Daddy Longlegs: Poison Spyder Stretched LJ

**DTS** · 07-25-2012, 12:59 PM

Daddy Longlegs is a '05 Unlimited owned by Larry McRae, our boss here at Poison Spyder. We've been using this Jeep as an R&D mule for several new products while working it toward its ultimate goal of being Larry's next trail rig. Plans are to keep it long, low and wide. It will use a mixture of Poison Spyder off-the-shelf and custom parts, plus a few goodies from some of our friends in the industry.

Here's what we started with, straight off of Craigslist:

Unfortunately the sticker had to go because it was attached to the hard top, which was removed and sold. After that the tear-down commenced...

Meanwhile parts started coming in, like a pair of RockJock 60 housings, axles, unit bearings, etc from our friends over at Currie Enterprises.

Also started working up some custom Poison Spyder parts, such as the Crusher Corners and Rocker Knockers modified for the wheelbase stretch and larger wheel openings

**DTS** · 07-25-2012, 01:09 PM

With all of the stock exterior stuff stripped away, time to start fitting up the Poison Spyder armor.

Daddy Longlegs helped with development of our new DeFender XC's, the highline version of our DeFenders. Here is a test-fit of an early prototype for the "Negative Flare" version.

With the body armor mostly mocked up, it was time to go on the lift for some work underneath. Off came all the stock axles, T-case, suspension components, brackets, etc.

**DTS** · 07-25-2012, 01:35 PM

While the new suspension was being designed in our CAD department we started adding a few more goodies. Most of the armor and exterior items were powder coated in "Argento". Here the BFH Front Bumper with Brawler Bar is on, as well as the Steering Box Skid.

Topped the BFH Bumper off with a Warn winch and Poison Spyder Fairlead, then added some Trucklite LED Headlights.

Hood had to be trimmed for the DeFender XC's, then we added the Poison Spyder Hood Louver.

Next up the Poison Spyder TrailGate

Thanks to Gerald and our buddies over at Savvy Off-Road for their aluminum half doors!

Thanks also to Savvy for their killer aluminum gas tank skid. Our own gas skid is steel, but Larry wanted to save weight wherever possible.

Daddy Longlegs will be the R&D mule for our LJ full cage kit when we get around to designing it. In the meantime we simply augmented the stock roll bar with our TJ Trail Cage Kit and Heavy Duty Header Bar Kit.

**DTS** · 07-25-2012, 01:52 PM

The aluminum Crusher Corners were a modified design, with a wheelbase stretch, larger wheel opening, and higher wheel opening to match the highline DeFender XC's up front. We also made a set of custom rear DeFender Flares to match the larger wheel opening, then welded them on before sending the corners to powder coat.

Once back from powder coat, the corners were re-mounted along with the LJ Rocker Knockers with Sliders, which were customized to accomodate the longer wheelbase and go wheel well to wheel well.

New DeFender XC's also came back from coating and on to the Jeep. Daddy Longlegs will be running the aluminum 3" Taper Flare version. This is the final design and differs somewhat from the early prototypes we posted earlier in the thread.

DeFender battery tray lift bracket

We developed an optional Inner Fender Kit to work with the DeFender XC's, for those who would rather not cut up their stock fenders.

The DeFender XC "Spyder" Insert Plates are temporary, as Daddy Longlegs will be getting the XC version of our DeFender Full Length Side Plate, we'll post pics of those once they're on.

**rusty762** · 07-25-2012, 01:55 PM

Dusty can't wait to see how this LJ turns out, just started my build on an 05 Unlimited and looking forward to your new Hiline fenders. I would buy one of those stickers in a heartbeat if you sold them!

Those Fenders are *****in!

**Barrows** · 07-25-2012, 03:01 PM

I really like the build so far, I can't wait see the finished product. Are you going with 37's?

Sgt.Fuzz · 07-25-2012, 03:27 PM

Nice! It is interesting though that you would opt for another company's GTS. Any plans for you guys to offer your skid in aluminum? Seems like a logical progression considering all the other recent innovations.

**DTS** · 07-25-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty762

Dusty can't wait to see how this LJ turns out, just started my build on an 05 Unlimited and looking forward to your new Hiline fenders. I would buy one of those stickers in a heartbeat if you sold them!

Those Fenders are *****in!

Thanks! And thank you for your avatar, it brightened up the whole room.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrows

I really like the build so far, I can't wait see the finished product. Are you going with 37's?

39" Krawlers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt.Fuzz

Nice! It is interesting though that you would opt for another company's GTS. Any plans for you guys to offer your skid in aluminum? Seems like a logical progression considering all the other recent innovations.

We may offer an aluminum skid at some point, but for now we have no problem admitting that Savvy's is the correct choice for this specific project. Since there's already such a nice alternative on the market it hasn't been that high of a product development priority for us. And as much as some people might think we're bitter rivals, the truth is we're really good friends with most of the other companies in our industry, and especially the guys at Savvy. We have no problem running their stuff wherever it makes sense.