PlumCrazy's Beater DD 4x4 Build

[ryan]

Shop upgrade arrived.
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Some assembly required because I'm a cheap ass, but it did the thing.
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Did the full renforcement deal, but had to trial the brake first. My brother gave me crap for wasting money on something I could make, but lll admit....SWAG stuff just works out of the box. It's worth more in convenience than anything.

My time is worth more than what they charge for a killer product. Their portaband table is worth its weight in gold IMO. I have literally worn out two Milwaukee saws on the same table.
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Do you have their portaband table? I have started looking at them for mine - the one I have is flimsy

 

[PlumCrazy]

Do you have their portaband table? I have started looking at them for mine - the one I have is flimsy

I sure do. I have used it a ton and love it.

 

[ryan]

I sure do. I have used it a ton and love it.

I've been eyeing the TMR one because it looks sturdier, but I'm not sure it looks sturdier enough to spend the money on it

 

[PlumCrazy]

I've been eyeing the TMR one because it looks sturdier, but I'm not sure it looks sturdier enough to spend the money on it

I like that the SWAG unit allows you to remove a single thumb screw and have a mobile portaband with a small table quickly.

 

[ryan]

I like that the SWAG unit allows you to remove a single thumb screw and have a mobile portaband with a small table quickly.

Yeah, I use mine frequently for things where the stand won't work and the one I have now is a nightmare to move. I need to figure out how to stop tossing blades as much too, but that's my fault not the tool's

 

[PlumCrazy]

200 miles down... ordered a YJ track bar but not sure when I'll get around to mounting it.

Suspension has settled to 4" +/- 1/4" lift all the way around

 

[PlumCrazy]

Put close to 3k miles on the swap with no track bar and it was getting old lol. Roundabouts and tight turning and parking lots really make the leaf spring bushings unhappy.


Ended up chopping a YJ trackbar about 8" from the frame end and flipping it 180* I put a 45* chamfer on the ends and welded it back together. Then put the bar on the truck backwards from how it would be on a Jeep. This pushes the bar forward enough to clear the crossmember and angles back enough to shoot behind the pitman arm (which is backwards from a Jeep application)

Mock up with tack welds and zip ties:

Made up a template with CAD for the frame mounts and got those hacked out with the bandsaw.

Drives much nicer, turns without creaking and popping, and bump steer is gone, but I may try to throw a sway bar back on too and check toe (never messed with the tie rod that came on this axle).


Found an old aluminum bumper in a buddies shed that I want to try on this truck. Ill have to make brackets and new end wings/caps

Side note, I took the blue truck out for Labor Day and only took these two pictures.

We also welcomed new member to family. He goes by “Rip”...he is little ripper thats for sure.