Desert Runner's build thread

[Johnnie Walker]

Hey chad, what brake lines are you running in the front? Something from Vatozone?

 

[DesertRunner]

No they are rubicon express lines.. I looked into rubber lines but couldn't find a stock application that were long enough for the wheel traveI i was shooting for.

 

[DesertRunner]

the wife and i made it out to Sunday at the family fun day at Azusa. the armature rock crawling competition was fun to watch. also finally got the jeep into the dirt. she really surprised me! went everywhere i pointed even a couple lines i didn't think she would do just walked right up them!

 

[DesertRunner]

drove the jeep up staturday and got her inside the Ventura offroad show! she did the 182 mile round trip really well minus not having much use for 5th gear except on downhills the hunt for 4.10 axles or carriers to start collecting re-gearing parts has begun!

on a positive note according to math and the gas gauge i got 17mpg on stock gears (3.07's) and 33's

 

[rockclimber]

IMO you should replace that upper link with something that uses a larger bolt.

currie makes a narrow JJ ball that takes a 5/8" bolt, you could swap the JJ housing in and use that.

relying on 1 10mm bolt for all of your pinion rotation is asking for trouble.

 

[DesertRunner]

I did not know currie made one with a 5/8 bolt that's awesome! A Johnny joint has been on the list since I replaced the bushing. That just made the long list of upgrades to come.

 

[rockclimber]

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/Product.aspx?id=3581

I'm sure if you call them and ask, you can get them to sell you just the drivers side upper housing kit with that ball instead of the 7/16" they normally sell.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Hey Chad, what length shocks are you running right meow?

 

[DesertRunner]

the fronts are 12's the rears i have no clue currently im going to be building shackle boxes in a few weeks (hopefully) and i will find out then!

 

[DesertRunner]

thanks! i started on my tire carrier bumper the other day. its gonna be a slow addition as im currently working two jobs and going on vacation next week! but totally stoked to finally give the spare a home soon!

 

[DesertRunner]

On wednesday night my lf brake caliper decided it hated life and froze smoking the pads. Since I had to do the fronts I decided it was time to do the rear conversion and slap the locker in while I was at it.

Spider was chilling by my front rotor freaked me out!

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Did you buy the brake parts from VatoZone, or did you get a kit?

 

[DesertRunner]

Its a kit from 4wp I planned to hit the junkyard but ran out of time. So the kit was quick easy and available. Its just ford 8.8 parts as far as I can tell pads calipers and hardware for sure.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I was just curious, I have a "kit" that I got from someone over at CF that sells them.

 

[DesertRunner]

over the last couple days i made time to finish my bumper finally! just gotta cut out a bracket to hold a license plate light and wire up that the whip plug and the dust light. also gotta drill and tap for the bottle opener. but im in no big rush for that!

onto the pics

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Drill and tap? You should have made a cut out on the bottom of the arm for the tire carrier.

 

[DesertRunner]

Gonna mount a conventional bottle opener on the back side of the arm I'm still trying to get one cut out in 3/16 that will work.

 

[DesertRunner]

went to big bear with the lost jeeps adopt a trail








a couple up dates added rear frame plating and quarter guards

 

[Johnnie Walker]

How is your chinese plastic replacement grill holding up?

 

[DesertRunner]

No issues haha! I forgot max had to steal it for the offroad show. But this ones been good!