Laredo Build (I Know It's Not an RBV But I Know A Few People Are Going To Follow

[LittleBigFoot]

Here is the newest of the toys, a 92 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I paid $300 for it. Biggest problem is a totally fawked tranny.

Forgive me posting it in the RBV Build section. I'm using the axles I was going to swap into the Ranger, and I figured there might be some helpfull information. I'm still a Ranger guy through and through. And this will not be the end of my Ranger build.

Here's the only shot I got, forgive the cell phone pic, the digital is toast.
http://a469.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/45/l_61045e1ba3ea6cd4ae6bbb7e824c8dcc.jpg

By the way, I have no intention of keeping it street legal :beer:

Here are the plans:

Front axle/suspension:
HP Dana44 from a 79 Bronco
5.13:1 R&P
Lunch Box Locker of some sort
33ish (depending on where you measure from) Bronco Radius arms
3" Bronco Rad. Arm drop brackets
8" lift coils

The Bronco arms would meet the brackets just in front of the stock tranny Xmember. I'm planning on ditching the stock cherokee control arms, and hacking off the current bracketry. I have a set of TNT uni-body frame stiffeners on the way. After they're welded on, I'll fab a new bolt on Xmember to run the rad. arm drop brackets.

The unibody "chassis" is 38" wide. I can adjust the rad. arm C clamps to make up for the difference. They were set up for 31" across the chassis. I'll use stock XJ coil buckets and a modifyed set of lower spring pads. Then I'll be heading to the junk yard for drive shaft candidates to be modded by a local shop. The brakes use the standard banjo fittings, so I'll pick up a set of 7/8" lift lines. The Dana44 has already been gone over, and is now awaiting paint, gears, and locker.



Rear Axle/Suspension:
Ford 9" from 79 Bronco
5:13:1 R&P
Full Spool
Modified 3 Link w/ Coils
8" lift coils

The Grand Cherokee Laredo (I think it's classifyyed as a ZJ) has a coil sprung rear suspension. I haven't done much thought on this yet. I will be keeping it coil sprung, but I have no clue what I want to run. I'm open to suggestion


Body:
Black paint job, bedlined plastic shitty rocker pannels
Tube sliders (I guess that counts as body now doesn't it?)
Chop top w/ soft top
Front tube stinger bumber with winch
Heavy duty rear bumper of some sort

Interrior:
All pannels, floor, dash, everything done in spray on bed liner
Possibly mustang seats, I'll have to see what's on craigs list lo

Wheel/Tire combo:
35x15.5r15 TSLs on 15x12 rock crawler black steelys

Engine mods:
The engine is a freshly dropped in 4.0l straight 6. The only big mod it will receive is a snorkle.

Tansmission/t-case:
No clue yet, but that will need to be addressed quickly!


By next time:
Dana30 pulled
Dana44 mocked up
Rear figured the hell out

[bigboy273]

Keep us posted i have a fellin this thing is gonna be bad

-Cody

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Right on, my girfriend had a 94 that I lifted 4" on ran it on some 31's

The tranny went in hers aswell, that was a $1500 bill to get rebuilt.

[LittleBigFoot]

Keep us posted i have a fellin this thing is gonna be bad

-Cody

We'll see about that. If it's a totall fawkup then who cares? I can send the XJ to the shredder and make back more then what I've got into it (at this point)

It's not a DD and will be trailered to trails, so I'm not going to be putting innocent people at risk going down the road at 60.

The 44/9" is a pretty common swap. Over on NAXJA there are a few people going about it. My method only differs at the radius arms.

The long arm lift kits run close to two grand, and I happen to have arms a little under a yard. They're pretty close to the bolt on kit's length (for a TJ at least). The brackets have to be moved with the bolt on kits anyways.

The other option most people use for a HP Dana44 swap on an XJ is a custom built axle truss that has everything built on. TNTcustoms sells this for 150 bucks, and you weld it on. Shitty thing about this is once its welded, you can't adjust caster or camber, or even pinion angles. It's set. The coil pads bolt to the rad. arm C clamps, so everything can be adjusted w/ different amounts of lift etc.


The only real difference between my build and the kit is the fact i'm using bronc. arms instead of a upper and lower arm. Plus, after parting and scrapping the bronco, I made my money back on the axles. The 44/9, buckets, arms, drive shafts, power steering box, and a good set of 33x12.5s on stock rims were FREE.

We'll see how this goes.


So far I've only got 300 bucks invested in this project.




And for all you non believers or chassis biased wheelers: :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPzvAC4UbrM

[compleckz]

awesome, im big into the unibody jeeps..

BTW grand cherokees are ZJ's, regular cherokees are XJ's! my buddy had/has a ZJ we put a 6.5" rustys lift, he has ~33" boggers (advertised as 34's), and he had to chop some of the front bumper plastic to prevent rubbing, and the rear there isnt much chopping room, theres about an inch before the rear doors, he really chewed up the tires, even with the swaybars on..

my girl has a stock xj, we've got a 2" lift for it, but have yet to put it in.

[LittleBigFoot]

awesome, im big into the unibody jeeps..

BTW grand cherokees are ZJ's, regular cherokees are XJ's! my buddy had/has a ZJ we put a 6.5" rustys lift, he has ~33" boggers (advertised as 34's), and he had to chop some of the front bumper plastic to prevent rubbing, and the rear there isnt much chopping room, theres about an inch before the rear doors, he really chewed up the tires, even with the swaybars on..

my girl has a stock xj, we've got a 2" lift for it, but have yet to put it in.

I was wondering about the names. 4wheelparts classifys it as a XJ (Laredo) but the rest of the world knows it as a ZJ. Thanks for clarifying that for me, compleckz :beer:

I'm still looking into springs and how much I want to lift, but I know I want to run my 35s that are currently on my Ranger. Because i'll be running full widths and a 15" wide tire on a 12" wide rim, I think I could be safe running 8" of lift. So far I've just seen some shitty bebay 7" lift coil, and a 1" spacer possibly. Maybe a 2" spacer because of added weight of a cage/winch/bumper

[compleckz]

4wheelparts classifys it as a XJ (Laredo)

thats weird, could cause some crazy confusion since zj's are coil fr/rr and xj's and coil fr/leaf rr :woot:

you definitely need at least 8" for 35s, most people run like 10.5 wide tires as the tires go 33"+, and they only have 6" or so, but with fullwidth axles it'll prolly be a lot different.. i always find it funny, on jeeps everyone is trying to bumpstops to reduce flex (and tire rubbage from stuffage), and on the ttb lots of people barely get enough. i know the skyjacker shocks that came with my 6" lift, are the same recommended for an XJ 0-1" lift.. kinda funny!

will be following this closely.. good luck and get us pics!

[LittleBigFoot]

thats weird, could cause some crazy confusion since zj's are coil fr/rr and xj's and coil fr/leaf rr :woot:

you definitely need at least 8" for 35s, most people run like 10.5 wide tires as the tires go 33"+, and they only have 6" or so, but with fullwidth axles it'll prolly be a lot different.. i always find it funny, on jeeps everyone is trying to bumpstops to reduce flex (and tire rubbage from stuffage), and on the ttb lots of people barely get enough. i know the skyjacker shocks that came with my 6" lift, are the same recommended for an XJ 0-1" lift.. kinda funny!

will be following this closely.. good luck and get us pics!


Thanks bud, I'm glad some one will be following this. I'm pretty pumped. And I found a tranny from a 00 with low miles on it for 250. I'm checkin the bolt-up-ability but it might be the one.


Tomorrow the front comes out as long as it doesn't fawkin snow tonight!

[fordwheelinman]

There was a regular cherokee laredo in the early years, so that may be where the laredo xj on their website is coming from. Id trying search or zj kits/parts just to make sure you have what your acutally looking for.

[exbass94]

The trannys in the ZJs absolutely suck. Even the later ZJs. Heck my uncle has a 1998 ZJ (the last year for the ZJ) and he had his rebuilt at around 110k miles. Even the A4LD in my Explorer has 138k and still works perfectly! I believe that manuals were an option back then, but I think they're really rare.

[zainyD]]

Just a word to the wise. I wouldn't run a full spool unless this is going to be a full time trail rig. Spool+street driving=sucks.

[ryan]

i chopped the fenders off of mine at the last TRS event I went to in order to clear 31 LTBs

good times!

[LittleBigFoot]

I'll be towing the ZJ to the trails so street-ability isn't much of an issue. Thats why I'll be running a spool.

[LittleBigFoot]

End of Day One:
Dana30 and suspension out
Lots of beer consumed
Dana44 set in place
33s thrown on for looks so the neighborhood nazis don't bitch at my hillbilly ass.

Here's the elaborate dana30 and 4link:
http://a774.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/18/l_77044ae682c9c67fc62231b51a57c725.jpg


And here's how she sits as of right now:
http://a368.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/27/l_afddcd7a20bbb0cc4f744201af6cc827.jpg

NOTE: This isn't the final lift height, my coils are in the mail. It's sitting on jack stands in the front and the axle is just sitting there.


TOMORROW:
Existing brackets grinded off
Addresss interrior
Remove front fawked fender
Ugly gray plastic pannels painted up with bedliner
More beer will be consumed

[PaleBlue90]

if u need a hand give me a holler i get out of class at 12:15. nicely done. we will be able to wheel again soon:D

[LittleBigFoot]

Hell yeah, Mike. I'll definatly need yer help for the rear/interrior


By the way:
I picked up a rattle can of interrior paint that can be used on plastic, metal, and cloth. I recolored one of the seats and looks fantastic! I'll post a pic in a while

[PaleBlue90]

right on, i gotta run my friend and his sis home then ill come out ill pm ya for ur adress so i can map quest it AGAIN

[metalmacguyver]

I will be following this build. Wish I were closer to lend a hand as well.

[LittleBigFoot]

you're a good guy Metalmac.

UPDATE:
Yesterday we cut out the old control arm drop brackets, reinstalled old coils just to make sure the buckets line up, tried to pick up some metal to fab a new tranny Xmember but everywhere was closed. We pulled all the trim and went over it in immatation bedliner (i couldn't afford the real sh!t)

Today the garage door got fawked up and I'm gonna be consumed with that shit. I just wanted to wrench (for fun) today, instead of to fix other shit. Oh well

[Toreadorranger]

I'll be towing the ZJ to the trails so street-ability isn't much of an issue. Thats why I'll be running a spool.

towing with what?

[LittleBigFoot]

3/4 ton Chevy Silverado 2500 w/ a 454 and 4:10s

[organic]

LittleBigFoot, Just wondering if you've figured out what tranny, t-case you'll be running. Are you planning on going manual or auto? Sounds like a real cool trail rig. It's nice to see capable 4x4 come together on a workingmans budget.

[LittleBigFoot]

LittleBigFoot, Just wondering if you've figured out what tranny, t-case you'll be running. Are you planning on going manual or auto? Sounds like a real cool trail rig. It's nice to see capable 4x4 come together on a workingmans budget.

Thanks man. I havn't addressed the tranny yet. I'm workin on gettin the suspension and axles in and ready to go while I research. I'm looking for adaptors to bolt in other trannys. I've seen this done with the c4 and c6, so i can only hope i can run somethign better then a heep tranny.

As far as budget goes, I'm only at 500 dollars GRAND TOTAL (not taking into concern the money spent on beer :icon_cheers: )

[LittleBigFoot]

Today was a sight to be seen!

My neighbor hood nazis threatened to have it towed if I didn't get it off the street in 2 days.

I havn't been able to make the new tranny xmember yet, and nothing is really attached. I used 8 rachet straps to hold it in place and pushed it up the driveway with my truck using a tire as a barrier. We had to stop it, jack it up, turn the wheels, let it down, push it more. It was a bitch, but for some reason it was fun.

Coils are in the mail
I shouldn't need new radius arm C bushings from what i've gessed with a beer in hand
Interrior is ready to go back together, and the chop top is awaiting

[compleckz]

My neighbor hood nazis threatened to have it towed if I didn't get it off the street in 2 days.

wow, i hate neighbors.. my girlfriend has a crazy downstairs neighbor at her apartment, she calls us literally every time we walk on the floor past 10PM, saying we're being too loud. she is 100% nuts, has no job, rarely leaves home, and is like 40, she has a handicapped license plate, but she walks around and carries her groceries upstairs, including 50lb bags of bird food.. she never shovels snow or sands the walkway, i do that--and i dont even live there.

at least i live next door to my family, and a school, so i can do what i want. </neighbors rant.>

[PaleBlue90]

any more progress?

[97BlackBetty]

Hey LBF, just be gald you dont get shit from the neighbor hood nazis in the new neighbor hood that was built on your old stomping grounds. My neighbors dont care what I do so long as I dont mess up their property.

And back to subject,
I want to see more pictures, sure hope those new coils arrive soon. And I REALLY want to see this thing as a chop top!!!

[LittleBigFoot]

Hey LBF, just be gald you dont get shit from the neighbor hood nazis in the new neighbor hood that was built on your old stomping grounds. My neighbors dont care what I do so long as I dont mess up their property.

And back to subject,
I want to see more pictures, sure hope those new coils arrive soon. And I REALLY want to see this thing as a chop top!!!

Funny thing is, you're dead on. We're the original owners of the house and we've been here before there was a homo_wners assoc. Bastards and their "property value" :temper:

I'll get some pics up tomorrow. I decided not to go for the chop top, for now at least. I've seen some but ass ugly ZJ chop tops and i'm not likeing what i've seen. It ends up looking like a tiny chevy avalanche with down syndrom.

http://jeephorizons.com/tech/zj_top/top3.jpg

Not for me.



PROGRESS:
Tailgait is off
Cheesy truck tail gate "net" is being shortened and mountedx
Rear windows are out and receiving race car "nets"
Seats are colored and back in along with center concile



I'm still figuring out the rear.

For anyone who runs a coil sprung 9", do they usually weld coil perches straight to the axle, or use a truss, or wha?

I was contemplating finding another set of radius arms and c clamps and running the rear just like the front..... hmmmmmmm.....

I'll take pictures while there's sun light, but I'm off to a date with a girl out of my league, so I don't want to be late for that!:drool:

[LittleBigFoot]

http://a797.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/90/l_feb24e9db129dfc2c61d57d9fffd943c.jpg

http://a486.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/24/l_6048729b51b45248c21ae2bbdc20ca1d.jpg

http://a860.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/57/l_508a5d5b0e963993a6de83c6ad43279b.jpg

Still waiting for my coils, spacers, brake lines, and square tubing.

[97BlackBetty]

Hey its looking good! Whats the name of the stuff that you used on the seats and plastic?

And how did the date go?

[LittleBigFoot]

Hey its looking good! Whats the name of the stuff that you used on the seats and plastic?

And how did the date go?

The date was fantastic. We're going out again for my birthday tomorrow night. She's 3 years older and soon to be a teacher. I'm a lucky guy!

I'll find the name on the rattle can when I get home. It was about 6 bucks a can at Checkers. I like it but it dried a little spotchy, but it was way less then bedliner.

It was classified as a "crinkle finish" (That was the stuff for the trim)\

The inside was a duplacolor product, i'll get the name when I'm home.

[skippy]

happy birthday!:rockon::birthday::icon_cheers:

[97BlackBetty]

I love older women. The first was 38 and the last was 37. The one that was 37 is a stripper, has a fine ass daughter my age (who is also a stripper) and she only uses me for secks! Plus she buys me things. Oh im a horrible person.

:birthday: :icon_cheers:

So how old are you gonna be?

[PaleBlue90]

welcome to the world of bing 18 lol ill be 19 in june and you WILL be going wheeling with me even if you have to ride alonglol. happy b-day man, shes looking good. im goin to moab this summer, you might have to tag along

[LittleBigFoot]

Thanks guys!

[candyman]

jeep build on a rbv forum?!?!?!?!?! It's a travisty!!!!

j/k---looks like you got a real good plan together....i shall follow closely, yet silently....

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm still pretty shocked that I've gotten good responce on an RBV thread.

I've looked on Naxja and mallcrawlin and I really don't like the "Jeep" style. I'm a Ford guy through and through! And not many ZJ/XJ/WTFever owners have used the Ford Radius Arm style, so I figured there'd still be good knowledge and input here.

And for shits and giggles, here's the most recent shot of my Ranger:
http://a423.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/119/l_5372ae422746fa0ab976145aa2d8eb36.jpg

[PaleBlue90]

I'm still pretty shocked that I've gotten good responce on an RBV thread.

I've looked on Naxja and mallcrawlin and I really don't like the "Jeep" style. I'm a Ford guy through and through! And not many ZJ/XJ/WTFever owners have used the Ford Radius Arm style, so I figured there'd still be good knowledge and input here.

And for shits and giggles, here's the most recent shot of my Ranger:
http://a423.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/119/l_5372ae422746fa0ab976145aa2d8eb36.jpg

im still amazed your tranny is still driveable with the big swampers/stock gears:icon_rofl: i am :drool: over your ranger:bling:

[LittleBigFoot]

come on now mike! 35x15.5s and 4.10:1s powered by a 3.0 isn't toooooo bad!

Actually my tranny has always been a POS. I'm downgrading to 33s just for streetability and fuel economy.

That should help her out a lill bit!

[PaleBlue90]

lol right on, the 35's for the zj then?

[LittleBigFoot]

One day 37s when I get the Mollys in

[compleckz]

come on now mike! 35x15.5s and 4.10:1s powered by a 3.0 isn't toooooo bad!

bad is my stock 3.27s on 33s with the 5spd automatic, daily driven and beaten offroad for 2 years.

but i am definitely paying for it now in the trans department, i've got 4.56s now but it hardly feels like it.

[LittleBigFoot]

bad is my stock 3.27s on 33s with the 5spd automatic, daily driven and beaten offroad for 2 years.

but i am definitely paying for it now in the trans department, i've got 4.56s now but it hardly feels like it.

Now that's rough!

I'm excited for a 4.0 I6 and 5.13s!

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm on a beer brake so I figured I'd update:

Front end is comming along well. I'm half way through mounting the radius arm piviot brackets. The axle should be "in" tonight if everything goes well.

I still have to get a drag link adn track bar set up, along with shocks and brakes, then a custom drive shaft. Damn. But it's progress!

As far as the rear goes:
I'm researching using a radius arm style system in the rear. Weird, huh?

[LittleBigFoot]

PICTURES!

"Painted" seats and center box
http://a860.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/57/l_508a5d5b0e963993a6de83c6ad43279b.jpg


New coils vs. Old Coils
http://a348.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/124/l_c4f56fcf06bf2f69525692417ac7c173.jpg

Gettin ready:
http://a673.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/4/l_c7dbfb8d118813fd726c7a5923ffd448.jpg

Fawked fender (don't drink and drive)
http://a368.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/49/l_33e29badf0de6ebcfa7dcfc521a6951f.jpg


UPDATE:
Pivot brackets mounted, arms/coil pads moved in, coils in place.

I'm waiting on an adjustable track bar and drag link. Just ordered brake lines.

Tomorrow I'm havin my 35s pulled from the Ranger and mounted on my stock bronco wheels (That i'm working on sanding down and painting up black)

It's gettin there.

It should be on it's on weight tomorow afternoon

[LittleBigFoot]

The Front Is Done!

[LittleBigFoot]

Except steering, stopping, and shocks. But who needs those when it looks this cool!

http://a970.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_baf5fb8808dd17ae88d267c8598d53c9.jpg

[danger88ranger]

Except steering, stopping, and shocks. But who needs those when it looks this cool!

http://a970.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_baf5fb8808dd17ae88d267c8598d53c9.jpg

haha who needs brakes?

[LittleBigFoot]

Brakes are for pussies.

I think the little drums in the back would stop 35s at 65MPH just fine

[danger88ranger]

So what about the tranny? Gotta have a tranny to get to 65

[LittleBigFoot]

So what about the tranny? Gotta have a tranny to get to 65

We have some pretty steep hills.... lol

I'm picking up a tranny most likely this weekend. Direct bolt up. If this fails I'll rebuild it.


Instead of running coils and a link style system in the rear, I decided to puss out and run 63" chebbies. I got the set for 100 bucks, along with shackles. I've seen these out flex a well designed four link, and mine would be a poorly designed four link, so the 63s are a bit better.


I had to tear the front end apart. I didn't move the coil buckets in far enough so the coils bow.

Also: the damn stock coil bucket points the coils forward instead of straight down. I cant' move my radius arm pivot brackets any farther forward, so there's always a slight bow to it. Fawk. I'll see what I can do.


As far as finish date, well, I hope to have it moving by this time next month.


That would mean I have roughly 6 weeks and a grand into the entire damn build. Not too shabby if you ask me.

[metalmacguyver]

That would mean I have roughly 6 weeks and a grand into the entire damn build. Not too shabby if you ask me.



I think it would be the final answer to the "build on a budget" thread. :icon_thumby:

[LittleBigFoot]

Ya got that right!

Next bitch is gonna be steering. The local shop wants roughly 600 bucks for a drag link and an adjustable track bar. To hell with that!

Any one want to chime in on home brew track bars/drag links?

200 bucks worth of heims and dom is a hell of a lot better then droppin 600!

[oatmealman]

Man this thing is looking tits

We got the rear axle out today after it was being a complete ho bag on Monday here's some pics of the rear tires just sitting about where they should sit.Were heading to the JY tomorrow to pick up some 63's.I'm thinking while he welds the shackles and crap tomorrow if he wants me to I'll move the coil buckets and we can get this bitch hopefully rolling tomorrow.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8770/image020dp0.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7874/image021wq0.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8268/image022oc2.jpg

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm honered that your first post was shots of my messy ass garage!

[oatmealman]

ya me too, now we gotta finish this thing and go crawl over some curbs at the mall and show the ladies a good time

[LittleBigFoot]

We decided to go with a set of 63" chebbies. I didn't want to deal with the fabrication and design of a 4 link. I'm sticking with what I know. We fabbed some brackets to move the coil buckets in to avoid having to grind off the wedges of the radius arms. I know some are gonna say it's a little hillbilly rigged, but.... you're damn right!

Shackle placement is going to be weird...

[LittleBigFoot]

ya me too, now we gotta finish this thing and go crawl over some curbs at the mall and show the ladies a good time

Hell yeah! I'll pick up a case of silver bullets for tomorrow

[oatmealman]

Shackle placement is gonna be a bitch man,a royal pain in the ass.Hell I figure if we can hammer down with the rear axle and get that shit mounted we could do the front if we hurry.

Edit* I was also thinking to fix your caster of your front axle and keep the coils from bowing you could run some drop down brackets which would fix both problems.It's a little ghetto but my truck has run them for quite a few years and hasn't had a problem and god knows I beat the shit outta my poor truck.

[LittleBigFoot]

We should pick up some steel tomorrow and actually fabricate a xmemeber that will hang a few inches lower to help with caster instead of just bolting the pivot brackets in where they are. The caster and pinion angle aren't too bad, it's just that the bracket I made to move the bucket in was drilled out wrong and it puts the spring at an angle. I've got the metal ready to go, now it's just time to get it in.

It'll work out.

[oatmealman]

Works for me,you getting that case of silver bullets still? and when do you wanna meet at your truck?

[LittleBigFoot]

Works for me,you getting that case of silver bullets still? and when do you wanna meet at your truck?

How about one? Then we can grab my tools and torch and head down there and get a good look before I have to teach.

[oatmealman]

ya works for me. You got an oxyacetylene torch so we can cut the rivets?

[LittleBigFoot]

ya works for me. You got an oxyacetylene torch so we can cut the rivets?

We'll figure somethin out. I'm bringin some extension chords and an angle grinder. Either way we'll make it work...


Shit, I might be able to pick up a cement saw.

[PaleBlue90]

Man this thing is looking tits

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8770/image020dp0.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7874/image021wq0.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8268/image022oc2.jpg

HOLEY CRAP ADAM!!!! that thing is sick! what are you gonna do about a drive shaft and t-case?

[LittleBigFoot]

Once I buy the new tranny and T case i'll find the size u joints needed.

I'm thinking of having shafts from a 1/2 or 3/4 ton modified, lengthened accordingly, and with the right joints and caps.



Our work got pissed out today cause the snow. Oh well, a day of rest was in need

[mhughes165]

snow in april, wtf LOL

[oatmealman]

That's nothing, a couple years ago we where still having snow in the beginning of may.

[alaskan155]

so am i going to get to see this thing running around Aurora next time im down there

[PaleBlue90]

snow in april, wtf LOL

thats Colorado 4 ya:icon_thumby:

[LittleBigFoot]

so am i going to get to see this thing running around Aurora next time im down there

Stop on by and have a beer, or a :icon_pepsi: if you perfer, hahah.

[c_note]

i have a set of y-link long arms that i need gone. ive decided to go with leafs springs so i no longer have use for them. if your interested just pm me.

[LittleBigFoot]

PM sent.

[LittleBigFoot]

Update:

Mitch (Oatmealman) and I picked up a set of flexy ass leafs from God knows what the other day. Since then I've been working on finding the rest of the parts needed.

I picked up a set of generic leaf spring hangers that I don't think are going to work anymore, a set of chebby lowering shackles, and I guess thats about it.

I'm going to use rear hangers from a 3/4 ton chebby. Picking them up next weekend if I don't find a set sooner.



Brakes, shocks, and steering, will be taken care of when some of these other parts sell, hopefully with in the week.

Then it's tranny/tcase, bumpers, front fender, and it's trail ready!

[oatmealman]

damn dude your worthless j/k

We need to decide what the hell to do with that shit hole jeep tranny.

[mhughes165]

damn dude your worthless j/k

We need to decide what the hell to do with that shit hole jeep tranny.

u take it, t-case and all, and start bringin them into his backyard as they blow, and then make a easter island setup outta mopar trannies

[oatmealman]

u take it, t-case and all, and start bringin them into his backyard as they blow, and then make a easter island setup outta mopar trannies

Half this world is probably covered in mopar tranny's that have blown up

[LittleBigFoot]

Thats what my back yard is starting to look like... and I live in the burbs...

[mhughes165]

my buddy once asked me what he should get for his new dodge since he wants to wheel it occasionally, i told him to buy a backup transmission and stay away from anything with water

[oatmealman]

Lol should have told him to buy a ford, especially if he didn't have a cummins.Oh ya Adam what time we meeting up tommorow? I'm anxious to get this bastard of a project going again.

P.S There's a good chance I'm going to buy that b2,14bolt, and that hi pinion 44 we have seen.I think I'm gonna go for maybe 400-450 dollars.I'll bet ya my project will be done before yours, especially if that 2.9 runs.

[LittleBigFoot]

A case of beer says I finish first. Thing is tho, we're going to end up working on each other's rigs... so let's just get a case of beer!

[oatmealman]

IT'S ON LIKE DONKEY KONG, when you gonna be ready to start working on your jeep again?

[LittleBigFoot]

As soon as the funds come. I got square tube for the leaf spring hangers priced and on order. I've got a fender lined up for 60, and I've got guy with more jeep mopar parts then I could ever imagine.

I'm going to go get quotes on drive shaft modification monday and pick up the metal.

I'm hoping the Bronco shafts can get modifyed to work in this case

[oatmealman]

Why not just build square shafts?

[LittleBigFoot]

Too much work. And I already have shafts with the correct u joint size for the axle yokes. I just need these shortened and new u joints to the tcase.

[oatmealman]

You lazy bastard.

[LittleBigFoot]

You lazy bastard.

Blow me

[oatmealman]

I'm quite alright thanks though.Have you decided what to do with the tranny?

[LittleBigFoot]

An AW4 will be the tranny of choice.

They're pretty bullet proof, I can get one for cheap, direct swap.

There's so many loose wires and wiring harnesses from the engine transplant that wiring this up is going to be a bitch.

Havn't decided on the T-case yet.

I'm still waiting for pay day because untill then I'm at a stand still

[oatmealman]

are you swapping motors on me?

[LittleBigFoot]

No, the Aw4 Is for the 4.0L I6.

Rear hangers are going to be a bitch

Here's some shots of what there is to work with:
http://a479.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/14/l_bedce164872bd2a1c6d032e9cb3fb8e6.jpg

I either need to loose the hitch or think of something genius. There's no place to mount a leaf spring hanger, especially with enough room to clear the leaf spring bolt...

[oatmealman]

I'd say coil it but you already but you already bought so much shit for leaf springs.The rad arms rear was a great idea.

[metalmacguyver]

Who says the hitch has to be removeable...........?

[PaleBlue90]

Why not just build square shafts?

square ones also put more stress on other things and are uber heavy:nono:

[PaleBlue90]

i kno its expensive but why not use a stock t-case and get a klune-v? thats what my rangeicon is getting (stock case and a klune)

http://www.klunev.com/

[metalmacguyver]

I think you answered your question before you even a$ked it.

[LittleBigFoot]

PLAN:

I'm going to weld the hangers to some 3" square tube, and bolt the tube to the chassis. (That keeps me from having to mount them under the frame, opposed to on the outside)

For the leaf spring bolts, I'm going to drill out enough room through the hitch that I can clear the bolt, therefore I can leave the hitch on and access the bolts.



I'm definatly looking into the klune-V. That would be an awesome addition. Cost is my only concern. It would be nice to buy the tranny, buy the klune, and maybe an after market Tcase, because I could run what ever spline count i desire.

Now it's time to research what my crawl ratio COULD be with different set ups and transfer case/underdrive/ pinion gear combos. Sweeeeeeet.

[LittleBigFoot]

I was playing around with a crawl ratio calculator and here's what I came up with:

With an Aisin Warner AW4, NP231, and a Klune-V David 4:1 under drive, and 5.13s, i'd have an insaine crawl ratio.

Under drive high and tcase high: 14.36:1
Under drive high and tcase low: 38.93:1
Underdrive low and tcase high: 57.46:1
Under drive low and tcase low: 155.71:1


Sick as all hell is all I have to say.

[metalmacguyver]

Sickness.

[Toreadorranger]

i kno its expensive but why not use a stock t-case and get a klune-v? thats what my rangeicon is getting (stock case and a klune)

http://www.klunev.com/

You know klune doesnt make a setup that fits the ranger right? Ive been emailing them for like two years now trying to get them to make one.

[fordwheelinman]

you could always use a hanger style like rangers use, but weld a nut to the inside and thread the bolt in from the outside, eliminating the need to get to it or the nut. you just have to make the bolt short enough so that it wont hit the frame. Its not quite as much welding, but requires a little more thought.

[LittleBigFoot]

you could always use a hanger style like rangers use, but weld a nut to the inside and thread the bolt in from the outside, eliminating the need to get to it or the nut. you just have to make the bolt short enough so that it wont hit the frame. Its not quite as much welding, but requires a little more thought.

Hmmmm. I like yer thinking. I'll have to look and see if I got what it takes to give it a shot.


My next concern:

The chassis is narrower in the back then the front. The leaf springs would be angled outward a tiny bit. I'm not sure tho, it might be my eyes playing tricks on me.

Are there many cons to running crooked leafs on a trail rig?

I might have to fab a x member and weld the hangers to it to keep the right width... hmmm

[LittleBigFoot]

You know klune doesnt make a setup that fits the ranger right? Ive been emailing them for like two years now trying to get them to make one.

The sight says they can fab up what ever spline count is needed. With that in mind, couldn't it be modified to work with ranger shtuff...

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm going to cut out the bumper reinforcement and weld the hanger to the chassis and the rear bumper. For the leaf spring bolt I'm just going to drill out the hitch so I can at least get a socket in there.

Awesome.

[crawlin91]

Sick lookin ranger. I like what you have done with that jeep too. Either one a good choice for running over all of these subaru-driving phucks in Denver.:3gears:
Oh, and lemme know if ya ever need another gear head to lend a hand.

[LittleBigFoot]

Sick lookin ranger. I like what you have done with that jeep too. Either one a good choice for running over all of these subaru-driving phucks in Denver.:3gears:
Oh, and lemme know if ya ever need another gear head to lend a hand.

I know what ya mean man! I'm sick of the ricers around here! It's Colorado, it's not about how fast you can go, it's about what you can drive through!

[oatmealman]

Sick lookin ranger. I like what you have done with that jeep too. Either one a good choice for running over all of these subaru-driving phucks in Denver.:3gears:
Oh, and lemme know if ya ever need another gear head to lend a hand.

You best be watching what the hell you say about Subaru's around me. I love subies and I will defend them to death.Also Adam I've been looking around about the whole v8 wagon and I've found a couple builds and it's remotely possible that with very little work I could stick a 350 Chevy or a 302 in it and still have awd.How rad would that be?

[compleckz]

You best be watching what the hell you say about Subaru's around me. I love subies and I will defend them to death.

haha, i offroad my subie more than 99% of people with SUVs do.. and its my DD.

check the flex!
http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v159/207/104/513533454/n513533454_486124_4064.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v143/207/104/513533454/n513533454_398991_982.jpg

also its a blast in the snow :)
http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v159/207/104/513533454/n513533454_472612_1339.jpg

[metalmacguyver]

HAHAHAHA! some good pics. Next TOTM? Oh wait, it not a T. darn it.

[crawlin91]

Hey I got nothing against "subies", they seem like awesome little vehicles. Who wouldnt want a car with all time 4x4(especially if it was backed by a turbo charger), badass rally action:headbang:. Its nice to see someone actuall getting some use out of one:headbang:. Its the organic granola eating fashion squad of metrosexuals, that drive em, that are too scared to push their own gas pedal and get in my way anytime I need to be somewhere. (Im not putting you in that category by the way, anyone on a FORD truck forum surely has a good head on their shoulders and a nutsack between their legs...driveon) Traffic is rediculous in Colorado...California must be hell. You best be watching what the hell you say about Subaru's around me. I love subies and I will defend them to death.Also Adam I've been looking around about the whole v8 wagon and I've found a couple builds and it's remotely possible that with very little work I could stick a 350 Chevy or a 302 in it and still have awd.How rad would that be?

[LittleBigFoot]

My mom actually has a 97 AWD Legacy. Things a bad ass little grocery getter. I'm sick of the exhaust with more C.I.s then the engine.


My balls have more displacement then most of the cars on the road around here.

[swynx]

My balls have more displacement then most of the cars on the road around here.

lol thats funny, and the same for most vehicles around here

[86ford]

adam it kinda sounds like the big red truck, little pecker issue. except its a big red "WING" little pecker.

86

[LittleBigFoot]

adam it kinda sounds like the big red truck, little pecker issue. except its a big red "WING" little pecker.

86

Got good long distance rates, Chuck? I can send you phone numbers of random one night stands that would say otherwise!

[compleckz]

phone numbers of random one night stands

?? why waste the cell phone memory space :dntknw:

:thefinger:

PS: im not a subaru person anyways, its just a $300 daily beater, lol

[LittleBigFoot]

?? why waste the cell phone memory space :dntknw:


Drunken, late night, love confessions... Thats why.

And booty calls.


Me and Oatmealman are gettin the rear hangers mounted today. It's going to be interesting.

The chassis is the same width from the engine back till the rear axle. Then the actual width of the frame rails changes giving different dimensions in the back.

The change is enough the the leaf sprigs will be mounted outside the frame rails in the rear and "inside" in the front.

My words are all jumbled but i think some get the point

[Psychopete]

And booty calls.

FWIW

Cum buckets are all in fun,
but someday you might get burnt.

(Not from personal experience, from an observation stand point)

I like not pissing lava... :D But, whatever floats your boat.

Pete

[oatmealman]

Well me and Adam finally got the rear hangers up and tomorrow where heading back to the junkyard to get another set of hangers which we though would work better than a different pair he has.It's been a while since we've made progress and I hadn't planned on welding so I was wearing my flip flops and socks which caused massive amounts of problems when welding, also don't even weld in a wife beater.I'm kinda hoping to be able to salvage the perches on the axle so we can weld those on and get this pig back on it's own weight.To the pics.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/509/image027jc1.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1015/image028uo1.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/5149/image029gk8.jpg

[Boggin-B-Series]

snow in april, wtf LOL

Theres Still Snow Here :icon_thumby:

[oatmealman]

Theres Still Snow Here :icon_thumby:

What are you a canuck? it's suppose to snow here on Thursday but not much.Hope this doesn't ruin our camping plans Adam, or I will slaughter someone because I need to get drunk

[LittleBigFoot]

I know what ya mean man. Theres nothin better then wheelin, wrenching, beer. Some titties would be nice.

[oatmealman]

Little Update

Adam and I worked on the jeep a little bit today and we got one of the front hanger done and welded up, the drivers side is a little screwed and will take some work.Adam has to grind the part of the trailer hitch to allow the shackles to move their full length.Tomorow where gonna finish up the drivers side front hanger and then finish cutting and welding the perches and get this axle mounted hopefully.

[LittleBigFoot]

We need pinion shims. And U bolts. And stuff.

[compleckz]

We need pinion shims. And U bolts. And stuff.

the 'stuff' is always what takes so long on projects, and i'm only half joking. :icon_twisted:

[oatmealman]

Jesus Adam,junk yard tomorrow for pinion shims,u bolts and everything else?

[LittleBigFoot]

the 'stuff' is always what takes so long on projects, and i'm only half joking. :icon_twisted:

I know what ya mean!

Theres still so many random things i need to take care of for this project before the transmission swap even begins

[Kdawg532]

oatmealman i am curious as to what your soobie looks like lifted can you post some pics some time????

[LittleBigFoot]

oatmealman i am curious as to what your soobie looks like lifted can you post some pics some time????

YOU CAN SEE IT WHEN WE FINISH BUILDING MY JEEP THEN BUILD HIS SUBY!

It's sweet / going to be sweeter

[Skeleranger]

I know what ya mean man. Theres nothin better then wheelin, wrenching, beer. Some titties would be nice.

i would have to say that some titties go great with just about everything. haha

[oatmealman]

oatmealman i am curious as to what your soobie looks like lifted can you post some pics some time????

It's not lifted as of now.Plans might be changing as I've just come into a good sum of money and the b2 in the junkyard next to work,and some one tons are looking excellent right now.Hell I'm just letting my mind wander and will probably wonder that junkyard for a few hours before I decide what to do.I kinda wanna build an old wagoner and make it a trail slut as this jeep will be.

[LittleBigFoot]

The waggys are nice and simple to lift.

Stock with a D44 and a V8.

Not a bad rig out of the box

[oatmealman]

No there not,plus the junkyard has a shit load of em.I'm stoked as hell.

[oatmealman]

Update time,the perches were ground off and welded back on but one of them is slanted so it needs to be ground back off and re-welded back to the axle.It seems to flex damn well and the suspension is soft enough to get it bouncing easily 8 or so inches.It's huge,flexy, and bad ass.The suspension is so soft when someone sits in the back it literally drop an inch or two in their 200 pounds.The front axle needs to be moved over and have a slight surgery, the rear axle needs to have one perch re-welded, the tranny needs to be dropped and replaced,new transfer case,drive shaft needs to be modded,brakes need to be hooked up,it needs a cage,and it needs to be wheeled to hell and back.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5545/image030go9.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8677/image031ov9.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8053/image032sy4.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7899/image034vl1.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5263/image035zo0.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6857/image036uq4.jpg

[danger88ranger]

Holy hell, that thing is huge! Get it outside and take some better pics

[mhughes165]

lookin good guys, and its not that huge LOL

[oatmealman]

Holy hell, that thing is huge! Get it outside and take some better pics

We would get it outside but I'm guessing where gonna wait either until it's done(a few more months) or until we take it to my work when all the bugs are worked out and flex it out on the fork lift.

[oatmealman]

lookin good guys, and its not that huge LOL

it's pretty big,I'm 6'0 ft and the bottom of the windows are two inches below my head,I can basically see over the window very slightly.

[mhughes165]

adam got a semi when he saw the progress pics of my truck LOL, as of right now the bottom of the door is at my waist level, and im 6'2 aswell, but like i told him b4, its coming along

[oatmealman]

I was just looking at your rig and thinking "holy **** that is one massive ranger" is that 35 gonna hold up to 38.5's?

[mhughes165]

I was just looking at your rig and thinking "holy **** that is one massive ranger" is that 35 gonna hold up to 38.5's?

lol.......the 35 went out the window when i got the chance to get my old truck back, up front there is now a eb d44, complete with molly axles and warn supreme hubs

[oatmealman]

Ya I figured you where smarter than to run a dana 35 with 38's.Well that's good to hear that your build is coming along well.

[mhughes165]

Ya I figured you where smarter than to run a dana 35 with 38's.Well that's good to hear that your build is coming along well.


the pineys that had the donor truck before i got it back were runnin 44's on those axles (i musta really built those well) lol


did yall figure out what u were doin for shocks on that thing yet??

[oatmealman]

I have no clue as what shocks were running,I'd like to see some mono tube shocks on it and not some cheap parts store shocks but since it's Adams money it's all up to him.

[mhughes165]

well, ill do what i can from my end to make him get some decent shocks for it LOL, not much i can do from the other side of the country though lol

[oatmealman]

You could buy and ship us some 16" fox 2.5's?

[mhughes165]

You could buy and ship us some 16" fox 2.5's?

hah lol.......i wont spring for them on my truck LOL, im just gonna run some bilstiens with the external res

[oatmealman]

I wouldn't either, their nice shocks but more for the person with one deeeeeeeeeeeeeep ass pocket or the person on a budget prerunner.I'm thinking some mono tubes from maybe advanced auto would do ok as long as we don't hit trail after trail all day and get the oil hot.

[LittleBigFoot]

So I call today a success.

We got the spring perches welded on, (even tho one needs to be moved out a little)

Picked up U-bolts, made the u bolt retainers, got it on it's own weight.

The pinion angle came out well. Doesn't look half bad!

We actually got it to do the wave from the back to the front. It's a flexy mofo

[Toreadorranger]

You going to put the back hatch back on? I hope so the XJ/ZJ's have a way of folding them selves up with out the hatch and doors.

[LittleBigFoot]

Ha! I knew some one was going to ask about that!

The advanced metal work class at our local tech school are going to do a cage as part of a project. I just have to pay for the material and it will be done under the close work of the teacher.

Shitty thing is that I have to wait till their fall calsses start, so I still have the hatch. I just need to get a new lock for it.

[oatmealman]

Adam we need to make some half doors for this beast.It will help out with line choice so much.

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm game.

We should get a set from the pick and pull tho, so I can have standard doors too. Cops get pissed about that kind of stuff.

[oatmealman]

I agree, Tommorow while I'm doing surgery to the rear of the jeep you should start on the front and when I'm done i'll come up and help and we'll see, then we can started running the brake lines. Wanna set a dead line of two weeks from monday for it to be done?

[LittleBigFoot]

I don't know if funding will allow for that. All these little things add up.

150 for ProComp Es9000 Shocks
120 for and Adj. trac bar
170 for the drag link
65 for the drop pitman arm
250 for the tranny
??? for the brakes

We could get everything besides the tranny done in the next two weeks. Its a matter of finding the moolah. If I can sell some more parts I will be able to pick up a tranny.


I'd love to have this done by graduation but thats pushing it. I'm thinking 5 weeks. I know it's a really long time but that accounts for another pay day.

[PaleBlue90]

yours is gonna be done before mine.......

[LittleBigFoot]

yours is gonna be done before mine.......

And you've got a few months on me too!

You gotta stup your game up, Mike!

[oatmealman]

I think it's because you have me helping you basically everyday after school for 3-4 hours and I haul ass on shit.

[PaleBlue90]

And you've got a few months on me too!

You gotta stup your game up, Mike!

its hard to do that with no job.....i cant find work to save my life:dunno:

[LittleBigFoot]

I know what you mean, man. It's rough.

And Mitch, thanks a ton for your help bro

[mhughes165]

its hard to do that with no job.....i cant find work to save my life:dunno:

yo, im unemployed and look what im doing LOL

[oatmealman]

I know what you mean, man. It's rough.

And Mitch, thanks a ton for your help bro

ah no problem man,thanks for letting me come wheeling yesterday.

[oatmealman]

Update, no pics though we just got the rear axle centered today and it gave us a lot of trouble.Tomorrow we wanna get the front axle centered and back in it's place so we can wheel it out of the garage and do everything on the street from here on out.The list is growing much shorter on things to do.Adam is gonna start ordering parts tonight.I think he's buying an adjustable drag link,trac arm and the shocks tonight.We still need to find a tranny and route the brake lines but once those things are done it will be drivable.

[oatmealman]

Oh we also cut part of the trailer hitch off because it was causing binding on the shackles and we had seen it before but we finally figured out that it was easiest just to cut that shit off.

[LittleBigFoot]

Tomorrow we'll re-center the front axle, and order parts based on new measurements.

We should have everything but the tranny/drive shafts ready this month

[oatmealman]

We gonna flex this bitch out tomorrow after we get the front axle centered?

[LittleBigFoot]

If we want to go get a fork lift....

Tomorrow lets get it centered, design a shock tower for the rear, figure out if the stock front bronco shock towers would work, measure drag link and trac bar needs, see if the bronco drive shafts are long enough, and see if bronco pitman arm and jeep pitman arms are interchangeable like I read. If we can get it out of the garage that woudl be cool too...

[oatmealman]

Update: We got the front axle coils in place and where they should HAVE BEEN(Adam) in the first place, we also got it out and took some pics.I'll post my later and I'm sure Adam will too.It's pretty big and flexy.

[LittleBigFoot]

Here's some shots:

[PaleBlue90]

lookin good adam

[oatmealman]

Adam and I got the rear drive shaft modded and in today,I ghetto rigged some steering as mainly a joke but it could work in dire needs.I also got an exhaust ran and dumped right after the passenger front door.

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm calling Bronco Grave yard tomorrow about the lengths of an adjustable drag link and track bar (for a full size bronco)

This swap is meant to be....

The brakes on the ZJ are the same as the Bronco (I got my axles from)
The pitman arms are interchangeable
The U joint caps are the same size
The rear leaf spring perches are the exact width apart (with the hangers we ran)

It's insaine....

And so far I've still got under 400 into the build. We were able to modify the bronco drive shaft and still have more slip then ever needed. That helped with costs. I'm pumped.

[LittleBigFoot]

I figured out what my costs are as of today. Here's what I've actually had to pay for:

The Jeep: $100 (was three but I parted a bit out)
The Rear Suspension: $120
U-bolts: $40
Tires: $100


I'm pretty proud of the cost-friendliness of the build.

The axles were free, the front coils were a gift, the drive shafts were modified from my donor truck to fit, wheels were free.

So $360 ain't half bad for a [almost] functional trail rig

[metalmacguyver]

Dude, your a bigger cheap ass than me. I didnt think that was possible.

[oatmealman]

Not much more going on the past weeks or so.Today we wandered the junkyards for 2 hours looking for a fender and come to find out that I could get one BRAND new unpainted for 37 bucks. We also looked for an 73-79 drag link but to no avail we couldn't find an old ford that hadn't been molested by mexicans.Tomorrow were going to pick up the fender and rattle can it purple to make it "match".Adam and I are starting to think that the tranny might not be blown and all the problems just could be the cause of massive tranny line cooler leak.It would be so nice not to have the job of dropping the tranny and then putting a new one up,although it would suck even if this one is good I'm slightly sketch about running 35's on it.I guess once it blows it's back to the drawing board and a supercharged 351w and c6 would be in order (hint hint Adam)

[oatmealman]

Well since I guess I'm the only one who still updates this.Nothing got done today because of personal problems of Adam's that I will not speak of, I'll leave that up to him if he wants to tell you guys or not.Tomorrow were planning on doing all the stuff we didn't do today.

[LittleBigFoot]

I got escorted out of class by two Jeffco State Troopers after some domestic violence occured at home. My dad's in jail for felon counts. ****in wow, right?

I bent something up on my ranger when I hydro planed into a curb at 35 mph. It was enough to knock me up on two wheels and then come back down hard. I havn't been able to make a diagnosis yet but it's lookin like an Explorer 8.8" is in order, along with 2" shackles instead of blocks. My spiders were on their way out so if I can find a 4:10 sploder axle i'll just swap that in.

When it rains it ****in pours.

[metalmacguyver]

Damn dude. Sorry to hear about the cats and dogs slamming you in the head...

[KELLY88]

Damn man. Sorry about the home troubles.

[mhughes165]

shit man

[oatmealman]

Well I'm not gonna go into details about what happened to.I'll let Adam do the details but I'll let the picture do some talking.Yes that is the back of a Subaru wagon.Sorry for the blurry picture, I hadn't had a smoke in quite a few hours and let me tell ya, this was one stressful job.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/2630/image054go3.jpg

[metalmacguyver]

Drum brakes?

[oatmealman]

The Subaru is not drum brakes is that's what your asking and neither is the axle.It's a 31 spline 8.8 3.73 with disc's.For what though?

[PaleBlue90]

shit adam, sorry to hear about everything. if u need help bolting that 8.8 in ur ranger give me a ring

[metalmacguyver]

The fuzzy picture looked like drum brakes to me.

[Dishtowel]

Drum brakes?

The fuzzy picture looked like drum brakes to me.

Somehow, this little detail just dosn't seem important right now. I think the dude has bigger concerns right now than what style brakes he has.

Sorry for the sihtty roll of luck man, my sympathy goes out to you.

[danger88ranger]

Somehow, this little detail just dosn't seem important right now. I think the dude has bigger concerns right now than what style brakes he has.

Sorry for the sihtty roll of luck man, my sympathy goes out to you.


:agree:

[LittleBigFoot]

The exploder axle has disks and 3:73s. My friend's dad agreed to set the gears for me for free, so I'm going to pull the 4:10s from my current 8.8"

Mitch and I were up till 3 working last night, I finally got the rest of the axle out today.

I ditched the 2" blocks and decided to run 2" shackles.

I still have to figure out my parking brake. Eeh.


The Jeep is on hold for a little bit till I get my daily driver back.

[metalmacguyver]

yeah seeing as how Adam isnt mentioning what is going on, it would seem to me that this is not the place that he wants to discuss it.

I can tell you that when shit goes wrong, I clear my head by working on my truck.

I was trying to change the subject.

[LittleBigFoot]

Hey, thanks for the support guys. My dad's been puttin us through the same shit for years now so nothing too new. But yeah, I have been self medicating with wrenching.

I've got nothing to hide, so here's the story. Oooh, I'll even post a prelude to demonstrate just how fawked up my family is.



It was mid November. My mother slipped in the shower and ended up braking about 5 bones in her leg. It was an incredibly bad brake due to her health. She ended up in physical therapy for a few weeks and eventually was allowed home. She was totally immobile and had to sleep on the main floor.

Now in this time I began to part out my old 79 FSB. It's in the garage as I tear it apart cause well, Colorado is ****ing cold in the winter. My dad parked his Civic in the driveway. During a snow storm he slipped, not due to the snow, but he was just hammered. It's happened before, why should I think anymore of this. He then began a downward spiral. He was a raging alcoholic before hand and it got worse after this. He blamed me for his fall. I do feel guilty, but at the same time, **** that guy.

My mom ends up sending for an ambulence one day after he fell and we never heard him get up. I was at school and she couldn't get up the stares to check on him. He was taken out in a stretcher, and was later proven to be fine, but due to how intoxicated he was he had to stay in the hospital till he sobered up. He went through horrible withdrawls and couldn't stop saying how much he hated my mother.

I get called in to drive him home later that night. As I drive my febel mother home riding shot guy, my dad is puking and shaking violently in the back seat. They make me stop at a liquor store so they can get my dad something to drink. So as he's going through withdrawls in the liquor store parking lot, I'm pushing my mom through the isles in a wheel chair.

Things were tense for a while. He was binge drinking a lot more then usual and was very in our faces about it. He would never stop talking about how much he just wanted to die. He even tried to agrivate us into doing the deed for him. The gun shop wouldn't sell him gun cause he was drunk when he went to buy it.

He had always dranken at work, but one night, I guess he was just too hammered to work. He got fired. This was the begining of the end.

He would be sober about 5 minutes of the day, and in that 5 minutes he was a great guy. He had plans and ambition, but then he'd just almost randomly start drinking and be worthless the next week.

He had a meeting with his therapist. My mom told him that if he didn't make the meeting we would kick him out. This wasn't a new threat but we were serious this time.

He missed it and my mom told him to pack. He dissappeard and then later came back with two screw drivers. My mom asked him what he was going to do and drunk as **** he said, "I'm going to kill you."

She didn't take him seriously but then he actually tried. She pushed him out of the room after being stabbed twice. Both superficial wounds. She called the cops. A few minutes later the entire street was filled with squad cars. My mom is then forced to climb down a latter from a second story window. Just months ago she was on bed rest. I give her kudos for her feat.

My dad then proceeds to lock himself in the house and tell the cops that if anyone enters he'd kill himself. They eventually send in the dogs and he gets bit in the leg. There's still blood stains all over my house. He gets taken away. I havn't heard from him since, but I know he's with my aunt trying to bargin for rehab instead of jail time.

So I'm caught in the middle of all this. I'm just tryin to graduate and get the hell out of high school. I guess there's nothing I really can do besides wrench away like normal.

So thats where I'm at. Please, no pitty party.

[Dishtowel]

yeah seeing as how Adam isnt mentioning what is going on, it would seem to me that this is not the place that he wants to discuss it.

I can tell you that when shit goes wrong, I clear my head by working on my truck.

I was trying to change the subject.

Sry for being rude,
good call on your part.


Hey, thanks for the support guys.......


... So thats where I'm at. Please, no pitty party.

Sry, and good call on the wrenching. And, sweet deal on the free gear job.

Ditching 2" blocks drops you 2".
Gaining 2" extended shackles only gains your back 1". Perhaps just cut your blocks down to 1"?

[metalmacguyver]

2" shackles are usually 4" longer so that hey can get the 2" lift for which they are named. I think?

[Dishtowel]

2" shackles are usually 4" longer so that hey can get the 2" lift for which they are named. I think?

I guess it's all in where you put your tape measure, lol.

[LittleBigFoot]

UPDATE:

The 'Sploder 8.8" is under the Ranger. I just have to weld on the shock mounts and figure out the parking brake. I pulled the cover to examine the diff and guess what?

I GOT A TRAC LOC!

That was a little nifty suprise.

So I went from a 4.10 geared open, 28 spline, 8.8" w/ drums to a trac loc 3.73 31 spline 8.8" with disks. Not bad.

The sploder 8.8" also had a towing package so there's a shock mount on the diff. housing and some other weird stuff. Coooooool.


The Jeep hasn't been touched in the last few days. I'm going to try to splice out the ruptured tranny cooler lines and stretch/relocate the rubber hose and use a compression unit to hold it all together. Then we can see if the tranny is actually fawked.

I ran out of money till graduation so not much will be done in the next few days. I've got maybe 40 bucks to live off of till the end of the month. Ballsack. Oh well, a day in the life.

[oatmealman]

Today me and Adam welded and patch panel over the gash he cut into the axle tube to keep it from leaking but to no avail it still leaks because of chicken shit welds.I'm coming back over tomorrow and I've gonna grind down my welds and lay one fat bead and it that doesn't stop it the panel is coming off and I'm just gonna fix Adams gash weld fix.We painted the diff cover yellow and got it on today.The paint job looks like shit but who cares.I'm kinda hoping tomorrow that we can get heep's tranny lines fixed and see if the transmission is still good(PLEASE GOD LET IT BE) but after that we still need to do brakes,steering,shocks,front driveshaft, and transfer case.The transfer case won't be bad but it's more work.

[dabomb5756]

what tcase does this have?
NV249, 242 or 231?

Does it have shift points for:
1) full time 4wd, nuetral, 4low
or
2) 2wd hi, full time 4wd, part time 4wd, neutral, 4low
or
3)2wd hi, 4wd hi, neutral 4low

If you have the 249 or 242(1 or 2) they're pretty much worthless in full time 4wd. But Part time 4wd (242) and 4low (both) are just like regular tcases in 4x4.

The 231 is the strongest, but most likely isnt in a zj.

The 249 has a vicious coupler in it, which they always go bad around 75-100k, and therefore makes them pretty worthless in full time 4x4. Its better to replace the case with 242 or 231 instead of repairing. The VC itself is 400 new! (and is worn out on my dd)

Anyways, good luck with the rest of the build, I unibody jeeps are awesome, and that 4.0 is great for wheeling with the low end torque it puts out.

[oatmealman]

I have no freaking clue as to what t-case it has.

[PaleBlue90]

UPDATE:

The 'Sploder 8.8" is under the Ranger. I just have to weld on the shock mounts and figure out the parking brake. I pulled the cover to examine the diff and guess what?

I GOT A TRAC LOC!

That was a little nifty suprise.

So I went from a 4.10 geared open, 28 spline, 8.8" w/ drums to a trac loc 3.73 31 spline 8.8" with disks. Not bad.

The sploder 8.8" also had a towing package so there's a shock mount on the diff. housing and some other weird stuff. Coooooool.


The Jeep hasn't been touched in the last few days. I'm going to try to splice out the ruptured tranny cooler lines and stretch/relocate the rubber hose and use a compression unit to hold it all together. Then we can see if the tranny is actually fawked.

I ran out of money till graduation so not much will be done in the next few days. I've got maybe 40 bucks to live off of till the end of the month. Ballsack. Oh well, a day in the life.

good to hear about that adam. got any pics?:3gears:

[compleckz]

what tcase does this have?
NV249, 242 or 231?


:threadjacked: my friend just got a WJ, it has in this order:
2wd, part time 4wd, full time 4wd, 4 low <- i don't recall neutral, but i didn't really look.

would that be the 242 or did they not sue the same shiz on the wjs? when in part time 4wd, it is 2wd till the rear slips, then the front engages (hard/loud--bad for wheeling! maybe the vc is going).

we went out last night and had some good old fashion stocker wheelin w/ swaybars fun. :yahoo:

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/207/104/513533454/n513533454_937699_4633.jpg

4.5" long arm lift is in the mail.. i forget the brand.. IRO maybe..

[LittleBigFoot]

Stock wheelin is the bomb!

Update:
Jeep hasn't moved yet. I'm broke as hell after the sploder 8.8" swap. Steering and shocks and brakes are all I have to pay for. It's going to need a new transfer case.... bawls. Or at least a rebuild.

[oatmealman]

Just do a rebuild........by yourself and enjoy.

[LittleBigFoot]

My aunt and her boyfriend gave me an AW4 for a graduation gift. Hoorah!

[PaleBlue90]

My aunt and her boyfriend gave me an AW4 for a graduation gift. Hoorah!

congrats man:icon_cheers:

[LittleBigFoot]

So:

I'm going to invest in a axle truss from TNT customs. I feel like I've been cutting too many corners on this build. A ton.

This truss is pre-made for a Ford Radius arm Style D44. You specify what you want like coil pads, control arm mount, etc. and they fab it up, you burn it home.

I think it would be a good idea, even tho a bit pricey.

[oatmealman]

You a crack head, why not just build an axle truss, 20 bucks in metal and two hours will get ya one.

[LittleBigFoot]

Cause they do it the right way.

[LittleBigFoot]

http://www.tntcustoms.com/webContent/webImage_133/100_8549.jpg

The truss is designed for weld on radius arm c calmp wedges. I assume they expect you to use a jeep style controll arm set up. I'm planning on still using my radius arms, so I'll have to check compatibility. It'll be nice to have everything laid out before hand.

I'm all into building shit and DIYing but I'd rather do thigns the right way then the cheap way.

[oatmealman]

Building a truss isn't the cheap way,it's the right way while saving money.Look at all the Toyota guys with 4 links who have build them and they look a lot beefier and will hold up better than that, and are cheaper.

[oatmealman]

I also wanna know what the hell you need an axle truss for? unless your jumping or doing some hardcore shit that not even competition rigs are doing then you don't need one.

[metalmacguyver]

Oatmeal, Why have I seen at least 6 different cars in your vehicle info in the last month?

Adam, you planning on jumping this beast?

[oatmealman]

Oatmeal, Why have I seen at least 6 different cars in your vehicle info in the last month?

Adam, you planning on jumping this beast?

been indecisive about what to buy, but after fueling up my dad's f-350 dually and paying 4.60 a gallon and the total being 50 bucks for 12 gallons I'm not buying a 4x4,I've decided to go with a Subaru outback which still has enough ground clearance to do mild off roading but will get 27 on the highway and 21 in the city.

[mhughes165]

So:

I'm going to invest in a axle truss from TNT customs. I feel like I've been cutting too many corners on this build. A ton.

This truss is pre-made for a Ford Radius arm Style D44. You specify what you want like coil pads, control arm mount, etc. and they fab it up, you burn it home.

I think it would be a good idea, even tho a bit pricey.

?????, dude what the hell, i been gone for a week and ur gonna blow a load of cash on something u do not even need, why dont u get the truck done and able to wheel, and then address whether or not u need a axle truss

[oatmealman]

?????, dude what the hell, i been gone for a week and ur gonna blow a load of cash on something u do not even need, why dont u get the truck done and able to wheel, and then address whether or not u need a axle truss

Exactly what I was saying, if you gonna throw a way a bunch of cash throw it away into a drop pit man arm and an adjustable drag link and some metal for the cage and sliders.I mean a truss is not needed for what you plan on doing with this.I mean your looking at 200-250 bucks after shipping and you could have this thing driving for that.

[LittleBigFoot]

The truss has an option of the pre made lower coil mounts. Either I have to pull the front end out grind off the radius arm C clamp wedges, weld new ones on 3" over on each side, or find an alternative to using the top of the radius arms to hold the coil pad like the original design.

I liked the idea of the truss cause it had everything already in place, it's not just a truss but has pads and trac bar and everything already laid out, and in the direct place it needs to be

[oatmealman]

what ever it's your cash.

[mhughes165]

what ever it's your cash.

its been taken care of LOL

[oatmealman]

Thank you god for mhughes and Adam listening to him.When are we gonna get back to working on this thing?

[LittleBigFoot]

Soon.

I've got a gig comming up this saturday. I've gotta get my shit together for that.

I'm just going to cut the spring pads off the D30 and burn them home on the D44. The trac bar mount is in the way tho...

[Boggin-B-Series]

i love this build man, Could we see some latest pics? thanks

[oatmealman]

just re read the previous posts and I gotcha now.Call me if you need an extra hand.

[LittleBigFoot]

Mitch, and Mike. It'd be great to get your help on the trans and redoing the coil pads on the front.

First few days of summer have been filled with incredible amounts of partying. Time not spent working is time spent recovering or doin the deed. This weekend should mellow out and there should be plenty of time to wrench again.

Payday is in a week so I can take care of steering, shocks, and brakes, right away.

I hope to have this Pig rollin in the mud in a few weeks. Just in time for my favorite trails to thaw out!

[oatmealman]

I'm game for whenever you need me man.Just give me a days heads up so I can see if I'm open.My parents are thinking that Saturday they are gonna give me my license back so that will be ****ing sick.

[mhughes165]

I'm game for whenever you need me man.Just give me a days heads up so I can see if I'm open.My parents are thinking that Saturday they are gonna give me my license back so that will be ****ing sick.

did u just say....ur PARENTS are gonna give u ur lisc back......:icon_rofl:

[PaleBlue90]

I'm game for whenever you need me man.Just give me a days heads up so I can see if I'm open.My parents are thinking that Saturday they are gonna give me my license back so that will be ****ing sick.

same here, ill scrounge up the cash for fuel so i can get ouy yo give ya a hand:icon_hornsup:

[LittleBigFoot]

Thanks Mike. I'll do what I can to help comp ya with gas. If you're helpin my ass out I'll treat ya right.

At request of Boggin the legendary TRS post whore, some recent shots:

http://a874.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/18/l_a36ca466e58245f34dc1f82ff4d11379.jpg

http://a764.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_e937770416d71eac2c0fa97f18eab613.jpg

http://a197.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/42/l_dc323db40d9e3b976a6b3f270c121744.jpg

[oatmealman]

did u just say....ur PARENTS are gonna give u ur lisc back......:icon_rofl:

Yes, they took it after I stumbled in the front door at midnight after getting home from a party.Nothing I could do or they were gonna kick me out, and being logical I decided to let them and just deal with it.

[compleckz]

I've decided to go with a Subaru outback which still has enough ground clearance to do mild off roading but will get 27 on the highway and 21 in the city.

tru dat, i average 25 in my little trail scout subie with slightly larger tires than stock (i run snow tires year round, which are great for the trail!).. with stock tires i got 29.. its great for a.) winter b.) daily driving c.) mild offroading, my car has seen more rocks and trails than most SUVs!


that zj is looking SICK, good work guys, cant wait to see some action shots!

[PaleBlue90]

Thanks Mike. I'll do what I can to help comp ya with gas. If you're helpin my ass out I'll treat ya right.

At request of Boggin the legendary TRS post whore, some recent shots:

http://a874.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/18/l_a36ca466e58245f34dc1f82ff4d11379.jpg

http://a764.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_e937770416d71eac2c0fa97f18eab613.jpg

http://a197.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/42/l_dc323db40d9e3b976a6b3f270c121744.jpg

thanx man. its the least i can do. let me kno if u need anything and when u want to start. ill borrow my friends tranny jack so it will make our lives easyer.

[Boggin-B-Series]

At request of Boggin the legendary TRS post whore, some recent shots:


:rockon::icon_cheers:

[Boggin-B-Series]

o yea nice rig, it looks like it can kick some ass on the trails!

[LittleBigFoot]

Not much has happened as of late.

Life happens.

I'm still gathering shtuff for the tranny swap. It looks a heck of a lot easier then I first assumed.

Couple of wiring harnesses, tranny cooler lines.

Now that I said that I'm sure I'll have a horrible amount of tiny BS problems.

[metalmacguyver]

Of course. Murphy says so.

[86ford]

Not much has happened as of late.

Life happens.

I'm still gathering shtuff for the tranny swap. It looks a heck of a lot easier then I first assumed.

Couple of wiring harnesses, tranny cooler lines.

Now that I said that I'm sure I'll have a horrible amount of tiny BS problems.

i already told you once, remove the CPS from the bellhousing before you pull it! you will most likely destroy in when you pull the tranny. if you need any advice give me a call i just pulled a AW4 a few weeks ago so its fresh in my mind.

86

[86ford]

Yes, they took it after I stumbled in the front door at midnight after getting home from a party.Nothing I could do or they were gonna kick me out, and being logical I decided to let them and just deal with it.

been there done that.

86

[oatmealman]

What The **** Adam,were Are The Updates.

[LittleBigFoot]

I can't recall the last month...

[metalmacguyver]

Amnesia sucks.



So you remember how you were selling me those axles for $200 shipped??????

[oatmealman]

Lol, I do but I think he was just gonna give me the jeep for a 30 rack of buur.

[LittleBigFoot]

Amnesia sucks.



So you remember how you were selling me those axles for $200 shipped??????

Yeah, sure thing. Wait, hold on, the flying monkeys are climbing out of my ass!


I've got a 30/35, 8.8", and 44 for sale tho....

[oatmealman]

Damn adam do you ever answer your phone? took to long getting your fist outta the other guys asshole huh?

[metalmacguyver]

Yeah, sure thing. Wait, hold on, the flying monkeys are climbing out of my ass!

:icon_rofl:

[LittleBigFoot]

Damn adam do you ever answer your phone? took to long getting your fist outta the other guys asshole huh?

I'm sorry man, your mom likes to cuddle

[oatmealman]

Ouch asshole.

I chilled with Adam yesterday but I couldn't do to much work because of my arm being messed up.I smoked Adam's tail lights for him and man do they look good.He changed the transmission fluid and oil.It was intense day or work.Once my arm gets better I'm hoping he'll be ready to drop the jeep tranny and throw the aw4 in.

[metalmacguyver]

What happened to your arm?

[oatmealman]

I hyper extended it and now have osteo chondritis dessicans.Basically a piece of cartilage or bone breaks off and causes a well of blood to build in the joint and it's extremely painful.I'm waiting a week to see if surgery is required or I can just let it be.

[metalmacguyver]

I wish you luck man. That would suck if you have to get cut open.

[oatmealman]

It's a small surgery,I'm not worried about it just want it to go the **** away,this shit sucks.I wanna work on my car and I can't.I wanna help Adam swap tranny's and I can't.

[PaleBlue90]

It's a small surgery,I'm not worried about it just want it to go the **** away,this shit sucks.I wanna work on my car and I can't.I wanna help Adam swap tranny's and I can't.

he knos how to use a cell, i could give him a hand if he needs it and your out of action.

[oatmealman]

I can use my arm now but I'm still trying to take it easy, I imagine in another week it'll be all good.

[oatmealman]

adam what the hell is going on with this build man,seriously It's been over a month now.Stop partying get your shit together and finish this thing,god damn.

[LittleBigFoot]

Thursday is a dedicated work day. Time to build the coil truss or move the wedges, recenter the axle, and pawn a bunch of shit to afford steering components and brakes. And shit.

You work thursday, mitch?