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ZJ build...........Update a year later, lolz

31K views 193 replies 65 participants last post by  nixxerRsixxer 
#1 · (Edited)
Well the madness has started over at Ironman Offroad's garage.
Here is my ZJ before Ironman started tearing it apart. It's '95 Laredo, 4.0L, 4" RE, Rusty's, and JKS lift, 265/75R16 TruXs, 4.56 gears, rear Detroit EZ, ARB bull bar w/Warn XD9000 winch.


Now the start:
new front axle laying under Jeep. old axle and suspension removed.
New axle is a D44 HP from a '79 F150, 5.13 gears, Detroit locker.


New rear axle laying next to the Jeep. Ford 9" out of a '79 150, 5.14 gears, Detroit locker, disc brakes.


Yes I know the axles are rusty. I had them blasted before the gears where set up. But they sat outside uncovered for a month before the gears got started. :miff:

The tires, 36x13.5 Iroks on 15" homemade beadlocks(thanks Mr. Green)


A little work done on the unibody supports, still more work to be done to them. Plus need new x-members....obviously.


Coil springs:tonka:

Rear arms :tonka:

A start on the front radius arms. Still need to notch the 1.5" tube so the cast Cs slide into them...then weld it up. The arms will most likely have a bend in them so the tires clear them at full turn.

Control arm brackets cut out by Tab @ True North Design

Rear axle coil mounts made by Ironman and Tab


Pat @ Ironman Offroad(www.ironmanoffroad.com) is doing all the fab work on this buildup. Tab @ True North Design is helping by cutting out all brakets for us. Will @ Joint Clutch & Gear in Bay City built the axles, and will be building the driveshaft also.

I'll post more as we get more done.....right now its just the beginning:thumb:
 
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#23 ·
I don't think Mike will ever work on it, all he ever does is stop by all the shops, talks peoples ears off and distracts everyone from doing their jobs :stan:

So now it's you're turn to finally get something done :woot: . Will your wife ever let you take it out with out here, or will you always be riding shotgun? Nice to see you'll have something to wheel in :thumb:, I don't think I've ever seen you drive in the 10 or so years I've known you.
 
#15 ·
Jake don't laugh but this is actually my wifes ZJ, she has informed me when its done she is wheelin' it not me. So I think I better buy something to wheel myself.

Nick, I would lov to do a winter campout again...maybe not this winter, but lets plan something next winter. Time to freeze our asses of again. I love sleeping in -13* weather:woot:
 
#30 ·
I've seen Mike wheel the ZJ!! Its been a few years now but I have seen it move (with him driving it too!).

I may even have some photographic evidence of this occurance.

I know he must have driven it over to Northwoods a couple years ago too.
 
#41 · (Edited)
Rear axle done and painted

Rear axle is in


Rear tires are on :woot:





Still a lot of work to be done in the rear, need shocks, shock mounts, brakes installed, brake lines ran, lots of fender trimming, and to dial in the arms. She's coming along tho', Pat does awesome work:thumb:
 
#45 ·
Here ya go Mike. I was painting them today. They will have a Rubicon flex joint on the end. We just had the threads taped up for painting.




I'll take more of them when they are completely assembled. I knew you where interested in them, so I took those shots for you.
 
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