UJOR Build Thread

[mgmetalworks]

We initially had some issues with the top on the tailgating trailer (same concept as your Sherpa). Started out with 4 electric jacks but they were very difficult to keep in sync. Ripped those out and went mechanical... gearboxes at each corner and drive shafts connecting them all together and driven by a single 12V gear reduction motor. Don't have any more timing issues and the screws are capable of lifting lots of weight.

There are some fancy camper jacks out there that are sync'd by a motor controller....I briefly looked into that but packaging issues prevented us from using them.

 

[ujoint]

I have a few restrictions since we designed a lot around the air lift but we'll figure it out. Thats the beauty of the aluminum, easy to modify and change things!

 

[ujoint]

Now some shop updates.....

Shipped some parts out today

Started tearing into this bad boy, will be up in the air next week! 6" on 35's, 19.5's, Stage 2 axle with RSC upgrade, dual shocks.

The green van we just finished, such a nice rig! 7.3 w/65k, 6" lift on 35" Toyo MT's, Black Rock wheels, OBA, UJ front bumper, Sterling 10.5 rear packed with an ARB and 4.10's front/rear.

And a new arrival, big build ahead! The lighting is bad but the van is blue and is completely coated with a Kevalar liner. Don't know much about it but will look good once we work our magic!

 

[96Delica]

I have a question that may have been answered elsewhere, feel free to point me in the right direction (or thread page number!!). Why only Ford? Do you get much demand for people asking for kits for other makes?

 

[derjack]

I have a question that may have been answered elsewhere, feel free to point me in the right direction (or thread page number!!). Why only Ford? Do you get much demand for people asking for kits for other makes?

Hi maybe I can answer that as well: Ujoint's design ( in terms of 4x4 fabrication) is build to fit to vans with a dedicated letter frame. Not possible, at least in a sophisticated way, to build this on a unibody, like Chevy.

Also: Ujoint s way is building/ developing a KIT. That's much more complicated than doing the whole work in the shop! With a KIT everything MUST FIT properly, even if people are using it who have no clue.
It's made in stages, wich makes the process for customers easy and " cheap". This kind of business is different to sports mobile etc. Every one needs to find his place in the 4x4 business.

 

[Littlehouse]

Saw one of your bumpers and possibly one of your kits on a white van in Irvine today....so nice! First time I've seen one in person.

 

[ujoint]

Saw one of your bumpers and possibly one of your kits on a white van in Irvine today....so nice! First time I've seen one in person.

Cool!

The main reason we only do Fords is the same as most converters. The chassis is much easier to work with than the GM's, drivetrain too. There are plenty of Ford solid front axles out there, and they're all drivers side drop. The GM coil bucket is part of the frame, the Ford bucket sits outside, remove the coil and you've got a nice frame to work with!

 

[ujoint]

Another one goes home! This has been a long term project since the customer travels for work so we used it as a filler job, getting things done here & there. This van started as a side of the road $1500 van that was probably destined for the scrap yard. 5.4, fairly high miles, a little beat up but no rust! We proceeded to give it the works.

8" lift on 37" Mickey Thompson MTZ's and Pro comp wheels, Stage 2 front axle, 4.88 gears, ARB locker in the stock rear d60 full floater, UJ onboard air system, overload airbags, NV271 t-case behind the 4R100 tranny, Dual Bilstein 5160's, underside of body is fully coated, interior and rockers are all Rhino Lined. Once that was all done the white van became black with some dip. Up front its running our front bumper with a Warn VR12000 winch & synthetic winch line. For the rear we took a stock smoothie bumper and buried some flush mount Rigid reverse lights and a new trailer plug. The spare is held in place by an Aluminess spare tire holder. There are other little things like air horns, dixie horn and tint too.... Sweet van and a great example of what can be done with a basic worn out work van!

There was a toy drive close to us at an OHV area, drove out for a few hours to ck out the cool rigs and get in the dirt a bit. Once I have the camper off we'll be heading back out here for a new video shoot.

 

[ujoint]

Here's the black van when we started

 

[mgmetalworks]

Darth VANder?

 

[96Delica]

Cool!

The main reason we only do Fords is the same as most converters. The chassis is much easier to work with than the GM's, drivetrain too. There are plenty of Ford solid front axles out there, and they're all drivers side drop. The GM coil bucket is part of the frame, the Ford bucket sits outside, remove the coil and you've got a nice frame to work with!

Awesome, makes sense. Thanks Chris!

 

[onemanarmy]

So take a $1500 van....

Want the 4wd conversion, 6"lift, 35s, basic shocks, no lockers, no bumpers, and a general going through to check for weak/worn out components. Do you have a ready made kit for the steering and driveshafts?

Under $10Gs?

Just thinking a bit.

 

[fielder441]

I would say no... I started with a 3k van and am closer to 16 now. I did buy Chris' fuel tank which would have save a little bit but not as much as you think. I did all the work myself too. by the time I am done I think it will be about 18 with the van cost included.

 

[Presto88]

But still...$18k for one of these rigs sure seems like a deal!

Fielder, have you posted any pics of your rig? I'd like to see what 18 grand looks like...

 

[Colby Jack]

Chris, I see you installed a kenwood head unit in vanaconda. Did you like it? How was the install? Any other old pics other than the trip computer shot from your trip out west?


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