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gonecheenin
12-12-2006, 07:23 AM
93' Grand cherokee Laredo
4.0, 42RE, NP242

Police seized abandoned vehicle, bought it in rough condition with a bad fuel pump & wrecked front end

Ultimate plans are;

-4.5" pc'd together lift setup with RE 4.5" front coils, Up country front coils installed in rear with 1" spacers, and all adjustable control arms except rear uppers (In all the years I've been doing this, I've never bought a "kit")
-Parts store shocks specified for max travel
-Used Super 35 30 spline rear with 4.56's, Detriot, Trussed & tubes welded to center section
-Skid plated XJ HP30 front with 4.56's, used lunch box locker, used Warn "Ranger style" hub kit, 371 Precision steering joints with full circle clips, and 4340 Warn shafts
-Yj steering linkage flipped to top of knuckles
-NP231 conversion
-Skid plates for under body (possibly including the uni-body frame rails)
-3/16 plate boatsides with tube steps/nerfs
-Custom steel bumpers designed for max approach/departure angle, exhaust tunnel/guard, and winch/highlift mounts


All modifications will be done in a way that will make it as easy as possible for the upgraded parts to be removed from this rig & attached to the next if/when this vehicle is destroyed, without much/any major fab work needing to be done to the new vehicle chassis itself







I got some work done on it this weekend;

Saturday I got some more parts rounded up, the new fuel pump & filter installed and rear Gearlube checked

then today i got most of the damaged front end parts trimmed away, the new water pump installed, thermostat/gasket installed, and reconstructed the front end sheet metal & fender back to a functional shape (actually turned out really good too for the 6 hours worth of redneck bodywork that was involved :lol: )





Hopefully tomorrow I'm gonna get my MIG hooked up so i can get all the torn sheet metal reattached to itself on the front end and with that I should be real close to finishing up the engine compartment & front end to make it inspectable/driveable 8)



I'm also ordering the 4.5" front springs & shocks sometime this week (maybe even 2 lower control arms too), but i'm not actually lifting it until i get the truck back from the shop later this month so i have the time to work the bugs out of the Grands new suspension & axle combos without relying on it for DD duty (Trucks going in the shop cause of vibrations from the clutch and I'm also getting the new High performance injectors, gauges, and chip installed in the Powerstroke finally :twisted: )


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand003.jpg




The interior (needs detailed real bad, thing was NASTY inside when we bought it )

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand004.jpg



Proof a bone stock ZJ will fit 31's no problamo'

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand002.jpg



Back together & ready to drive

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/93Grand008.jpg









Recently Updated pics with the new "Jay built" bumper, 2" lift, and 31" recapped Mud's 8) 8) 8)
Planning on adding a 2" winch/reciever mount & a Highlift mount to the top of the bumper in the near future

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/93Grandbumper006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/93Grandbumper007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/93Grandbumper008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/93Grandbumper009.jpg

danzay
12-13-2006, 12:13 AM
hey Jay where are the befor pics of the front end all crunched?

OverkillZJ
12-13-2006, 12:49 AM
BLING BLING!

TrojanMan
12-13-2006, 01:12 AM
screw the jeep, I wanna see the truck.

gonecheenin
12-13-2006, 11:19 PM
I don't think its bad for a bumper I finished at about 5am the morning of the trail ride - LOL

I only have one pic of it from when the front end was all smashed & you can barely make out the damage


What truck Trojan the F-250?

looks the same as it did when you saw it, it is about $4000 dollars faster now but ain't no pic gonna show that (could get pics of a good smoke show though!)

gonecheenin
04-07-2007, 10:27 PM
Decided on 33 x 12.50 R15 TSL's for her so we headed down to National Tire & Wheel in Wheeling, WV on "Good" friday :smt040

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Swampers/Swampers001.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Swampers/Swampers003.jpg


While we were there we had to browse the Bogger aisle of course
:prayer:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Swampers/Swampers005.jpg

Mmmmm, 54"s of bad arse tire right there :smt077

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Swampers/Swampers004.jpg

hkszx2
04-09-2007, 03:08 PM
where in PA you located?

gonecheenin
04-10-2007, 04:12 PM
where in PA you located?

Fixed my profile, I'm in New Kensington, PA (we get our CAT parts at work from out of the YORK depot, bit of stupid trivia since I see you live there)

1fox2go
04-10-2007, 05:05 PM
I got those same tires from a local place here, mind if i asked how much they were? cause if they are a good bit cheaper there I may have to start going there

hkszx2
04-10-2007, 06:30 PM
Fixed my profile, I'm in New Kensington, PA (we get our CAT parts at work from out of the YORK depot, bit of stupid trivia since I see you live there)
Thats cool... just always lookin for locals to wheel with

gonecheenin
04-11-2007, 02:50 PM
I got those same tires from a local place here, mind if i asked how much they were? cause if they are a good bit cheaper there I may have to start going there

We drove down & beat them up a bit to get all 4 of them for $591 (before tax)

1fox2go
04-11-2007, 03:19 PM
damn mine was 660 after tax, but i guess with the way fuel prices are now its about the same once you add in the cost it took you to get there and back

gonecheenin
08-12-2007, 11:16 PM
Some progress pics :twisted:

Got the old frontend out;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject001.jpg





Drugg the new locked & geared HP30 over to start installing it;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject005.jpg





And found that it wasn't as nice of a housing as I was told it was;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject006.jpg





So after some thought about how much I didn't want to start over with another housing, I decided to fix those dilapidated lower control arm mounts with some much thicker material heavy duty re-enforcment plates/control arm mount skids;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject012.jpg






Offroad bumpers make great work benchs :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject009.jpg






All finished, painted pretty, and ready to install

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject014.jpg






Then of course I had to mount up the Tuxus's on the rear to see how they fit/looked 8)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/Grandproject015.jpg






Got the TSL's mounted up & balanced their rims this week too :twisted:


Heh, Heh, Heh
I love this shit :D

gonecheenin
08-12-2007, 11:35 PM
Decided there was no way in hell i was spending $160 on freaking shocks



So after digging through the Napa Catalog here at work i found a longer exact fit rear replacement, but for the front there is no good longer shock option with that stupid front bar pin thing on the bottom, so i went to the same type of lower mounting the rear has and I figure I'll fab a new bolt in lower bracket to convert the stupid original front lower mount to accept the new rear shock lower mount style.

That decided, I found 4 shocks that will work great with my 4.5" lift along with my front 3" bumpstop extensions & rear 2" bump stop extensions plus give me an extra 7"s of overall travel for a grand total of $60 8)


front 4.5" lifted Napa part# 94198
(94198 spec's are C-15.6", E-27.3", T-11.6"
Front Stock were C-13.0", E-21.1", T-8.1")



Rear Napa part# 94252
(94252 specs are C-16.6", E-28.3", T-11.6"
Rear stock were C-13.4", E-21.5", T-8.1")







got the front HP30 installed & tightened down today with the rigs weight sitting on her RE 4.5" springs
(Theres a Brian in the pic for scale :lol: )

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5RElift004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5RElift001.jpg





Was gonna build those brackets to allow me to install the NAPA 94198 shocks on the Grand, but after some thought I decided it would take more work to reinvent the wheel AND with a top mount style bracket my shocks wouldn't hit the end of their travel till right AFTER the lower control arms bound
So I simply pushed the bar pins outta the old shocks with my balljoint press & pressed them into the 94198 to replace the steel sleeves & everything mounted up great with the shocks maxing out travel right when (or just a little before) the control arms bound against my custom clearanced lower control arm mounts 8)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5RElift003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5RElift002.jpg





still gotta install BJ's, steering, Trac-bar (old school JKS rebuilt with all new stuff), & Etc.... but I'm still pleased with the progress :rock:[/

gonecheenin
08-12-2007, 11:36 PM
Got some more progress made recently
(Once again I know I'm not a great welder so I don't wanna hear it (specially since nothing I've welded/over welded has fallen off/broken yet :wink: ))

I pulled the rear housing out, stripped it almost bare, welded the tubes to the housing, and trussed the center section for strength (Now its a REAL SUPER 35 :twisted: )

Its now ready for cleaning, painting, and reassembly :D


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup018.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup019.jpg



Got penetration? :lol:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup017.jpg



Next step on the fabrication list is reinforcing the notoriously weak (In a lifted short arm application) ZJ unibody upper control arm mounts.
As you can see in the pic they are totally unsupported on the outer top of the bracket which is EXACTLY where the stress is transfered once the vehicle is lifted (the control arms drop down to an angle where they quit pulling back & start pulling down)
I plan on doing a plate & ear design that will bolt through the floor to a larger plate tied into the structural areas under the rear seat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup013.jpg




Also disassembled the spare YJ HP30 housing I picked up for the steering knuckles to replace the severely worn ones the Grand had on it stock

Slowly but surely I'm making headway 8)

gonecheenin
08-12-2007, 11:50 PM
hey Jay where are the befor pics of the front end all crunched?


I added them in the first post

violatedppl
08-13-2007, 02:39 AM
holy ugly welds bat man, What were you using on that truss?

zj95
08-13-2007, 03:06 AM
why are you putting any time/money into a d35?

gonecheenin
08-13-2007, 08:36 AM
holy ugly welds bat man, What were you using on that truss?


1/8" 7018 rod running 200-210 amps-ish AC on the diff

3/32-1/8" 6011 rod running 120-160 amps-ish on everything else

The picture makes the welds look worse then they are

They actually came out better then I expected to be honest, but even my ugly welds have held up great over the years because I over weld the hell outta everything to comensate for not knowing how to weld properly

gonecheenin
08-13-2007, 08:45 AM
why are you putting any time/money into a d35?



Just to PISS you off :smt023



I got an entire Detrioted & 4.56'd TJ Super 35 for $400 with low use on it

I picked up spare 30 spline shafts & a Super 35 ARB backup locker for another $100

I'm putting approx. another $100 into the housing in material & new parts (bearings, brakes, etc...)


So you swing by & drop me off a bolt in axle assembly built up that well for $600 & I'll gladly throw this one in the hopper or make it into a flower planter as is the common census :flipoff2:



Besides, I love proving people wrong & I'm betting with my setup (6cyl, auto, single stock t-case, 33's) in my western PA street wheeler, that trussed & welded tube Super 35 will be sweet & trouble free for me

Plus it'll be a great conversation pc for everyone else on the trail :smt080


If it proves to be total garbage as is legend & breaks while turning around in my driveway to get the mail
I'll change it out for a D44/8.8 combo then
But until that happens, I'll be ah pimping the Turdy-fiver :partyman:

96_zjlarado
08-13-2007, 09:08 AM
lookin good man. sounds like you're gettin a pretty sweet hook up on the parts. i'd be doin the same thing with that turdy five if i got those kind of deals.
where do you wheel at around there? I lived in monroeville about 7 years ago and will probably moving back east in a year or 2 to the lower somerset county area. I know of places down there to do a little wheelin, but never really saw anywere around da burgh to wheel.

gonecheenin
08-13-2007, 10:22 AM
lookin good man. sounds like you're gettin a pretty sweet hook up on the parts.

MANY years worth of collecting good deals when they showed themselves

You'd have to be totally crazy to spend retail on a Super 35 kit, but I'm willing to give it a shot for the small investment I've got in it so far






where do you wheel at around there? I lived in monroeville about 7 years ago and will probably moving back east in a year or 2 to the lower somerset county area. I know of places down there to do a little wheelin, but never really saw anywere around da burgh to wheel.

I wheel all over, no place really close to the Burgh though, the closest place to the burgh I know of is out by Harmerville & its a don't ask don't tell kinda area

Up in Somerset though you'll have access to a bunch of places within 45min-1 hour away
Shoot me a PM when you get back into town & we'll see if we can set something up

96_zjlarado
08-14-2007, 08:33 AM
I wheel all over, no place really close to the Burgh though, the closest place to the burgh I know of is out by Harmerville & its a don't ask don't tell kinda area

Up in Somerset though you'll have access to a bunch of places within 45min-1 hour away
Shoot me a PM when you get back into town & we'll see if we can set something up

that's good to know. I'll probably be coming back that way for a month or 2 during my sabbatical in march, so maybe i'll steal..... i mean borrow... one of the old man's WJ's and "break it in". :driving:

gonecheenin
08-19-2007, 06:32 PM
Got the rear all painted up pretty & ready to be reinstalled

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/rearfab003.jpg




Got the 3/16" upper control arm brackets braces built, drilled, & mocked onto the jeep to use for a template to drill the holes up through the rear floor (Yes I know my welds suck)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/rearfab001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/rearfab004.jpg




I spoke with a friend of mine who used to build roll cages in unibody race cars & he said that a 6"x6" 1/8" plate sandwiching the floor top & bottom meets NHRA standards for mouting the roll cage & saving a life at 100+ MPH.

Soooooo, I figure that a 6"x3" 3/16th plate welded into a T to a pc of 1.5"x1.5" 1/4" angle that will be threaded under that seat bracket & bolted down through the floor on the inner side to the lower brace plates with 4) grade 8 bolts & locknuts (a single G8 bolt & heavy washer will go in the hole on the upper side of that seat bracket with a small plate) and at the other end the angle iron will be tied into the outside lower seat bracket bolt which will brace the whole assembly across the frame rail (I'm figuring with all the leverage advantage from length, that single bolt should be plenty strong).
I'm thinking this setup should provide all the added strength I'll ever need to structurally reinforce the upper control arm brackets on this and any future grand cherokee's short arms 8)


Here's where those holes came up through the rear floor (one hole is hiddin' by the seat bracket) you can also see the lower bolt of the seat back on the far lower right that I'm gonna be utilizing to tie in the upper plate "leg"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/rearfab007.jpg

gonecheenin
09-03-2007, 09:43 PM
Whelp I spent almost this entire weekend wrenching on the Grand, I'm pretty beat down but with all the prgress I made it was worth it %100



Swapped the Super 35 stuff over into the strengthend ZJ housing & found a chipped gear tooth, after reading in Randy's differential book that a ring gear can usually survive a chipped tooth in the toe area I smoothed & blended the tooth to remove any stress risers or sharp edges as best I could to get this
(even though I'm still worried as hell about it I figure I'll run it for now & just plan on ordering some Yukon 4.56's soon as a preventive action)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup001-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup004-1.jpg





The pattern wasn't perfect, but with the spray white lithium I used to check the pattern (all I could find) it seemed to be fairly centered between the face & the flank so I went with it

Axle all buttoned up & ready to install

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup006-1.jpg





Got the vehicle side upper control arm brace bracketry finished, painted, and in place for boltup

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup005-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup011.jpg





Installed all the hardware finger tight, welded 2" extensions onto the rear coil posts to gaurd against coil drop out & tested the shocks for proper travel, everything worked out real nice showing max travel with minimum trimming on the axle side LCA brackets but I can see I'm gonna have to order real rear lift springs cause at max flex the spring/spacer combo drops & when it reseats its all discombobulated

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup009-1.jpg





Sitting at ride height everything looks great, got the pinion set perfect with the t-case output at 4 degrees but after looking at the tire to rocker clearance I'm thinking I'll push the pinion down to 2 degrees and do some minor trimming to help fight against pinion climb & rocker contact during high traction induced bushing flex in the rear

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup008-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/4.5REbuildup007-1.jpg

OverkillZJ
09-03-2007, 10:02 PM
You cross-forum posting bastard you ;)

gonecheenin
09-04-2007, 08:07 AM
You cross-forum posting bastard you ;)

My miss spellings transfered too - LOL

I only post regularly on three forums, 2 for the locals & 1 for the worlds Grand guys :smt080


Ain't my fault you E-stalk me :smt016 :finga:



BTW: with the Grand getting close to done I'm gonna need you to be ready to go PGH trail jumping, you settle on a street wheeler yet?

OverkillZJ
09-04-2007, 03:33 PM
BTW: with the Grand getting close to done I'm gonna need you to be ready to go PGH trail jumping, you settle on a street wheeler yet?


I should be picking it up this Saturday! Problem is I need to learn to drive stick, LOL.

EDIT: Let's just say it's a rig that might be able to jump Billy-style :finga:

gonecheenin
09-04-2007, 05:56 PM
I should be picking it up this Saturday! Problem is I need to learn to drive stick, LOL.

EDIT: Let's just say it's a rig that might be able to jump Billy-style :finga:




Oh yeaaaaaah, it ready to go or you got wrench time to put in first?

Don't worry, I'll learn you to drive a manual :smt077

OverkillZJ
09-04-2007, 07:09 PM
If it's as described, it's ready to rock... Will need lockers and some upgraded shafts eventually though ;)

gonecheenin
10-07-2007, 10:05 AM
She is now mobile :twisted:

It turned out pretty sweet and shouldn't have many issues with the cops either since the tires are almost completely under the fenders and the bumper height is really close to legal


Got ALOT of fine tuning to do yet (wheelbase isn't quite right, rear gears are howling, steering is close to binding, track bars need final centered, need to redo rear spacer/springs)

Need to get it aligned & tires rebalanced, do the 231 t-case swap, install the gas tank skid, build the stronger high clearance rear bumper, and get/build skids for the engine, tranny, & t-case.



But it was still damn nice to back it outta the garage, take it for a ride, and gaze at it for a few minutes 8)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/007.jpg

zjnick
10-10-2007, 11:16 PM
Got more pics of how you built out the front bumper?

tywilson88
10-11-2007, 12:32 AM
you change tires alot

gonecheenin
10-11-2007, 06:20 PM
you change tires alot

I do?

since purchase almost two years ago this thing has only had on it junker bald 31's, recapped 31's, and 33" Truxus mud's (The brand new 33 TSL's never made it to the Grand & ended up being used on my YJ, which is oddly enough where the Truxus's came from - LOL)

gonecheenin
10-11-2007, 06:40 PM
Got more pics of how you built out the front bumper?

Unfortunatley no, I stayed up all night long one Saturday getting the bumper finished so my girlfriend could take it on a "F&R tow points required" ride that following Sunday, so with the rush to finish it (and my general exhaustion) I never stopped to take any pics


However I can tell you the bumper assembly is comprised of:
2) 1/4" upright plates approx 5-6" tall & 12-14" long, with 1/4" thick 1" tall "back spurs" welded on the inside of each to resist sideways deflection along with welded on internal nuts for ease of installation, inserted into the mildly vertically modified factory frame rails.
Those uprights were then sandwiched on the outside of the attachment points by 6"x4" 3/16 steel plates

The bumper itself is 3/16" C channel (Modified old 2000 GM C&C truck rear crash bar actually) welded onto the end of those plates that was notched & bent once installed with 5/8 weld on D-rings (didn't realize you could get 3/4 ones till after the bumper was done) attached directly to the inside of the point where the uprights are attached to resist bending of the C channel

The skid plate portion is flat 1/8" steel the width of the uprights in the front tapering down & bent too meet the width of the rad's lower core support at the rear

All factory tow hook attachment points were utilized for this assembly along with 7/16 grade 8 CAT bolts with heavy duty washers & Grade 8 mechanical locknuts torqued to approx 120-130ftlb

Believe it or not, the thing is not that heavy-
Maybe 30-40lb at most in its current form



To be "finished" the bumper still needs small end caps, an upper tube "rail" that favors the front & tapers into a mild stinger/push bar for winch protection, YJ/TJ winch plate attachment points (the uprights are a perfect width to accept that easily sourced winch plate), and bumper end/end cap stiffness tubes to resist bending during obsticle contact (bent one right quick already)

gonecheenin
10-16-2007, 09:45 PM
Got the time to take some flex pics & see what I needed to do to fine tune the suspension & clearances

Overall the thing puts a huge grin on my face & everything looks pretty sweet except for the front tires are getting way to far up into the wheel wells on compression

As you can see in the one pic I'm firmly up against the inner structure and spring tower ( I think my maximized droop on the opposite side has greatly exagerated the axles angle allowing the tire to travel up further then normal)

I have no issues with trimming some sheet metal but this would require a tube front clip :lol:

Just gotta decide if I wanna do .5", 1", or 1.5" more bumpstop
I got the stuff to do all of those, and I think .5-1" might do the trick for these tires, but with new tread it might be a good idea to go with the 1.5" & deal with it

After all I'm locked front & rear, even if the rig picks a tire chances are its not stopping! :twisted:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/4%20inch%20RE%20buildup%20Jul%2007/flexin004.jpg

gonecheenin
11-07-2007, 11:18 PM
Stupid plastic Pc-O-Crap rear bumper cover pissed me off one too many times already, so its bumper building time


I got a TONNNNN of work left to do, but here's the basics

I'm shooting for the best departure angle possible, decent obsticle contact strength, retention of mild towing capability, decent hatch protection, and lastly trying to make it come out decent looking

4 pc's of 2" x 1/8 wall box tubing inserts are sandwiching the frame rails with 1/2" grade 8 CAT bolts in the factory locations + 4 more in the rear pinch weld holes (1 on each side of both "frame" rails)

Lower pcs are just attached using 1" OD 1/4 thick washers, upper pc's have a 6" strip of 1/4" steel welded inside the 1/8 wall box tubing with grade 8 locknuts welded to directly to that (no wrench needed 8) )



2" x 1/4 wall box tubing will be the top of the actual rear bumper, it will be straight to both inserts then mildly dovetailed in on the ends
The same tube will wrap around the sides with 4" 1/4 box tube stacked on top to clean up the body lines
There will be a 2" reciever welded as flush as possible directly below the upper tube & tied into the tube inserts at the body line as well
Once thats all finish 1/8 sheet will be bent off the bottom of the assembly and will reach the whole way down to be level with the rear of the factory fuel tank skid (don't want either acting like a dirt shovel if I can help it)

Here's my progress pics so far;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Rearbumperfab002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Rearbumperfab001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Rearbumperfab003.jpg

gonecheenin
11-11-2007, 07:58 PM
Hitch & sides are starting to take shape

The picture I have in my head is working out even better in real life then I hoped it would

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Hitchsides006.jpg

2jeepsforus
11-12-2007, 10:39 AM
So far so good... I like were this is heading!

Dave

gonecheenin
11-20-2007, 07:12 PM
Really taking shape, hoping to have the design finished & everything tacked in place by the time I have to take it off Wed night 8)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Rearbumperfab003-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Rearbumperfab002-1.jpg

OverkillZJ
11-20-2007, 08:20 PM
You've got a purrrrdy ass.

Wait, your ZJ does. You're just ugly!

:finga: (You know insults from me just mean I like ya.)

SirFuego
11-20-2007, 10:54 PM
That looks titties!

gonecheenin
11-21-2007, 12:00 AM
Mmmm, titties & ass


Wait - What? :smt047


Soooooooo, whos coming over to help me lift this heavy bitch off to finish welding & painting it? :smt017

OverkillZJ
11-21-2007, 12:22 AM
Stacey's on her way here, I've got priorities,lift that bitch yourself! :finga:

gonecheenin
11-21-2007, 12:30 AM
Stacey's on her way here, I've got priorities,lift that bitch yourself! :finga:



I'll swap ya' :finga:

OverkillZJ
11-21-2007, 01:02 AM
LMAO, na, I have enough rusty projects laying around :D

corrupt143
11-21-2007, 01:15 AM
I like the built in skid. Very nice.

gonecheenin
11-21-2007, 08:18 AM
Yeah, the fuel tank skid extension skid was a must in the original build plan

I didn't want the factory fuel tank skid to turn into a shovel when backing up (and I didn't want to get involved with building a new one either)



LMAO, na, I have enough rusty projects laying around :D

But think of the things Katey & Stacey could do together :smt007

I'll take&send pics? :smt111

corrupt143
11-21-2007, 01:23 PM
I didn't want the factory fuel tank skid to turn into a shovel when backing up

Yeah, mine does that and so does the hitch. I may just have to do something like that. Thanks for thinking ahead.

CLASH
11-23-2007, 03:38 PM
SWEET bumper man. damn

gonecheenin
12-02-2007, 03:19 AM
Ready for paint 8)
Only thing that didn't get done is adding the steel mesh to the top "step" cause I didn't have any here at the moment
But it should be easy to add on later even with the bumper installed

It isn't featherweight light for sure, but I kinda planned it that way since the hitch AND bumper were now gonna be one unit (whats a hitch weigh, 30-40lb?) plus the rear of a ZJ is to light anyway so I figured adding a little weight back there wouldn't hurt at all

I'd say the whole thing is approx. about 80-90lb, I'm no strong man & I can pick it up & put it on the Heep "fairly" easily by myself

I didn't shy away from the heavier 1/4" material where I needed it, but alot of it is 1/8" steel as well (theres also about 7-8lb of welding rod in it )

(The front bumper I skimped & went light weight everywhere I could, the last thing a ZJ needs is any extra weight on the nose, I'd say it is currently about 20lb & with the nessecary evil of a winch & all I'm shooting for under 60lb (I'm thinking going to winch rope should get me down where I need to be))



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/Readyforpaint006.jpg

cashflowdub
12-02-2007, 11:20 AM
bEEEF

gonecheenin
12-05-2007, 08:40 AM
painted

Didn't take paint perfectly in a couple spots so I'm gonna have to scuff it back up a bit & repaint the top, but overall done

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/painted002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/painted001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/painted004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rear%20Bumper%20fab/painted003.jpg



Also sleeved my tierods until I get the chance to do a beefier inverted T style linkage & I picked up a new tracbar bracket to replace the one I broke at a buddys house when I smacked a rock good & hard with the right front wheel (Kinda makes me reconsider getting a second trac-bar conversion from Kevin since he simply reuses the stock bracketry) I think I'll be going Rubicon Express instead since the sell a whole new 1/4 steel bracket.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/painted005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/painted006.jpg

DJJordache
12-05-2007, 09:30 AM
also look at claytons TB bracket before you get the RE one

gonecheenin
12-05-2007, 08:55 PM
also look at claytons TB bracket before you get the RE one

They mount in the same way & have the same drop?

I'm still running (& will continue running) the stock suspension configuration

DJJordache
12-06-2007, 09:14 AM
They mount in the same way & have the same drop?

I'm still running (& will continue running) the stock suspension configurationit's basicly like kevins but not using the stock bracket, its made all from plate steel and will need to be bolted up and them welded on search for info on it here

gonecheenin
02-16-2008, 12:36 AM
Finally got my YJ 4 bolt box mounted up (used Dave's carboard template method to drill the 4th hole, worked pretty good) I used all new CAT grade 8 hardware & added a Kevins steering box brace to add rigidity from the other frame rail

If this damn thing goes anywhere now its gonna have to take the whole front frame section with it


The steering is definitely better & more responsive, but its a little "heavier" now then it was with the ZJ box ("heavier" then even my YJ on the same tires for that matter) so I'm hoping thats just because of the rebuilt box needing to break in & the fluid being foamed up a bit from bleeding it all out

Worse case if it doesn't loosen up I'll check the sector shaft gear mesh preload later & see if its too tight or something

gonecheenin
02-17-2008, 08:33 PM
Today I got the winch mount about fabbed up & got the screwed up np242 yanked out so I can put together a 231 to slap in its place

Still gotta finish the bumpers general metal work then pull it off to full weld everything up (need to find some 1.5 x 3 1/8 rectangular tubing first though)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/Winchmount001.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/Winchmount002.jpg

piku303
02-17-2008, 11:49 PM
you should weld up some corners on that thing

SirFuego
02-18-2008, 12:32 AM
Lookin' good, Jay. We should get that thing out to Rausch Creek sometime!

gonecheenin
02-18-2008, 08:44 PM
Lookin' good, Jay. We should get that thing out to Rausch Creek sometime!

I'm planning on getting out there eventually

Need some LCA bracket re-enforcements, rocker protection & skid plates first though

CLASH
02-18-2008, 10:28 PM
howd you mount that bumper? also some pics of the winch mount plz

gonecheenin
02-18-2008, 11:09 PM
howd you mount that bumper?



Front or rear?

the rear bumper mounts are pretty self explanatory if you look at the pics

Front description is here
http://mallcrawlin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=163764&postcount=35

Both are mounted in 12 points with sandwich plates & all CAT grade 8 7/16 hardware thread into welded on locknuts










also some pics of the winch mount plz

The winch mount is pretty simple since I'm modifying the bumper to accept a bolt on YJ winch mounting plate & tow hooks

I will take some pics though when I pull the bumper off to install the weld nuts & add bracing to the attachment area (gotta get the 1x3 1/8" box tubing to finish the "look" of the bumper too)

CLASH
02-19-2008, 01:53 PM
ya i was talking about the front, i made a front bumper a while back and am wanting to mount a winch to it now. my mounting is no where near strong enought for a winch, so i gotta get that beefed up so id like to copy sorta what you did with yours.

gonecheenin
02-22-2008, 12:32 AM
My pc'd together early gear cut 231 T-case is all together & ready for installation once the Right-stuff cures & I find a CV style front output yoke so's I can hook my front shaft back up


Can't freakin' believe that someone doesn't have an XJ 231 Front output yoke just laying around local :(


Also, swapped over the 242 shifter link to the 231 case, everything lines up right & travels fine, but a measurement of my Girls factory 231 equipped ZJ shifter arm shows that the 242 t-case lever is approx .5" shorter then the 231 t-case lever (the shifters & main linkages themselves are identical IIRC)

I figure that shouldn't be a problem if I adjust the shifter linkage with the t-case & shifter in 4 hi since 4lo & 2wd being a little off of thier max travel stops shouldn't cause any issuee (can't imagine a 1/2" making all that crazy of a interior shifter positon difference??)

AprilzWarrior
02-22-2008, 12:41 AM
That bumper looks like it would take out a Trail Ready any day !

gonecheenin
02-22-2008, 12:59 AM
That bumper looks like it would take out a Trail Ready any day !

Thanks

And it was about $700 cheaper (and probably lighter) :smt040




Funny part is I didn't mind (or have a problem figuring out how I wanted to) build the bumpers

But after MANY hours of contemplating how to design rock sliders, I think I'm just gonna buy the round tube ORGS ones for 300-ish & call it even :smt042

gonecheenin
03-02-2008, 09:10 PM
Got the winch mount finished today with all the weld nuts & re-enforced tiein points fully welded up (didn't bother to take pics of it painted, you guys should know what black steel looks like by now :lol: )

Once it dries all I gotta do is reinstall the bumper & hook up the power wires 8)

(In case you didn't know already, I'm using a YJ style winch plate for easy mounting/removal)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount002-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount001-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount003.jpg




Also took a pic of the uni-body sandwich plate since I'm not sure I ever posted much about my front bumper work

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Front%20bumper/winchmount008.jpg



Did some more front inner fender trimming to clear the front tires at full stuff (currently running 3" bumpstop extension, with this additional trimming I hope to get away with only adding about a 1/2-3/4" more for absolutely no rubbing issues)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/001.jpg



Fab'd up a raised CB antenna mount to clear the straight style Co-ax connection

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/004.jpg




Figured I'd show off my CB placement too

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/009.jpg




Can you see why I need to build rock sliders :evil:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/008.jpg

SirFuego
03-02-2008, 09:50 PM
Ahh...those rockers look quite like mine used to. I think it's time for your cutout/crossmember idea to come into fruition :)

gonecheenin
08-17-2009, 04:00 PM
Whelp, guess I should update this thread.

This Grand got rearended in Lower Burrell, PA by some distracted soccer mom in a Chevy Tracker back in September of 2008.

Jeep actually came out of it WAY better then the Tracker, the bumper held up great & nicely transmitted the force throughout the entire rear of the jeep
But the hit was hard enough to crush/collapse the uni-body right by the rear coil mounts & pull the roof down in the back far enough to pop the top of the rear doors out

It was definitely still driveable, but would never be inspectable or leak resistant ever again
We figured we'll run it till the inspection is up (Dec 08'), then beat the bloody hell outta it in the woods before tearing it down to build the next one we find for the right price



She was a dang fine machine, & did WAY better on the trails then I ever thought she would;
RIP My friend :smt068

gonecheenin
08-17-2009, 04:04 PM
This is Wacker that hit my fiancee.

My fiancee was sitting there stopped for a while waiting for the guy in front of her to turn left (it was lunch time on a Saturday on a busy road, so they were there for a while...) After hitting her, the lady got out of her car and asked my fiancee "What happened? Did someone stop in front of you?"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/seismik/8-30-08%20accident/Tracker.jpg

Here's the ZJ. Doesn't look as bad as it is. Notice the bumper bent down (it was straight before), it buckled the unibody in front of it. Also notice the top of the rear pass door bent out. The hatch even opened somehow (the latch didn't break, it still closes.....)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/seismik/8-30-08%20accident/ZJ.jpg

But yep, everyone seemed fine, no ambulances. The lady had a 4 year old with her, she was pretty shook up, but was fine. She just kept saying that she was 'sad'. I think my fiancee came out of it the worst, and it seems like only pulled and strained muscles.

Also, notice the antifreeze that was gushing from her car and how bad the front end is smashed in. The cop actually asked her if it would run, or if she needed a tow truck. She was actually going to try it too. My fiancee stopped her, in case it might actually start, so she wouldn't blow her motor up....

gonecheenin
08-17-2009, 04:05 PM
Pic of her awaiting the adjuster

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Rearended.jpg

gonecheenin
08-17-2009, 04:10 PM
Well, as much as I swore off ZJ's after some of the troubles I had with this one, a buddy of mine made me a sore peter deal on another 93' (4.0 w/aw4) - so looks like I ain't done Mall Crawlin 8)

Not gonna get as crazy on this new one though, just gonna run it as a winter wheeler/overall "family" light duty offroader/spare vehicle.
Still gonna lock it up for max traction, run/build steel bumpers, and hopefully some rock sliders - but gonna stick to junkyard 4:10 gears, 31" mudder caps, & a F-R swap with spacers up front.

Hopes are high that she'll stay in one pc a little longer that way - plus be a little nicer to drive around on the highway.
(IMHO; ZJ's just take too much work/money too go to the next level (or at least my version of the next level) & still be streetable/reliable! :finga:)

Anyway, this baby even got a 231 in it already :driving:

Needs a bad engine stumble figured out & some interior repairs, but still worth every penny even @ 193,000 miles!

Here she is;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/BlackListWheelers/Gonecheenin/Street%20wheeler/Replacement%2093/0816091949.jpg

OverkillZJ
08-17-2009, 04:22 PM
(IMHO; ZJ's just take too much work/money too go to the next level (or at least my version of the next level) & still be streetable/reliable! :finga:)


I think any of us that have done it would agree with you! You have the same goal for this one I have for the 5.9 - and hey, we think we know how to fix reverse finally!

gonecheenin
08-17-2009, 04:57 PM
You have the same goal for this one I have for the 5.9 - and hey, we think we know how to fix reverse finally!

Sweet!

What was the problem?

OverkillZJ
08-17-2009, 05:02 PM
There's a piece of metal which connects the rear band to the valve which actuates it. It's 1/16" longer in one direction than the other, and was installed the wrong direction.

Problem is to replace it, the tranny should be upside down, so we're fighting gravity trying to get it back in. I'll (seriously) put the vehicles on its roof in my grass, before I pull that transmission again!

gonecheenin
08-17-2009, 05:49 PM
LOL