XJ front "frame" build

[macgyvr]

Been working my butt off on this thing and maxing out the credit cards (litterally) and at one point had 2k in parts in the company car (new 1350 driveshafts, complete psc hydro steering system, and a bunch of misc odd parts) yesterday.

My m8000 winch is delivered, just have to pick it up. Got coilovers mounted front and rear, the atlas is in and installed, including the shifters, the driveshafts are in, and the steering system is half installed. hoping the nail down the track bar tonight and the rest of the steering a long with some finish welding...

next up is the radiator and winch install.

had some good help this week and working too hard and fast to take pics. will try to get some taken over the weekend and post the progress.

mac 'its starting to come together' gyvr

 

[Goatman]

Damn, you've got a lot left to do. I do not envy you.

Why do we do this to ourselves? This stuff always takes sooooo much longer than anticipated. I'm looking forward to seeing it up close.

 

[macgyvr]

i about to go out of my mind...

the way was going to install the winch isn't going to work, so i am going to redo that...i am going to have to buy a different radiator because it won't fit the way that wanted it too and it too big and tall...

the steering is in and installed, just needs burned in...

on a side note a buddy did do some cool switches and wiring in the inside that is using factor switches to run my fan and rock lights...and he's cleaning up 10 years worth of 12 volt wires running every which way...

i hope to put fire to it by mid next week...

and i'm running out of money...

mac 'maybe doing dishes at the local moab pub to pay for any trail breakage' gyvr

 

[RCman]

and i'm running out of money...

Welcome to the club. I've been a member for awhile and have pity on you.

Anyway, build is looking good.
Maybe I missed it, but what are the plans for the steering setup?

 

[macgyvr]

psc full hydro kit...with everything needed to make it work...if i get a few seconds i'll snap the picks of it installed...

it actually installed nicely...

mac 'steering IS important' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

I promised more pics...got a second to slow down and snap a few tonight...

I just keep adding more and more tube...

my winch mount...

my winch...m8000 warn

more tube and you can see the coilover mounts

the money shot

mo money shot

coilover mounts in the rear...

braced up rear coilover mounts in the rear...

new 27x16 radiator came in today...figuring out where the tabs will be tigged...

new front driveshaft...at 20 degrees it binds...i need 30 degrees...its going to soon meet my grinder as well as a tom woods off set ujoint that is ordered...

recognize those twin sticks...

starting to figure out where the battery is going...

mac 'garage fabbin' gyvr

 

[Dirk Pitt]

Nice tits.

Jeep looks good too.

 

[bshaw]

x2 on the tits. just need to add beer.
sweet build too!

 

[lesslimited]

Not bad for implants, Miss January is still my favorite for this year. :lickout:

The heep's not bad either...

 

[macgyvr]

Not bad for implants, Miss January is still my favorite for this year. :lickout:

The heep's not bad either...

thanks john for the calendar!!

mac 'told ya it would get hung up in the garage' gyvr

 

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

What, nobody bitching about the cement blocks? Looking great. I hope to see it in Moab while hitching a ride as mine isn't going to roll till who knows when. Jeff

 

[Gravesdiggerxj]

Eaton rear axle?
wow don't know how I missed that, but I like you build even more now.
dunno what it is about eatons... they just make everything cooler:kissyou:

 

[macgyvr]

yes sir, that is an eaton...

and they are pretty cool axles to work with...if people knew more about them, they would probably make it harder for me to have spare parts (which at this point i've never needed)...

so to keep them from being popular...they suck :roll:

mac 'most people say...is that a 9inch' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

What, nobody bitching about the cement blocks? Looking great. I hope to see it in Moab while hitching a ride as mine isn't going to roll till who knows when. Jeff

the cement blocks haven't let me down yet...

i hope to see it in moab too got the radiator installed last night, as well as some other little tube work and such...my goal is to have it sitting on its paws next week and put fire to it...

mac 'getting there' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

got it started tonight...sitting on coilovers...with jack stands under axles only...not on concrete anymore...

pics to come

mac 'less than 3 weeks' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

made some progress...

the pump for the exhaust brake on the diesel that had to be replaced this week...

got to order a new ring and pinion...previous damage i suppose...

the hopefully cure for my front driveshaft woes...

mac 'down to the nitty gritty' gyvr

 

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

I'm no expert in this, but my radiator guy recommends that the thing be mounted between rubber somehow and kind of allowed to float. I can see those tabs welded to yours eventually flexing enough to crack the weld and perhaps make the radiator leak. Who knows though, it might be just fine for a long time. You got any good shots of the motor mounts you built? Jeff

 

[macgyvr]

no radiator guy in his right mind would reccommend mounting with tabs on the end like that. i ran a bar along the bottom of the front 'frame' btw the tubes to help support the radiator as well. my rock racing buddies have been munting radiators like mine for years w/o a problem...we'll see i guess...

i'll try to take a pic of the motor mounts next time the camera is out.

mac 'eat, sleep, wrench' gyvr

 

[Goatman]

So, are you going to be ready for the big dog run??

 

[macgyvr]

i'm prerunning this weekend...

i'll be ready for the big dog run...what day is it?

mac 'the odds are against me but i will prevail' gyvr