Hillbilly Deluxe

[NITRO1977]

Well I haven't actually done anything to the jeep yet, but I hope to get it in the garage today or tomorrow. I have decided to put my 78 ford one ton axles under it, with plans of running 35" tires. I flopped back and forth with using the stock axles or these, but figured I would have to regear the stockers to use them. So if I'm going to put all that work into it I might as well do it once. I had built a set of links for another project that is going in a different direction now, and I will be using them in cunjunction with the fabtech coilovers.

[NITRO1977]

Just a side note, I find that whenever I start a project I completely immerse myself in it. That is I can't stop thinking about it. I have been looking around here, and have found some really cool jeeps. Seeing what my jeep could look like is inspiring, and really helps to motivate me.:)

[Voodoochiled445]

Sounds awesome, your right you wont want to go with the stock axles if you plan to run 35s. I have 31s with a 3.07 gearing and its acceptable.

:worthless:

[jaber]

Sounds awesome, your right you wont want to go with the stock axles if you plan to run 35s. I have 31s with a 3.07 gearing and its acceptable.

:worthless:

I'm subscribed to watch...:thumbsup:

I'm running 31's on stock axles and 2.72 gears. If the engine was not beefed up, it would be a dog.

[NITRO1977]

My one tons have 4.10's, which should be perfect for the 35's. I have been collecting parts for a while now so I should have most everything I need.

Some parts I already have:
-Fabtech dirt logic coilovers
-stainless steel braided brake hoses
-suspension links (chromoly w/ballistic joints)
-Rugged trail rear shocks
-Warn m12000 winch (craigslist find $300)
-Front winch bumper (started building, needs finishing)
-Pioneer cd player ($15 junkyard find)

I'm still going to need some tires, I have a set of hummer 37's, but they are just a little too big.

[NITRO1977]

I got the fron axle out, only to find a bad spot in the frame behind the drivers side shock mount:(. It kinda sucks, but i was going to reinforce the frame here anyway for the coilover mounting.

[Billygoat]

You just had to go and take the name of my next project that I don't know when I am ever going to start, nor do I own the starter truck for....so I guess by first come first server - you win :D .

Sounds like heavy duty beast

[DerekTJeep]

You just had to go and take the name of my next project that I don't know when I am ever going to start, nor do I own the starter truck for....so I guess by first come first server - you win :D .

Sounds like heavy duty beast

Don't worry. It is just a project.

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/GRAND%20WAGONEER/DSC03605.jpgI mocked up the front axle and coilovers this afternoon. Here's a couple pics. http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/GRAND%20WAGONEER/DSC03608.jpg

[NITRO1977]

Morehttp://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/GRAND%20WAGONEER/DSC03604.jpg

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/GRAND%20WAGONEER/DSC03607.jpg

[Gutter]

Kool, doing a 3 link to an XJ using coil overs, whats your spring rate?

[NITRO1977]

The coilovers came with 400# over 250#, but they were set up for a yj. I might have to bump my rate up a little.

[glady8r]

thats going to be nice! I would love to see where this goes. I may have to do this to my J

[NITRO1977]

Thanks, I'm pretty excited to get it together. For now I just want to get the suspension/axles in it so I can drive it. Then I am going to tackle one small project at a time to keep it under control. I find that if I bite off too much at a time i get overwhelmed and don't want to work on the project.

[NITRO1977]

Cut out bad spot in frame and welded in a new piece. Started mocking up shock hoops.http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/GRAND%20WAGONEER/DSC03609.jpg

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/GRAND%20WAGONEER/DSC03610.jpg

[Subic Jeep]

Have you tested how the links will work when the links are in their extreme position, that is, with full articulation? (pix) Coil-overs are nice, me like! :thumbsup:

Here is a link to a very similar project on Pirate.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=850321

[NITRO1977]

Have you tested how the links will work when the links are in their extreme position, that is, with full articulation? (pix) Coil-overs are nice, me like! :thumbsup:

Here is a link to a very similar project on Pirate.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=850321

I didn't try them until tonight, and just my luck they won't work at the height I want the jeep to sit. So I am going to go with a 3 link setup instead. I have already started to change everything over, and hope to have the links all bolted in tonight. I would like to have the front suspension completed by the end of the weekend if possible.

[NITRO1977]

Ok, y links are no more. 3 links are in. Thanks Subic for giving me the extra nudge I needed, I have been procrastinating about this since I built the links. The front suspension just needs the trackbar bracket on the frame side changed out, and the shock hoops assembled/installed to be finished up.:D

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03612.jpg

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03613.jpg

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03614.jpg

[cu4whln]

Take a look see at my build - link in my sig. I went through some of the same issues. Suspension build starts around page 15.

Long arm kit adapted onto a SJ frame....

Will be watching your build......

[NITRO1977]

Trackbar in. Still figuring shock hoops:banghead: . Gotta get em done 2 moro night so I can get going on the rear. I really need this thing mobile again.

[rockin wagoneer]

dude that kicks Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley im running springs i dont know Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley about links

[NITRO1977]

Drivers side shock hoop finished, just needs a little more welding to the frame.http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03615.jpg

[NITRO1977]

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03616.jpg

[NITRO1977]

Supporting its own weight!!!http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03617.jpg

[NITRO1977]

Still have some welding/grinding/tightening to do, but all of the big stuff is done.:D http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03618.jpg

[rockin wagoneer]

hell ya man good job!!!!!!!

[Desert Rat]

Don't mean to critique your build, but there's no way I'd trust that S shaped stock style track bar for a coilover setup. I'd use straight DOM tubing for that. I'm sure you already know this, but do keep in mind it has to follow the same angle as your drag link to avoid big bumpsteer.

[NITRO1977]

Don't mean to critique your build, but there's no way I'd trust that S shaped stock style track bar for a coilover setup. I'd use straight DOM tubing for that. I'm sure you already know this, but do keep in mind it has to follow the same angle as your drag link to avoid big bumpsteer.

Actually I am only using that trackbar to mock up the front axle. I have a new one all built out of dom, but it won't fit into the stock mount and I'm not ready to change it yet. As far as the angle goes I have already calculated that into the design. I need to pull the front axle out and go through it anyway, I just wanted to have everything pretty much in place before I fully weld anything. Thanks for the input though.:)

[NITRO1977]

I got the rest of the welding on the axle done. And I started to wire wheel the rest of the crud from the axlehousing. Its pretty messy, but the upside is that the crud protected the housing from rust. I actually found original paint under the undercoating. A little more welding on the jeep, and I can hang the frontend permanently.:rolleyes:

[rockin wagoneer]

dude i wish i was that far i just pulled out one of my motors today...

[Gutter]

Looks good!!! :thumbsup:

[NITRO1977]

Axle is painted (from the knuckles in, will finish the rest later)and installed, finished up the welding on the shock hoops, installed new track bar mount and track bar. Pics to come.

[NITRO1977]

My parts truck just showed up. No axles, but the engine has been rebuilt (supposedly) and has an edelbrock aluminum intake on it. I heard it run and it sounds really good. The engine in mine has a bearing knock and this one doesn't, right now thats enough for me.

[NITRO1977]

Rear axle is out of donor truck and in the garage. Haven't done much else though. I have had strep throat for a week or so. I hope to get going on this as soon as I feel better.http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/NITRO1977/DSC03624.jpg

[tgreening]

Maybe I'm missing something in the photos but....what exactly is stopping the axle from rotating ? I see a single straight long arm attached to the axle and that's it. Side to side movement is covered by your track bar/3rd link but what is stopping rotation of the axle?

[NITRO1977]

Maybe I'm missing something in the photos but....what exactly is stopping the axle from rotating ? I see a single straight long arm attached to the axle and that's it. Side to side movement is covered by your track bar/3rd link but what is stopping rotation of the axle?

If you look closely under the coilovers there are lower links. The axle end of the trackbar mount also doubles as the mount for the upper or 3rd link. I positioned the lower links up high so they wouldn't hang up on everything.