Regger Posted August 5, 2007 Author Share Posted August 5, 2007 Its Christmas in August!!!!! Just went down to my local postal outlet to pick up a parcel that had arrived... It was a box full of boxes!!! With each box containing a bunch of parts.... And when assembled, equals one mean RE Flex Joint!!!! Damn these things are nice... but yet very simple... its one of those, "Why didnt I think of that?" designs... And they are beefy!!! roughly 2lbs each, with a 2-5/8" OD seamless pipe outer, and .200" wall thickness, with a total assembled width of 2-5/8" for a total cost of $32 US shipped... best price I found throughout the internet and locally too.. Bought from a place in Virginia, but they shipped directly from RE in California... So now I can finish off my frame brackets, then I can position the front axle, fab and finish up the axle brackets... Then attach these joints to some control arms and I'm off to the races!!! Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted December 14, 2007 Author Share Posted December 14, 2007 Well its been a few months, and I've finally made some more progress on my project.. I finally bit the bullet, and had my buddy come over and burn off my lower control arm mounts. The first side was a little hack But we figured it out for the second side. A little grinding cleanup and it will be smooth as silk Also got started on the bridge for the upper control arm mount And rough cut all the other control arm mounts and spring pads I still have a lot of clean up left to do on the mounts and coil pads (they are way too long, and will be cut down, but couldn't find the coil buckets at that time). Then I can test fit it under the truck, mock up some steering, and then burn it all home. Then move on up and make the crossmember/upper mounts for the control arms and my dual t/case setup.. I've actually changed my long arm design, and instead of going with a 4-link and track-bar, I'm going with a radius arm setup similiar to the RE long arms. A lot simpler than my previous designs, and easier and quicker to fab up. Which means it will get done faster!!! Hopefully I'll get some progress over the holidays, and if the gods are with me, I'm hoping to have this project finished by May long, just so I can say it took me less than 5yrs..LOL Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reson46 Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Looks good. Any updates? Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share Posted April 7, 2008 No, I havent really done much of significance... Been super busy with work and some schooling I was doing, as well, I'm rebuilding and re-gearing the wifes front axle, so thats taken up all of my wrenching time... but I have cleaned up the frame and some of the axle mounts, and then have been acquiring steal to sleeve the frame with angle iron, of which I will mount my lower control arms to, as well as my rock sliders, and tranny and transfer case x-members to... Oh, and I've been mocking up the hi-steer arms and rods... Oh and I found my coil buckets in the shed too.. So really not much.. I'm hoping once this last course I'm taking is over in May, I'll hit it hard and get it done for some summer wheeling!!! Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackdiamond Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 is that a waggy front axle? i'm doing a swap similar to that, and saw what looked like you cut off the spring perch from the drivers side housing. if you did, how does that work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted April 10, 2008 Author Share Posted April 10, 2008 Yeah its a waggy front axle. I cut that cast in spring pad off, because it would have interfered with my coil bucket brackets and lower control arm mount locations. as it is, I think I had to move those locations about 1" further out from center. I basically cut it within about 3/8" of the factory spot welds. And any strength that I lost in removing that chunk of housing, I would make up with adding the truss over the top. Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 Wow, Its finally DONE!!! Yeah it was a 4yr project when I started this thread, but it ended up being 8.5yrs!!!! I just finished it on Friday Sept. 30, then I loaded it onto my trailer and dragged it to Moab Utah, where I gave it the ultimate shakedown run... ixgHQa_PMp4 Poison Spider Golden Spike - Golden Crack Metal Masher Hells Revenge Fins 'n Things And it did well for being just days old... It still needs some more work based on the trip. As you can see from the video, it flexes Good!!! Too good... I need to add limit straps to keep from dropping the coil springs when it flexes. It also needs a different lower shock mount location I'll try and post some more pics and vids later on. (my club website is down, that is why all the previously posted pics are broken links. Hopefully it will be fixed soon a can post more pics) Thanks, Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camjeep3 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 :wrench: glad to see its done, I hope the pics come back up, id like to get a better look at the truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryGuy Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 WOW..... awesome flex in the video. I can hardly wait to see the pics when they're back up :clapping: I'm gonna have to pick your brain sometime to help me with my build :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted October 27, 2011 Author Share Posted October 27, 2011 Hey Folks, Just checking to see if i can post pictures from Facebook on here. My photo server is still not up, and I don't know when it will be up. So I'm Looking for other options.. What do you guys use to host and post pictures? Thanks, Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89Comanche4x4 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 How much lift do you have on there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted October 27, 2011 Author Share Posted October 27, 2011 How much lift do you have on there? At its current state in the pictures, its roughly 9" up front (3" springs, 4" spacer, 2" raised spring perch) and about 11" out back (6" SUA lift spring, mounted SOA). But at the moment I'm swapping out the front springs and spacers for a set of 8" springs. So that 8" spring plus the 2" raised spring perch should get about 10" lift in the front. Which should level me out a little more. That 8" spring will also allow my front axle to drop another 3-4"more before the spring comes unseated from the bumpstop. I'm not going to let it droop that far, so I'll let it drop say about 2" and then use limiting straps to keep the spring seated. HTH Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reson46 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 What do you guys use to host and post pictures? PhotoBucket. I've been using them for years. Besides the obnoxious auto play ads when uploading I've got no complaints. Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryGuy Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 What do you guys use to host and post pictures? PhotoBucket. I've been using them for years. Besides the obnoxious auto play ads when uploading I've got no complaints. :agree: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryGuy Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 .... about 11" out back (6" SUA lift spring, mounted SOA). What springs did you use? Love how well she flexes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 The rear springs are just the stock 4-pack, re-arched with two add-a-leafs mixed into the pack that actually only gives me 4". The other 2" come from an 2" lift shackle. I did the re-arch about 13yrs ago and its still holding steady with no sag and still great flex. And I think it only cost me a $150 bucks. A lot cheaper than buying a whole new pack at the time. I'm going to try and get out into the shop this Friday take a whole bunch more pics. My clubs website is back up so I re-linked all the previous posts photos and will add a bunch more. HTH Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 What do you guys use to host and post pictures? PhotoBucket. I've been using them for years. Besides the obnoxious auto play ads when uploading I've got no complaints. :agree: I use Facebook for everything now. I used to use picture trail, but then I got a new phone. All my pics upload directly to FB, and it makes it super quick to get them onto CC. Not only that, but FB has no photo limit, no bandwidth restrictions, and it's free. Like a sore pecker, you can't beat it. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted November 20, 2011 Author Share Posted November 20, 2011 Hey Folks, Here's a bit more info on my MJ. My club website is back up and running (hopefully for good now) and so I've uploaded a bunch more recent pictures. Theres not a lot of pictures during the build. I was more focused on getting it done, and completely forgot to take some in-process shots. But there are a few. Anyways, give this link a try for all the pics. http://hot4x4.ca/gallery2/v/RyanEgger/albun80/ Some of the specs: 88 MJ Pioneer 4.0L 5spd AX-15 with External Slave Box-4-Rocks Dual T-Case setup using NP-231's and SYE CV Joint front and rear Driveshafts D44's from a Grand Wagoneer 5.89's that have been Cyro'd Front Axle: Detroit Locker Custom made mounts that are raised 2". Nothing hanging below the axle tube 10" Lift from 8"Skyjacker Coils and 2" raised spring perches Radius Arm Setup similar to Rubicon Express's With Limit Straps 37" Lower arm, 16" Upper Arm using 2"OD, 1/4"wall DOM RE Flex Joints and all ends, with 1-1/4" threads Chevy Flat Top knuckles with Hi-Steer using Chevy TRE's with 1-1/2"OD, 1/4"wall DOM Knuckles have been cut and turned for proper pinion angle and 5.5* castor 5/8" Heim Joints on each end of the Track Bar. Rancho 5012 shocks with Bar Pin Eliminators up top Warn Premium Hubs Rear Axle: Spooled 11" lift from a SOA with 4" Lift Springs (re-arched with 2 AAL's) and 2" Lift Shackles Rear Disc brake swap using Chevy 1500 rotors and Cadillac Calipers and Proportioning Valve Stock length shocks by using the stock spring plate on top of the pack '86 MJ rear e-brake cables Running on 36"x12.5-15" TSL Swampers on Chevy Rally 8" wide wheels Thats about the basics of it. I've done a few other minor things like OBA and hand throttle and swapped in XJ swivel seats. The future mods list is big and lengthy (Buts whos isn't?) The bulk of it will be rock sliders, front and rear bumpers with winch mounts in each. I have weld-on bead locks to go on over the winter on a set of stock toyota rims. Partial exo-cage (will just do the corners and along the flares for now and tie the bumpers into the rock sliders) and replace the XJ seats with aftermarket suspension seats. Still need to a new HAM radio and some rock lights. And then of course a new paint job will get rid of some of the rust on the rear quarters. I'm still undecided if I want to BOB the rear of the box or not. When I add the rear bumper I'm going to cut the bottoms of the rockers up to the body line and run a slider to the rear of the flare. With it being so tall, I don't think I'll get really hung up on the rear bumper. BUt if I do, then I'll consider the bobbing then. But for now, I had no issues of it hanging me up in Moab, so I'll keep it a long bed. More room to carry my gear and tools. Anyways, here's some pics so you don't have to go hunting through the website link above...: (The flex shots are when I had my old 3" springs and 4" of spacers. They have been swapped for the Skyjacker 8" now) Well that about covers it.. What I had hoped to be a couple month build back in 2003, ended up being an 8.5yr build with the bulk of the work coming in the last 1month before I went to Moab. But its at least done and moving. And I'm able to have fun with it now. If you have any questions about any part of the build or design, I'll be happy to answer them. As well, if you need some more pictures of certain parts, no problem. Thanks, Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 here's some more vids of the MJ on the trails, and then a couple compilation vids from the whole club run. sbKzDd5SFjw 7FPE2SlcHOs aVX6o0n0g-E 3RR4V0Bg6bA Part 1, of the whole trip video. cMkjtvOTPCU All our trucks on the Golden Crack nxNBPf4eUlQ Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW86 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 that last video reminds me so much of my MJ and the club I'm in. you see all these new nice jeeps rollin through then a beat down rough looking MJ that out performs them all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reson46 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 RE Flex Joints and all ends, with 1-1/4" threads No bushings on the upper control arms? Are you relying upon the races in the joints to eliminate the binding? Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 that last video reminds me so much of my MJ and the club I'm in. you see all these new nice jeeps rollin through then a beat down rough looking MJ that out performs them all Yeah, after watching that vid, I thought the same thing... Back when I was still in school or just out of school running with all my friends of similar vintage, the jeep looked pretty good. But now that we are all older and making more money, their rigs got nicer, and mine stayed the same.. A guess a house and 4 other vehicles don't help.. But it was still pretty cool to see it have no problems walking through everything on that trail its first time out. A paint job is in the future for her.. Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regger Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 RE Flex Joints and all ends, with 1-1/4" threads No bushings on the upper control arms? Are you relying upon the races in the joints to eliminate the binding? Willy Actually, I was hoping the binding would limit some of the articulation... but I was wrong.. It still articulates way more than I had expected. I would leave it like this, but having flex joints on both ends of the lower arm, causes the arms to twist back and forth from the force caused by the upper arms. So I'm thinking early next year, I'm going to remove the flex joints on the axle end and replace them with bushings just to prevent the twisting. Cause it sure sounds like help when flexing from one side to the other and your constantly hearing and feeling the bang as the arm twists over. Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepdoc Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Looks is not everything I enjoyed those videos reminds me of when I lived in AZ i could see the trail heads from my frt door. I love that style of wheeling lots of fun. I too had an ugly 81 full size cherokee but that thing would keep up with all the high dollar rigs didnt mind scratching either . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MancheKid86 Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 lookin good, i spy a learners magnet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now