Random jeep things I am doing.

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by nblehm

You have built probably 10 projects and this one is still going

you do however get out on the trail/adventure with the daughter n dogo more than i do

[nblehm]

Had one more day off work. And actually did some work on the waggy.

Lower control arm mounts are tacked in. I might slide the front axle back just a hair for better fender clearance up front. Waiting on upper control arms, bushings and mounts. Picked up newer JL Take off springs front and rear, lower control arms and track bar. Also tonight got some 392 fox shocks for cheap with only 5k miles on them. Can’t remember if I stated this but trying to use as many stock Jeep parts as possible. Everything is lining up really nice. Hopefully the rest of the parts I ordered will be here by next weekend so I can get the front close to on its own weight. Then I can do exhaust, finish the wiring and move onto the rear axle swap.

Used some leftover lower control arm mounts I had

Track bar looks like it should work great. Might have to move the coil buckets out a little bit.

Hoping this is about ride height. Measured to the back would be about 4” of lift. Tires are 32s

New shocks

[6DoF]

i really like the idea of going "as stock" as possible on parts. that would be fun to make work.

[nblehm]

Didn’t get a ton done this weekend. Steering showed up late Sunday and my upper control arms got lost but should be here Tuesday.

Did get the steering put on, upper bushing replaced in the housing. And the track bar and coil buckets mocked up. Need to figure out shock mounts, and going on the spring rate I think I’m going to need to get 2-3” lift springs, or make the coil buckets really low on the frame. Looking at some dual rate springs, and thinking about the dv8 bumps for the front.

Found a jk on a rack this morning. Frame separation is 6” front and rear for the uppers and lowers. So I’ll try and copy that but I’m going to be at the mercy of the frame I think.




Drag link is too long so need to come up with a solution to that. Thinking about moving the steering box to keep with my plan of using stock parts. Undecided on that.

[Cobound]

SWEET - love that this is coming together, gonna be a hella sleeper!!

[6DoF]

dual rate coils FTW

[nblehm]

Lots of distractions lately. Finally had some time to get back to the waggy. Front suspension is getting close. Full stuff, everything gets into everything about the same time so I will call that a win. Lowers are welded in. Uppers are tacked in until I get the exhaust built. Thinking about ordering some headers instead of the fbody manifolds with the goofy flanges they have.

upper mount clearance


track bar at the same time is close to the oil pan

On its own weight for the first time in forever. Going to need some lift springs

Should be Ride height



Debating on what I want to do with the front coils. I havent welded in the mounts yet. I could lower them down so I could use the stock coils. This would also I think give me better tire clearance with the top of the tire. I need to pull the coils out of it and flex it with the tires on, I am worried about the tires hitting the coil buckets. I will also need to move the axle coil buckets out to the inner c's. Other though would be to notch the buckets into the frame to center the coils. I worry about that though because then I am cutting the frame right where the motor mounts and coil springs will all be attached.



Chat GPT tells me my front sprung weight is 1680.

[6DoF]

i wouldn't be worried about notching the frame for the coil bucket. not only are you plating all that back with good heavy plate, but the engine mount is there to help support it if welded in. only weight fwd of that is the core support.

i like the idea of lowering the bucket and Frenching it into the frame. should articulate better, more clearance to articulate, more options to lift later, and the free option to nail ride height. plus then it's the chassis that's custom, you ever break that axle in half (since they do that) you can just toss another in there.

[nblehm]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

i wouldn't be worried about notching the frame for the coil bucket. not only are you plating all that back with good heavy plate, but the engine mount is there to help support it if welded in. only weight fwd of that is the core support.

i like the idea of lowering the bucket and Frenching it into the frame. should articulate better, more clearance to articulate, more options to lift later, and the free option to nail ride height. plus then it's the chassis that's custom, you ever break that axle in half (since they do that) you can just toss another in there.

I agree. Thanks for the insight. Modifying the frame and keeping the axle stock sticks with my goal of using stock parts. Will be a bit of work, but I think it is the right move.

With what you are saying I think the frame should be fine. It will defientaly have a bunch of bracing right there with the bucket and the motor mount brackets. Only thing that will be in front of it will be the steering box and trac bar mount but that is right next to the coil bucket.

[6DoF]

WORST case, you start tossing this thing around a road course at 140mph and notice the front frame does shift with steering by a tiny bit ... a quick diagonal bar from the engine mount to the opposite bumper bracket makes it better than jeep ever did.

[Lubes]

Originally Posted by nblehm

I agree. Thanks for the insight. Modifying the frame and keeping the axle stock sticks with my goal of using stock parts. Will be a bit of work, but I think it is the right move.

With what you are saying I think the frame should be fine. It will defientaly have a bunch of bracing right there with the bucket and the motor mount brackets. Only thing that will be in front of it will be the steering box and trac bar mount but that is right next to the coil bucket.

Thats what I would do, and what I would have said as well.

[nblehm]

Well minor update. Started to work on the coil buckets, then my welder stopped working and took the wind out of my sails. Drivers side is coming together great. Will also be able to tie the coil bucket into the trac bar bracket which is good. Leave with the frame is where I decided, will give me just a tad more lift than the last pictures ride height. Will also let me weld in a top gusset that will tie into the motor mount as well. Waiting to hear back from primeweld on the welder.





Picked these up at Home Depot for 20 bucks. They are awesome, have a magnetic base and will stick to fender wells. Really helps take the dark spaces out of my garage.

[6DoF]

oh yeah, that looks like win

[Cobound]

Oooh, nice - I could use small lights like that, doing brake jobs or getting up under things, nice!!

I have been finding a few more Willys for sale lately, but still have this second SXS I need to get rid of before I find more stuff to fill the garage...still can't park inside myself, dammit!