Here we go again.

[inVERt'D]

Damn Skippy! That is a bitchin Jeep. I would love to cruise Compton in that baby.

No kidding, but you'd rocker protection just to get it out of the driveway. Then again, it probably has hydraulics--SICK!

[RAT]

All last week I was working on a project for Kurt (smksignals). His camp trailer neede a top.



Now that it's done, I could move on to mine again. Friday night a Saturday all day worked on getting the rest of the old bracketry removed. I have to give Crysler credit; those factory welds may not look like much but DAY-ammm do you have do a lot cutting and grinding to get rid of them.

Friday night went from this


To this on Saturday morning




The carnage


Don't think my pretty floor is gonna last much longer...


I know this is the boring part, but when I get home I'll start the fit up and fab stuff.

[RAT]

Help! I need someone to snatch me back to reality. I laid out the axles today and set them 108". Oh man, it looks soooo good. I keep telling myself, 101, 101 101... It ain't working.

[curtis]

I think 104" is the best number for all around performance.

[NAILER341]

What size tires are you going to run? I think 108 is a bit much for 35/37" tires.

[jonah]

wow, I was feeling really stretched when I hit 92"...almost your stock wheelbase!

Are you moving the front and the back?

[aw12345]

Just go big so it's all set up for 40's you know you will go there in time anyway

[dirtman13]

Wow, 108. I think that's a bit much for what your plans are. I'm sitting at 102 right now.

[RAT]

No worries guys. I was playin. It's staying at 101, but it does look pretty cool with the axles all the way out the frame ends...

[Ol Man]

Kurt, Tony Pellegrino is at 104" on his YJ for reference.

I gotta say his rig really works well with the new suspension and 42" tires. You should see it in the whoops and it is really predictable on the rocks. He is able to move quite quickly. If you have not taken a close look at it recently, I would stop by his shop and look.

[NAILER341]

42's Kurt
Your 44's will squeal in agony.

[RAT]

42's Kurt
Your 44's will squeal in agony.

Exactly! I don't think I want squealing from my axles thank you. Erik, you're my Hero. You've wheeled on 35's and made JV look tame. So I follow in your tire tracks...

[RAT]

Well, I got a hell of a lot done over the past few days although it won't look like it for another couple of days. I had a real bitch of a time with the raising of the Tcase and had to make a compromise, but a very small one, so I'm still stoked about the huge gain in ground clearance I'm building in here. Here is the skid loosley fit for a final clearnace check:



I only had to lift the engine 1/4" to accomodate the angle of the driveline, which is what I was having such a time calculating. I think the Tcase cross member will be going bye bye for another design, not sure yet. The exhaust clears the cross member by more than an inch.
Motor mounts (just a shim there now, a plate will be made tomorrow)


LCAs for the rear. 22.5 degrees inboard. I know, I painted it before I welded it. I'm bead blasting all the brackets before I install them so no worries. Just wanted it to be pretty for the photo
During construction


After


This is where the axle will be afte install. 6" behind stock placement.



I'll be at it all next week and hope to have the rear axle and cross member mocked up, front axle fit for brackets, and floor board cut out for gas tank.

[NAILER341]

Looking good, Kurt.
how far is the skid dropped from flush frame mounting, and what is the prohibiting factor from making it flush?

Did you have some fun clearancing the floor for the transfer case to be stuffed up in there?

Is that a 1" MML with 1/4" additional shim?

[jonah]

Looks like you have been busy! Nice work. I am interested to see what you come up with for Tcase cross member design. I am working on mine now...in my head.