My project TJ Bigger, Badder jackstand wheeler

[TJontherox]

'97 4.0, 5 speed. Let the build up begin.


Just how I bought it. Have the engine, trans and t-case with it too.


Checking to see how much body lift I want


Nothing like digging right into it.

Here is the plan:
d44 scout axles-5.38 locked/spooled cuz I already have em
still gonna be 4.0 but with nv3550 instead of AX-15
d300 t-case to go with axles, 4:1 kit later
Fox 2.5" 14 inch travel air shocks all 4 corners
tube front fenders/comp cut rear
Dual triangulated 4 link rear/3 link front
extended wb to 106" - 108" ish
38 TSL's
Hydro steer
winch
blah blah blah

Newer plans:
Dodge kingpin front 5.13's, Detroit
14 Bolt rear 5.13's, spool
Redo the rear of the frame
add to the cage
other various stuff

[TJontherox]

A few pics of the progress...


Front bumper/winchmount. The rings on the bumper will be cut off, I used them to hang a shackle on for recovery use. Now I'll make a warn style receiver mount shackle.



winch mounted up for test fit


I kind of like the receiver on the front to keep from smashing the roller fairlead


the fairlead and drum is on center so the rest of the winch is a little off center.

[Chop]

lookin good man. im looking forward to seein this build

[TJontherox]

Thanks man. I have some of the suspension stuff all mocked up and tacked into place. I will be making my links next and trying to cycle it somewhat to see if it will bind. It should work out just fine though.


I would like to thank Johnny J for leaving me his rig for ideas/inspiration. It has been helping out a lot.

[Chop]

i like that shop you have there to build it

[boggin-machine]

make note i always have a spot open to store a rig in m yard for testing and ideas!:tonka:

[TJontherox]

Yeah thats my dads metal fab shop, 12,000 sq ft with all the tools I need. I have been friends with Johnny J for a number of years now and its not really that big of a deal that he left it here for me, but wanted to send out a thanks to him anyway.

[VonDirt]

looking good

whatya thinking as far as the body goes ? looks like a different grille perhaps ?

[TJontherox]

Gonna go with Jeep body with tube front fenders and comp cutting the rear. The Jeep was in a front end collision and the frame was tweaked a couple inches diagonally out of square and obviously the front end sheetmetal was damaged. I bought a new grill from someone on the board here and I put it on the frame for clearance for the winch, a brand new hood is on the way also. I used a rack we had at the shop to make a fixture to square the frame back up and I'm leaving it on there till I'm done cutting/welding on the frame. I will post more pics of progress tonight maybe.

[OnlyInMyXJ22]

Looks pretty freakin' sweet!!!! Can't wait to see the final after pics.

[VonDirt]

yea, if figured it got doinked in the front - i thought by your mock up grille you might be doing one of those T-C-YJ combo bods. anyaways, looking good - post'em when ya got'em

[TJontherox]

Got some more accomplished...


I put some sleeves through the rear bumper to run half inch bolts through it so I can bolt something on it in the future. I don't have plans to put anything on it but wanted the option to maybe bolt a swingout spare tire carrier on it someday. Just trying to keep from having to cut/weld after the rig is built.


I counter sunk into the tube bumper to get a good weld on the sleeves then ground them smooth for a flat finished face. The bumper tube is 2x4 1/4 wall tube. The reciever in the rear bumper is run to the inside of the frame to not have anything sticking off the rear bumper to get hung up on rocks. I'm going to be running a fuel sell behind the rear seat so the hitch will not interfere with the stock tank.


Nice clean flat rear bumper


Also got my frame link mounts tacked up and positioned into place.

[JohnnyJ]

Looks good Ryan. Looks like you're moving along pretty quick.

Are you gonna have to notch the skid plate on the driver's side? If so, and you haven't notched that one yet, then I've got the one from Mike in the garage. It's pretty straight still, so you could sell of that one if it's in good shape.

It's supposed to 104* here today. We went tubing on the Salt River yesterday. Lots of scenery.

[TJontherox]

Some more pics...


Top view of my 4-link. The lower links can't be mounted cuz the rack that the frame is sitting on won't allow the lower links to get centered on the axle. I have to wait to get the frame on jackstands to make my lower link mounts on the axle end.


Pic of the rear of my bridge. The links are mounted to a 1/4 thick plate that is bent to clear the pig. The white pieces are my templates for boxing in my bridge.


Front view of upper link mounts and bridge again.

[BMFmike]

[TJontherox]

Finally now have a chance to work on this a bit. Got a little busy at work and had no room in the shop for me to work after hours. Some plans have changed on it since it was put away and the brought back out. Rear bumper and things like that will change. I started back up by converting to rear disc brakes.


Caliper brackets made out of 5/16 sheet steel.


I know the axle is a little rusty, I may have them blasted along with the frame before paint or powdercoating. Haven't decided on the finish yet, long way off for that.


I used S-10 calipers and CJ front discs with the axle flange turned down to fit in the rotor.

[TJontherox]

I made up some mock up shocks to put in place of the real shock to avoid damage to real shock while fabbing. 14" fox 2.5" body, the mock up ones are made of 2.5" stainless tube with 1/2" id pipe for the ends just like the real shock. I made them at my ride hight length and fully welded them to support the weight of the vehicle. I did this with the idea to make/weld all my shock mounts with these in place. I think I may make a couple more for the front too. I am aiming for 3.5 - 4" uptravel and 10 - 10.5" down




side by side comparison of the real/mock shock bodies

[boggin-machine]

thats badass man

[JohnnyJ]

Good to see you working on it again. Are you cutting into the tube to fit the rear shocks?

[TJontherox]

I have already cut out the wheel wells. I am going to cut and section the frame to make the arch for the axle clearance centered over the axle again and about 2 ft higher to mount the shock directly under the frame rail. The frame will drop down a little in the back again to catch the bottom rear corner on the cage. It should allow me to keep a rear seat, and also let the frame support my suspension. I thought about using the cage to support my suspension but since I can't afford to buy the DOM to make a cage and the factory cage isn't strong enough I will hold off on it. Puting the shock under the frame will put the shock about 4" away from the tire. The shock will be mounted on the end of the axle tube and should tip in toward the top about 10* and straight up and down front to back.