MartinoMJ

Will the 5 leaf MT leafs yield a 4.5" lift, or is there a block/shackle riser requirement to lift the MT springs to proper height? I keep leaning toward 4.10, but always hear that 3.55s are better on gas mileage, and if that's true, why do I have $#!& gas mileage currently (without hauling any weight). regardless a limited slip 3.73 or 4.10 would be a world of a difference for this camper. You also got me thinking about a completely new setup for my suspension with those coilovers. Any reason you suggest coilovers vs. adjustables? I've been getting a few recommendations for the adj. Rancho 9000. OME HD front end coils are what I was looking at. Right now I would need to worry about a power steering upgrade, and frame stiffening in the front, because the cracking worries me. I have already upgraded my brake booster and MC. next would be disk via the 8.8.

Absolutely considered bags, but I don't know the first thing about airbags.

Soooooo, I'm long overdue for an update on this build. I'll try to include as many pictures as possible. The build took a turn for the better the other day, and I scored a popup camper designed specifically for small trucks. It's 7ft, and I can close my tailgate still. It's 1050lbs and definitely causing some rear end sag, but I'm debating a few different upgrades to solve all that. To catch you up: I swapped a JY 96 dana 30 into the front and upgraded to Rusty's Offroad 4.5" spring under axle full suspension. I also got Rusty's steering conversion to remove the y link. It's smooth without the camper, but creeks and cracks a bunch with the weight. I think it might be frame flexing. Considering frame stiffeners since I'll have the camper all the time. This is probably the worst decision I made for this build so far. The leaf packs are NOT rated for heavy hauling and sag a bunch, the LCA seem too short and were way to expensive when I could have just got adjustable. The shocks suck. The track bar is adjustable, but you have to pry it out and bust the bushing every time you want to adjust it. The only thing I kinda like about this lift.... the look. I'm not even that crazy about that. So, thinking of rebuilding the suspension and making it way more suitable for camper hauling. Also, lack of knowledge lead me to pick the wrong dana 30 from the JY. I had to knock out the pinion and gear set because the bearings were shot. and everything was grinding upon first drive. I since acquired all the pieces from my old dana 30 and was going to reinstall it all myself, but I'm really scared I'm going to mess up the backlash or pinion depth. Not sure I can do it myself. Any advice is welcome. (currently it's empty and I took the front drive shaft out). This leads me to my next topic. THE REAR! The camper is 1k lbs dry weight. It's heavy, but not impossible. I'm currently running a dana 35 in the rear with 3.55 gears on 31x10.5 A/T and rusty's 4.5" spring pack under axle. Possible upgrades: 1. Ford 8.8 with 3.73 or 4.10 gears and fill the front diff to match. Lock the front. SOA with stock spring pack and rancho adjustable shocks 9000 RS. [this will cost a lot and require that I weld the perches and shock mounts, but I'll have disk brakes and a stronger rear axle supporting the camper. not sure about the stock leafs] 2. stock dana 35(3.55) with rancho 9000 adjustables, full length AAL and maybe air bags or the rubber stoppers made for camper hauling. 3. Stock dana 35(3.55) OME HD spring packs, adjustable shocks and maybe a sway bar in the rear. My questions for you: What gears should I be using for camper hauling? Is SOA better or worse for heavy hauling in the rear? Suggestions on rear 4.5" setup for smooth ride, with AND without the camper. Camper interior: (BEFORE)

GETTING MY GEARS GOING!

The dream build. So allow me to introduce myself. I'm Nick, 25, based out of Baton Rouge, LA. I've owned a YJ for almost 3 years and decided to sell it for an 1988 4x4 auto MJ with the long bed and the 4.0l I6. I learned everything about jeeps while owning and restoring the YJ (and that brief period I had a JK). Now I move on to learn more with the Manche (seen below). Now back to the dream. I want a 4x4 camper truck/overland vehicle. I've seen very few(practically none), but a few exist. I have about $6-$8k budget for this project. Jeep purist, bear with me for this next part. This is a Toyota Chinook. It sits on a Toyota Hilux frame with a 112" wheelbase. Similar to the Comanche's 110" wheel base. Option A: Buy a prebuilt Chinook attached to a Toyota like the one seen above. Pros: Work is already done, manual transmission, 20r engine good on MPG, pop up cabin, walk through cab, toyota tough, move-in ready. Cons: 2wd (Conversions sound tough), weak engine, old @$$ frame and drivetrain, fixing someone's mistakes. Option B: Buy a Chinook shell, attach to my Jeep Comanche. Pros: 4x4, 4.0l strong engine, strong frame and drivetrain for camper weight, newer car in general, JEEP. Cons: TONS of work ahead of me, cutting through the cab of a Jeep comanche (Scariest idea ever), Auto transmission (This swap might be easier and cheaper than a 4x4 swap in a toyota). Option C: Custom Fabricate a camper shell for the Comanche and build the entire thing from scratch. Pros: All the pros of "Option B", completely customized to my needs and comforts, stronger and more modern designs than a 70s era fiberglass shell. Cons: I can't weld (Fabrication to be outsourced), Cut through the cab of the manche (I really want a walk-through camper), TONS more work than option A or B. I'm looking to get plenty of feedback and brainstorm these ideas around the internet, so If anyone has any helpful links or advice or knowledge, Comment here, or find me on Facebook (Nick Martino). Thanks in advance, Jeep on!