flatlander757's 03 TJ build/update thread - Page 12

**flatlander757** · 02-24-2009, 10:07 PM

I screwed up my math initially I think. I will actually have about 4.5 inches of lift.

Measured the bumpers of a stock LJ today(close enough to a TJ) on 30" tires like mine had when I got it. It seemed to really sit funny, I think the front springs were sagging some.

It measured 18" in front and 15.5" in rear.

If I end up at 27.5" in front, I'll have gained 9.5" of lift at the frame.

Comparing 30s to 40s, that alone will account for roughly 5" of the gain. The rest is in suspension lift. The rear bumper height may not be real accurate as mine is not stock.

**flatlander757** · 03-02-2009, 06:33 PM

Got the axles out over the weekend. Check out that BEEF!

D60 vs D30... lol

D70 vs D44... again lol

The Jeep:

My helpers:

Niko in a staring contest with the D70:

**Tommy R** · 03-02-2009, 07:01 PM

Nice build! FYI for anyone interested, my '01 Dodge 2500 came with a D60/D70 combo. The duallies of that era came with D80 rears. Also, rear discs were introduced in 2001-1/2.

**flatlander757** · 03-02-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Nice build! FYI for anyone interested, my '01 Dodge 2500 came with a D60/D70 combo. The duallies of that era came with D80 rears. Also, rear discs were introduced in 2001-1/2.

Thanks! I've read through your long arm build a couple times on both JF and Pirate, awesome work Tommy

As far as build plans go, I'm about 85% sure I'm going to go for 3-link front and XJ leaf springs SOA w/ a traction bar in the rear. I want it to be as low as possible without hacking up the frame for clearance(I'm not comfortable with doing that just yet) so I think cutting off that big stupid 4-link bracket on the D70 and running leaves will get me about as low as feasible in the rear.

The plan is to start cleaning up the axles and shave brackets off the frame throughout the week and next weekend. I'm sure it will take a while so it may keep me occupied the next two weeks.

On a kind of bittersweet sidenote: where I work has gotten so ridiculously busy that we're going to be working 11hr days starting next week for the next month so I should have some nice cash flow coming in, however that will be eating my Jeep-hacking time by a good 7 or so hours during the week. So I'm gonna do my best to go crazy on the weekends and perhaps call some buddies over to grind stuff in exchange for pizza

Didn't do a whole lot more today, pulled the front control arms and shocks, the rear bumpstops and swaybar links.

Found a D300 locally so I'll be picking that up next week

CCJ · 03-02-2009, 09:39 PM

D70... Holy ****.

**flatlander757** · 03-07-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCJ

D70... Holy ****.

In the words of Jay from Jay and Silent Bob: "Hell yeah *****!"

Went crazy with the 4.5" angle grinder today.

Here is the D300 I picked up:

I plan on upgrading the outputs, going with twin sticks, and possibly getting a clocking ring, not sure as to what angle it will be at when installed.

RVA_TJ06 · 03-07-2009, 10:13 PM

you know what is funny.. i just watched clerks..

36 dicks???

Try not suck any **** on the way to the parking lot. haha...

**flatlander757** · 03-08-2009, 06:22 PM

Got the brackets cut off the rear axle today. They were welded on w/ either a stupid powerful stick welder or maybe even an oxyacetylene torch. Sloppy weld boogers/beads the size of dimes. Total PITA to cut off. Even bigger PITA to grind down, which I still need to do a lot of.

Also got the other rear coil bucket off.

mateas · 03-08-2009, 06:28 PM

Now I see why you were selling your other gear!

JeeperAbe · 03-08-2009, 07:13 PM

These Builds are awesome! I wish i could find a good truck and then tear into my wrangler and do it the way i want!

**flatlander757** · 03-08-2009, 09:17 PM

Yeah, I'm finding out it is a TON of work and little things will nickle and dime you to death.

I went through 12 cut-off wheels and about 7 grinding discs today with a ton more to go.

Just ordered up $300 worth of suspension joints for the front.

Got 2.63" Ballistic joints for the lowers and the huge 3.0" Ballistic joints for the upper. All will be L/R hand threaded for easy on-Jeep adjustment. Didn't order any tubing yet, I'm going to mock up everything with PVC as it is MUCH cheaper to screw up

edit:

Just ordered $200 worth of steel from www.speedymetals.com also.

48" of 5" x 1.8" x 3/8" thick C-channel
48" of 5" x 2" x 3/16" rectangular tubing
48" of 1/4" thick x 7" wide sheet of steel

Giggity.

CCJ · 03-08-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatlander757

In the words of Jay from Jay and Silent Bob: "Hell yeah *****!"

Went crazy with the 4.5" angle grinder today.

Mmmm... Hmmm... I see what you did there. Nice work.

AWa1martGreeter · 03-17-2009, 08:06 AM

Nice build! I just got my 2003 TJ last December and can't wait to start working on it.

xkmakx · 03-19-2009, 09:21 AM

hey bro i remember when i first got my Jeep and looked at this site and saw your build up i took it as an insperation and after 8 months heres my Jeep
4" BDS lift with 33's x 12.5 and blacked out rims wehoo

jeepbro's · 03-19-2009, 11:04 AM

Sooo since it looks like its coming along pretty well, my club is making a URE trip on april 15-19 or 20, ehhh you gonna be ready by then?

haha i figured i'd throw it out there. I mean all you gotta do is just put the axles in right? how hard could that be?

(joking voice/sarcasm is hard to type...

)
It's coming along nicely tho can't wait to see how it'll turn out. Also how much if any stretch are you planning? JW

03-08-2009, 07:13 PM	#175
JeeperAbe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,062 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	These Builds are awesome! I wish i could find a good truck and then tear into my wrangler and do it the way i want! __________________ 1997 Jeep Wrangler SE 2.5l 4 cylinder auto, Stock. Mods to come: 2" Coil lift, 31 MTs, Bumpers, Lights, Skids