front end touch up

[xcm]

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8583/dscn0120l.th.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/dscn0120l.jpg/)



the truck getting the work is the white commanche, and thats where all the work went down.
the existing front suspension was rk 3link, deaver 5.5 progressive rate coils. tnt trackbar system, and jcr steering.
rear is a locked soa d44, at about 6" of lift, its 2wd, runs 33 bfg mt's, and is geared 4.56.

its a desert runner, obviously.



to start off, we wanted to install some HD offroad engineering front frame plates,
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/637/dscn0114o.th.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/dscn0114o.jpg/)

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9264/dscn0113s.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/dscn0113s.jpg/)
removed the front axle, loosened brake lines, removed front fender support, cleaned paint,
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2259/dscn0115p.th.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/dscn0115p.jpg/)
started on the passenger side, it's easier, there is bending involved, and lets just say im glad i didnt need the upper control arm bolt hole , as it didnt line up.
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2825/dscn0108i.th.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/dscn0108i.jpg/)

i started up front, and moved back, bending as i went, as pictured. it came out nicely bent.
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/7766/dscn0112z.th.jpg (http://img682.imageshack.us/i/dscn0112z.jpg/)
on drivers side, had to notch around a tnt trackbar bracket,
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/1599/dscn0118z.th.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/dscn0118z.jpg/)




in anticipation of new tube bumpers, and a general 'while the welders out' we plated up the front.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1482/dscn0122n.th.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/dscn0122n.jpg/)



http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6647/dscn0123a.th.jpg (http://img29.imageshack.us/i/dscn0123a.jpg/)
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4121/dscn0121.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/dscn0121.jpg/)
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3088/dscn0123x.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/dscn0123x.jpg/)


http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/5990/dscn0125o.th.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/dscn0125o.jpg/)
had to make up something to replace the steering spacer thingy...
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7160/dscn0128.th.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/dscn0128.jpg/)

[xcm]

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2254/dscn0139r.th.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/dscn0139r.jpg/)
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2641/dscn0148k.th.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/dscn0148k.jpg/)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8400/dscn0129o.th.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/dscn0129o.jpg/)
2.5, 10''s fox bypass shocks, t&j upper shock mount (BLEH!), and lower mount relocated off the lower control arm bracket




had to clearence the fender wall for the big 2.5 piggyback, where my finger is pointing, before....
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3241/dscn0130v.th.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/dscn0130v.jpg/)
and after the sledgehammer...
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1231/dscn0131t.th.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/dscn0131t.jpg/)

[xcm]

where it sits now, im getting 10" travel... bleh!

...at bump, where i plan to set my fox 2.0 air bumps.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6584/dscn0133g.th.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/dscn0133g.jpg/)
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6294/dscn0134eg.th.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/dscn0134eg.jpg/)
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4173/dscn0136p.th.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/dscn0136p.jpg/)


had some contact between the tnt trackbar bracket and the coil bucket..., cut the coil bucket.
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8150/dscn0137a.th.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/dscn0137a.jpg/)



tommorrow, i have to setup bumpstops, im not sure if im gonna be able to use my RE bumpstop extensions or not...

[tcm glx]

Right on!! Lets get some hids on that bad boy!

Very nice. Jim, check it, looks like there will be two pre runner MJs being built!

[dakineJ]

Looks good, makin' progress. Did you pull your bedsides?, I'm trying figure out what to do with mine.

[xcm]

yes, bedsides are pulled. it came out OK..... getting some fatigue cracks near the tail light from freeway driving with the sheet metal somewhat flappin in the wind (we added EMT supports at the wheel well, but its just not enough. (got the cracks stop drilled for the moment, and they seem to be staying put)


as far as HID's, OF COURSE this things allready wired for em! got headlights and 2 hella 4000's in matching 5k!

[tcm glx]

got headlights and 2 hella 4000's in matching 5k!

Is that a question or statement? I can get em if you need em!!

[xcm]

sorry for the snafu, thats a statement, your HID's are allready on it! (obviopusly not now, the bumper is off) couldnt be happier without throwing the extra 2 hella 4000's on it that i have for my dd.

[Swamprat]

i bet your neighbors love you.

and it looks good! keep em coming!

[crazyjim]

Haha bitchin! Looks good man, hopefully you can make it out to a Barstow trip one of these days.

[xcm]

i seem to be having trouble getting bumpstops to strike evenly, and/or lineup somewhat straight in the coils... anyone have any suggestions?

[tcm glx]

Pics so we can help..... keep in mind that the beam sways as it travels up and down.......

[xcm]

i just set bumpstop location and depth at full bump, (both sides at full bump), so then when i tried one side bumped independantly, of course the shock bottomed out before the bump, DOH #1,.

DOH#2, tacking it on in the backside, where you cant grind the welds very easily (ive got friends outside extracting the tube as i type)


---which leaves me now, having to re-set the bumps, so i ask, how do i set bumps? one side at a time right? should i set it to 'end up' in the center of my RE bumpstop extension? or 'start' in the center? it doesnt seem like it'll be smooth bumping on the outside edge

[xcm]

https://catalog.foothilloffroad.com/images/4671111%20JK%20Front%20Lower%20Bump%20Stop%20W.jp (https://catalog.foothilloffroad.com/images/4671111%20JK%20Front%20Lower%20Bump%20Stop%20W.jpg )g

basically what i got down at the axle, doesnt seem to be working very well

[crazyjim]

We set my bumps at full bump, not droop on one end and bump on the other. I wouldn't imagine it would make A WHOLE lot of difference. I'd say if you're bumping an inch short (which you should be with those plastic pads) then you should be golden. How much of a difference did it make?

Also, I would work on getting some sort of aluminum bump plate on the axle instead of the plastic ones, I had the RE pads, and they worked great, but got BEAT over the course of a couple months. The bump would strike the side of the pad and just wear it down. I was stuck with wherever it ended up though since I ran the JKS bumps. But if you can aim yours to hit center at bump then I would do it, but be careful of travel and make sure your spring doesn't completely destroy it during the process.

Here's a few shots of how mine hit and were setup:

http://teamvigilante.com/personal/jeep/bumps/IMG_0955.JPG

http://teamvigilante.com/personal/jeep/bumps/IMG_0957.JPG

http://teamvigilante.com/personal/jeep/bumps/IMG_0962.JPG

http://teamvigilante.com/personal/jeep/bumps/IMG_0967.JPG

[Baja_XJ]

Looks great! And while kinda on the subject of coil buckets, anyone ever have any trouble with those things bending all out of wack?

[crazyjim]

Looks great! And while kinda on the subject of coil buckets, anyone ever have any trouble with those things bending all out of wack?
All of us have... or will. The next logical step is to cut it out and do a coilover :D

Actually I believe vetteboy (sp?) did a write up on stiffening them up in advanced fab. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[crazyjim]

Here it is: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=982229

[Baja_XJ]

All of us have... or will. The next logical step is to cut it out and do a coilover :D
Ha you wanna buy me the coilovers? Thats the only way it will be happening for awhile. But realistically the money I have in my deavers and foxs and all the mounts if I was to do it all over again Id save the hastle, build an engine cage and throw in the few extra bucks and go ahead and do coilover on the front. But anyway Im done threadjacking

[xcm]

http://teamvigilante.com/personal/jeep/bumps/IMG_0957.JPG




my first retry is looking like this, it hits on the outer 'edge' just like shown, cant seem to get it to hit dead center without contacting the coil at ride height down to full droop... after seeing your pic, im gonna run with that one,

onto #2!

[xcm]

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1365/dscn0150tw.th.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/dscn0150tw.jpg/)

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9334/dscn0151.th.jpg (http://img697.imageshack.us/i/dscn0151.jpg/)

[xcm]

got all jackstands out by sunrise, its currently sitting at ride height with 7" of exposed shaft, dunno what we were thinking with the 2" poly block up top, we were replacing 2 oem iso's.
were gonna track down some smaller isolator blocks, and get the coils seated right (in as rush to get it on the wheels before 4am).

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7624/dscn0152ou.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/dscn0152ou.jpg/)
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9726/dscn0153fj.th.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/dscn0153fj.jpg/)

[silverslk]

Looks good!!! The Did you measure your travel with everything hooked up (ie. track bar and all just no springs)?? Do you have provisions to fill your shocks or are you gonna take it somewhere when you are done?

I can't wait to see this thing on the road.....er....in the dirt.

[Ryan93]

looks sweet man! cant wait to see it progress

[xcm]

UNFORTUNATELY, we dont have a nitro fill setup at this point, everythings gotta come out!

i did measure travel, its only 10 though.

[Loose_Nuts_Enterprises]

My front shocks (King 2.5 bypasses) are mounted very similar to yours, but I was able to fit 12" shocks in. My straps are limiting travel to almost 12 1/2" at the bumps. When I get some longer straps, I "should" be able to get 13", maybe a tad more. Do those Fox shocks have longer bodies than the Kings?

-D

[xcm]

i will grab demensions when i pull em to charge em. i do need to order limit straps. i was thinking i should buy the hardware first, then mount em and measure the straps themself?

[silverslk]

My front shocks (King 2.5 bypasses) are mounted very similar to yours, but I was able to fit 12" shocks in. My straps are limiting travel to almost 12 1/2" at the bumps. When I get some longer straps, I "should" be able to get 13", maybe a tad more. Do those Fox shocks have longer bodies than the Kings?

-D

What track bar are you using? Custom?

I know when we measured Jims, while setting up his airbumps, the track bar (RE extreme duty or whatever its called) was limiting travel. I won't say the number but it was not even 10". Just curious.

[xcm]

My front shocks (King 2.5 bypasses) are mounted very similar to yours, but I was able to fit 12" shocks in. My straps are limiting travel to almost 12 1/2" at the bumps. When I get some longer straps, I "should" be able to get 13", maybe a tad more. Do those Fox shocks have longer bodies than the Kings?

-D


the foxes im using do have the longer bottom heim, dont know if thats good or bad, it seemed better during installation. i have another set with 'short' ones (the blue one)
measurement is from the middle of the upper bolt hole.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9199/dscn0155ta.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/dscn0155ta.jpg/)

[tcm glx]

7" of exposed shaft sounds pretty good. I think your on the right track.

Take a look at the track bar, what Andy mentions is very true, the track bar can be a key item to holding you back. Since your running a 2Wd beam, you should be able to get a ton of droop outta her.

[slcpunk74]

you can run compressed air so you can drive to get them filled. Just make sure your comp doesn't puke water.

[silverslk]

you can run compressed air so you can drive to get them filled. Just make sure your comp doesn't puke water.

NOT a good idea. The difference between compressed air and nitrogen is HUGE. Even with a filter or whatever you are using there will still be a ton of moisture in the air and it will stay in there and start corroding the shock internals. just wait for nitrogen.

Dewpoint temperatures in compressed air range from ambient
down to -112 °F (–80 °C), sometimes lower in special cases.
Compressor systems without air drying capability tend to
produce compressed air that is saturated at ambient
temperature. Systems with refrigerant dryers pass the
compressed air through some sort of cooled heat exchanger,
causing water to condense out of the air stream. These systems
typically produce air with a dewpoint no lower than 23 °F (5 °C).
Desiccant drying systems absorb water vapor from the air stream
and can produce air with a dewpoint of -40 °F (–40 °C) and drier
if required.

Dewpoint of Nitrogen is approx -50°F

[tcm glx]

Translation, NO COMPRESSED AIR if you care about the shocks lasting at all.

[slcpunk74]

Lots of guys do it and thats not an argument I'm getting into now.

[tcm glx]

Lots of guys do it and thats not an argument I'm getting into now.

I am sure plenty of guys do it... I have read a ton of people doing it on Dezert Rangers... a ton of the "bros" over there think it is ok.....

I think Andy's point is very well taken. Nobody says it wont seem like it works temporarily.. but what is being said is running it is going to cause long term damage. I personally would not be willing to risk a set of triple bypass Fox's....

Now, if I was running FOAs or something like that.. maybe... those are disposable anyways...

[silverslk]

Lots of guys do it and thats not an argument I'm getting into now.

Not an argument. Just let's keep suggestions to things that are not going to damage expensive items, especially other people expensive items.:gag:

If you want to do it...go right ahead.

[xcm]

i actually may have hit the schraeder valve on a bumpstop, while it's compressed, now, it wont fully extend, if you pull it out it pulls back in, any chance i squirted out some oil? arent the air bumps kinda emulsion?


also, theyre only 2 tubes =)

[xcm]

7" of exposed shaft sounds pretty good. I think your on the right track.

Take a look at the track bar, what Andy mentions is very true, the track bar can be a key item to holding you back. Since your running a 2Wd beam, you should be able to get a ton of droop outta her.



7" of shaft is gonna shrink to 5-6" when we replace the coil isolators, and get it seated a little better, we were thinking 3" of down travel isnt very much, people allways talk about 60/40 40/60, but am confused =\.


as far as the trackbar, it was limiting uptravel due to brackets colliding, is there anything i should check about the trackbar for downtravel? i dont see anything colliding, joint-to-bracket wise at full droop (with shocks limiting)

the shocks are on, and theyre 10'ers, im stuck at 10 for a while pretty much, right?

[silverslk]

i actually may have hit the schraeder valve on a bumpstop, while it's compressed, now, it wont fully extend, if you pull it out it pulls back in, any chance i squirted out some oil? arent the air bumps kinda emulsion?


also, theyre only 2 tubes =)

If there is any question just drain and refill. We had to do Jims. Well, Fordguy did Jims airbumps. They are pretty straight forward.

[silverslk]

7" of shaft is gonna shrink to 5-6" when we replace the coil isolators, and get it seated a little better, we were thinking 3" of down travel isnt very much, people allways talk about 60/40 40/60, but am confused =\.


as far as the trackbar, it was limiting uptravel due to brackets colliding, is there anything i should check about the trackbar for downtravel? i dont see anything colliding, joint-to-bracket wise at full droop (with shocks limiting)

the shocks are on, and theyre 10'ers, im stuck at 10 for a while pretty much, right?

I don't think it's a contact bind more than just a mechanical bind that limits downtravel. Maybe with the shocks charged and springs in it, it might have forced it down more but just weight of the axle wouldn't get it to drop. I don't know maybe over the axle would be next option for removing that bind (if you have it).

[tcm glx]

7" of shaft is gonna shrink to 5-6" when we replace the coil isolators, and get it seated a little better, we were thinking 3" of down travel isnt very much, people allways talk about 60/40 40/60, but am confused =\.


as far as the trackbar, it was limiting uptravel due to brackets colliding, is there anything i should check about the trackbar for downtravel? i dont see anything colliding, joint-to-bracket wise at full droop (with shocks limiting)

the shocks are on, and theyre 10'ers, im stuck at 10 for a while pretty much, right?

I thought they were 12s... was thinking 7up and 5 down... 6/6 once isolator replaced. Your 10s should still do well!

[slcpunk74]

Now, if I was running FOAs or something like that.. maybe... those are disposable anyways...

Hehe

[xcm]

the foxes im using do have the longer bottom heim, dont know if thats good or bad, it seemed better during installation. i have another set with 'short' ones (the blue one)
measurement is from the middle of the upper bolt hole.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9199/dscn0155ta.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/dscn0155ta.jpg/)
forgot to include the pic, duh #3 http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/443/dscn0156g.th.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/dscn0156g.jpg/)

[Loose_Nuts_Enterprises]

What track bar are you using? Custom?

I know when we measured Jims, while setting up his airbumps, the track bar (RE extreme duty or whatever its called) was limiting travel. I won't say the number but it was not even 10". Just curious.


Yeah, all my steering and track bar are custom with heims. I don't think I'd call it a high steer...maybe a mid steer. I'm using a WJ knuckle, and running the tie rod off the top of the lower arm on the knuckle. Track bar mount is raised above the axle tube on the lower end with only one small bend in the trackbar to clear the diff. So the angles are pretty flat at ride hieght.

-D

[Loose_Nuts_Enterprises]

Here's some pics of how I did mine...

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l221/loosenutdan/P1040834.jpg?t=1259628110

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l221/loosenutdan/P1040833.jpg?t=1259628155


You can kind of see how I did the upper mounts, similar to the T&J's ones
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l221/loosenutdan/P1040832.jpg?t=1259628203

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l221/loosenutdan/P1040835.jpg?t=1259628381

[xcm]

as allways, when you post pictures it leaves me wanting more!

[xcm]

got started on the front bumper today,

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/8564/dscn0166.th.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/dscn0166.jpg/)

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3824/dscn0167.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/dscn0167.jpg/)


http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/8519/dscn0169.th.jpg (http://img686.imageshack.us/i/dscn0169.jpg/)

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/1588/dscn0173.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/dscn0173.jpg/)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1456/dscn0175p.th.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/dscn0175p.jpg/)

[xcm]

tacked some shit before dinner.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1185/dscn0176.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/dscn0176.jpg/)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8113/dscn0177yq.th.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/i/dscn0177yq.jpg/)
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8338/dscn0181.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/dscn0181.jpg/)
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9236/dscn0182u.th.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/dscn0182u.jpg/)


...still scratching my head when it comes to skid plate/side protection, thats a little bit more complicated bending/notching then ive done so far... gonna take my time, when skid plates go bad, they go really bad!

[dakineJ]

Looking good man, thanks for all the pics.

[4ejsmith]

love the bumper brackets

[xcm]

bumper brackets were inspired by mullen fabworks, obviously not on a jeep. it came out differant, as they standoff quite a bit less than the original. if a bit heavy, i like how the came out.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2533/10709033copy.th.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/10709033copy.jpg/)
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8154/060909007copy.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/060909007copy.jpg/)

moved my bumper to my xj, and got started on a matching rear bumper, heres first crack at brackets.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7784/dscn0183f.th.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/dscn0183f.jpg/) <- not high enough off welding fumes to cut straight.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5714/dscn0185o.th.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/dscn0185o.jpg/)

[xcm]

was going to go this route with the rear,
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5444/dscn0188s.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/dscn0188s.jpg/)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1161/dscn0186i.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/dscn0186i.jpg/)
, but it kinda evolved/devolved into this
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9791/dscn0195e.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/dscn0195e.jpg/)



thinking about just adding another longer straight peice out on the end, think im gonna use the stock hitch for recovery points with the look of those welds. sometimes when i switch from DOM to hrew, it takes me about 3" of weld to get readjusted. lame.

painted the front white, threw em on the dd and went up to gorman to dick around in the nice slushy mud. STAIRCASE WAS TOTALLY RUTTED OUT BRO.
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8741/dscn0190i.th.jpg (http://img17.imageshack.us/i/dscn0190i.jpg/)

[xcm]

it's official, shes now 4x4!

4.56 HP d30 with ballistic truss, and upsized upper to fit the rk 3-link arm. (made a costly mistake of welding on a standard 2.0 joint first time around....)

this all started when the owner destroyed a 2wd trans, forcing the upgrade to a 4x4 ax15 w/ a sye'd 242 and tom woods driveline. so theres obvious weak points to this setup, like we wanted to re-use the tracbar and steering, so our angles are fawked, and she bumpsteers. otk will be upcoming, as will upgraded axle shafts. its mainly a go-fast rig, so all crawling will be secondary.. Limit straps are also next on the list, gotta re-do the swaybar with offset arms, and weld on some tabs. This was the first d30 we've done, so all work is beta. next release will have heavier control arm mounts, if not completely re-fabbed.

motor wise, this old 4.0 just got a 99+ intake, power steering bracket and the psc kit.... no room for the new reservoir really.... i will be sticking to the stock setup here on my personal jeep. external resi's and extra AN bling are nice, but hard to fit around SMOG stuff....

A lot of these H.O. parts will be moving over to my renix once i do a head swap.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6258/1000059xm.th.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/1000059xm.jpg/)
http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/103/1000060.th.jpg (http://img860.imageshack.us/i/1000060.jpg/)
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/2525/1000058.th.jpg (http://img856.imageshack.us/i/1000058.jpg/)

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/6202/d30205.th.jpg (http://img857.imageshack.us/i/d30205.jpg/)
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5833/d30203.th.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/d30203.jpg/)
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2440/d30202.th.jpg (http://img291.imageshack.us/i/d30202.jpg/)
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/1369/d30204.th.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/d30204.jpg/)
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8618/1000065g.th.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/1000065g.jpg/)
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9438/1000064e.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/i/1000064e.jpg/)
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4576/1000063o.th.jpg (http://img218.imageshack.us/i/1000063o.jpg/)
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/1218/1000062no.th.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/1000062no.jpg/)


(http://img148.imageshack.us/i/1000064e.jpg/)

[XJLI]

das a big ps resi