[daddyjeep]

Well... DaddyJeep is starting to show his age and is in need of a bit of a rebuild. I found out that the rear section of the frame was rotted out so I had to replace the last 18" of the frame rails on both sides.

Since I had gone this far, I decided it was time to replace my completely worn out body mounts. Then again, since I had to do that I might as well just tear it down to the bare frame. That is where I am now...starting the tear down. This is going to be a very slow build since I work two jobs and am a Cubmaster for my son's Cub Scout pack. My free time is limited to an hour or two week, if I am lucky. My deadline is to have it ready for the Bantam Jeep Festival next August.

Just to make things a little more interesting...

Thats right...5.2L V8 and 46RH tranny. I am having my local VoTech rebuild the 5.2 for me and need to find someone to go through the tranny for me. I am not much of a wiring guy so this might be a bit of a challenge next spring when it is time to get things back together and running.

If time and money allow there are several other things that I would like to get done during this build. I need to get my tube fenders built, similar to the Metalcloak ones. I need to build a real cage, which I plan on tying onto the tube fenders that will then tie into a front stinger. I want this thing completely wrapped in 1.5" DOM as one solid unit. Of course I have to finish my bumpers and tire carrier. Hopefully by the time all of this is done I should be getting pretty good with my welder.

Here is a pic of my current progress. I have the front clip off and just have a couple of really rusty body mount bolts to cut off and the tub will come off.

I really need to get started on getting the engine out of the Grand Cherokee and get it over to the VoTech before the weather gets bad. My garage barely holds the Wrangler so I will be working on the grand outside. If anyone needs anything off of the grand let me know. All I need is the drive train. Notice those sweet 5 spoke Jeep wheels. I am sure one of you guys could give them a good home. Also, My current Wrangler drive train needs a new home. 4.2L with Howell fuel injection, only 96000 miles.

 

[89JEEPYJ]

u might be better off using a simple 350 or 383 with a carb so there is only one plug to wurry about for the ignition

 

[daddyjeep]

Finally got a few minutes to start making some progress on the project. A buddy and Started tearing down the Grand Cherokee to get the 5.2 out. I was hoping that I would be able to get the engine out before winter, but as you can see in the pic...I was too late. A couple more hours and the engine will be off for rebuild.

 

[daddyjeep]

Finally have a day to work on the Jeeps again today. Anyone in NW PA that is bored is welcome to stop over. I hope to get the engine out today. I will post an update this evening.

 

[daddyjeep]

Well.... I didnt get as much done today as I wanted. I did at least get the t-case out and most of the wiring and linkages off of the motor and tranny. I will get a few hours tomorrow before work so hopefully I can get the tranny out. That 46RH is a big tranny. Not to mention I am working off of a sheet of plywood in the yard. I really need a bigger garage.

 

[daddyjeep]

Finally got the 5.2 out...and it only took me four months. Goes off to the VoTech school on Thursday. Now I can get back on the wrangler and start making some progress on the frame.

 

[daddyjeep]

WOW...progress is slow. I took the wife and kids to the Bantam Festival last month and my wife loved it...she can't wait till I get me Jeep done. That is good news!!! Now she doesn't mind if I spend a couple of hours in the garage and maybe even spend a couple of dollars now and then. With that being said, I am finally making some progress on the Jeep.

Now I just have to figure out how to get the frame down from the rafters before my garage caves in. Once I get my tub out of the way I can bring the frame back in. I have the frame mostly cleaned up and the rust repaired. Now the real fun begins. I am getting a new set of axles that have 4 links attached front and rear. 9" rear and some bastardized D30/Ford TTb front axle. I am not too sure about the front axle, but I am goung to run it until I can find a HP D44. Anybody have any thoughts on coil springs for this set up? I would like to keep it low, maybe 3-4" of lift. Coilovers obviously would be the way to go, but they are a bit out of my budget right now.

 

[daddyjeep]

PROGRESS!!! got my Ford 9" / HP D44 today. The 9" has a locker and the 4 link bars ready to weld to the Wrangler and even has a brand new disk brake conversion. The link bars are 2" lowers and 1.5" uppers with johnny joints at the frame end .

The front has the Ford raduis Arms with Johnny Joints again at the Frame end. The front has high steer arms too.

I screwed up my back moving them around in the garage so I didn't get anything else done to the Jeep, but at least I finally have the axles to get things moving forward.

 

[daddyjeep]

A little photoshop work of the new LCG plan. I am trying to get as close to stock height as I can and still fit 35's. Planning on running 14" air shocks. Not sure yet how much shock I will be able to fit.

 

[Irongrave]

looks like a fun rig. if you need a hand your only about 2 hours from me I could make the trip out one weekend

 

[daddyjeep]

Irongrave,
I will probably take you up on that at some point since we are both doing similar builds. We can compare notes and I can definately use the help. I have to get it done in time for the Bantam Jeep Festival in June.

 

[Tarby]

I see your getting things done Mr. Morgan...Look me up if you need some grunt work done...

Steve

 

[daddyjeep]

I am getting my frame cleaned up and ready to start laying out the 4 link today. I found an easy way to get the leaf spring mounts off. I only wish I knew this before i cut the first one off, now I have a lot of grinding to do on that one.

Cut to the hole in the bottom and then from the hole to both corners. You can then break off the three pieces with a hammer and have very little grinding to do to clean up the rails.

After my lunch break here it is time to tackle shock mounts and motor mounts.

 

[daddyjeep]

Nice clean frame rail, like there was never a leaf spring mount there....or shock mount....or motor mount.

 

[daddyjeep]

I flopped the frame on top of the axles last night so it started looking something like a vehicle again. Now I have to start figuring out how I am going to get the axles attached to the frame without a body or a drive train. Wow, I really need a bigger garage. I can't even get into my beer fridge.

The rear lower links end up right around the center body mount and the rear axle needs to be another inch or two farther forward unless I modify my rear crossmember. Then I will have even more gas tank issues. I really want my tank to stay under the Jeep. Does anyone know about how long a long arm type lower link should be for a YJ? I want my wheel base to be as long as possible, but don't want to have to move the tank or steering box.

 

[daddyjeep]

113 days until BJHF

Got my first new parts added to the Jeep today. It is great to finally be building instead of tearing down. Got a box full of goodies yesterday from Ballistic Fabrication...most of my link and shock brackets. I say most because I forgot to order the rear axle link brackets.:facepalm: They should be here Monday or Tuesday.

These Brackets from Ballistic are great. They are mounted at a bit of an angle on the frame due to the length of the radius arms putting them on the angled part of the frame and the Ford raduis arms angle in a bit too.

I will be boxing the brackets to the frame because they hang out so much.

This shot is at ride height. I was a little concerned that the raduis arms would hit the frame at full compression.

This is with the jack stands in the front lowered to full stuff. I still have a little room to go.

Also started looking at my steering. I installed a Chevy Astro steering box. I really don't like how low and far out the pitman arm is. I am going to try the pitman arm off of the astro box on my stock box and see how that works out.

 

[Irongrave]

nice progress

 

[rykemc]

Looking good sir. Will be keeping up with your progress.

 

[sp33dfr33k]

Here we go... This is exactly what I was hoping to find...! It looks great..! I have a lot of Q's for you, but I'll save them for P.M.s. I have to try to find the link to Irongrave's build next (Maybe he's doin' it super secret stealth style..?)

 

[sp33dfr33k]

Hey daddyjeep, If ya don't mind I'm gonna save some of these pics... I'm shoppin' for brackets and things now...