nxcj
04-22-2003, 05:43 PM
Couldn't think of a question to help get the new category going so I'll tell ya what I spent my winter (and spring, so far) on.
October: bought a $200 '79 Wag. Bone stock, non-running, TH400, Quadra-Trac. Figured to get her running and turn some Jeepin' funds.
Later Oct.: Sold my CJ wheeler
November: Got paranoid about not having a wheeler for spring. Only thing in my garage is a turd of a '79 Wag. hmmmmmm?
Got it running and yanked the axles immediately and trade them straight up for a Dana 60 and 44 (full size).
Dropped the rear springs, spring-over in the front. Tossed in the new axles. Shaker high steer arms...had a machinist buddy mill and drill some flat tops. Another buddy had some 5.89 44 gears for free. Found some 60 5.89's on Ebay cheap...welded the rear, bought a brand new 44 Lock Right for $150 from a buddy (going 60 next winter, no need to splurge!)...gears are in. Found some old school 37" TSL's (Thanks Bigchief). Near new 8 lug steelies for $100. Wheels and tires are on (after the quarters and fenders got in a fight with the Sawzall...the saw won).
Had a rebuilt 727 laying under the bench...that's in...glad I had the correct linkage in the parts pile (interesting tidbit: the crossmember had to be moved forward and the holes were already in the frame! I suspect that was the location for a four speed at the time).
Another buddy ponied up a 300 case (I have good friends!). Started lining up drive shafts under it and realized the gas tank for a Quadra-Trac SJ is too wide for a centered shaft :( Fabbed the existing mounts and pan to accept an 80's tank (until I get my cell). Shortened some drive shafts I had laying around. It moves!
Looked at the Rhino on my daily driver and was positive it would set the tone for the wheeler! Now it looks tough. Started talking to my buddies that own the tubing bender....figured the cage would go in much easier without the roof...SAWZALL TIME! Took the gate and front doors too.
Recycled part of the roof...it's now a front floor pan; amazing how well it fit.
Bent up a stout cage...no rear seat so it's based around the front cockpit only.
I'll be setting my rear disks up next week. Much more to do with bobbing it, etc.
This weekend, however, I GET TO WHEEL IT! Maiden voyage is finally on the horizon! I'll likley find 10 things I don't like and create more work....but that's what it's all about.
[ April 28, 2003, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: nxcj ]
October: bought a $200 '79 Wag. Bone stock, non-running, TH400, Quadra-Trac. Figured to get her running and turn some Jeepin' funds.
Later Oct.: Sold my CJ wheeler
November: Got paranoid about not having a wheeler for spring. Only thing in my garage is a turd of a '79 Wag. hmmmmmm?
Got it running and yanked the axles immediately and trade them straight up for a Dana 60 and 44 (full size).
Dropped the rear springs, spring-over in the front. Tossed in the new axles. Shaker high steer arms...had a machinist buddy mill and drill some flat tops. Another buddy had some 5.89 44 gears for free. Found some 60 5.89's on Ebay cheap...welded the rear, bought a brand new 44 Lock Right for $150 from a buddy (going 60 next winter, no need to splurge!)...gears are in. Found some old school 37" TSL's (Thanks Bigchief). Near new 8 lug steelies for $100. Wheels and tires are on (after the quarters and fenders got in a fight with the Sawzall...the saw won).
Had a rebuilt 727 laying under the bench...that's in...glad I had the correct linkage in the parts pile (interesting tidbit: the crossmember had to be moved forward and the holes were already in the frame! I suspect that was the location for a four speed at the time).
Another buddy ponied up a 300 case (I have good friends!). Started lining up drive shafts under it and realized the gas tank for a Quadra-Trac SJ is too wide for a centered shaft :( Fabbed the existing mounts and pan to accept an 80's tank (until I get my cell). Shortened some drive shafts I had laying around. It moves!
Looked at the Rhino on my daily driver and was positive it would set the tone for the wheeler! Now it looks tough. Started talking to my buddies that own the tubing bender....figured the cage would go in much easier without the roof...SAWZALL TIME! Took the gate and front doors too.
Recycled part of the roof...it's now a front floor pan; amazing how well it fit.
Bent up a stout cage...no rear seat so it's based around the front cockpit only.
I'll be setting my rear disks up next week. Much more to do with bobbing it, etc.
This weekend, however, I GET TO WHEEL IT! Maiden voyage is finally on the horizon! I'll likley find 10 things I don't like and create more work....but that's what it's all about.
[ April 28, 2003, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: nxcj ]