18 Year old and Two JEEPS! - Page 28

ET48 · 03-06-2010, 06:10 PM

Took a break from studying and messed around with the whole HDR thing.

Brian I think will remember these photos:

I wonder if I did them right?

ET48 · 03-21-2010, 08:54 AM

So my spring break was this week (went fast with work and jeep projects) and I had to relax by working on the jeep right? OF COURSE!!

Decided to work on the CJ since its been awhile. First I decided to make a set of heavy duty shackles. 1/4" thick side plates with 1/4" thick 1" square tub cross pieces. Grade 8 hardware naturally with locking nuts. (I had made a set for my dad's first, made the sides out of 3/8", kinda uneccessary). They came out real nice and really keep the springs straight:

ET48 · 03-21-2010, 08:58 AM

Then I decided to take the initiative and replace the original leaky steering box that was leaving puddles on my dad's floor.

Broke the Craftsman two jar puller in the process, and ended up using the torch to heat the pitman arm red-hot till it popped off with a different puller.

One of the steering box brackets were rusted through so I patched it up. Painted both brackets, bolted everything back together with grade 8 hardware and never-seize.

Here's the new box in place:

ET48 · 03-21-2010, 09:04 AM

Since I had the bumper off in the process of switching the steering box and shackles, I decided to fab up a custom bumper.

I was looking for a shorter, stubby-ish rock bumper, as the look. Also picked up some KC look alikes from the auto parts store to replace those rectangular things I had on there before.

My awesome welding skills: (Need to work more on my starting/ending)

Mounting tabs welded up on the bumper:

Painted:

Lights installed:

I think it came out real nice. It will offer more rock protection than the cheap stainless channel that was on there before. Let me know what you think....

05zx10r · 03-21-2010, 11:20 AM

dude....your skills are top notch. nice thread, could not be more detailed.

thanks!

05zx10r · 03-21-2010, 11:20 AM

awesome garage too....makes wrenching easier when you got the right place and tools!

ET48 · 03-21-2010, 11:28 AM

Amen on the garage. I'm lucky to have a dad that puts up with a son that uses his shop more than him.

Thanks for your comment.

**Apex** · 03-21-2010, 01:28 PM

Ethan, looking good. Any more plans for the TJ?

And good job on the HDR, keep playing with it...you'll eventually figure out a whole bunch of tricks.

Matt_G · 03-21-2010, 03:52 PM

what TSLs are those? how do you like them? also, is that a 3in BL?

got any detailed pics of the CJ outside or anything, im curiouse to see what it looks like in its natural environment.

ET48 · 03-21-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep02Apex

Ethan, looking good. Any more plans for the TJ?

And good job on the HDR, keep playing with it...you'll eventually figure out a whole bunch of tricks.

TJ:

Gotta change the port plug on the winch to keep water out of the port on the solenoid box.

Going to order (3) rear tire carrier pivot assemblies from A to Z fabrication for my TJ, CJ and dad's CJ. Then build the tire carriers

Looking at buying a front axle hub conversion for the D30.

Move up to 35" tires and get rid of the fake beadlock wheels.

That's about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt_G

what TSLs are those? how do you like them? also, is that a 3in BL?

got any detailed pics of the CJ outside or anything, im curiouse to see what it looks like in its natural environment.

The TSL's are TSL Super Swamper radials. Love em. Best tire I ever bought. Yah they hum on road and wear fast, but they sure make up for it offroad. Great in deeeeep snow, mud, dirt, and rocks.

Yes, that is a 3" BL on the CJ.

Other than what is already posted back a ways, that's all I have for now. (Sister took the camera for tonight and tomorrow, but I can get pictures sometime after that this week.)

ET48 · 04-06-2010, 09:48 PM

Took some time and drove around the farm some. Its been so long since the tires have touched the dirt, I just had to.

Here are some pictures that I took:

The dirtpile:

Front driver's shock not quite fully compressed:

Pass. rear shock fully compressed:

Outboarded shocks clear the tire:

ET48 · 04-06-2010, 10:00 PM

Up on a rock. I pulled up as far as I could. Drivers rear tire was starting to leave the ground.

Shock fully compressed...

ET48 · 04-06-2010, 10:01 PM

I like taking pictures of the jeep if you couldn't tell. Here is some down in the creek:

**Apex** · 04-06-2010, 10:59 PM

Looks like you need a longer shock to go with that outboarding. Seems to be a limiting factor.

honda250ex · 04-06-2010, 11:08 PM

Nice pictures man, both of the jeeps look great..