MrSimon Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 I waged war at the junk yard this past weekend. After three hours of fighting underneath a 20 year old truck, this is what I hauled away. I'll clean them up and use them for the SOA ...... eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhpoo Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 no matter how hard i look i can't find a red wagon at a junk yard good find :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 It was such a nice day, I decided to start on the sliders and bumpers. First, gave them two good coats with POR15 Metal Prep. Then two coats of POR15. I still have to hit them with some etching primer, then a couple top coats of Satin Black Rustoleum. AND, I still need to get started on prepping the 8.25 and the leafs for the SOA .... which I'm getting done a week from tomorrow. NOT ENOUGH TIME!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 I've been busy working on the MJ. Here is a list of what I've completed over the past month or so. Strip the 8.25 and prep for SOA Recondition the junkyard leaf springs Swap in the 8.25 and do the SOA Upgrade to a V8 ZJ tie rod and ends Relocate horn and vacuum ball Install front and rear bumpers and rock sliders Adjust tie rod and drag link to get steering and allignment back on track Shim over CAD motor Shim up the hood for better cooling Here are some pics. Some were a little dark so I brightened them up so you can see the detail - but that made them a bit grainy. The sliders and bumpers are actually a very nice satin black - they look much better than the pics show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 bumpers and sliders look really really good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 GOOD JOB!! Nice job with the little things!! It makes ALL the difference!!!! :bowdown: :cheers: CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 I installed an Aussie locker in the front. I'm thrilled with the added traction! It wasn't a hard instal, but it wasn't super easy either. I had to pull the carrier and detach the ring gear. And, with a CAD D30 you have two choices with what to do with the pass. side C-clip. You can either grind a few teeth down on the ring gear so you can install the locker with the carrier in the housing and keep the C-clip ... or you can just do away with the C-clip and hope the shaft doesn't move around much. I chose option 2 - I wasn't about to grind down the ring gear. Also, if you notice in the last picture a few posts back, the frame end of my track bar is screwed out kind of far. Well, while wheeling, it stripped the threads and came apart. I guess thats what I get for using a 3" track bar with almost 5" of lift. I also decided that I just can't stand the harsh ride resulting from 5" of lift on short arms. Bumps on the road are just too jarring. It was fine off-road, but I'm afraid I'm gonna kill my bushings way too fast this way. I priced long arms and decided drop brackets are the way to go. So I'm on the hunt for a used pair. I also bought a used CO2 tank and a fixed regulator to use as OBA. Here are some pics from my last wheeling trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 dang, another guy that loves the aussie. man do i really want one! while your replacing your tracbar, i'd recommend a new frame side mount too. i have the rubi express with a homemade crossbrace that i like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I chose option 2 as well. Worked well for a few wheeling trips, but have now have upgraded to a single piece shaft with a 5-760x joint. Supposedly 40% stronger than a 297 and a lot stronger than a 260. Kinda pricey, though, at $30, but since I already blew one 260 joint since installing the Aussie I figured it was time to upgrade. So Wade, what's stopping you? You asked me, what, 2 months ago where I got mine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I chose option 2 as well. Worked well for a few wheeling trips, but have now have upgraded to a single piece shaft with a 5-760x joint. Supposedly 40% stronger than a 297 and a lot stronger than a 260. Kinda pricey, though, at $30, but since I already blew one 260 joint since installing the Aussie I figured it was time to upgrade. So Wade, what's stopping you? You asked me, what, 2 months ago where I got mine? no moneys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I chose option 2 as well. Worked well for a few wheeling trips, but have now have upgraded to a single piece shaft with a 5-760x joint. Supposedly 40% stronger than a 297 and a lot stronger than a 260. Kinda pricey, though, at $30, but since I already blew one 260 joint since installing the Aussie I figured it was time to upgrade. So Wade, what's stopping you? You asked me, what, 2 months ago where I got mine? no moneys lol storey of every ones life including min even though last time i looked i had 400$ in my wallet....... just don't wanna spend it on stuff yet .........but I'm buyin an axel this weekend tho :hijack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oregonman Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 so much steel ..... your truck looks good man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Stay tuned to this thread, I just bought another round of parts: New radiator Hater hoses Thermostat Full guage cluster CA drop brackets Ruff stuff diff covers Electrical aux. fan I have a lot to do over the next month or so .... I'll try and post pics as I get things done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Its been a long time since I posted an update on my truck. A lot has happened since then. Clayton Long Arms Rock Krawler Steering Clayton track bar and bracket 4.88 Gears D44 Rear with full Detroit locker and disk brakes ARB locker in front Alloy shafts front and rear 33s Trimmed front fenders (need to trim the rear so it looks balanced - its level, just doesnt' look it) OBA (still not completely hooked up - its a pain) Custom belly pan I had a lot of the work done at a local shop - I don't know how to do gears and there is no way I could make such a cool skid plate. The truck is running and working pretty good right now. I'm really looking forward to a good season of wheeling!! Here are some pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 Set back ..... blew my engine. But, I was lucky enough to find a very good condition 99 XJ right around the corner from me. Its got 74k on the clock and is super clean .... except for some front end damage where the kid hit a pole. I got the whole thing cheap. After I swap the engine into my MJ, I should be able to part out the rest of the XJ and make my money back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 That belly skid is badass. I just might have to copy that. Good lookin' truck. Sorry to hear about your motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted May 28, 2010 Author Share Posted May 28, 2010 The MJ is coming home from the doctor tomorrow .... with a new MOTOR!!! Whoo-Hoo. Well, its new to me .... came out of a 99 XJ with 70k miles on it .... should have a LOT more power than the old dying RENIX. I'll post pics once I get it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted June 28, 2010 Author Share Posted June 28, 2010 The truck is working great .... I like it more and more every day! Here are some recent wheeling pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 THANK YOU, another fine picture for my AWESOME CC members jeeps screen saver!! CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanche County Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Awesome truck, I'm jealous. Rear discs, skids, the works. I'm McLovin it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowboard3r411 Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 wow man thats some hardcore wheeling where is that at??? and i love your belly skid plate. did you just buy long armz and have them make the crossmember and skid?? or is that a claytons set up with belly added on?? :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted July 7, 2010 Author Share Posted July 7, 2010 Thanks guys. The pics were taken at Rausch Creek Offroad Park in PA. If you haven't ever been there, schedule a long weekend and go - its worth it!! My long arms and crossmember are the basic Clayton stuff. The skid plate is really very simple - just a few pieces of steel bent up on the edges and welded onto the crossmember. If I drop the crossmember, the whole skid comes down too - makes working on stuff super easy. I'd like to take credit for it, but I had a local shop build it. Really, its pretty cheap - some steel and about an hour of labor. Maybe $200 for the whole thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 Got to do some wheeling on Saturday. It was hot out, but we had a blast. I love my truck more and more every time I drive it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Any updates? I was admiring the LWB on your JCR thread, then searched for your build... Here I am, and I like it! As someone who also plans on wheeling a LWB, did you cut the rear quarters behind the wheel? Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Any updates? I was admiring the LWB on your JCR thread, then searched for your build... Here I am, and I like it! As someone who also plans on wheeling a LWB, did you cut the rear quarters behind the wheel? Rob L. I've wheeled the LWB for a while. Its not that bad and there have only been a couple times when the extra length caused some problems. Its funny you ask about updates because the truck is currently at the fab shop getting a complete custom tube bed made. I'm pretty excited to see how it comes out. I'll make sure to post plenty of pics when its done. Should take about two or three more weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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