Project Downward Spiral

[asp]

what about all the jeeps bump gets and parts? i bet one of those, while not ideal would work just fine... it would be a helluva lot cheaper...

 

[5spd_xj]

agreed. at least to get it going sooner. and that's something that can be redone relatively easily once you save up some funds down the line...

 

[RCman]

i have a stock tank/pump you're welcome to

I appreciate that.

Ah thats true, I forgot that you pretty much have to buy a bunch of new stuff anyways. Makes sense now.

Yup.

what about all the jeeps bump gets and parts? i bet one of those, while not ideal would work just fine... it would be a helluva lot cheaper...

agreed. at least to get it going sooner. and that's something that can be redone relatively easily once you save up some funds down the line...

I havn't cut any corners now, I'm not going to start with the fuel system. Plus the stock tank is just plain ugly when you mount it inside.

 

[5spd_xj]

"to get it going sooner" meaning, I didn't expect you to "cut corners", I'm just looking to get you wheeling sooner...something like buying a cheapo joint for your links or something I could understand not doing. But if this won't really cost ya much and could get you going that much sooner, who cares? Just change it out later; not like it's a permanant thing, nor is it one that's going to cost you much more, if anything, in the long run...:dunno: correct me if i'm wrong i guess? lol. just get wheeling



...And before anyone starts being mean...i know my jeep is on jackstands too

 

[muduck18]

...And before anyone starts being mean...i know my jeep is on jackstands too

Wait, isn't every one's on jack stands?

 

[fosforito_one]

Wait, isn't every one's on jack stands?

Only people who have money are on jack stands everone else is on block, stumps, or whatever else we can find to keep it off the ground. :repair:

 

[billyjp2]

why are you using DOM and not something like ERW? A guy who works at my buddy's shop is a hotrod builder and sings the praises of ERW for cages and frames. The stuff costs 1.50 a foot and from my understanding the only difference with DOM is that it has a seam. The NHRA sanctions ERW for use in cages up to the 9.02 second class. It would come out to about 160 ish for a complete exo on a full bodied 4 dr XJ.

 

[5spd_xj]

I think it's because DOM is a tougher tubing as far as things like dent resistence is concerned...a drag car only needs it's cage to survive one crash whereas your jeep's cage is constantly getting smashed and chipped away at... 0.02 cents I don't know for sure, but hey. Sounds about right to me :laugh3:

 

[Glenn B]

Wow, what a build, and great documentation. I have really enjoyed reading this one... probably the first "long" thread I have read here in several years.

Looking forward to seeing this work of art in person someday. Keep up the good work.

 

[RCman]

why are you using DOM and not something like ERW? A guy who works at my buddy's shop is a hotrod builder and sings the praises of ERW for cages and frames. The stuff costs 1.50 a foot and from my understanding the only difference with DOM is that it has a seam. The NHRA sanctions ERW for use in cages up to the 9.02 second class. It would come out to about 160 ish for a complete exo on a full bodied 4 dr XJ.

There is a bunch of semi-heated debates on this very topic all over the place. I'm using DOM.

Wow, what a build, and great documentation. I have really enjoyed reading this one... probably the first "long" thread I have read here in several years.

Looking forward to seeing this work of art in person someday. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Glenn! Its nice to know people are reading.

Didn't get but a few hours of work done this weekend. Nothing noteworthy.
Hopefully next weekend I'll get some serious progress made.

Here is a quick picture of the completed passenger side upper mount, as I promised one of you guys a page back or so. You can see how the fuse/relay box gets shifted toward the front a couple of inches. Once I figure out how I'm going to remount the collant tank where the stock battery used to be, I'll post it up.

 

[MoparManiac]

This thread is full of awesome.

 

[foxwar71]

Bill, is that a hammered finished spray paint on the front shock mounts? How was it trying to weld the rest of the tube mount to the plating you did on the coil mount? Looks wicked pissa as usual.

 

[RCman]

This thread is full of awesome.

Thanks Colin!

Bill, is that a hammered finished spray paint on the front shock mounts? How was it trying to weld the rest of the tube mount to the plating you did on the coil mount?

Yup, that's the Rustoleum "Hammered Finish Dark Bronze" I use on almost everything.
Welding the bottom of the mount posed an interesting task, I couldn't do it all in one pass as I would have liked, but I was able to get it completely after "laying" in the engine bay at an odd angle. Kinda glad nobody was around to take a picture of that.

Looks wicked pissa as usual.

Is that supposed to mean good? I'm not up with my slang I guess. :laugh2:

 

[MoparManiac]

That's Boston for kick @$$

 

[RCman]

That's Boston for kick @$$

Haha! I knew it had to be something along those lines. :confused1
Out here in the sticks we have much different terms and calling someone or something "pissa" might end you up in trouble if they don't know you... haha. :kissyou:

 

[Dundy]

thanks for making this XJ for me Bill...I really appreciate it


P.S. I want it wheelable by NacFest or there will be consequences!

 

[5spd_xj]

thanks for making this XJ for me Bill...I really appreciate it


P.S. I want it RC by NacFest or there will be consequences!

fixed. :laugh3:

 

[RCman]

thanks for making this XJ for me Bill...I really appreciate it

No problem. You can have it with significant markup.

P.S. I want it wheelable by NacFest or there will be consequences!

I guess I'll have to take the consequences, its not looking like we'll be going to make it down with the XJ. :tear: We'll still be coming down though.

 

[RCman]

So I got some figuring done today and I had someone remind me to take some pictures along the way.

Anyway, I knew I wanted to get the rockers figured out as they will be an integral part of the cage. It would be nice to have those done so when the tube arrives I can start bending.
Started trying to figure what needed to be done with the front fenders as far as trimming them and where the rocker would end. Mounted the tire up and didn't get anywhere before I just figured it would be easier to remove it completely now and trim accordingly at a later date (they will be going back on).
Tire mocked and at full bump (5.5" uptravel):

Turned inward, still at full bump, you can see I just clear the inner portion of the fender. About 5/8" clearance.

Turned outward, still at full bump, I don't clear. I'll cut some reliefs in the pitch seem and bend it over, this should be me the clearance I need. The lower section will be cut and removed.

Once that was all figured out I cut the rockers (edges still need a little cleaning up):

Mocked up a scrap piece of tubing. I'll be using 2"x6"x0.25" box tubing. You can see I'll stick out 2" past the stock rocker location. Hopefully this will give me the protection I'm looking for.

The rockers will get some sections of 2x2x0.25 that run from the underside to the unibody rail. This will serve two purposes. First, strengthen the rockers so when I drop down on something they don't just buckle the thin sheet metal. Second a place to tie my cage mounts into.

 

[5spd_xj]

sah-weet.