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BiggerZJ
12-07-2005, 08:10 PM
Ok im going to start by saying sorry, the only pics I have are from trail rides, I took a few today of my jeeps current setup but I don’t really have much from my old setup. Speaking of my old setup my jeep is a 96 zj limited and started life as my wifes daily driver. I did the 1 ¾ spacer kit and 31 BFG Ats and promised her that was all I was going to do. However while driving one night I hit a deer in the road which exploded the factory front bumper. That lead to the first fab work on her jeep which was a new plate front bumper, I didn’t even include a winch mount because I had promised I wouldn’t touch her jeep. The jeep remained like that for a year or two until three things happened, one was that I was fed up with my trail rig project and wanted something to wheel in, two was that I had a high pinion 44 and 9 inch sitting around, and three was that my wife went out of town for a weekend and left the jeep home which lead to my first zj buildup. We hung the 44 and 9 under the jeep with RK coils and a double wishbone setup, the lower with plating to act as an axle to axle skid plate(seen in photo of jeep rolled over). I swapped in a 231 with slip yoke elim. And started taking it trailriding until I realized I needed some body protection and a winch. So my jeep underwent the second build which involved tubing molded into the cut fenders and rocker guards, hacked my bumper up to accommodate a winch, and shinny new black paint. It was hard getting rid of my gold limited letters.

BiggerZJ
12-07-2005, 08:31 PM
So now after getting into driving the ZJ and getting fed up with my Rockwell trail rig project, I yanked the rockwells out of my other rig and slapped them under my ZJ. I had to change some of my existing setup such as far beefier lower wishbone attachment which meant building a tubular sub frame that is welded in. also meant beefing up my lower wishbones, eliminating the poly bushings and adding 1inch heims. I also had to get rid of the upper wishbones in favor of beefy links with 7/8 heims. I also robed out of my other trail rig project the GM700-R4 and Atlas II. The 700r4 swap was crazy hard seeing as how nobody makes an adapter and id say to everyone else you are stupid if you try to swap a gm trans into your zj they don’t even fit in the trans tunnel. The only reason I even swapped it in is because my factory auto wasn’t doing so well and I had already had the 700 built up with rev. manual valve body with full engine braking, but I don’t even use the damn overdrive so I should have just put a 400 in it! But I LOVE the atlas which has a 3.8 low. To bad I didn’t swap in the Cadillac 500 cid motor that I had in my other rig!! As for the lift I went with BDS 6 inch 05 superduty coils in the front and 4inchers in the rear. I went with the stiffer coil because I hated how soft the RK springs were and I obviously wanted more spring rate to hold up the rockwells since I love rolling my shit so much. But to be honest the jeeps trail manners were a lot better with the old setup and the 37 MTS than these big ass 44 TSLs. Hell I cant even see the trail in front of me, but id never go back down cause the good thing is I can drive the hell out of it with the rockwells.

BiggerZJ
12-07-2005, 08:41 PM
Here are some more pics and a little more explanation of my rig. I had already set up the brakes on the rockwells when they were in my other rig, the fronts are home made hub brakes using corvette 4 piston calipers. The rear axle has a pinion brake which is turned down by a proportioning valve. I also tapped my steering box for hydro assist and changed out my shitty tc pump for a good Saginaw. I only went to hydro assist because I drive it on the street a lot and don’t trust full hydro. The front axle has a Detroit and the rear a spool. i moved my yellow top battery to the back just in front of my new fuel tank. i had to run the narrow fuel tank to clear the rockwell, i dont really like how low i have it mounted but it keeps me from cutting my floorboard and loosing my storage space.

Kraqa
12-07-2005, 08:44 PM
now that is more like it. Nice rig.

benzj
12-07-2005, 10:00 PM
I thought your ZJ looked familiar. Ive seen your (old body color and axle setup) running around Charleston quite a few times. With the massive Low Country Off-Road stickers on the side.

Looks sick, nicely done though.

I'll stop in sometime, Id love to take a peak at the Rockwells.

B

jeep4x4nut
12-07-2005, 10:01 PM
Just plain Sick!

norton
12-07-2005, 10:14 PM
yup, that thing is fawking sexy.

ogdak
12-08-2005, 12:40 PM
Man, that is big.
Like those detailed pic's a lott.

crawlin' zj
12-08-2005, 03:21 PM
Could we get some more info on the modified gm power steering pump setup. Looks like some kind of factory bracket bolted to the 5.2 block? Please tell us more i've never seen this before.

BiggerZJ
12-08-2005, 08:59 PM
the power steering pump and bracket is simply out of a dodge ram truck i found this one out of a 96 with the 5.2 the bolt pattern is the same, the only tricky part is finding lines that clear because using the dodge ram mount puts the pump so close to the steering box, i tried finding the part # of the line i used but no luck there, the line is very long, its the rubber line right behind/above the pump and it runs around the bracket then back to the box. the only other thing is you will have to go down one grove size on you belt because the regular one will rub the steering box also.

happy
12-09-2005, 08:30 PM
hey can u post a pic of someone standing next to it..i just wanna see about how high it sits...

my zj is in the progress of getting rockwells with a one link front and rear, and we'er building a frame for it. its gonna sit on 46" xml's. i gotta figure out what spring i wanna run.

ZJ_Cowboy
12-09-2005, 11:26 PM
Thats crazy. but im just curious.....HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU ROTATE YOUR TIRES? They are so fucking big!

BiggerZJ
12-11-2005, 06:07 PM
its really not very big, thats a stock s10 blazer behind it but i built my coil mounts on the axle ajustable, so i could raise it 3" if i wanted.

crawlin' zj
12-13-2005, 02:39 PM
Thanks for the info on the steering box! I won't have any of the problems you mentioned because i'm runing full hydro but that is good to know for the future. The orbital valve can be moved to clear any obstructions easily. The reason i was asking is that gm style saginaw pumps are much cheaper to modify for higher pressures and flow than the jeep style which would make the project that much cheaper if the stock pump does not stand up to the task.

MaineZJ
12-17-2005, 10:44 AM
I've never seen so much toob work done around the center section before.

nate
12-17-2005, 12:46 PM
Those tires are not any worse that working on big rig tires, tractor tires, loader tires, etc.

ILikeMud
01-18-2006, 03:17 PM
Damn, that's sexy.
I dig the tube frame.

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
01-19-2006, 12:04 AM
pardon my ignorance as i've never worked on a rockwell axle but how does the steering work? I see the DL going to the driv side, but is there a tie rod behind the axle or what?

Tommy
01-19-2006, 11:11 AM
http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=49&stc=1&d=1134001893

Looks that way, single sided ram with tie rod behind the axle.

BiggerZJ
02-10-2006, 08:09 PM
well i had to build a new lower crossmember setup, my last one bent all to shit, seems obvious looking back now, total lack of triangles in the last setup. so heres my new subframe, provides protection for my 1"heims too.

BiggerZJ
02-10-2006, 08:12 PM
CHECK THIS OUT!!!! broke a 2 1/2 ton rear shaft at tellico, guess i shouldnt talk so much shit about my worn out 318.

Jcbzj
02-10-2006, 08:18 PM
haha thats funny. Not long ago I was arguing with some kid on ranger forums about running 42's on a d30, dude was saying that he wouldnt have problems. Never seen a broken rockwell shaft. Time for a 5 ton

ILikeMud
02-10-2006, 08:20 PM
F**K
That's impressive.

MaineZJ
02-10-2006, 08:33 PM
was that a new shaft? remember, most things don't get stronger when they get older.

Kraqa
02-10-2006, 08:37 PM
i can beleive it. rockwells aren't THAT strong. i mean there a nice axle but anyhtign can be broken. Especially if that was an old shaft. ZJ weight, pluss the armor + 44" tires and a v8.

Kraqa
02-10-2006, 08:38 PM
are you runnig a one link?

BiggerZJ
02-10-2006, 11:16 PM
nope not running a one link, IM NOT THAT REDNECK. thats my lower wishbone you are seeing.

and to tell the truth i shock loaded that shaft after getting airborn on full throtle, still think its cool as hell though

Kraqa
02-11-2006, 01:53 AM
ya that'll do it.

I'm plannign on running a wish bone upper on my new setup

Kraqa
02-11-2006, 02:31 AM
so whats the diameter of that shaft anyways? how many splines are they?

Jcbzj
02-11-2006, 01:43 PM
Thats what I was wondering, they dont look too big, looks about like a 35 spline 60 shaft. They're coarse splines too right?

MaineZJ
02-12-2006, 09:04 AM
stock shafts are 1.62-inch, 16-spline...

so you upgrade to full 2" shafts:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426087

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/MaineZuke/quarternexttoshaft2.jpg

97trxuszj
02-12-2006, 12:59 PM
holy crap I wish I could stuff those into my d44's lol

MaineZJ
02-12-2006, 01:15 PM
holy crap I wish I could stuff those into my d44's lol
you can stuff 35spline d60 shafts into a 44 :eek:

jeep4x4nut
02-12-2006, 01:42 PM
Heres comparison for you guys.

A 60 Inner, Rockwell, and a 44 inner
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/jeep4x4nut11/60rock44.jpg
And a 44, rockwell, and a 60
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/jeep4x4nut11/44rock60.jpg

97trxuszj
02-12-2006, 02:33 PM
yea but stuffing a 35 spline unit i there would mean a new carrier, maybe diffrent inner seals and new outer knuckles right? plus my yukon 4340 shafts with super joints are barley turning in there as it is now. like seriously 3/16"

MaineZJ
02-12-2006, 03:00 PM
yup, new carrier (locker) and new outers.

97trxuszj
02-12-2006, 11:12 PM
that would be nice to have the beef and still have amount of ground clearance from a 44 compared to a 60, and the saved weight. But then again a 60 would be cheaper to install

cashflowdub
07-19-2006, 11:11 PM
hey where did you get that bumper

NAFTEL
07-20-2006, 08:46 AM
thats a big rig, keep the pics coming of you flopping and breaking it

BiggerZJ
08-12-2006, 12:43 AM
im building a new front bumper so if anyone wants to buy mine cheap, like $100 and is willing to pick it up in charleston SC then its yours. just remember its been through hard wheeling and rollovers so it needs work if you want it to look mall worthy.

OHIOZJ
08-15-2006, 01:05 PM
hows about first dibs on it???

i may be down that way mid spetember.

EDIT: nevermind, im not going that far.....

MUDDTRACKS
08-21-2006, 12:45 PM
Man i saw your rig at river rock this weekend. That is one big mother.

Looks good.

I realy like the cradle you made for the unibody.

I was with the Gator4x4 group. But didn't have my rig there.

BiggerZJ
08-22-2006, 09:33 PM
i guess we woke yall up then. we got there at 2:00am sunday and went wheeling untill sun up. had a damn good time, i pulled the front tires about 4ft off the ground and came down hard enough to snap my 2" hydro assist ram. guess it time to go to full hydro. next time u see me feel free to ride with us if you want

MUDDTRACKS
08-22-2006, 11:39 PM
Didn't wake me up my ass was at the hotel.

I looked at your rig sunday morning when it was by the shop.

We were packing up to head out. Maybe next time we are up that way.

That was my third trip 2 river rock and still haven't had my rig there 2 wheel.

rockhardmj
08-29-2006, 01:51 AM
WICKED RIDE.

Mr.BoJankels
09-17-2006, 12:09 AM
you have snapped

2000_WJ
09-17-2006, 02:20 PM
fawk dude

BiggerZJ
02-05-2007, 11:52 PM
well figured id wake this thing up with some updated pics, busted out both headlights so i went the grave digger line with red eyes, looks cool, and this past weekend at tellico i fucked the shit out of my jeep on a stupid roll, so now i guess its ZJuggy time. ill update when i know what the hell im going to do with this shitbox.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j164/shawnboymoody/TelicoWinterRide062.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j164/shawnboymoody/TelicoWinterRide064.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j164/shawnboymoody/TelicoWinterRide065.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j164/shawnboymoody/TelicoWinterRide063.jpg

Popsicle
02-05-2007, 11:56 PM
yes another shitbox in progress :)

ATL ZJ
02-06-2007, 12:02 AM
i love it, come finish it off saturday :smt029

BMRisko
02-06-2007, 12:03 AM
Don't buggy it...it looks way more badass when every panel is totally fucked up. Plus, isn't it more fun to just continually slam sheetmetal into rocks? Lookin' good!

Oh yea, where did you roll? Looks like it did some nice damage. Is the rear hatch smashed in also? Looks kind of deformed from the pics.

jfowlzj95
02-06-2007, 12:15 AM
Now thats some major body damage and I love the Grave Digger lights! They fit well with the rig, cant wait to see the progress of this.

BiggerZJ
02-06-2007, 09:31 AM
lol, i really do want to leave all the panels, we will see. i floped over on the driver side on school bus @ tellico right at the first ledge, however the way the trail is so tight with the walls on each side and the ground was covered in so much ice we couldnt get the tires to grab to be able to roll it back over, we had 4 winch cables hooked to the damn thing and it just wouldnt flop back on its wheels, so we said fuckit and drug it on its side all the way back down the trail, it was funny as hell. as far as the rear hatch, the guys i ride with we always end up drunk and driving into everybodys rigs, my rear hatch is the result of a bruiser chassis driving up the back of my jeep.(my jeep got rock humped) fun as hell when your drunk, sucks when you wake up the next morning, but i gess that goes with everything in life.lol ive got video so when i get it on the net ill post the link.

ILikeMud
02-06-2007, 12:19 PM
:rofl:

I like the grave digger lights.

KansasCrawlin
02-06-2007, 10:30 PM
dude that body is fucking halarious, looks like a semi-crushed beer can........ meh, shit'll buff right out!