front end touch up

[xcm]

the truck getting the work is the white commanche, and thats where all the work went down.
the existing front suspension was rk 3link, deaver 5.5 progressive rate coils. tnt trackbar system, and jcr steering.
rear is a locked soa d44, at about 6" of lift, its 2wd, runs 33 bfg mt's, and is geared 4.56.

its a desert runner, obviously.



to start off, we wanted to install some HD offroad engineering front frame plates,



removed the front axle, loosened brake lines, removed front fender support, cleaned paint,

started on the passenger side, it's easier, there is bending involved, and lets just say im glad i didnt need the upper control arm bolt hole , as it didnt line up.


i started up front, and moved back, bending as i went, as pictured. it came out nicely bent.

on drivers side, had to notch around a tnt trackbar bracket,





in anticipation of new tube bumpers, and a general 'while the welders out' we plated up the front.










had to make up something to replace the steering spacer thingy...

 

[xcm]

2.5, 10''s fox bypass shocks, t&j upper shock mount (BLEH!), and lower mount relocated off the lower control arm bracket




had to clearence the fender wall for the big 2.5 piggyback, where my finger is pointing, before....

and after the sledgehammer...

 

[xcm]

where it sits now, im getting 10" travel... bleh!

...at bump, where i plan to set my fox 2.0 air bumps.





had some contact between the tnt trackbar bracket and the coil bucket..., cut the coil bucket.




tommorrow, i have to setup bumpstops, im not sure if im gonna be able to use my RE bumpstop extensions or not...

 

[tcm glx]

Right on!! Lets get some hids on that bad boy!

Very nice. Jim, check it, looks like there will be two pre runner MJs being built!

 

[dakineJ]

Looks good, makin' progress. Did you pull your bedsides?, I'm trying figure out what to do with mine.

 

[xcm]

yes, bedsides are pulled. it came out OK..... getting some fatigue cracks near the tail light from freeway driving with the sheet metal somewhat flappin in the wind (we added EMT supports at the wheel well, but its just not enough. (got the cracks stop drilled for the moment, and they seem to be staying put)


as far as HID's, OF COURSE this things allready wired for em! got headlights and 2 hella 4000's in matching 5k!

 

[tcm glx]

got headlights and 2 hella 4000's in matching 5k!

Is that a question or statement? I can get em if you need em!!

 

[xcm]

sorry for the snafu, thats a statement, your HID's are allready on it! (obviopusly not now, the bumper is off) couldnt be happier without throwing the extra 2 hella 4000's on it that i have for my dd.

 

[Swamprat]

i bet your neighbors love you.

and it looks good! keep em coming!

 

[crazyjim]

Haha bitchin! Looks good man, hopefully you can make it out to a Barstow trip one of these days.

 

[xcm]

i seem to be having trouble getting bumpstops to strike evenly, and/or lineup somewhat straight in the coils... anyone have any suggestions?

 

[tcm glx]

Pics so we can help..... keep in mind that the beam sways as it travels up and down.......

 

[xcm]

i just set bumpstop location and depth at full bump, (both sides at full bump), so then when i tried one side bumped independantly, of course the shock bottomed out before the bump, DOH #1,.

DOH#2, tacking it on in the backside, where you cant grind the welds very easily (ive got friends outside extracting the tube as i type)


---which leaves me now, having to re-set the bumps, so i ask, how do i set bumps? one side at a time right? should i set it to 'end up' in the center of my RE bumpstop extension? or 'start' in the center? it doesnt seem like it'll be smooth bumping on the outside edge

 

[xcm]

https://catalog.foothilloffroad.com/images/4671111%20JK%20Front%20Lower%20Bump%20Stop%20W.jpg

basically what i got down at the axle, doesnt seem to be working very well

 

[crazyjim]

We set my bumps at full bump, not droop on one end and bump on the other. I wouldn't imagine it would make A WHOLE lot of difference. I'd say if you're bumping an inch short (which you should be with those plastic pads) then you should be golden. How much of a difference did it make?

Also, I would work on getting some sort of aluminum bump plate on the axle instead of the plastic ones, I had the RE pads, and they worked great, but got BEAT over the course of a couple months. The bump would strike the side of the pad and just wear it down. I was stuck with wherever it ended up though since I ran the JKS bumps. But if you can aim yours to hit center at bump then I would do it, but be careful of travel and make sure your spring doesn't completely destroy it during the process.

Here's a few shots of how mine hit and were setup:

 

[Baja_XJ]

Looks great! And while kinda on the subject of coil buckets, anyone ever have any trouble with those things bending all out of wack?

 

[crazyjim]

Looks great! And while kinda on the subject of coil buckets, anyone ever have any trouble with those things bending all out of wack?

All of us have... or will. The next logical step is to cut it out and do a coilover

Actually I believe vetteboy (sp?) did a write up on stiffening them up in advanced fab. I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[crazyjim]

Here it is: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=982229

 

[Baja_XJ]

All of us have... or will. The next logical step is to cut it out and do a coilover

Ha you wanna buy me the coilovers? Thats the only way it will be happening for awhile. But realistically the money I have in my deavers and foxs and all the mounts if I was to do it all over again Id save the hastle, build an engine cage and throw in the few extra bucks and go ahead and do coilover on the front. But anyway Im done threadjacking

 

[xcm]

my first retry is looking like this, it hits on the outer 'edge' just like shown, cant seem to get it to hit dead center without contacting the coil at ride height down to full droop... after seeing your pic, im gonna run with that one,

onto #2!