[c5wagner]

I'm finally going to do a build thread, taking pics tmrw

 

[c5wagner]

So this is how I got it. POS pro-comp lift, no top or hardware, no passenger seat, no glove box or center console, broken windshield, gas tank with 3 major holes, no front drive shaft and the engine was not taken care of at all, tranny was shot, different size tires front and rear, front shackles that were rectangular cut outs that didn't allow movement because they rested against the front bumper, and too many other problems to list. Most money I put into it was getting parts that were missing.

 

[c5wagner]

Expect a couple gaps where stuff was just fixed because I was not taking pictures or giving the jeep all the time because of this project.....

 

[c5wagner]

Before pic of the firebird

 

[OregonPlinker]

Is that a Chevelle or 442 or something behind the Firebird? My buddys dad had a white firechicken like that. I think it was a 67 or 68 maybe. He blipped the throttle pulling into the gas station one day and ran it through two chainlink fences out onto the next street.lol The throttle stuck when he blipped it. His dad was PISSED!

 

[c5wagner]

Is that a Chevelle or 442 or something behind the Firebird? My buddys dad had a white firechicken like that. I think it was a 67 or 68 maybe. He blipped the throttle pulling into the gas station one day and ran it through two chainlink fences out onto the next street.lol The throttle stuck when he blipped it. His dad was PISSED!

Buick skylark, it's the same body style as a chevelle though. It's my bosses project vehicle

 

[c5wagner]

So I had to clean some stuff up in my bosses shop and found enough stock and a few big rig trailer shackles to build my new rear bumper minus a tire carrier for now. I turtled my jeep so my old one broke.

I sheared off the bolt heads that held my old bumper in place because they rust froze in their locations (last time I don't use grade 8 and anti-seize). Might be hard to see from picture.

Now some of you might have a better method but I decided to use a plumbers wrench to remove the studs.

And after 20 minutes of hard work plus a few slurs for each bolt, I got them out.

Will post more when I get to cutting and welding....

 

[daddyjeep]

good idea with the pipe wrench. Looks like a good start to a bumper.

 

[c5wagner]

So back when I broke my rear dana 44 and wanted to swap an 8.8, nwbronco said that an 8.8 lsd is not so good,

Coming from Ford for a long time to Jeep. I'd stay away from the 8.8LSD if you are going to put 35's or larger. They clutch pac shims go into a notch cut into the carrier. It makes it weaker there. On the 8.8s in the F150 and full size Broncos, these would shear at those cutouts when put behind the V8s and big meats. I had to rebuild a few of them.

Bob K.

Well he was right lol. It's raining in my area today which is very rare and I wanted to get the wrangler dirty, so I headed out to the wash and on my way leaving I had to go up a hill and I heard something snap.

Since this is my daily driver, I'm going to have to put the turdy-five back in with 3.07 gears until I get this fixed lol. All of you with an 8.8 lsd be warned, this was with 31" tires and a 4.2l!

 

[OregonPlinker]

Man that sucks.. Ive never heard the term "turtled" before but I already like it. What is it though?

 

[c5wagner]

Man that sucks.. Ive never heard the term "turtled" before but I already like it. What is it though?

My old rear tire carrier stopped me from completely flipping over when I wa going up a hill that was too steep, and I was stuck on the rear tire carrier and had a hard time getting on all fours again lol. My tailgate sustained a lot of damage, and my old tire carrier and bumper are toast. Everything always goes wrong on my jeep and I don't understand why I've broken 4 different rear ends, 2 dana 35's, dana 44, and now the "tough" 8.8. I'm not even hard on my vehicle

 

[CyndiB]

My old rear tire carrier stopped me from completely flipping over when I wa going up a hill that was too steep, and I was stuck on the rear tire carrier and had a hard time getting on all fours again lol. My tailgate sustained a lot of damage, and my old tire carrier and bumper are toast. Everything always goes wrong on my jeep and I don't understand why I've broken 4 different rear ends, 2 dana 35's, dana 44, and now the "tough" 8.8. I'm not even hard on my vehicle

I think your definition of "hard on a vehicle" differs from mine. Maybe you should be driving a tank, lol. Hope you get it running soon.

 

[OregonPlinker]

I was gonna say it seems like you have trouble with rear ends. I only knew about the D44 and 8.8.hahaha Adding 2 d35s doesnt really count though. Everybody breaks those.

I think the limited slip is the weak spot with the 8.8 though. Find yourself a full carrier locker for that puppy and it will be good to go. If you look at the the strength charts (or whatever theyre called) the 8.8 is right under the d60..

 

[c5wagner]

I think your definition of "hard on a vehicle" differs from mine. Maybe you should be driving a tank, lol. Hope you get it running soon.

Compare to many people I go wheeling with, I'm very easy on my Jeep; however, I would take a tank in a heartbeat :rofl2:

I was gonna say it seems like you have trouble with rear ends. I only knew about the D44 and 8.8.hahaha Adding 2 d35s doesnt really count though. Everybody breaks those.

I think the limited slip is the weak spot with the 8.8 though. Find yourself a full carrier locker for that puppy and it will be good to go. If you look at the the strength charts (or whatever theyre called) the 8.8 is right under the d60..

It is a great axle, nothing broke or got messed up except the limited slip, I'm waiting for an ox locker to match my front. I think it broke because the very muddy hill I was going up made me really spin my tires then one tire got full traction on a rock while the other tire was still spinning, then I heard a loud snap. I had to put the stock axles back on that have a 3.07 gear ratio for now, and that is the greatest downgrade a jeep can receive. I couldn't drive up the mountains yesterday in any gear higher than 3rd, but the dana 35 didn't break going on a pretty difficult trail.

 

[OregonPlinker]

Grabbing like that is the demise of many good drivetrain parts. Dont try that with the 35 in there.lol Ive beat on mine pretty hard with a locker in it but its only a matter of time... Although mine should last quite a bit longer cause my jeep dont run currently...

 

[c5wagner]

So I didn't take pictures of building the bumper, but this is what I got done. This is a definite temporary bumper as it is too narrow for my liking. An old man (the old guy in the truck yard that still wants to be useful) who cut out the hole for the hitch is to blame, couldn't get it centered I guess so I had to take 5" of one side to center the hitch reciever :facepalm:.

Don't mind the crappy welds either lol, I let my brother get some practice since I'm going to have to build another for reasons mentioned above

 

[c5wagner]

I have this thing almost ready to go on though, just need to make a stinger bent up for it!

 

[daddyjeep]

That front bumper looks real nice. I assume you made that? I don't mind the length of the rear at all, but it is your Jeep. If you are not happy with it who am I to disagree.

 

[OregonPlinker]

Somebody will buy that rear bumper when your done with it. It looks pretty good... The front one kicks @$$

 

[c5wagner]

That front bumper looks real nice. I assume you made that? I don't mind the length of the rear at all, but it is your Jeep. If you are not happy with it who am I to disagree.

The front is my work, and I only want the rear longer so I can build a good size tire carrier soon. I might try to clean it up and sell it, or I might keep it for a while.