1]

Metcalf, on my LJ it looks like between 41 and 41.5 depending on what part of the grille you measure to. The grille kind of bulges out towards the middle and the tucks back in at the bottom. The 41.5 is the farthest point forward and the bottom is probably a 1/4 inch less then that. This is at the center of the hood.

 

[Metcalf]

Metcalf, on my LJ it looks like between 41 and 41.5 depending on what part of the grille you measure to. The grille kind of bulges out towards the middle and the tucks back in at the bottom. The 41.5 is the farthest point forward and the bottom is probably a 1/4 inch less then that. This is at the center of the hood.

Perfect, thank you much.

 

[Barrows]

I have a grill from a 97 tj that would be perfect for this project. I would sell it cheap for this project because I am excited about it. Just let me know and I will pm a price...:sombrero:

 

[Metcalf]

I have a grill from a 97 tj that would be perfect for this project. I would sell it cheap for this project because I am excited about it. Just let me know and I will pm a price...:sombrero:

PM sent. Let me know what you need for it.

 

[Metcalf]

I'm kinda stuck on this project until I hear back from Aqualu on the tub. I don't want to bug them and am pretty busy getting my Willys ready for a crazy adventure....