08 FX4 SAS

[Mr. Bossley]

Small update. I haven't had much time to work on it but I've made some progress. Got the Cherokee knuckles reamed for 1 ton tie rod ends and drilled for mounting stock Ranger brakes. Made a simple engine cross member (not welded yet), cleaned up the frame rails a bit more, and slid the diff underneath to start measuring for control arms, steering etc. Also got some Johnny Joints, a Rubicon Express track bar, and a Toyota steering box. Next will be reinforcing the frame for the track bar and steering box. Then i'd like to build a trans cross member that will clear my driveshaft with the doubler. After that its on to making the control arms. I think

 

[Mr. Bossley]

So I got my lower link mounts tacked on in position & made some control arms out of ABS to figure out the bends for tire clearance. Will be getting the real ones bent next week. Also cut out the rad support a bit to move the steering box forward as far as possible. Going to work on mounting it next week. Engine and trans cross members are built and ready to be fully welded. Still have to do the upper link frame mount and then start on the track bar. The coil buckets are tacked on but i will be moving them up higher and notching the frame so my coils sit straight and dont rub. Making some progress but still a long way to go.

 

[bobbywalter]

getting there.

 

[Mr. Bossley]

Made some more progress. It really gets you motivated again when you throw the wheels on it. Got lots of the welding done. Just need to do coil buckets, shock towers, track bar, and steering linkage. Then its little stuff like driveshaft, steering stabilizer, brake lines, connect steering shaft etc. Oh ya then we still have to redo the exhaust. No plans for that yet really. Might build it or might take it to a shop not quite sure yet.

 

[bobbywalter]

can i gets a hells yeah....

 

[Uncle Gump]

Nice looking fab work Mr Bossley...

 

[Jim Oaks]

Looking good

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Impressive!

 

[Mr. Bossley]

Thanks guys.

Today I got the steering all built and made the track bar mount. Parallel and equal length Just have to weld it all up

 

[Mr. Bossley]

Been getting a few things done over the past month. Only able to work on it 1-2 days a week.

Notched the frame out to make room for the coil springs. Hopefully they don't rub ?
Cross members, track bar, & steering are all fully welded, painted & bolted up. Brakes are on.

Next im making some coil buckets & welding on my F250 shock towers. I got some 6.5" BDS Coils for an XJ. They might be a bit tall but ill give them a try. Gonna go with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks on all 4 corners. Should be able to order those soon.

Im starting to realize how tight it gets when you start bolting everything in. I've been spending lots of time checking clearances for things like coils to frame, tires to steering box when turning, and coil buckets to steering shaft. If i could do it over I would have gone with a steering box inside the frame but ill make this work. Might just have to stick with 35s for now.

Just for fun we bolted up my friends 35x14.50 15 Nitto Mud Grapplers. I like them alot. These will probably be my next tires.

 

[Mr. Bossley]

Built some coil buckets today. Lots of grinding..

 

[Mr. Bossley]

I had a buddy from the BC Ranger Club make these for me. New sliders and T case skid plate. The skid is made of 3/16 and bolts up to factory holes. The sliders are .120 wall DOM and .125 wall square tube. These will be welded on.

Heading out to get some work done in a little bit. Gonna try to get my bump stops finished and coil buckets welded on. Possibly shock towers as well.

 

[Mr. Bossley]

More pictures. Got my springs in and put some weight on them. Once the springs sag a bit the ride height is looking bang on.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Nice!

You will be out winter camping before you know it.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Frigging loving this build.