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DougMangi
11-28-2005, 05:53 PM
my turn!
Me:
im 21
i go to Goucher college in Baltimore MD
im from New Haven, CT ... 15 mins from clayton
every cent that goes into this rig comes from my job with a construction company, im on my 5th year with them.

my first car was a 1976 mercedes 450 SL.... metalic shit brown, rusted body, INSANE v8.... too small

got the grand when the benz's engine crapped
the luck (some good some bad) started here
93 Grand Chero laredo 4.0 loaded except for leather and sun roof.
$4,200 for it with 110,000 miles on it.
replaced the VC, manifold and some little stuff...$3,000
this was before i knew anything.

looked like this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/other%20stuff/IMG_0017.jpg
i was originally thinking of lowering it with rims and a system... i know... im sorry
i took it offroading once and i was hooked
after a lot of shopping i got the RE 3.5" super ride kit for 650 shipped with shocks. and 5 31-10.5 procomp MT's on rock crawlers for 750
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/other%20stuff/IMG_0121.jpg

if your wondering what happened to his rear bumper?? on the way home that night when it was finished, i got rear ended by a mountaineer, the kid was high.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/other%20stuff/IMG_0122.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/other%20stuff/IMG_0117.jpg

his didnt go home that night under its own power, the radiator was broken. he got a ticket and i for 2,300 for repairs

so i fixed it and started wheeling with a local jeep club (CTjeep.org) and started to have a blast. my luck, that say i almost flipped and my rear bumper literally popped off going up a hill.

after that there was a lull in the action, i was working and going to school and too busy to do anything
then i got my bumpers and rocker guards
the front ARB i got for 175 (used)
the rear tomken was 300 +200 to sand blast it and re weld some spots and straighten it with a backhoe (used)
and claytons sliders for 200 (used)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/rear.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Picture002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Picture010.jpg

this is when i stopped working on the interior after it had a sony head unit, and sirius satelite radio, i just recently tore out the subs, they were taking up too much room.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Picture004.jpg

this is when i began to wheel a lot i went to paragon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Picture033.jpg
and some local stuff also
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/stone%20gardens/doughill.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Lamentation/Picture013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Lamentation/Picture004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Wheelin%20in%20PA/Picture006.jpg

i was able to avoid any MAJOR damage....
lost an alternator in the parking lot of autozone outside of paragon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Picture044.jpg
slid into a tree at a local place
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/stone%20gardens/dougdent2.jpg
hit another tree at paragon the seccond time i went
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/reardent.jpg
popped 2 tires at paragon also... sidewalls
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/procrap.jpg
[bent my tie rod and replaced with with DOM tubing and 1 ton JEEP TRE's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/other%20stuff/Picture039.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/8d5b6e51.jpg

i also used my sliders .... i dunno how i bent claytons sliders... but i did... im proud!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/slider.jpg

i did a 231 swap out of an 89 wrangler to replace the 249
the swap went well, had to swap the input shaft, like usual. but when it came to the shifter linkage, i was reading and it seemed confusing so i decided to just do it and see how it went. the linkage wasnt too far off ecxept for one little tab. so we cut it, grinded it, and made it fit and its perfect with the stock shifter linkage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/tab.jpg

i broke my rear trac bar bracket and bent a front controll arm bracket
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/bentbracket.jpg

this caused some major trouble under the front end. some death wobble/chatter that made it completely undrivable on the highway for the past 2 months while i was at school so i drove my dads old lexus LS 400.... fun car... V8... 170,000 mileshttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/lex.jpg

this past week is when i finally fixed the problem by replacing the bracket and welding washers on other mounts that had been ovaled out. the problem didnt go away completely so i decided to put on a dual stablized from rustsy (i know i know... but everywhere eles was too expensive) to mask the problem until i can pay for a more permanent solution.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/dualSS.jpg

then i added some 33-10.5 TSL's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/treadmarks.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/sidepic.jpg


and drove it 5 hours to school
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/new%20rubber/sideview2.jpg

so here it sits.... 3.5" RE lift, 1" spacers, front adjustable trac bar, RE disconnects, heavy duty tie rod, 33" super swampers, ARB bullbar, Tomken rear bumper with tire carrier, claytons sliders and a 231 swap.

future.... either 44,s front and rear or 44/60 claytons long arms and 35's or 37's

Cue-Ball
11-28-2005, 06:24 PM
Interesting steering to say the least.

You also need to resize a couple of your pix to 640x480.

Thanks.

DougMangi
11-28-2005, 06:29 PM
..... how do i resize it?

and whats wrong with the steering?.... haha its been strong for me

Cue-Ball
11-28-2005, 06:40 PM
I did not say there was anything wrong with it, it is just very odd, and alot will tell you that if you need dual stabilizers for 33's then there is something wrong.

You need to resize the pix before you host them somewhere and link to them. The problem with large size pix is that it KILLS the guys on dial-up, and it means you have to scroll left and right to see all the pic which is just a PITA.

Dirk

TrojanMan
11-28-2005, 06:49 PM
how's your alignment?

DougMangi
11-28-2005, 06:50 PM
i know i have some troubles with my front suspension, but i refuse to waste money on this suspension, so im covering it up until i can get the money for long arms..... i wish my jeep wasnt such a PITA

and i'll see what i can do to fix the pics

DougMangi
11-28-2005, 07:11 PM
how's your alignment?
not too bad... but not too good.... but $60 for an alignment thats not gonna last long isnt worth it

fixed the pics

Cue-Ball
11-28-2005, 07:23 PM
Thanks for fixing the pix, and I think we all wish our Jeeps were not such PITA's.

Jcbzj
11-28-2005, 07:26 PM
i know i have some troubles with my front suspension, but i refuse to waste money on this suspension, so im covering it up until i can get the money for long arms..... i wish my jeep wasnt such a PITA

and i'll see what i can do to fix the pics

thats a good plan, I made the mistake of trying to improve on the junk that I had, that I knew I wasnt going to keep.

DougMangi
11-28-2005, 07:40 PM
thats a good plan, I made the mistake of trying to improve on the junk that I had, that I knew I wasnt going to keep.

thats the thing... i just figure why try to fix RE super ride arms??.... im going to save and get claytons long arms, maybe a 44/44 or 44/60... and do it right... when im done the steering will be fine, and if its not, i will $hit in the intake, turn it on, drop a brick on the accelerator and watch it go over a clif... :D

TrojanMan
11-28-2005, 07:52 PM
get out with a tape measure and check your alignment - a bad alignment can give you DW.

jeepnzj1
11-28-2005, 08:45 PM
looks great glad you didnt lower it

DougMangi
11-28-2005, 10:01 PM
get out with a tape measure and check your alignment - a bad alignment can give you DW.

what am i looking for? what should be the difference between front and back and top and bottom?

nate
11-28-2005, 10:31 PM
Should have about 1/8"-3/16" of toe in.... meaning the distance between the front of the tires is 1/8"-3/16" less than the distance between the back of the tires. Also caster is important too. I'm not exactly sure how to measure that without putting it on a rack.

DougMangi
11-28-2005, 10:34 PM
should i worry about castor or camber?

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
11-29-2005, 01:39 AM
$60 for an alignment? you can do it yourself for free, the main thing you have to worry about is toe. That thing has come a long way though, I feel ya though, I'm a broke ass college kid trying to build a jeep too. It sucks.

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
11-29-2005, 01:40 AM
Should have about 1/8"-3/16" of toe in.... meaning the distance between the front of the tires is 1/8"-3/16" less than the distance between the back of the tires. Also caster is important too. I'm not exactly sure how to measure that without putting it on a rack.

angle finder on the top of the knuckle?

DougMangi
11-29-2005, 01:42 AM
the only reason it has come so far is the cheap parts and the free installs.... either i do it or the people in my jeep club do it... i mean common.. 170 for a bullbar.... 200 for the tires..... if i didnt get these type of deals i wouldnt be as far. too bad i had to pay to replace a VC instead of doing a 231 swap which took 150.... instead of 900 for the VC.... jerks

also.... does the alignment make it wobble all the time? cuz my problem is from bumps.... i forgot to mention. im one of only a few people who DD their jeep in my club... so its tough to get good info.

nate
11-29-2005, 02:04 AM
That's pretty much what I did, though I don't know if it's the way it's really measured. I just kinda know where the caster should be, and also some trial and error based on driveline vibrations and steering feel.

Chamber you can't adjust unless you'd get adjustable ball joints.... but normally it means you have a bent axle if you have camber problems.


angle finder on the top of the knuckle?

nate
11-29-2005, 02:09 AM
How did you put that steering stuff on and not do an alignment??? I'm willing to bet it's way off.

DougMangi
11-29-2005, 03:09 AM
the tie rod is the only part that required messing with the alignment... and its pretty off.... but we adjusted the toe... i will take some measurements tomorow and get back to you. i wouldnt mind having the steering wheel be straight when im going straight....

DougMangi
11-30-2005, 12:50 AM
ok i have a question but im afriad im gonna get eaten alive for asking it so i'll ask here. i want to do a 14 bolt rear in the grand. i know i want the 64" C&C so i can avoid going full width, but im looking at gears and it looks like i want a "10.5" and not a 9.5 because of the options? looks like 9.5 starts in '84 so i need to avoid them and go earlier and find a pre '84 duallie? what eles should i look out for?

OverkillZJ
11-30-2005, 01:05 AM
How are you planning on attaching the 14 bolt? Do you know how much the Corp 14 bolt weighs?

DougMangi
11-30-2005, 01:25 AM
oh i figured duct tape...its just an idea im thinking about.... im most likley going to go 44/44 when i long arm it. but the 14 bolt looks like it would be fun, even if i had to reinforce and such

OverkillZJ
11-30-2005, 02:42 AM
Better be some super duct tape! Think FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS. Ya, my 14 bolts sweet, but I'm nervous about hanging it off my claytons LA's let alone a setup without a sub frame at all! All depends on what you want to do, but you can't exactly jsut slap a 14 bolt under there. Then again, i really would love to see what it'd do to some stock control arm mounts :finga:

DougMangi
11-30-2005, 03:02 AM
haha no i was planning on at least using the long arms... but maybe i should try it just for fun....

ILikeMud
12-03-2005, 02:15 AM
I'm a broke ass college kid trying to build a jeep too. It sucks.

me 3, just makes it all the more fun though.

Nice rig.

DougMangi
12-03-2005, 07:59 PM
me 3, just makes it all the more fun though.

Nice rig.

thanks man, yeah being a broke ass college kid is fun, im glad im taking accounting because i have gotten good at balancing food, books, necessities and the jeep.... and maybe some beer here and there..... and the balance always comes to something in the single digits ...:D

DougMangi
03-28-2007, 11:54 AM
UPDATE: I'm gonna start building this thing, so its time to start asking questions.

Right now im thinking of building my own long arm setup. Obviously im going with a triangulated 4 link in the rear.

The front is a different story. So any input would be appreciated. I'm thinking of either going with a radius arm setup like claytons but with only one upper, not both like he has.

OR

a triangulated 4 link

school me while i still have time to change my plans.

this is NOT a DD, im workin my ass off and making enough money to have a new grand :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/New%20Jeep/Jeeps005.jpg

ILikeMud
03-28-2007, 01:36 PM
I don't think a triangulated 4 link will work up front.
Oil pan gets in the way.

jfowlzj95
03-28-2007, 02:36 PM
I don't think a triangulated 4 link will work up front.
Oil pan gets in the way.

Talk to Tommy about those.

DougMangi
03-28-2007, 03:07 PM
really? for some reason i remember seeing a few people with 4 links up front...

ILikeMud
03-28-2007, 03:18 PM
Don't quote me on that as I could be wrong.
I think Tommy is running a front tri 4 link.

ILikeMud
03-28-2007, 03:20 PM
http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3386&highlight=gutted

Jeeperoni91
03-29-2007, 04:53 PM
seen you on cardomain

DougMangi
06-01-2007, 04:05 PM
UPDATE:

well, it has begun, i have gutted it and taken off the doors to be sold.

in the near future:
fender trimming
racing seats
building the 8.8 i have in the garage
custom half doors (?)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/Jeeps.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/teardown009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/teardown008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/teardown007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/teardown004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/teardown003.jpg

DougMangi
06-01-2007, 11:33 PM
ok talk me out of this... i want to cut off the body behind the Bpillar, cut off the top half of the rear passenger doors, and have it look like a pickup, but slant the exo cage back after the cab.

here is a (VERY) rough outline of how the cage would go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/dougmangi/Teardown/Jeepsgutting.jpg

is there anything wrong with this? am i going to do something stupid by doing this? any pointers would be greatly appreciated before i start cutting. thanks!

HuskerZJ
06-02-2007, 01:09 AM
Not that I know shit about this, but have you read some of the build threads by the guys who have chopped or buggied their ZJ's? If not, you should check those out for ideas. Kraqa, OverkillZJ and chadjans are the one's I'd look at if you haven't already. I read Matt's buggy build thread again last night, it gives me motivation to save my money...

Exodus
08-30-2007, 08:30 PM
The look on your face there screams "I touch little boys and I dont care who knows!" hahaha, JK....

I really wouldnt cut up the body. I dont understand why people want to do it. if you dont want a roof, buy a wrangler. I like my roof and ability to have a nice enclosed area for storing things.