Length Envy: A build thread - Page 2

BlackRhino · 11-10-2008, 11:18 AM

That's an awesome project. I'm subscribed! I've actually thought about doing the same thing, although I don't have anywhere near the resources necessary to even start a project like that right now.

cgmrdc · 11-10-2008, 11:50 AM

what school is this graduate work for? whats your major?

SonofSam02 · 11-10-2008, 12:21 PM

subscribed

**fratis** · 11-10-2008, 12:24 PM

i have a similar project in the works. ill be watching yours. just don't write on this board that you are doing this because you don't like "comp cuts." seems to offend some and they will tell you to go buy a tj unlimited. good luck and keeps the thread fresh.

dukegnarley · 11-10-2008, 12:44 PM

This is for Central Washington University. I got my bachelors in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 2007. the masters program here is more generalized and is called "engineering technology". Most people haven't heard of MET. it's basically the same thing as regular mechanical engineering but there's more hands on labs and we cover more manufacturing processes, and it is ABET accredited.

I'm not against comp cuts, they're sweet for a trail rig, but I'm trying to keep mine street legal. Here in Wa you need to have your tires covered and have mud flaps, plus I'd rather keep my fuel tank down below and the extra space will be nice.

JAW_WRANGLER · 11-10-2008, 01:12 PM

i am subscribing as well! good luck

JakeAW · 11-10-2008, 04:11 PM

x5 subscribed

Lifesgoodhere · 11-10-2008, 10:02 PM

X6 Subscribed....GOOD LUCK...I like your "master's project"

**SplitPoly** · 11-11-2008, 12:26 AM

x7 subscribed!

LagartoJuancho · 11-11-2008, 06:34 AM

Totenkopf · 11-11-2008, 07:45 PM

That looks like it will be awesome.

**diamonddave** · 11-11-2008, 09:04 PM

I'll be crawlin this one for sure

TSEJEEPERS · 11-11-2008, 09:27 PM

Are you thinking something like this?

dukegnarley · 11-12-2008, 01:32 AM

UPDATE

I've been out in the Power Tech lab for the past couple of days working on the jeep. First i got her up on Jack stands and removed the fuel tank, suspension and D35.

Next up was figuring out where to cut the frame. my first thought was to cut it right where the spring hanger is. I soon realized that this would not work because the frame is getting stretched 15" and the wheelbase is only getting stretched 10". This would leave the axle off center in comparison to the frame's wheel arch. The spot i decided on was the top of the wheel arch. This had several advantages. One was keeping the cross members which the fuel tank and body bolt to lined up. Another was making lots of space above the axle to mount the coil springs. This spot also allows me to only cut the frame once thus keeping it stronger. The only problem with cutting it once in front of the fuel tank instead of once in front and once behind is that the fuel tank will remain at the very back of the jeep. I'm pretty sure the TJ unlimiteds have the tank pushed forward a bit to keep it less exposed for tail dragging. I figure if it becomes a problem i can always make new brackets and move it forward a few inches.

I started marking the frame by first taking an angle measurement of the tub. the frame extension should follow the same angle.

I then replicated the same angle on the frame in about the right spot and marked it. to get the cut in the same spot on the other side, i measured the distance from the shackle hanger/hole.

i once again used a square to transfer the line around the corners. As it turned out this didn't work so well.

Using the die grinder with the cutoff wheel, i was able to cut three sides of the frame rails.

Before finishing the cuts with the sawzall, i decided to tack on a piece of angle to keep the frame rails from seperating... just in case.

and there it is free. I was not able to find a good way to measure the body mounting points for height. although the jeep is leveled, the floor isn't exactly flat. I was getting differences in measurements of 1/2" from side to side. I poured a little water on the ground to check and sure enough the puddle moved around. I ended up deciding that i wasn't going to measure it. The new plan is to connect the frame to the new tub chunk. I will get it all lined up and tack a piece of angle to both sides of the frame to hold it in place, then remove the new tub chunk and weld up the patch piece.

Next i marked the new tub as i did before, only with the line moved farther forward.

cut it with the die grinder cut off wheel.

and attached the rear portion of the frame. That's about as far as i've gotten.....

dukegnarley · 11-12-2008, 01:33 AM

except of course to get it sort of lined up so i can take a couple of pics for my jeep porn collection.

mm look at all that space.