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Discussion starter · #182 ·
Where you looking to go? Carson an option?
Yup it is. Me and the future wife have decided Hunter Army Airfield in GA, or Carson, then Lewis in Washington. If we cant have the beach in GA, I told her I at least get to wheel in the mountians.
 
I spent 6 years in the Springs after getting out and miss it every day. My brother is one of the guys who helped get MJ going when he was stationed there. Tons of great trails in the area with great camping.
 
Discussion starter · #186 ·
Well, got some work done this weekend. Ive got a trip coming up and wanted to button a few things up.

I finally got a rear recovery point on this new bumper. I forgot and sold my old bumper with my d ring on it, so heres the new one.

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and heres the front two to match,

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.

First i wanted to bevel the edges for a stronger weld.

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I got them welded up where i liked, had a few options but think these worked out best for my needs.

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Easy to get to, be able to pull from pretty much all angles off either side, and its right next to the frame so it should be strong.

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and with the rings...

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then I wanted to add some more "beef" to my truss. Its been an on going project for 1 year now lol.

First I added some weld to the top where it runs across the diff housing. Actually penetrated and held too. Then I added a brack from 2 of the diff cover bolts and tied the truss into it. And then I added a triangulated gusset in the corner for more strength.

Forgot to take pics.

Then, just for grins, I figured a peice of tubing running from the passenger side knuckle across to the truss would add some strength againts the long tube bending. (remember what happened to my dirty 30) lol. Heres the tube...

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heres the side mounted to the truss...

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and the knuckle side (actually spring plate)

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and the whole thing

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you can see the gusset and tube in this one.

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Over all im pretty darn happy with it. Not bad for all scrap peices of metal I had laying around. Way stronger than just the 1/4 inch over the top. Between the 3 inch .5 wall axle tubes and this truss, I dont see breaking a long side tube like I did with the 30 lol.
 
Discussion starter · #187 ·
Time for some updates...

First up I added some 55w lights to the rear. I mounted them up behind the tube bumper. They are above the skid plate too. And tucked far enough in to not get damaged by debris kicked up by the rear tires. I wired them into the reverse light circuit. They work AWESOME. I love being able to put it in reverse during a night run and see where im going.

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Discussion starter · #188 ·
And now, I have some news. I am going to be a father. My wife is due in december. Therefore we have decided that the cage is being pushed further up the priority list. Heres what Im thinking. I removed the rear doors as well now...

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(frame stiffeners are already in, as well as front and rear bumpers are welded in, aka crossmembers, and the sliders are welded in 6 places on each side) so that will be my bases for the cage.

Im going to run 1 3/4 tubing from the front bumper to the sliders, over the wheel arches. Then tie the rear bumper in the same way, again over the wheel openings. This will be the start of the "exo" ish cage. I will then tie the two sides together with a crossbar thru the rear cargo area, and again a somewhat "engine cage" from front fender to front fender. Not only will this give me lateral bracing, but a place to mount coil overs in the future.

I will then play with how I will continue the cage upward. Front and rear harness bars will be used. And either internal hoops or bars running the roof line.

I'll post more to come, and play with some photos for ideas.
 
Discussion starter · #189 ·
in the mean time... i was bored today. And with the doors all gone, I was left with only the dash speakers. And im a music junkie. SOooooo I pulled the console for some work.

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And i pulled the infinity kappa 6.75s I was using in the door. with baffels.

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Heres what Im thinking...

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First hole done....

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And you can see the drivers side completed.

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Its gonna be awesome. The music should come in loud and clear. being right by our sides. And it gives it a pretty custom touch. The baffels act as a box for sound quality and keep the elements out. And when I open the armrest, I have access to the wiring and crossovers.

All of that without having to do any wake board speakers or 6x9 boxes. Ive never seen them like this before.
 
Your ZJ is looking better and better all the time!!!


Huge congrats on the wife being prego! That awesome, best of luck and hurry and get more done on the ZJ before all your money goes to the kid. lol
 
Discussion starter · #193 ·
Your ZJ is looking better and better all the time!!!


Huge congrats on the wife being prego! That awesome, best of luck and hurry and get more done on the ZJ before all your money goes to the kid. lol
Thanks man! Its been hard with dealing with the busy flight school schedule. Definitely gonna try to wrap up the jeep before the baby gets here. I'll get some more work done this week. Im on leave till the 15th.
 
Discussion starter · #194 ·
Got my center console done today. Heres the baffels in and trimmed...

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and then the speakers and crossovers wired...

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Got the console back in and the wires routed...

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And she sounds AWESOME. I love being able to rock out again. With all the sound right next to you, you can feel the music in your body too. :smokin:
 
Discussion starter · #195 · (Edited)
Got a new project today! A guy on Craigslist was selling two ford 9 inch rear ends for $50 a peice. I couldnt pass it up, and went and snagged them both, one for me and one for a friend.

Wasnt planning on swapping axles, was happy with the D44 but heres why I did it. My D44 pinion has been getting sloppier and sloppier. And its still the 5x4.5 bolt pattern. My front axle is a waggy D44 with the 6 lug. No bueno. Always had to carry 2 spare tires, one for each lug pattern. So with the 9 inch swapped in, I can convert the front to the big 5 pattern, the rear to big 5 pattern, and be happy. Plus the marginal strength increase in the 9 inch ring gear.

Plus, hey, I got a 9 inch for $50. hahaha. By the time I sell my D44 with disc brakes and 4.56s i'll be way ahead.

Heres the axle.

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Tag says

WDD
300 5JC 3

What I know so far is its the small bearing, early 9 inch. 3.00 gear, and open diff. Also appears to be out a coil spring car, with the flat top 3.25" axle tubes. And its about 63in axle flange to axle flange. Gonna look more into it.
 
Discussion starter · #197 ·
Nice find! I like the console mod too. I may end up stealing that idea.
Thanks man! Probably take me a while to build it, since its not priority, but it'll be something to tinker with.
 
Discussion starter · #198 ·
Well I got the third out. The beast is HEAVY lol.

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The tag on it says

C4AW
4C25A 28

Heres how she sits now. Ready for a serious clean out, and all the brackets are getting cut off. Gonna start from a clean state.

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Fun project. I have never seen a pinion guard on a 9 inch, I assume that is what it is in the pic.
 
Discussion starter · #200 ·
Fun project. I have never seen a pinion guard on a 9 inch, I assume that is what it is in the pic.
Well basically. It was used on top of the pinion on the original car, and had a rubber snubber on top to prevent contact with the driveshaft tunnel. Its plenty thick and way beefy though, so im gonna flip it underneat the pinion as a guard.
 
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