Launch
Active Member
Looks like progress.
Gladys
- Thread starter Bizcuit
- Start date
Bizcuit
Active Member
Slowly getting there. I’ve had some time here and there, but no boxes checked for a while. I need to change that.
Was able to get the engine skid cut out and it fit the first time. Hoping to get it finalized this weekend, along with the tank skid. The lower control arm brackets also tie into the engine skid with the flange that is near the bottom, which is the same elevation as the bottom of the x-member. The window in the skid lines up with the drain plug and has a removable door.
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
The shortening of the bed is complete, and im trying to get the flares fitted now. I loved the look of these fenders in pictures. When lying on the floor they look great. Heavy duty, well constructed, good packaging. But for some reason, I also wanted them to fit. Not so much. I hope I’ve gotten the only pair that doesn’t, otherwise they’re not ready to be released to market yet IMO. I was spoiled by Notch Customs, which were the flares on the JK. They fit perfect.
Third link frame mount final welded so I now can drill the rear mount to the x-member. That will be the last of the frame mounts for the rear suspension. Working on the axle end of the third link tonight, and hopefully have the axle flexing this weekend. At that point I can locate where the rear struts go, and cut relief into the front bed corners for the towers. Then to the body shop.
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
Farming season is upon us so not much time to spend on the Jeep, but finally got the engine skid done. I anchored it to the rear of the engine mounts. I used a piece of solid 2 in long and threaded it to the M10 of the bolts that hung down about an inch. I threaded the other side to 3/8 which is where I’ll mount the supports. I also cut flats on them to help tighten by using a weatherhead socket. I think it took me as long to build the one that goes over the driveline as the rest of the skid.
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
Bizcuit
Active Member
Started working on the sliders this week. Mapped the Jeep out before I tore everything down in November and recently started putting it to metal. The design is similar to what I used on the JK and I was happy with how it worked. I bent up a sample piece and like the way it looks so I cut the final version. On the pinch seam I’ll have a 10ga angle bent that will attach to the bottom of the slider.
Attachments
Last edited:
Bizcuit
Active Member
Back in it, and made good forward progress today. Dana rear is all welded and waiting for paint to make it look pretty. 16 days and counting till we leave and feeling concerned. Moved the track bar mount as far left as we could comfortably, and we’ll have to be happy with that.
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
Spoke with the wife about your recommendation, and she says we’ll have to set up a charge account because the Jeep budget went dry. Guess caffeine’s gonna have to do.16 days you best get busy or find a meth dealer
Did get another good day in today though. Tubing is 2.25, .250 wall. Bridge is .188 bent at 60 degrees three times, then doubled at the bolt area. Rod end is going to be a Ballistic with 1.50 threads. Math comes out to 74 percent which should give us 15 inches of travel. I’m happy.
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
Good day in the shop today. Fuel tank skid is done. The sump in the tank hangs 7/16 lower than the tank does. I cut a piece of 1/2 UHMW to space the tank off of the floor and cut reliefs in it for the sump, and for dirt and water to escape. The flange on the rear of the skid is to hang the DEF tank from. The JL/T platform is a PIA by comparison to the JK, nothing is square. Sending them to powder tomorrow and hoping to hear this thing running by the weekend.
Attachments
Last edited:
Bizcuit
Active Member
We’ve got reservations at Sand Hallow on the 12th. We’ve been going to Moab the last couple and wifey wanted to change it up this year. I don’t much care where we end up, as long as we go.
I’m happy with the progress the last couple of days. Small snippets of time spent here and there are making things slam shut recently. This is one of them. The DEF tank on this is a PIA, and with the recent crackdown on shops working on them, I’ve decided to keep this one intact, so no delete. It would have been a great deal easier when building the front long arms, but now that we’re past that, I don’t hate it.
It seemed a little overwhelming at first to protect it, but once I got into it, it fell into place. The lines and wiring were all external on the factory DEF tank so I think I’ve figured a way to keep the stumps and brush from giving me fits. Everything goes inside on this one. If you’re familiar with the diesel, you’ll recognize the pattern on the bottom of the skid which allows access to the pump and wiring.
Attachments
Last edited:
Bizcuit
Active Member
Boy helped with some of the chores today. He made a pair of sway bar links by combining the factory front and the rear. I think they turned out great because they are two different diameters. Worked up a couple of rear towers that resemble the fronts and was able to get them back in half a day from powder because I already had a spot in line. Just finished welding them on and I’m liking the progress. Wife painted the front of the frame with POR15. Don’t have any experience with it but it’s shop friendly because it’s self leveling and you apply it with a brush. Installed the front bumper and I’m really liking the color. I wanted a two tone effect and this powder color was very friendly with the Sting Gray.
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
A couple of other things that he has his fingerprints on, is the install of the ARB. He used a bulkhead style battery connector to run the power inside the body. Also used a bulkhead air fitting to get to the air tank where the locker solenoids are mounted. Did I mention I’m kinda digging the color of the bumper?
Attachments
Bizcuit
Active Member
Thanks to JT@623s advice, I’ve been working with the guy that usually hangs at the corner near the Walmart. Work, work, work.
Rear end parts are in their supposed location. Ran a couple of flexes and everything is good. The E brake lines aren’t friendly. It’ll take some more time to make them be right because they run forward when they leave the axle which make it look like they’re out of control. Here’s some pictures of full stuff, then flexed. The axle goes up much further now than when stock so I had to completely remove the factory snubber mount. You can also see where the third link mounts to the cross member near the carrier. I think everything is as close as I could comfortably make it and still clear.
Rear end parts are in their supposed location. Ran a couple of flexes and everything is good. The E brake lines aren’t friendly. It’ll take some more time to make them be right because they run forward when they leave the axle which make it look like they’re out of control. Here’s some pictures of full stuff, then flexed. The axle goes up much further now than when stock so I had to completely remove the factory snubber mount. You can also see where the third link mounts to the cross member near the carrier. I think everything is as close as I could comfortably make it and still clear.
Attachments
JT@623
Hooked
Im looking forward to seeing this one finished
Bizcuit
Active Member
And many thanks to you, I appreciate.Im looking forward to seeing this one finished
Today wasn’t much of a farming day so I was able to put several hours of focus into the project. The biggest thing that we noticed today was the Jeep stood on its own front for the first time in months. That was more enjoyable than I thought it would be. The hiccup to the day was when we were bleeding the PCS, it seems to be dead on the right side of center. Talked with the techs about it and they are shipping me out a box, red label, no cost. I’ve only dealt with them twice now. The first being the cylinder was too short for my application, and now this. I’m more than happy with the way they’ve handled things. Another positive thing about today was the after hours communication I had with Russell @Jensen Brothers to get the pressures dialed in. Good people. These pictures are what I thought I wanted to be ride height, about 5 3/4 of up travel. I’m thinking about lowering it some. Thoughts?
Attachments
jeeeep
Hooked
I agree on lowering it a bit, that's a lot of clearance. personally, I like the clean looks of a lower stance