Project Geosynchronous Orbit

[MoparManiac]

Thanks guys.

Yup tailgate clears just fine with the 2 x 5 a hair lower. Just held it up with some scrap metal pieces I had laying around.

No bondo for me :laugh:

 

[XJLI]

:thumbs up:

 

[Gold Cobra]

Looks good man, especially since you did all that in a tent.

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

im so envious of yo real progress

 

[MoparManiac]

Thanks guys. The tent is definitely not as good as a garage, but it serves its purpose. Not as much room or ventilation as I'd like but its better than working unsheltered.

 

[mini=man]

Progress is cool.

The bob and wheel wells look good. And you don't need a bumper to wheel, get working on more cooler stuffs.

 

[MoparManiac]

I need the bumper to mount the shackles to unfortunately.

 

[cmelo]

I like how you posted a picture of your welds from the 14ga wheel wells to the ~14ga floor to show how good you are at welding sheet. I noticed you only have pictures of the thinner stuff after it was ground down..

 

[MoparManiac]

I like how you posted a picture of your welds from the 14ga wheel wells to the ~14ga floor to show how good you are at welding sheet. I noticed you only have pictures of the thinner stuff after it was ground down..

Yeah the bed floor is definitely thicker than the bedsides so it was easier to keep from blowing through. I still don't think it's more than 18 ga.

My other welds are boogers so I ground them down as best as I could. It's not like it looks like a show car ground down either :laugh:

 

[ktm racer 419]

ktmracer approves of this

 

[mini=man]

I need the bumper to mount the shackles to unfortunately.

I guess I can accept that excuse.

 

[MoparManiac]

Finished up the other wheel well. Just gonna throw on some seam sealer and paint them on Friday.

How much room there is.

And crappy pic but this is how much frame shows below the tailgate. I'm gonna have to have some funky bumper mounts. Probably gonna tie into the big X crossmember as well.

Also got the 5.38 thick cut gears for my HP60. Picked them up for $225 shipped on Pirate (brand new)

 

[Andy in Pa.]

Looks really good!! Is the wheel well basically in the same spot as factory? It looks like it. So what is the plan for the rear leafs? Still using the factory front mounts? I would consider maybe scoring a set of s-10 springs and add a long leaf to the factory MJ packs. My personal opinion is that the main MJ rear leaf is a little weak. In your case adding another long leaf and a traction bar will allow the main leafs to hold up to lots of abuse without wrapping/breaking.

 

[MoparManiac]

Thanks Andy! Yes the wheel wells are in the same spot, however they are opened up quite a bit. At the bottom, they are 40" wide. I can basically stuff my tire to almost the top of the bedside before hitting anything (not that the suspension will let it anyway :laugh. I left some room to be able to cut some more of the outer bedside as well in case I haven't cut enough already.

Yup using the front mounts and putting the shackles on the rear bumper. I scored another set of MJ springs for cheap so I cut off the eyes of the main and threw that with an additional second leaf in to make a new pack. Basically a 6 leaf pack now.

I'd rather hold off on a traction bar but if I have to I will make one. Did you have problems with bending/breaking MJ mains?

 

[Andy in Pa.]

Thanks Andy! Yes the wheel wells are in the same spot, however they are opened up quite a bit. At the bottom, they are 40" wide. I can basically stuff my tire to almost the top of the bedside before hitting anything (not that the suspension will let it anyway :laugh. I left some room to be able to cut some more of the outer bedside as well in case I haven't cut enough already.

Yup using the front mounts and putting the shackles on the rear bumper. I scored another set of MJ springs for cheap so I cut off the eyes of the main and threw that with an additional second leaf in to make a new pack. Basically a 6 leaf pack now.

I'd rather hold off on a traction bar but if I have to I will make one. Did you have problems with bending/breaking MJ mains?

Ah, OK. Another set of MJ leafs is perfect. You should be OK without a trackbar using those additional leafs, although the packs WILL be a little stiff with no weight back there. Fuel cell in the bed? Carrying a spare/tools? That may be enough for them to not be too stiff. Once you get it together it will be test/tune time. How much weight do you think you removed from the rear with the bob?

I have not seen many MJ main leafs break, but I have seen the front and back parts of the mains (near the eye) wrap or bend. On the factory leafs there is a lot of space between the eyes and the next smaller leaf. Mine have wrapped a little bit, and my MJ hasn't really been used very hard off-road.

Another recommendation I would make is to drill out the center pins to 7/16's and use a socket head bolt instead (if you haven't already).

Can't wait to see this thing work, its looking good!!

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

its my thinkin that with 40" tires Colin will get axle wrap but thats my thinkin

 

[MoparManiac]

Ah, OK. Another set of MJ leafs is perfect. You should be OK without a trackbar using those additional leafs, although the packs WILL be a little stiff with no weight back there. Fuel cell in the bed? Carrying a spare/tools? That may be enough for them to not be too stiff. Once you get it together it will be test/tune time. How much weight do you think you removed from the rear with the bob?

Fuel cell will be up against the cab in the bed, and I have a 39" TSL as a spare I'll be tying down back there as well. The bed bob really didn't take out too much weight since it was mostly sheetmetal, and I also added more with the wheel wells. I'd say it's pretty much the same weight as before, if not slightly more. Not to mention I have a 2x5x.188" bumper on the way.

I have not seen many MJ main leafs break, but I have seen the front and back parts of the mains (near the eye) wrap or bend. On the factory leafs there is a lot of space between the eyes and the next smaller leaf. Mine have wrapped a little bit, and my MJ hasn't really been used very hard off-road.

Interesting. I only have $25 into these leaf springs right now so if they turn to crap fast then it's not a total loss. I'll grab another pack and build a traction bar if I have to.

Another recommendation I would make is to drill out the center pins to 7/16's and use a socket head bolt instead (if you haven't already).

Good idea. I'll definitely have to do that.

Can't wait to see this thing work, its looking good!!

Thanks again Andy. That 5 months until NAC-fest feels like one week with all the work I have left :laugh:

 

[MoparManiac]

I, sir, challenge you to a race.

I'm winning.

 

[foxwar71]

I'm winning.

Anthony will win that race. According the the original quote, it was intended to be a "race" for the slowest.



If you wanna have an actual speed race after our jeeps are done, I'll beat you. Smaller tires will let me go faster

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

my jeep has been off jackstands since Nov. and runs so both of you suck it