neohic

Do we have another Jim Oshel in our midst? :D

I'll have it balanced if I need to. It'll be a while before it'll see any real road time. If there aren't any vibrations, I'll probably just leave it alone. Thanks dude! I agree that there really isn't anything about the brakes that should be considered race ready. I've got another couple axles around and was hoping to change it over to unit bearings. I'll send you a PM on the shafts.

Agreed. Thank god I've got a full set plus a spare. :D

I know... I've been through your build thread many times. :peek:

Not sure what I think about the 383, but I'm diggin' the whole idea of taking an MJ sideways! :rock on:

The truck that keeps popping up on ebay has had the axle replaced with a stock unit. The whole front suspension on the race trucks were totally stock minus the coils and shocks. As far as camber adjustments, the Archers would just bend the axle to the desired degree. They did the same with the rear axles. Depending on the race, they had multiple axle sets for different corners.

The Rustoleum on my front axle did not survive me sneezing on it in a temperature controlled dry garage. Better than Krylon, but still has issues with chemicals. I am giving VHT a chance on the rear. So far it does not immediately scratch off when using a jack. Neohic, it will take maybe thirty minutes to spray the axle with wax and grease remover, sand with a red scotch pad, and clean again with the wax and grease remover. Then spray it down with about three coats of paint. Okay... you win. On to some good stuff... It was a big day that started with some measurements of what I was starting with. Keep in mind that I'm starting with botched front and rear suspensions. Front: Rear: Forgot to pick up a coil spring compressor... so: Then there was the super sketchy coil spacers. They're just 3" pipe that was welded to the top of the coil seat. Fortunately, whoever put them there did a terrible job of welding them in, so they came out without too much fuss, I had to stitch back together a couple spots where they clearly burned through. What a mess: Then it was time for the new coils. Full droop: Compressed: I didn't put the shocks in or even really go through the rest of the suspension. What I wanted to do was get it on the new suspension to see what all, if anything, needed to modified. At ride height, the bump stops are a little more than 1" from bottoming out: I was thinking that I'd need to cut the front axle. At ride height, I think there's plenty of room with the bump stops where they are: The front went pretty quickly. Having a small space to work in meant that the truck needed to get turned around for the rear. That's okay... good for picture opportunities. The truck doing its best stink bug impression: On to the rear which was a bit more complicated. This poor truck must've been beat around in a field at some point: Then it was put in the pile of misbehaving 35s: Then this stuff happened: Of course the driveshaft wasn't going to fit right. Even just going from a 35 to a 44, I'd have to shorten it. Add in the mystery number that the truck was lowered and I got my measurement. The driveshaft needed to be shortened 2". I'd never shortened one myself, so I did some research on the interwebs and called some local shops. Sounded easy enough to me, but I don't know if it'll balance right. From what I was told, it should be close if not the same as what it was. Why not? I'll try anything twice. Started with a timing line and some measuring: ... then some cutting: ... then a quick check before it was set in stone: ... weldy, weldy: Sadly, I didn't have any hugger orange sitting on the shelf, so just some bland, gray primer will have to do for now: Same deal as the front, full droop: Compressed: Then what? This: The end result according to the tape measure: Comparing it to my other 2wd, it's not quite 2" lower in the rear than the '91, and about the same in the front. Overall, I don't think I'm totally sold just yet. I think it needs more low! Comparing pictures from the glory days of Jeep racing, I think it's just about right. Really... why shouldn't it be? This is the same suspension setup that was used in the SCCA. I don't know... maybe it just needs to grow on me. Could be the tires too. Currently, it's running 215/75/15s which I know are too tall. It does get me thinking about what tire size to run though. If I were to go with a 205/60/15, that'd drop the truck another inch and a quarter or so. Anyway... I think it's cool!

They're still around... sorta. Contact Archer Racing in Duluth, MN but don't expect to get too far.

No winters for this truck, Don! :no:

I got my axle back!!! :banana: New bearings, seals, and limited slip clutch packs. I know... it's all sorts of crusty, but it is a MN axle after all. Not sure how crazy I'm going to get with cleaning it up before tossing it under the truck. I'd like to get the suspension mocked up and go from there. Besides that, I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing for brakes just yet.

Anything ever happen with this, or are there any updates? No updates that I know of. I've actually been trying to get in contact with John for a a while now as he owes me a box side piece of side skirts. Their building is for currently for sale... not really sure what the Archer's next move is. I'll ask him if he ever had another round made up when I talk to him next.

ANOTHER BOARD... :rotf: That's for more info! :cheers:

I was thinking the same about you.

Is the truck out of the way enough that it would be a burden to see said info in the glove box? That and if you could find out the tire size, it would be much appreciated. The sidewall to wheel ratio looks perfect for that truck! If there wasn't a convenient turn around, I'd probably jump the ditch and center median, swerve through any on coming traffic, frantically flash my lights to try and get his attention, all before opening the passenger door and push out whoever might be sitting there in a effort to save weight and go faster. . :MJ 1: . JWP241... a member since 2011 and only a few posts?... only one of which is a picture of this beautiful piece of local and racing history?! Not sure if this is the one, but when I was at Archer Racing, John mentioned their old shop truck that was red, full side skirts, lowered, and a 2.5 that he still sees roaming around from time to time. Not trying to over whelm you, but It's comforting to know that amazing trucks like this still exist! I'm pretty sure I'm just about ready to have a heart attack everytime I come here and see an update on this thread! Not sure what would happen if I came here and their were some added pictures... :drool:

:redX: What was used to lower the truck? Does it have their fiberglass rear leafs? Tire size?... I still like your truck. :D

Pretty sure you should have a build thread for said trail rig. Just sayin'...

Is that WAKX from the Duluth area? Any current pictures? Still have the ARE wheels under it? What other Archer parts are on it?... and do you need to sell any of them? :brows: ... I like your truck. :thumbsup:

Bump for flint!: http://comancheclub.com/topic/29656-standard-autozone-radiator-fl-50/

I remember this. What he did was think outside the box and came up with something between these: ... and the factory debris cover: ... by using one of these: http://www.menards.com/main/p-1716008.htm Kind of a neat idea, but I would think that over time they would start to rattle around and let things pass. Better than nothing though!

Maybe... $6k to the right person.

Diggin' it.

http://comancheclub.com/topic/8275-mrsimons-first-mj-project-tube-bed-page-7/ MrSimon... lot's of dead pictures which sucks becuase it was an awesome truck.

Bump. :peek:

Pretty much... maybe a little less green though. :idea: