Got A Real Grinder!-Gold Dust Build

[JohnBoulderCO]

Skipped a winter! 😃 Yes, internal/exo hybrid. There is no room to run internal crosses between B pillars or C pillars due to the seat locations.

Decided to borrow Agitated Pancake's idea of having a secondary B pillar.

[BigDaveZJ]

Sounds like we're thinking about the same basic cage . . . looks like you'll be getting started on yours before me though. I do plan to run something internal on the C, and maybe the B if I can squeeze it in though.

[JohnBoulderCO]

A few more pics. The primary B-pillar support, which will directly tie into the B-pillar and the secondary B-pillar support which will have the internal cross bracing side to side.


Same idea for the C-Pillar.


Tie it together as a halo on the roof. First test piece, it lines up nicely. It will look like a Nissan Xterra roof rack, but will have lots of cross bracing. Triangulation!

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

Triangulation!

Don't worry, I'm sure Chad will chime in if you leave any nodes unsupported.

[JohnBoulderCO]

Plated the B-pillar and C-pillar. Then tacked the tubes in their final location.



Going to do a seat clearance check, before burning them in and starting on the driver's side. Then everything gets tied together.

[K2]

John, that is coming along great. Two OT things, I can't a hold of Tyler, does he still need a speedo gear? And do you have info on your 231 swap, my 247 is crap and I want to use the 231 from my ZJ? I am going to bug Ted too since he is a tcase guru.

[JohnBoulderCO]

Thanks Ken!

Tyler was looking for a speedo gear with a higher tooth count, I would double check with him on what tooth count he currently has.

T-case Reader's digest version: You need to move your input shaft from the 247 to the 231. Then you need to modify the 231 shift plate to be like the 247. Easy way is to cut the 247 plate and weld to the 231 plate, making sure you can get from 2Hi to 4LO (full motion with out hitting the case). Move your T-case shift cable to the lower position in the mounting bracket by the T-case.

If you have stock axles with the tone rings, your speedo will be fine. When you swap axles and loose ALL your tone rings, you need to tap the 231 and run a signal to the CAB module. If you swap just one axle, there are ways to make one set of tone rings work. There are write ups on MC on how to do all this.

[BigDaveZJ]

I have a ton of 231 parts if you need anything as well. Don't think there's enough for a complete case, but have almost 2 cases worth of parts.

John, are you going to make any attempt to put the interior back in?

[JohnBoulderCO]

Dave, plan is to get the head liner back in before the internal bracing. Keeping all the seats. The seat belts remain in the stock locations, so I will install as much plastic pieces as I can.

[K2]

Thanks Ken!

Tyler was looking for a speedo gear with a higher tooth count, I would double check with him on what tooth count he currently has.

T-case Reader's digest version: You need to move your input shaft from the 247 to the 231. Then you need to modify the 231 shift plate to be like the 247. Easy way is to cut the 247 plate and weld to the 231 plate, making sure you can get from 2Hi to 4LO (full motion with out hitting the case). Move your T-case shift cable to the lower position in the mounting bracket by the T-case.

If you have stock axles with the tone rings, your speedo will be fine. When you swap axles and loose ALL your tone rings, you need to tap the 231 and run a signal to the CAB module. If you swap just one axle, there are ways to make one set of tone rings work. There are write ups on MC on how to do all this.

I tried text and pm but he has not responded, I have a 36, he was looking for a 40 I think. If the 36 is closer and better it's his. Do you need a different shift lever in side? I read a quick bit about stop tabs in the shifter itself, but the only other one is the 242. Thank you.

[fluxcap]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I got a 40 tooth from a 1 transmission.

FYI there are 2 gear cuts for the planetary so make sure the 231 you use has the newer cut to match the wj input.

[K2]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I got a 40 tooth from a 1 transmission.

FYI there are 2 gear cuts for the planetary so make sure the 231 you use has the newer cut to match the wj input.

Cool, glad you got what you needed! Thanks for the additional info.

[ArloGuthroJeep]

Wow, nice work John. How much heavier is your WJ going to be after all is said and done?

[fluxcap]

My guess is 350 pounds

[JohnBoulderCO]

1.75" diameter x .120" wall = 50.3 lbs for a 24 foot stick of tube. We can count up the sticks used - scrap + gussets plates etc.

When I last weighed the Jeep, it weighed 5540 lbs fully loaded, not counting me.

[JohnBoulderCO]

Passenger side is all done.
B-Pillar(s)


C-Pillar(s)


Driver's side will get the same treatment, then onto the cross bracing.

[Ken L]

Looks good, John!

[Stealth Crawler ZJ]

...I think you might need a few more gussets!
Are you tying it into the "frame-rail"?

[JohnBoulderCO]

There are 5 gussets on the B-pillar! Yes, the B-pillar will be tied into the "frame-rail" and slider, underneath.

[Stealth Crawler ZJ]

There are 5 gussets on the B-pillar! .

Just messing with ya! 😬

[JohnBoulderCO]

Just messing with ya! 😬

I know.

[JohnBoulderCO]

Put the headliner back in. C-Pillar cross pieces tacked in. Rear seats still fit and so does a 35 spare.

[JohnBoulderCO]

Spent a lot of time sketching up roof options. How to tie together 8 tubes poking though the roof. I could have done traditional "X's" with tubes running from side to side....but something simple and strong seemed the obvious choice.

[Ted_Z]

I hate spiders.

[jsteves]

That came together pretty damn well!!