Nick's CJ build part 1

[RAT]

I bought some parts to turn my drill press into a milling machine. It actually works. I'm damn happy with the results. So I milled the inner C's for Nick's D44 front axle and fit them to the axle tubes today. Set the caster and pinion angle and started fitting the axle to the chassis. Control arms are cut and ready to weld in, Nick got the FOA shocks from Chuck (THANKS CHUCK)! We put the springs on the rear shocks and now Nick has 27 inches of ground clearance at the bottom of the frame I think I'll install a Chair Lift so he can get in the damn thing...
He also got the axles for the front, and we landed the WMS right 61 inches to match the rear 8.8. Just need some Hubs/unit bearings and we are shittin in tall cotton up front. Also now have the steering box, steering wheel and sector shaft so the steering will get done, we can get some wheels on this thing and call it a roller.

Starting the axle build

20140209_115216 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Both C's milled to fit

20140209_115202 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Gonna start with about 6-7 Degrees Castor.

20140209_121257 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Full droop, or full ride height? You decide...

20140209_121309 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Fresh axle lookin for a home

20140209_151721 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

I'll be rebuilding the FOA shocks and making CA mounts this week. Update with pics to come...

[dirtman13]

Looking good. Art said he talked to FOA at KOH and they might do something for you guys on the shocks since they are the first generation and notorious for leaks. Give them a call couldn't hurt.

[USMC 0369]

Looking good. Art said he talked to FOA at KOH and they might do something for you guys on the shocks since they are the first generation and notorious for leaks. Give them a call couldn't hurt.

[COLOR="#800000"]GREAT info. Thanks Chuck!:thumbs_up[/COLOR]

[curtis]

At 27" he might need a oxygen mask.:wink:

[daniel_buck]

Full droop, or full ride height? You decide...

full bump, right!?

[RAT]

It seems like it's taking a long time with this front axle, but it's a matter of finding all the parts anf getting them together in one place.
I'm working on the truss system for the front axle now, as well as the brakes and steering. Still have to shorten the axle a teeny bit. Unavoidable due to the Waggy axles we are going to use. But all is well.

Should have all the parts to put this axle together next week (sans locker).

Brake calipers, rotors and knuckles from 2002 TJ. Axle housing from old Chevy truck.

20140216_150832 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140218_105651 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

LCA mounts in the rough.

20140216_150856 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Truss template

20140218_151145 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140218_151216 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

More tomorrow

[dirtman13]

Nice truss. Good low profile.

[RAT]

I like working with poster board. So much quieter...

[RAT]

Ohh so close to a roller. Finished the truss and CA mounts on the axle. Got the CA's ready to weld. Got the inner C's welded in, caster set, axles, knuckles and brakes fit.

From this:


20140218_151145 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_114909 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_114918 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_125815 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_125820 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_151952 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_151957 by MJR RAT, on Flickr



To this:


20140222_171824 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_171832 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_171850 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140222_171900 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Now we need some 15 inch wheels with 5 on 4.5 and we can start rollin this thing around. Shocks and other things will be taken care of tomorrow.

[RAT]

Fabbing the upper and lower CA mounts for the front.


20140223_125658 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Ooh! Sparkly shiny things

20140223_115808 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20140223_115804 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

I'll post more later. I'm going back and forth between Nicky's CJ and my Dana 60s.

[aw12345]

Well Kurt you have been a busy busy boy. By the way do you have say a 4' piece of2" 0.25" wall DOM floating around? looking for some to make a spare link for my buggy

[RAT]

Well Kurt you have been a busy busy boy. By the way do you have say a 4" piece of2" 0.25" wall DOM floating around? looking for some to make a spare link for my buggy

4" or 4'? I do have some spare.

[aw12345]

OOPs what a difference one of those lil lines makes. I think those aluminum links are about 4 feet long. Would like to have a steel spare in case I break one of those fancy aluminum ones

[RAT]

OOPs what a difference one of those lil lines makes. I think those aluminum links are about 4 feet long. Would like to have a steel spare in case I break one of those fancy aluminum ones

Yup" not sure if i have a 4' peice but let me check

[aw12345]

Cool Kurt and it's no hurry this buggy isn't done any time soon.
Nickie's lil Jeepie is coming along quite nicely. Is going to make a nice wheelin Jeep.
He wont know what to do with him self with a Jeep that works well