Snowball: the build that just keeps getting larger!!
- Thread starter twiisted71
- Start date
twiisted71
Adventurer
Yeah but the cost of a TJ Unlimited (LJ) or Scrambler (CJ8) is totally unreasonable down here IF you can even find one in rebuildable condition. Time I have, money on the other hand.......:snorkel:
I picked up some crusty YJ rear fenders from a friend and plan to use some top rail from them to help with that section of the stretch and will scavenge some sheet metal off them as well. I'm thinking hard about raising the rear floor and if so will try to get a section from a JY pickup truck, if not I'll just go with flat sheet steel and brace from the underside.
I've got to get the front frame knocked out first though and have family visiting this week, so no progress on the Jeep for now.
I picked up some crusty YJ rear fenders from a friend and plan to use some top rail from them to help with that section of the stretch and will scavenge some sheet metal off them as well. I'm thinking hard about raising the rear floor and if so will try to get a section from a JY pickup truck, if not I'll just go with flat sheet steel and brace from the underside.
I've got to get the front frame knocked out first though and have family visiting this week, so no progress on the Jeep for now.
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twiisted71
Adventurer
I have always intended on building a LCoG (low center of gravity) rig. I had wanted to go with around an 18" frame height. It would allow a nice easy entry/exit without having to take a running jump like a teenager with a jacked up Toyota in the '80s!
With stock width axles it seems pretty doable even with the 37s I'm going with, provided you don't mind some radical body carving and fender building. I don't mind the sheet metal mods however with the full width axles and the DD duties I intend to put on this rig I don't think the lack of uptravel would be very comfortable at typical speeds and road conditions esp as I intend to have a soft suspension. 37" tires, 4-5" uptravel, "reasonable" articulation, and the tire travel during articulation due to the geometry of full width axles and Jeep frame width adds up to having to adjust my initial ride height plans. This is measuring from the ground up at the rear wheel well opening with an 18" frame height.
Here is a shot of one of my new tire/wheel combos just setting beside the Jeep. Not even inflated yet (haven't torqued the studs for the PVC insert beadlocks yet). I took the picture as close to level as possible to get a real perspective of tire to body height. Even carving the fender opening out as large as possible wouldn't allow much clearance even to cross a ditch catty corner.
With stock width axles it seems pretty doable even with the 37s I'm going with, provided you don't mind some radical body carving and fender building. I don't mind the sheet metal mods however with the full width axles and the DD duties I intend to put on this rig I don't think the lack of uptravel would be very comfortable at typical speeds and road conditions esp as I intend to have a soft suspension. 37" tires, 4-5" uptravel, "reasonable" articulation, and the tire travel during articulation due to the geometry of full width axles and Jeep frame width adds up to having to adjust my initial ride height plans. This is measuring from the ground up at the rear wheel well opening with an 18" frame height.
Here is a shot of one of my new tire/wheel combos just setting beside the Jeep. Not even inflated yet (haven't torqued the studs for the PVC insert beadlocks yet). I took the picture as close to level as possible to get a real perspective of tire to body height. Even carving the fender opening out as large as possible wouldn't allow much clearance even to cross a ditch catty corner.
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twiisted71
Adventurer
Yes I have thought long and hard about building a separate bed version. I keep coming back to wanting an enclosed area large enough to sleep in. I haven't written it off yet though.
My 4BT is from an MT35 Freightliner.
My 4BT is from an MT35 Freightliner.
twiisted71
Adventurer
Wow, I haven't posted here in a while! But this is a SLOOOOw build so you haven't missed much.
Cut up the front frame to rebuild with 3x3x.25 tube. Will have 3x2 angle underneath as well. This will give better axle clearance with the front axle stretch, as well as room to mount the Warn 8274 winch.
Big mean front diff cover by Ballistic Fab
Picked up a gas tank from a '98 Grand Cherokee for its sloping bottom shape and increased fuel capacity
And rebuilt my NP205 trasfercase. This was a bit more involved than I anticipated, but now I'm fully confident in every piece of the powertrain going into my Jeep.
Cut up the front frame to rebuild with 3x3x.25 tube. Will have 3x2 angle underneath as well. This will give better axle clearance with the front axle stretch, as well as room to mount the Warn 8274 winch.
Big mean front diff cover by Ballistic Fab
Picked up a gas tank from a '98 Grand Cherokee for its sloping bottom shape and increased fuel capacity
And rebuilt my NP205 trasfercase. This was a bit more involved than I anticipated, but now I'm fully confident in every piece of the powertrain going into my Jeep.
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twiisted71
Adventurer
I also bought a rust free 2000 Ranger bed from my local JY for cheap due to a couple dents in the outer fenders! So I'll have a seamless bed floor when I do the stretch.
twiisted71
Adventurer
LOL yeah its gotten a bit more involved than I intended when started! But after seeing the crazy prices of the new 4 door JKs and especially the JK8 (essentially the same dimensions) I knew I'd never justify spending the coin on what I really would like to have. Plus they have an engine reputation that is less than stellar, are loaded with electronics, that IMO are just an unnecessary complication waiting to go out and strand a vehicle with NO hope of a roadside/trail fix. Yes, my vehicle will not be as sleek and plasticky but I hope it will be more reliable, longer lasting, more economical to operate, and capable of being a comfortable DD. I'm of the opinion that for a vehicle with this engine and tire size to be "nice" to drive that it needs some weight to dampen the vibes and unsprung weight's movement (heavy straight axles and steel military beadlock wheels with 37" tires). I tried 35s on my '76 Bronco and it felt like I was driving the tires instead of driving my fun Bronco. 32-33 tires felt perfect on it though. I'm building this to hopefully be able to "handle" the 37s but will drop back to 35s if it doesn't feel right on the highway-where it will spend 99.9% of its time.
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twiisted71
Adventurer
I'm a big fan of the IDI 6.9/7.3 Internationals. I have a 2000 7.3 Powerstroke and while the ability to turn a knob on the dash and change the tune is nice, I'd feel more comfortable with my 200K+ miles on the clock if she had an old mechanical 7.3 under the hood. I drove one of the first SuperDuty trucks back in the early '90s (essentially a cab/chassis F450) and while it would be considered "gutless" today it was plenty capable of pulling a 40' flatbed (aka hotshot mini-float) with oilfield equipment.
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twiisted71
Adventurer
Did some tinkering with the DJ grill and after some grinding, cutting and bending it now fits down between the new raised frame rails and around the new monster steering box. Its just wedged between the rails at this point. I was tring to get a general idea where the radiator will set so I can determine placement of the crossmember.
twiisted71
Adventurer
Made some progress this past week.
built some shock towers for the coilover suspension. Had to put a section of pipe in driver's side to clear steering shaft. All 3/16 with a 3/8" top plate.
Also made a frame end mount for the trackbar as well as installing an Ingall's track bar repair stud on the axle end.
Playing around with C.O. shock. It will be compressed approx 6" from position in pic at ride height.
built some shock towers for the coilover suspension. Had to put a section of pipe in driver's side to clear steering shaft. All 3/16 with a 3/8" top plate.
Also made a frame end mount for the trackbar as well as installing an Ingall's track bar repair stud on the axle end.
Playing around with C.O. shock. It will be compressed approx 6" from position in pic at ride height.
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twiisted71
Adventurer
Welded spring towers and trackbar mounts in fully. Painted all new/raw steel. Re-assembled steering linkage, mocked up coilovers, mounted tires, and set it at intended ride height!
Pretty happy with how things have ended up. Don’t let those TV shows fool ya. Setting all this stuff up was a major PITA
Pretty happy with how things have ended up. Don’t let those TV shows fool ya. Setting all this stuff up was a major PITA
twiisted71
Adventurer
Pulled her out to turn around for engine/trans
And speaking of the engine, I decided to go with traditional black. Since she's gonna be a driver I thought the lipstick red was going to be a bit much. I'm going for a more subdued theme!
And speaking of the engine, I decided to go with traditional black. Since she's gonna be a driver I thought the lipstick red was going to be a bit much. I'm going for a more subdued theme!
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