TJ: Ryan's build, light at the end of the tunnel

[RYANGLER]

Hi Guys,

Time for a build thread finally

Current specs

- PIECES!!!!

Future specs

- rear FF D60 hp, standard width, 35 spline warn shafts, arb, 4:56 gears, warn drive flanges, disc conversion
- front D44 hp, standard width, 30 spline warn shafts, arb, 4:56 gears, ctm's, avm manual hubs (to act as a fuse to save shafts and u joints)
- 38" to 39" tires
- custom triangulated rear with 3 link front
- 8 inch rear stretch 2 in front stretch
- coiovers in the front with springs and shocks in the rear
- 4inch total lift , no BL with flat to frame rail skid
- hi line custom tube fenders with comp cut rear and removable rear corners/ fenders for the street
- 241r rocktrac (maybe flipped d300)
- factory I6 at this stage with extractors and hotdog only
- new cage
- and a few other custom bits and pieces along the way but this is the big stuff

Well I started this back in late July with the intention of just tearing it down and giving it a freshen up for the trip across to jambo. After running out of time I decided to bite the bullet and do it once while it was already in pieces and up on stands.

What started out as a few simple mods has evolved into a decent build up with a steep learning curve considering im a building supervisor/ weekend warrior and far from any trained mechanic/ fabricator

having said that if I can visualise it I can build it, well at least try

this is how the car started when I purchased it

[RYANGLER]

Just a few picture from when it was still half together.

green wrangler was my first Jeep and also needs some luvin in the from of a new engine as it spat a rod will post some pics of the damage later

[TurboTJ]

Nice little set up u got there mate

[RYANGLER]

Brought somenew tech toys that will help to report the progress, oh and for work, thankyou tax man

Panasonic Lumix FT2
http://lumix.panasonic.com.au/produc...Camera/DMC-FT2
10m waterproof, I dive
2m drop proof, im always dropping s**t

Toshiba Qosimo X505-Q898 lappie
http://us.toshiba.com/computers/lapt...X500/X505-Q898
quadcore
6gb ram
500gb hd with 64gb ssd
the works

its like going from a datsun to a ferrari as my old lappie was 4 years old and I brought it second hand

[RYANGLER]

Progress to date...

I intitaially started on the rear stretch trying to do it with the body still on. In my head the idea of pulling the body off seemed like a mamoth task, but in reality it was quite simple. I set the 1T crane up that I brought for my DIY hardtop hoist on the O/H gantry which made it a hell of alot easier then using a come-along.

Once the body was off it made working on the chassie so much simpler, having grinding sparks fall on you is no fun. to store the body i welded up a simple trolley from bits and pieces i had lying around.

The concept for the build I have in my head is nothing new low COG, big tyres, long WB with max clearence underneath and lots of flex.

To do this I decided to recess the fuel tank into the tub, it made sense as I had to fab a custom tank for the stretch anyway. first time i took to the body with I grinder an 1mm disc was a bit nervey but after a few cuts you have to tell yourself to put the thing down. I still plan to run a rear seat so i was limited with tank size but the end result is atleast 50lts and the bottom of the tank almost sits flush with the rear bumper/crossmember.

With the new tank I managed an additional 6.5 inches of stretch but the cars original rear end had already been pushed back around 2 inch, so 8 inches in the rear atleast. I cut the lower arms and welded on some temporary sleves to just position the rear end. With the stretch and the 35's back on the rear crossmember an inch or 2 further back the the tires so wih the bigger meats it should have a 0' departure angle

[Adro]

mmmm red. Looks good Ryan. Is that the one from over east?

Hey are you coming down to Harvey this weekend? I have a spare seat in my Jeep if you like.

[RYANGLER]

Once I had determined the final position of the rear axle I could sort out spring placement. I had to notch the frame if I was going to keep It low and run any kind of decent length spring. To put some strength back into the frame I fabbed up these brackets out of 5-6mm plate, they should be plenty strong enough .

I was also able to cut the body to suit the new tire position, I have a few ideas floating around my head about rear fenders but i will save them for later posts. Basicly the thing needs to look and be streetable whilst being able to transform into a trail weapon with the use of a cordless rattle gun