2 jeep build thread/blog.

In an attempt to speed up the "completion" of these jeeps, I'm putting the coilovers on the back of the wj. Saves me fabbing up coil buckets, allows me to put off caging the xj, the fit the build type of the wj better as my xj is the ghetto beater and her wj is the "sexy beast"(her words not mine). Picking up some 2"x.25 wall dom Saturday and got my 1.25" ruffstuff Heims ready to go. The uppers will be 1.75x.120 wall with 7/8" Heims. Triangulated uppers with straight lowers. Hope to have it sitting on the 14b, coilovers, and long arms by Monday.
 
Sitting on coilovers and long arms. Not bad for a days work.




It's a little misleading, still need to swap in the 14bolt and build all the mounts on it. Truss it and build the upper long arms. I did drive it after the coilovers and long lowers and it already feels smoother on the street. Soaks up the bumps better and doesn't jack the rear end under hard acceleration. She's going to be sweet when it's all said and done. Another day of fab tomorrow. Now off to harbour freight to pick up a 9" angle grinder as the 4.5" isn't cutting it for me anymore.
 
wow man thats awesome. You move fast, I like it. You turned on the turbo. Thing is looking sweet. good call on doing one thing at a time. Get the coil overs and long arms done first make sure thats 100% solid. then do 14bolt. that way you don't shoot yourself in the foot doing too many projects at once and end up with some vibes or weird noises and not know why...
 
The upper long arms will go in with the 14b though, I'm not trying to weld on 4 link mounts on an axle that's coming out. I'm hoping to have the new axle in tomorrow. Might pull the tcase out during the week. If things go smooth I could have hers done by next weekend. Haven't touched the xj in a couple months, but I am going to build lowers for the rear with the 1.25" Heims, wasn't a fan of the 7/8" lower idea I went with when I started 4 linking it. Bunch of little stuff left on the xj too. Hope to have both of them ready for a test run in early April.
 
Man both of those rigs will be sweet...
 
More progress, truss and Uca mount in progress. The truss is 3/8" plate, the mount is 1/4". I plan on adding gussets where the truss meets the axle tubes. Not looking like its going to be finished today, but I still love fabbing things. It might not be as pretty as what's available aftermarket, but it's plenty strong and the plate was all free from work, so at this point I'm about $1200 into the 4 link and 14b swap and that includes the coilover purchase. There are plenty of people on here with more than that in a dana 30, so don't think performance and strength have to come at a premium. Buy used parts, don't be afraid to build your own parts and most importantly have fun.
 
Just ordered 2 17x8 rims and a conversion joint and strap kit, so we are up to $1400 on this swap. Coilovers, 1.25" Heim lowers, 7/8" uppers etc. only thing left to buy is a locker for the rear so say $1700, but should be able to get $400-500 for the 44a with discs, truss and an Aussie. $1200 to go from a 44a on short arms and coils to a 14b on coilovers and long arms, I'll take that every day of the week.
 
zachandandy said:
Just ordered 2 17x8 rims and a conversion joint and strap kit, so we are up to $1400 on this swap. Coilovers, 1.25" Heim lowers, 7/8" uppers etc. only thing left to buy is a locker for the rear so say $1700, but should be able to get $400-500 for the 44a with discs, truss and an Aussie. $1200 to go from a 44a on short arms and coils to a 14b on coilovers and long arms, I'll take that every day of the week.
Click to expand...

If you are willing to take payments and setup that 44a SUA for my MJ. I will buy it (=
 
Dude thats awesome . Way better than spending 600$+ on custom shafts for the 44a ...
 
Talking to the west sac driveline guys they say Spicers are re-boxed NEAPCO joints for the 1350-1310(not all spicers are, only a few like the conversion joints here and there) . I got a strap kit I think on rock auto for 5$ and a moog Conversion joint for 16$ on SUMMIT. And a NEAPCO conversion joint for 31$ at west sac driveline.

maybe rwkhaus on here can hook it up with a grizzly for like 450$? the lock rights for the 14b go for around 350$ but hopefully you can find something cheaper.
 
I'd take payments but I'm done setting up axles for now. Need to finish one more lca mount, build upper arms and frame mounts, and make coilover mounts for the axle. I have it rolling around on some milsurp 37's. I'll be very glad to have this swap done, tired doesn't even begin to cover it. I will have to say that after years of using various 4.5" angle grinders, I don't know why I didn't buy a 7" any sooner. Makes the 4.5" feel like a dremel tool.
 
i have a lincoln locker for a 14 bolt (welded gears in carrier) for sale for $75 if interested in a cheap spool.
 
Out with the old

In with the new

Still got more to do than I'm going to get done today, but got the spare tire well cut out and the lowers are done. Need to build uppers and upper mounts on the frame side, coilover mounts on the axle, swap tcases and a bunch of other things.
 
More progress, tank in and raised about 6.5", still need to deal with brake lines, pinion angle, get the tires mounted on the wheels, shave and reenforce the dif cover, and wire the pick up for the front abs.

 
Hers is done and ready for the rubicon, aside from the rear driveshaft I ordered from Tom woods. Flex is amazing and the axle doesn't travel forward like it did when it droops.
 
Fix a hole in the down pipe, wire up new winch solenoid, finish welding up a rear lca, figure out rear bumpstops, mount the last tire/ inner airlock, mount and wire tranny cooler, fill t case, flush cooling system I think that's it, and I know it's mostly little stuff, but I commute 2 hrs each way, haven't worked less than 10hrs a day for weeks, and there's talk of working weekends now too.
 
Got the wj done, has a wicked front end vibe between 30-45 mph. Developed after the last hollister trip, stayed through axle swap and new rear driveshaft so it has to be from the front end. Pulled the front shaft and it's still there, checked everything for play, track bar and steering are tight, ball joints are tight, it is slightly toed out, replaced a unit bearing that had a little bit if play, I'm thinking tires out of balance but any other ideas?
 
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