64J200

[Yagan]

Sweet TJ...just sold my D-90, and i'm eyin off TJ's...and the Vortec looks amazing. Really impressive work totally inspirational

[BigJ200]

Well, today was the very first test drive!!! It was so amazing!!!

Joe and Trav came over this afternoon to help get it ready for its maiden voyage. Thanks so much guys. I just took it down to the corner and back a few times to check out the brakes, steering, transmission shifting and just a small amount of the available power. It is very smooth and the brakes are incredible as expected. I couldn't be happier! Trav recorded it with his cell phone. Not the best sound, but it still sounds awesome!!!

With some simple effects and music... Short version..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpT_oW2hWgY&sns=em

Long version..
http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/u...1B1F6F70B5.mp4

[red mistress]

Nothing like bringing a machine to life and first shakedown run.

Is stance nose down? Can't tell from vids.

[BigJ200]

It does look that way in the vid. So I put my digital angle finder on it once again and it still shows only 1/2 degree higher in the back. Perfect really.

[BigJ200]

Thanks guys,

It is always exciting to get to this stage in a custom design/build. No matter how many of these I have done, I always love the transition that takes place once it becomes a running and driving unit rather than a collection of parts.

And there is always a list of items to fine tune before it's truly ready for the road. But they're all simple to deal with.

The steering column, brake pedal and bracket are now out of the cab being prepped for paint. The seats are also out. While everything is out of the way, the rear window will be installed and the rest of the cab wiring can be connected, loomed and routed. The heat/AC hoses can also be connected to the main unit and routed to the vent locations. This makes it much easier once the dash goes in.

After that, the custom center console will be built and installed. Then the stereo amp and power inverter will be mounted under the seats. The dual batteries will go inside the Fat50 ammo cans and be mounted behind the seats. The main battery switches will be installed in the back section of the center console. The speakers will also go in.

Once these items are installed, they will be tested. If all is well, the seats, dash, brake pedal and steering column will go in for the final time.

Then it's time for the weatherstripping and doors to go on.

It sounds like a lot, but really, it's all simple stuff that can be done on a Saturday. It may take me longer depending on my pain level, which always rules.

I will take pictures as I go.

Happy Trails!

[Tigger4X]

I tired reading through the entire thread and got to page 6 and I'm too beat to keep on even though I want to.

SUBSCRIBED TO KEEP UP WITH THIS!


KEEP UP THE SWEET WORK!!!

[BigJ200]

I hope you will get a chance to go back and continue onward. Page 7 was a very exciting stage in the build.

It's even amazing for me to go back and see how much has been put into this project.

Thanks for taking the time to write.

[manimal]

This is an AMAZING build! Thank You for sharing! Wish all the best with your pain.

[BigJ200]

My winch is all painted and back together. I really like how it turned out. I ordered new stickers for it. It will look great mounted to a custom black front bumper.

[lil jeep mec]

I really like how its coming along... how much lift and what lift parts have you done to it? wanting to eventually throw 40's - 44's under my j10 for snow wheeling

[BigJ200]

It has about 10" of lift. All suspension. No body lift. Originally, all 4 corners were mounted outboard in a spring-over setup.

The original springs and mounts were removed and new spring mounts were installed under the frame with a front shackle reversal using BDS 3 1/2" lift Wrangler springs in front and BDS 3 1/2" lift XJ springs in back. The shackles are my custom 6" design with the upper pivots running through the frame.

Call anytime if you need more details. Always happy to talk shop and help wherever I can.

[BigJ200]

A friend of mine dropped by and gave me a set of hard to find Jeep Truck emblems. They will look great on my Gladiator.

He also left a cool horn button that is different than most.

[silvercert]

Originally Posted by BigJ200

Thanks guys. I sure wanted to take it around the block a time or two, but yesterday I took a major tumble and got twisted up pretty good. In one swift acrobatic flight down the hall, I twisted up my foot and ankle. Then hyperextended my hip, shoulder and elbow as I landed like a bag of rabbits into the dining room table, wall and floor. It's a pleasure.

So, today I have been in even more pain than usual. Good thing today was Christmas.

Oh well, what's new... I fall all the time.

I do have some more photos to show you though. Other than my wiper motor, my engine bay is all done as far as wiring goes. It looks incomplete, but it turned out exactly like I had envisioned. There will be a few more components mounted, but their wires are already in place and ready to plug in. There will also be some more paint work done too.

Ok, Ok.... where's all the wires?

[BigJ200]

It's a secret...

[BigJ200]

I got the carpet glued to the 1/2" wood panels that I made a while back. They mount to the back wall of the cab behind the seats. Before the carpet was glued down, the panels were sealed on all edges with 2 coats of paint. Panels like this are a great way to create attachment points for the center console, both "Fat 50" battery boxes and a number of other items. The wood trim piece at the top will be covered with a piece of painted sheet metal or strip of carpet. I prefer an accent piece of sheet metal. I will decide later.

[billyrb]

Sent you a PM sir

[BigJ200]

Thanks Ryan.

I got it and I replied. I also called and left a message at your work extension.

Give me a call when you get a chance. I have a couple questions for ya.

(208) 863-1718

Thanks much.

[BigJ200]

I have been completely bed-ridden and unable to walk or do much of anything for the past month due to a massive increase in pain and serious episodes of paralysis. Sometimes I wonder if it's the last time that I will ever walk, but I refuse to give up. Even though I face seemingly insurmountable odds, I choose to focus on life's endless blessings and amazing possibilities. I never stop thinking on good things.

Speaking of positive things... I have some cool news about my Willys wagon. I let a friend of mine come over and use my heated shop, my design/guidance and use of my tube bender and other tools to build his custom 6-point roll cage for his Jeep CJ-7. In exchange for that, he gave me a really cool double stacked tube Jeep CJ-7 frame made from 1 7/8" OD x .120" wall tubing. It is a professionally built frame from M-Cor Inc., a company that is no longer in business. But they built very high quality frames. They were very expensive too. Especially, with the optional shackle reversal kit.

This frame will require some modifications to make it fit my wagon, but they are all simple mods. The engine cage I built for my wagon before will be welded back in place on this new frame. Plus, I hope to go ahead with a very cool 8-point roll cage inside my wagon as well. I have not yet decided if my suspension will be coils, coilovers, or air shocks. But either way, it will have a 4-link setup front and rear.

Here are some photos of it. Not great photos, but I was not able to stand for more than just a few minutes.









More to come later on. My J-truck will be finished first.

[DarkMonohue]

That's a great looking frame. Very sorry to hear you are having such brutal pain. It must be incredibly frustrating to have your mobility limited but you're doing an amazing job at staying positive.

[BigJ200]

Well, I continue to struggle with pain at levels that would put most men in the hospital on a morphine drip. Completely uncontrollable and ruthless.

But what my pain doesn't know is that I never give up. I may have to endure its fire and vengeance, but I have been through much worse and seen things that have only made me stronger.

I know this too will pass and I will find a way to overcome it. I haven't been through hell and back for nothing.

My Jeep Gladiator Tribute Build in honor of all our armed forces who continue to protect us day and night is closer than ever to being completed. I made a minor change to the wiring to bring it up to the level that meets my standards and the highest quality that it deserves.

I originally put together a custom harness that includes the steering column and the front and rear lights, starter, courtesy light system and a few others. But I wasn't happy with it, even though it was made with all GM wires and color codes. So I bought a Haywire Pro-T wiring kit. This is a sweet kit with everything I need. It comes with high temp moisture & chemical resistant wire that's labeled every 6". It comes with a simple fuse panel, but I am sticking with my CenTech PDP-1B fuse panel, because it has everything I need for this fairly complex electrical system that I've designed. I'll save the Haywire fuse panel for another day, like maybe my 46 Willys flat fender that's been on the back burner for quite a while.

Anyway, the new harness is now in place and it worked out perfectly.

More to come later friends.