Jeep07's Rubicon

[Jeep07]

Just starting this for the build up of my Rubicon.

Pictures from a year ago when I first got her

http://lh6.google.com/image/lucentglow/RT0KHt42ABI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/0_0NvzkmmBA/s288/DSCN1139.JPG

[Country Boy]

You decided on what all you are gonna do? or we gotta wait n see?

[Jeep07]

You decided on what all you are gonna do? or we gotta wait n see?

You wont have to wait long. UPS just showed up. We will be working at the house 2night if anybody gets bored.

RE3.5 SF + BL + MML tonight. Nothing huge but it should be plenty.

[Bluegill]

Do you have an eyebolt for the front stud on the cyl. head to lift it with? :wink:
(MML)

[Jeep07]

instructions i have say use a floor jack.

[Rtaylor]

RE3.5 SF + BL + MML tonight. Nothing huge but it should be plenty.

Sorry guys, but the only thing I got out of this is that you are installing a 3.5" lift, and I'm not sure that that is right!!! I guess I'll just have to wait on the pictures unless you want to write in English. :smokin:

[HANO]

Floor Jack will work, thats what I've used in the past....

[Country Boy]

RE3.5 SF + BL + MML tonight. Nothing huge but it should be plenty.

Sorry guys, but the only thing I got out of this is that you are installing a 3.5" lift, and I'm not sure that that is right!!! I guess I'll just have to wait on the pictures unless you want to write in English. :smokin:
3.5" suspension lift
Body lift
Motor Mount lift

I think :wink:

[Jeep07]

RE3.5 SF + BL + MML tonight. Nothing huge but it should be plenty.

Sorry guys, but the only thing I got out of this is that you are installing a 3.5" lift, and I'm not sure that that is right!!! I guess I'll just have to wait on the pictures unless you want to write in English. :smokin:

haha thats why we started this thread

http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=5942&start=0

[Rtaylor]

haha thats why we started this thread

http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=5942&start=0

I gave up on that thread to. If I have to use a reference manual to decipher what a three letter abbreviation stands for you can probably forget about me reading the thread...

[Bluegill]

instructions i have say use a floor jack.

On the MML, I made a beefy eyebolt & used a cherry picker. Didn't want to risk denting the oil pan. The pass side is nice & easy, but the driver side was a pain :?

[Jeep07]

The pass side is nice & easy, but the driver side was a pain :?

No joke. Wow that took forever tonight. Byron came over and did alot of work.

I had to spend about 2-3 hours welding up a frame straightening jig for my brother-in-laws bike so we didn't get the Superflex lift installed. Maybe tommorow night.

[HARDBODY630]

why the MML?

what new wheel/ tires you getting, if any?

[Bluegill]

why the MML?

1. reduced rear driveshaft angle - very important when your d/s is only 18" (or less) long.
2. elminates need to drop radiator or shroud when installing a BL of the same height.
3. raises the engine further from the ground; less chance of getting damaged on the trail
4. it is required for nearly all "tummy tuck" high-clearance t-case skid plates
5. all Jeep MML have poly bushings - last much longer than stock rubber

[BillM]

Sounds like you are well on your way on this one. Sorry I couldn't come help even though I was probably close to your house last night. Went to my powdercoaters house to drop some stuff off and got my spindle apart while there.

[bizron]

The pass side is nice & easy, but the driver side was a pain :?

No joke. Wow that took forever tonight.


x3 haha

[Jeep07]

Front is done.

Doing back this afternoon. A few of my other goodies just arrived too ;)

Before
http://lh6.google.com/image/lucentglow/RfGK44MB1JI/AAAAAAAAAoA/DO5mh8lop0I/s800/DSCN2093.JPG

After the front.
http://lh6.google.com/image/lucentglow/RfGLI4MB1PI/AAAAAAAAAow/SiwGPfMg4bs/s800/DSCN2099.JPG


Should be drivable tonight. Then for alignment etc.

[LoOnaTik]

Wow, that's gonna look killer. Nice work!

[TiredIronGRB]

Take those bumper caps off 8)

[Bluegill]

Take those bumper caps off 8)

x2 :lol:

Looking good Wes!

[Dino1967]

nice

[Jeep07]

Take those bumper caps off 8)

i'm building new bumpers soon. Just waiting on the steel. Jarret is gonna bend them for me.

[Jeep07]

Moving along. ;)


http://lh4.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWt6uygSFI/AAAAAAAABC4/5QHeazzYcJc/s800/DSCF0325.JPG
Rings welded on.. This took some time.

http://lh6.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWuAOygSII/AAAAAAAABDQ/xXXcQZyeSUM/s800/DSCF0328.JPG
Primed waiting for paint.

http://lh6.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWuEOygSKI/AAAAAAAABDg/aQPSRiPC_1k/s800/DSCF0330.JPG
Rings primed for paint.

http://lh3.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWuHeygSMI/AAAAAAAABDw/-e0om5MMe74/s800/DSCF0332.JPG
Rings painted with Hammered paint.(Several Coats went on)

http://lh4.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWuJuygSNI/AAAAAAAABD4/AkSoW-IbuKM/s800/DSCF0333.JPG
Rims painted with Rustoleum gloss. (Several coats went on)

http://lh3.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWuQeygSQI/AAAAAAAABEQ/RdbWs_KCaI0/s800/DSCF0336.JPG
Mmmmm new shoes. ProComp Xterrain 35x12.50x15's

http://lh6.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWtVOygR6I/AAAAAAAABBk/brLNBTvVacc/s800/DSCF0340.JPG
31's on Moabs.. lots of room after the lift.


http://lh3.google.com/image/lucentglow/RgWtkeygR_I/AAAAAAAABCM/Bv_1Ry8guHY/s800/DSCF0345.JPG
35's on Rock Crawlers. ;) Filled up the wells nicely.

Ofcoarse the spare is still the little tire but I need to find another black steely and a 35 of some sort.

This week the new Driveshaft and rear adjustable UCA's should be here. Along with some better rocker protection. ;)

I didn't have someone else mount/balance them. Dad and I got them mounted (he had to school me on the best way to do this) and then I filled each tire with around 8.5 oz of airsoft pellets from walmart. I was very surprised that this actually worked, but it does and works well. ;)

Now to actually go trail riding.... Next weekend :grin:

[Dino1967]

very nice :smokin:
a guy at work is going to cut me some when the time comes

[TiredIronGRB]

Very nice, the gray goes good with the blue.

[LoOnaTik]

Man...that looks great.

The grey does look good with the blue, and matches the jeep and rubi decals too.

[Want2Wheel]

You think that the pictures look good. You should see it in person. It looks alot better. Thanks for stoping. Rob

[Gordon]

Really looking great, Wes.

[BillM]

Did you get those from Andy, Wes? You did an awesome job.

[DJRobB]

Looks awesome. 8)

[Jeep07]

Did you get those from Andy, Wes? You did an awesome job.

The beadlocks? No got them from a guy in charlotte. However Andy's price was better by about $30, I didn't see that thread until I had already tacked mine on.

Thanks guys. I'm pretty pleased with it. The part I like best is how it drives. No need for a tow rig or trailer with this one.

[duke_lover_13]

Looks VERY good!!

[Thumpszilla]

Looking good man.

[bizron]

This could very well be the sexiest jeep ever...fantastic job!

The color choices were great and I know the work was top notch.

I know I'm jealous haha. She's come a long way in a short time!

[Derrickalda]

wes you always do good work......nice......now get it out here

[Bluegill]

:smokin: Bet you can't wait to play with it, eh Wes? :wink: Nice work man!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I'm gonna do that pellet thing too. what exactly did you use and what are they made of.

[Jeep07]

Airsoft Pellets from Walmart. $3.83/2000 .12Gram pellets. I put 1 jar/tire which is right at 8.5 OZ. They are made of a plastic/rubber compound. I got the glow in the dark ones. ;).. They were the cheapest.

I decided not to buy the 10000 round box because there were already measured out and I figured the $2.00 extra I paid was worth not measuring them out.

Had the front end aligned today and she drives so much better.

[Dino1967]

kool info thanks

[BillM]

Looks good Wes. You are ready for Harlan this weekend.

[Hilla-GO-Rilla]

Thats Sweeeet! Time for some dents & scrapes :wink:

[Andy1]

Big change. Looks great!!

[88yotapickup]

how much were your beadlocks

[Jeep07]

how much were your beadlocks


I paid 220 shipped for 8 rings. I've seen them as low as 175+ shipping. I got them from a guy in charlotte. He cuts them on a laser cutter.
Got the hardware local for about $15.

[88yotapickup]

are they street legal since id be running them on my truck daily

[pplblazerdude]

Rock City Fab makes them. He is located down here in Greenvile With me. http://www.rockcityfab.com/ Thats his site. If you get something small from him we may be able to arrange me to bring them home with me at the End of April.

[Jeep07]

are they street legal since id be running them on my truck daily

Well they are homemade so nope. buy the steel wheels they are welded to are probably DOT approved.

People always ask about street legal beadlocks. Has anybody ever taken flack from a cop about beadlocks? I would think they would be much more interested in bumper height etc.

[Country Boy]

Looks killer :smokin:

[Monstero]

With so many "simulated" bead locks out there I wouldnt think that a cop would pick on ya unless he is having a bad day or knows what they actually are...

[Rtaylor]

are they street legal since id be running them on my truck daily

Well they are homemade so nope. buy the steel wheels they are welded to are probably DOT approved.

People always ask about street legal beadlocks. Has anybody ever taken flack from a cop about beadlocks? I would think they would be much more interested in bumper height etc.

I got a killer deal on a set of beadlock wheels from a guy in West Virginia because the police stopped him because of the beadlocks. They told him either he could remove the wheels or remove the license plate :shock: ... I put them on the Bronco and never had an issue with the police, but they are more strict in some states /counties vrs. others

[LoOnaTik]

Rock City Fab makes them. He is located down here in Greenvile With me. http://www.rockcityfab.com/ Thats his site. If you get something small from him we may be able to arrange me to bring them home with me at the End of April.

Link no worky.

[Jeep07]

At the M&G I did the RTI Ramp. I just got Brian to send me the drawing of the ramp and from my estimate I made it up 105" which returns a score of 1124.2 for a 93.4" WB.

Not bad for my little jeep. This is interesting because at the last M&G I had the xterra on shawns 30* ramp and it scored around a 500. From a conversion calcuator the Jeep would do a 769 on a 30* ramp.

I can live with that :grin:

[TiredIronGRB]

Yea, your Jeep and Jeff's Disco went the futherest on it.

[pplblazerdude]

There any pictures of people on the ramp?

[Jeep07]

Back from the dead thread...

After I finished the Ftoy I had no idea what I was going to do with this jeep. I took the RE lift off and sold it along with the tires and wheels. I put the stock springs and control arms and tires back on. I left the Rockers and Skids on the jeep. The jeep got driven occasionally but not much. I considered trading or selling it but never did. Well last summer I got an RV and quickly realized the jeep makes a perfect Towed vehicle. Its short, has the right transfer case, is a convertible etc... So last summer we used the jeep a lot. Well my daughter is approaching 2 years old and we are planning on camping more and more.. So the jeep will be getting more use and hopefully some trail riding on our camping excursions.

With all that in mind the jeep is going under the knife.

First was some steering upgrades because I despise the Ylink steering that jeeps come with. I ended up with a Rusty's Steering kit that should do fine for the jeep. Byron helped me install it Saturday.

Next is the undercarriage. The downfall to most jeeps is the stock tcase skid. So I've designed a new one to cut out.

Here is a pic of the design. I still have some more measuring to do and add some drainage ports etc.. After that I will take some time and cut it out and install it. It will put the skid 1.5" below the frame rails.

2546

I have no plans of lifting the jeep anymore and the largest tire planned is a 33 but maybe a 32.

[BroncoMike]

Ah come on man put some lift back on it!:tongue3:

I like you jeep and like it a whole lot with the lift and beadlocks you had on it.

[Jeep07]

I had a chance to work on this thing a little today.

I decided to do the locker bypass mod. Quick and Easy.

Only 3 wires to tap into for the mod so I used a molex connector to make in plugable.
2582

I used the other end of the molex and taped into the wiring harness in the jeep.. Pins 1, 6 and 7.
2583

Finished and installed.
The Red switch enables the bypass mod.
The 2 black switches control the independent lockers. 1 for Front, 1 for the Rear.
2584

Then I worked on the tummy tuck. Here is after I cut it on the CNC table
2585

Here are the pieces on the work bench. I have some bending to do now.
2586


Video of the skid plate being cut.
YouTube- Home made cnc table cutting 5/16's

[tjrockcrawler]

Kewl.

[Derrickalda]

Video of the skid plate being cut.
YouTube- Home made cnc table cutting 5/16's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqTOBBJ5IDU)

nice!, how messy is that shop floor when you use that thing. i miss my cnc plasma...alot. we built a special fully sealed room for it to keep the dust down. looking good

[Jeep07]

nice!, how messy is that shop floor when you use that thing. i miss my cnc plasma...alot. we built a special fully sealed room for it to keep the dust down. looking good
I've got a water table under it. So the plasma table doesn't generate any smell, dust or smoke..

[96 coutry cherokee]

How hard is it for you to progam it to cut what you want??

[Jeep07]

Not bad. Just CAD work then some setup in a program called sheetcam. All point and click stuff.

[bizron]

looks great...I like that clean wiring job

[Jeep07]

looks great...I like that clean wiring job
Thx.

Worked on the skid some more tonight.

Started Bending it and welding the gussets in place. I hope to finish the bending and welding tomorrow.

2608

2609

[Jeep07]

Shortest driveshaft I've ever built.

[Want2Wheel]

What is that for?

[Jeep07]

The Rubi.

[Want2Wheel]

That is so cute, I was not sure.

[Jeep07]

Some cnc work tonight. Now for some bending and welding. This is a skid for the trans and oil pans. Should be plenty beefy. I only had 5/16,s plate readily available. :0

[Jeep07]

Rendering. The front will have a 1" sq tubing piece that comes down from the motor mounts to secure it. The side tab is so I can make a brace to the stock place in the frame where the stock one bolted in if I need to.

2752

[Jeep07]

Just bent it and welded it up. Let it cool and paint. Gotta get some machine screws and bent a little tube next.

[jeepinmatt]

Nice work. Its rewarding to see stuff go from idea to execution.

[Hadfield4WD]

Sure beats my cardboard template, sharpie and angle grinder.

Looks good Wes.

[af82ram]

are those true beadlocks that you can drive on the street. if so i need some for my new yj.

[Jeep07]

They were weld on kits. 99ncxj sells them cheaper than I bought mine. I sold the wheels and tires in the pics to duckbuster on here. Being weld-ons they are technically not DOT approved but the wheels I welded them onto did have the DOT sticker.

I never once had an issue with the law asking about the wheels.

[af82ram]

ok could i get some weld on rings for M/T clasick alluminum wheels?

[Jeep07]

Brad at barnes4wd can hook you up with the aluminum stuff.

[Jeep07]

Finished up the Skid. I countersunk the machine screws and built this cross member that comes down from the bottom of the frame side motor mounts (conforms to the concave shape and has 2 bolt holes).
2762


Here is the entire skid. The jeep has about 13" of belly clearance with pretty much stock suspension compared to about 9-10" and this new skid is plenty beefy.
2761

Now I'm studying different Mid arm and Long suspensions trying to see what I can get on this jeep and keep it this low + maintain all the road manners or make it better.

Ready for URE though!. :)

[Hokie_YJ]

Looks good Wes! This thing would be sweet with about 2-3" lift and a set of 37s. :skull:

[Jeep07]

Sweet would be no lift with 35-37's, CO's, a mild stretch with a 6.0 and 4l80e. One day.. One Day.. I'm most excited about my next upgrade.... Paying it off next week hah.

[Hokie_YJ]

Now you're talking!

[marko]

Post some pics man!!

[Jeep07]

Under the knife again.. 2.5" LA lift going on. Front is done. Rear is next. Coming together well. Front is a radius arm style lift with modified arms for only 2.5" of lift. Rear is technically a 4link w/panhard. It will require some modifications to the exhaust. Also have my CV shaft to go in and a new rear seal for the tcase.

My goal with this jeep is comfortable ride (hence the long arms), Lower COG, reliability, retain the ability to flat tow it behind my RV for weekend warrior duty when we go camping etc.

33's of some sort will go on in the future. If it ever needed to get larger a set of fenders and it could run 35's easily again.

I'll get pics tomorrow..

[Hadfield4WD]

Nice. Did those shafts work? I really like the MTZ tire.

[Jeep07]

Haven't replace that shaft yet. I figured I would save it for when I have the rear tires off already which will be tonight. I'll check the MTZ as well. I think Adurbin put them on his jeep and they looked good.

[BroncoMike]

I've always like your Jeep Wes especially with the beadlocks, Just hate that you took the other lift off.

[HANO]

Yeah I ran the MTZ as well as my buddy John. They did well

[Jeep07]

Welp pulled the drivers side axle shaft that has been giving me trouble... Evidently when I had the 35's on it I put it under some stress. The splines were twisted and the shaft was bent. Had about 35thou run out on the edge of the flange. Put the replacement shaft in and it seems to be good. Also popped in a new tcase rear seal and the cv driveshaft. Now time to see if that takes care of the leaks. Long Arms are installed and I put a new muffler on the exhaust to clear up the Long Arm clearance issues. Now for some road time and some adjustments.

[Jeep07]

Worked on the jeep some over the past few weeks. New CV Shaft installed and adjusted the suspension for the pinion angle. Also put an adjustable rear trackbar on along with some shock relocators to keep the shocks out of the coil perches on the rear.

Also ordered some 33" KM2's for the jeep.. RPM is closed until the 15th so I'll have to be patient until they get back to pick them up. I'm ready for spring weather so I can enjoy it.

I plan on doing some new bumpers soon and I have a warn 9500 winch to go on it.

[99NCXJ]

So are you dragging it to uwharrie again or bringing the ftoy?

[Jeep07]

Bringing the Jeep.. It's plenty capable for URE and has enough seats for my family. Not to mention street legal and has a top if it rains.

I want to test out the long arm suspension as well.

[96 coutry cherokee]

I must have missed those pics ;)

[Jeep07]

Nothing special but I think it will look good with the new tires.

[HANO]

ANYthing will be better than your old tires! How does the frame side of your lower arms mount, and what did you do with your uppers?

[Jeep07]

The front is a radius arm setup. The rear might as well be a radius arm. The rough country lift shares the same vertical plane for the frame side upper and lower mounts. The brackets actually sandwich the frame and the joints are mounted directly below it. They had their demo rig at Sneedville one day when we were riding and I got to see it work. It seemed fine but for "comp" setup I would prefer separation at the frame side as well.

You can see the frame mounts in this picture. They main steel piece is about 3/4" thick solid CR steel. The brackets coming off it are about 3/8" thick. The lower links are 2" 3/8" wall.
http://image.4wheeloffroad.com/f/29157580+w750+st0/131_1007_02+rough_countrys_long_arm_tj_suspension+ extreme_flex_suspension.jpg

[Bluegill]

I always loved your Rubi, Wes. Been way too long since I saw it wheel. Is the hard top still doing good?

[Jeep07]

I sold the hardtop and it ended up in HI via the army :). It's a well traveled hardtop.

[99NCXJ]

Looks like the petersens Offroad photographer should get some better lighting for their photographs. The shadows are bigger than the parts!

Looking forward to seeing this type of kit in action.

[Derrickalda]

Looks like the petersens Offroad photographer should get some better lighting for their photographs. The shadows are bigger than the parts!

Looking forward to seeing this type of kit in action.

not real parts. cpu generated with bad shadowing

[Jeep07]

Pics. New tires.
http://184.72.239.143/mu/61510200-162a-f7c2.jpg
http://184.72.239.143/mu/61510200-163d-b5c4.jpg

[Bluegill]

Nice! :kewl: Been debating which tire for my next upgrade & can't decide - KM2, MTZ, or kevlar MTR's :icon_lol:

[BroncoMike]

Muucho bettah!!!!

[HANO]

Man I'm glad you got rid of those other ones, I was about to pitch in on getting you a new set. Whew :icon_mrgreen:

[Jeep07]

Man I'm glad you got rid of those other ones, I was about to pitch in on getting you a new set. Whew :icon_mrgreen:

I've still got them. I will mount them on 8 lug wheels and bring them to you so you can experience just how capable they are :).

[99NCXJ]

Looks good. I can't say much about the km2's off road but they are holding up great on the street for me. Not bad in the rain either (unlike my old km's)

[ParadisePWoffrD]

A Guy I wheel with some runs 40" km2s. They seem to grip well and go anywhere tsls will go even in the sticky mud. If I was running a street rig it'd be km2s or maxxis.

[Jeep07]

Got some 10 Factory Rear Chromo shafts to put in it. I have some front trackbar and steering work to look at. I'm not pleased with that currently. Seems to have bump steer which I don't like. It does great offroad with the current setup however.

[Jeep07]

Chromo shafts installed with new bearings and seals. Getting ready to tow it to the beach tomorrow for some vacation.

[HANO]

Chromo shafts installed with new bearings and seals. Getting ready to tow it to the beach tomorrow for some vacation.

I know a perfect beach btw :icon_mrgreen: