My New Project(s)

imagrsmnky

New member
Hi Everyone, Im new here and thought I would start out by posting my build...
I own a small offroad and auto repair shop in Georgetown CA. I cater mostly to the rockcrawling crowd but like the history and landscape that can be found all over this beautiful country of ours. So I decided I needed to get a vehicle that I can take thru the rubicon and still take on a 2000 mile trip to explore places I want to go.

Just picked up my new (to me) 1999 Jeep TJ. Got a pretty good deal on it. Guys son had just rolled it over, so he was buying my dads 04 rubicon as a replacement, so I was able to pick it up for a few hundred dollars more that the insurance company buy back price. Ended up paying $2100.00 for it.


The current specs
99 jeep TJ
4.0 I6
Manual 5 speed
Np 231 w/ terra low 4 to 1 and slip yolk eliminator
dana 30 front sleeved w/ 4.56s, ARB and chromoly shafts
dana 35 4.56s, ARB. chromo shafts and C clip eliminator
rubicon express 3.5" short arm lift kit
pro comp 33x12.50/15 extreme terrains
warrior products ice chest rack
rock hard 4x4 bolt in sport cage
not sure of brand rock sliders
warn rear bumper
tummy tuck skid plate
custom made front bumper
soft top and half doors


the tub windshield frame and front fenders were pretty tweaked from the rollover as was the factory roll bar.

with the help of my dad we got the tub back to square and were going to use it but a friend of mine happened to have a whole tj body minus the front fenders that he sold me for $500.00, that also included an other set of half doors, a couple of soft tops and a bunch of other parts.


So now for my intentions:
paint and swap the new body on, install interior
build new long arm radius arms in front
install axle truss and new panhard in front
hi steer in front
truss rear axle (going to use it for now so i dont have to purchase gears and lockers for an 8.8 or 44)
fab up triangulated 4 link in rear (no more panhard)
retain lower stance for stability on and off road.
planning on using Genright aluminum body armor (front and rear tube fenders and rock sliders) to save on weight. this will be dependent on funds at the time of purchase.
new front bumper (i dont like the style of the current one)
warn 9500 ti (already have it)
tire carrier that incorporates mounting for ice chest rack, hi lift, shovel, axe and jerry can.
Dual optimas
roof rack with light mounts
retain back seat for kids
as much locking storage as i can fit.
small ammount of on board water (larger tank will be in camper)
seperate on board air system from the air lockers
perhaps an on board welder
It will be used to tow my off road trailer (also not finished) with a military electronics shelter that we use as a camper (also slowly being upgraded).
I am hopping I can get it to a useable point by Oct 1st, as we are planning a 1000ish mile trip to so-cal and back hopefully by way of the over-landing rally in hollister.

here are a few shots of the jeep when I picked it up.
IMAG0181.jpg

IMAG0180.jpg

IMAG0179.jpg

IMAG0178.jpg




And a couple after I tore it all apart.
IMAG0231-1.jpg

IMAG0232-1.jpg




I will also try to get some shots of the trailer and camper.

Input, Ideas and experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks

Nick
 

imagrsmnky

New member
Sorry I haven't updated yet just got busy and now I am moving into a smaller shop. Now the heat is on gotta get it most of the way back to drivable by the end of the month. I have done some work on it and I will post pics and details tomorrow night.

Nick
 

imagrsmnky

New member
Ok so I have gotten a little done...

Removed the front axle.
IMAG0441.jpg


started the tear down and inspection by draining the oil
IMAG0455.jpg


damn thing was full of water
IMAG0454.jpg


took off the steering
IMAG0456.jpg


had to cut the pannhard mount off because the bolt was rusted solid in the busing
IMAG0457.jpg


also the ARB has some surface rust, and the air line had oil in it, so I will disassemble to make sure its all good
IMAG0458.jpg
 

imagrsmnky

New member
The lower control arm mounts on the axle are toast
IMAG0459.jpg


the pass side LCA bolt is rusted into the rod end so I will have to cut it loose
IMAG0460.jpg


started cutting on it to get the truss mocked up
IMAG0461.jpg


here are a couple with the truss mocked up
IMAG0462.jpg

IMAG0463.jpg

im going to have to notch the truss for the ARB line but all in all it fits pretty nice.
 

imagrsmnky

New member
also got the tub off and got a better look at the frame. Good news is its still square, just tweaked a few body mounts.
IMAG0436.jpg

IMAG0437.jpg

IMAG0439.jpg

IMAG0440.jpg


Bent body mounts
IMAG0443.jpg

IMAG0444.jpg

IMAG0445.jpg

IMAG0448.jpg


Got them all fixed up
IMAG0453.jpg

IMAG0452.jpg
 

imagrsmnky

New member
So finally I got tired of working in a mess so I did some clean up, took the chassis outside with the forklift and hosed it down with some degreaser. cleaned up the work space and turned it around.
IMAG0464.jpg

IMAG0465.jpg



Also you may have noticed the transfer case missing, I had to loan it to one of my customers. He broke his at Buck Island Lake on the Rubicon (Lack of fluid). So he has mine until I get a new planetary set from Teraflex.

I apologize for the mess in the background I am moving so there is a lot of junk getting sorted and tossed.

More to come as soon as that big brown truck shows up with my goodies.
 

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