My Girl... a Boston Jeep Build - Page 15

2003X · 04-28-2011, 08:10 AM

sad seeing old jeep pics lol.

**djflyy** · 04-28-2011, 07:46 PM

Oh haha! I think it's sad because that was at least 2 years ago and nothing's really changed on it. Granted I haven't been there to work on it much, but it's sad to see. Many changes to come in the near future once I'm back there more.

**djflyy** · 04-30-2011, 10:59 AM

Silly little update: After a week and a half of 16 hour days with Cirque du Soleil, we finished up yesterday. It was a good run, and we had a BBQ after the last truck was packed. Always great to have a beer with some people you've worked your *** with over the course of a few months. Anyway, as we were packing up I noticed they were THROWING OUT a pallet of steel cable. As in 1,500 pounds of 3/8th inch steel wire for rigging motors & rigging points... So I spoke up and rescued 75 feet of 3/8th inch steel cable, which will be perfect for winch replacement cable down the road if that's ever necessary. This is some expensive wire. Some other guys also spoke up and they ended up giving away the entire pallet of steel to one of the riggers.

Free steel rocks! Might even be getting some free aluminum & steel stock tubing from them, which might come in handy when it comes time to build my tire-swing out carrier. Anyone ever done it with 1/4" thick aluminum?

Smallz · 04-30-2011, 11:12 AM

Score! I love having perks from jobs. It would be interesting to see an aluminum rear tire swing out. I bet it would work. Just have to find someone whoncan weld aluminum.

**djflyy** · 04-30-2011, 12:39 PM

Seems to me that GenRight makes one for JKs... I'd make mine more of an actual swing-out though, off of the standard bumper. Not sure what the actual weight difference would be, or what the cost difference would be. The $75 quote for 12 feet of 2x2x1/4" wasn't that bad at all so I'd be perfectly fine doing that. Just thinking out loud here

2003X · 04-30-2011, 02:32 PM

Adj uppers are out, let me know if you want them still. If not I want to post them.

midnight_f150 · 05-01-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djflyy

Seems to me that GenRight makes one for JKs... I'd make mine more of an actual swing-out though, off of the standard bumper. Not sure what the actual weight difference would be, or what the cost difference would be. The $75 quote for 12 feet of 2x2x1/4" wasn't that bad at all so I'd be perfectly fine doing that. Just thinking out loud here

oh there facebook page they have a picture of one on a tj and said it is in the works for tj.

**djflyy** · 05-04-2011, 12:16 PM

It's been an interesting week. Had a woman die this morning after being struck in the head by 1/4" thick steel tubing (grid truss) yesterday. We were loading a truck to get Cirque up to New York and the truss fell off a fork lift while being loaded. Fell from about 11 feet up and struck her in the head. She was administered CPR on site, and was kept alive until the ambulance came and gave her the paddles. She was rushed to the ER where it was determined she was irreversibly brain dead. Her family flew in from California that afternoon and pulled the plug on her after talking it over with doctors. Really scary incident.

Anyway, I went to work again last night and we all took everything extremely slow. So when we were done, i went by this place I just learned about called Jeepers Den in Orlando. Basically a small Jeep shop that had a great array of Wranglers of all ages out front. Went in and walked around the shop. Not much discussing with the sales guys, but they were pretty nice. I had more fun looking at the TJs out front than I did walking around the shop. Snapped some quick pics to share with the world.

I've got a long post to put on here soon about my plans with the Wrangler. I've been putting a ton of thought into it recently.

Pics from Jeeper's Den...

SaxManClay · 05-04-2011, 01:36 PM

Wow that's nuts. My girlfriend always tells me how dangerous it can sometimes be when working on stages like you do. From now on wear a helmet and full padding all the time until you get back to MA!

And I have a feeling this is what you'll do with your Jeep.

1.) Install SYE
2.) Install new axles
3.) Paint frame
4.) Buy new tires
5.) Hand keys over to me.

**djflyy** · 05-06-2011, 02:41 PM

So here's the Jeep plan for the next year or so. It's been on my mind a lot recently and I needed to write it all down.

I'll be working up in Boston starting this summer and will have a chance to get out and wheel with the local guys (Sax, 2003x, etc) and really want to break her in before I go all out. I need to make up for 2 years of not being with the Jeep. Luckily having my Audi as a DD when the gas prices go through the roof more-so than they already are will allow me to work on the Jeep and put a little excess money towards it.

The things that I see as necessary involve fixing problems that exist now, and incorporating modifications that will make the TJ stronger as a whole and more equipped for surviving New England weather conditions. It will be strong enough to support itself off-road, and be available in the situation that recovery assistance is needed for myself or for fellow Jeepers. I've assembled a list of what I intend to do to make sure that all of this is possible.

---

Drivetrain:
- SYE/CV Driveshaft ($400)
- Ford 8.8 Rear Axle ($855)
- XJ HP30 Front Axle ($300)

Armor:
- UCF Transfer Case Skid - fixes welded shovel skid ($250)
- Rokmen Trail Corner Guards ($150)
- Re-weld front bumper mounts (n/a)c
- Build swing-out tire carrier (n/a)

Pro-Active Protection:
- Chassis Saver for frame/axles/undercarriage ($100)
- Rustoleum on bumpers ($3)
- Monsterline/Chassis Saver tub interior
- Rivet floor panel replacement sections

Tires/Steering:
- 35x12.5 BFG All Terrains ($750)
- ZJ Tie Rod Upgrade ($70)
- Steering Stabilizer ($40)
- Complete brake overhaul, self install ($200? - down the road)

Other:
- Motor Mount Lift, brown dog/jks ($100)
- 1 or 1.25" body lift ($125)
- Rough Country Adjustable Uppers - rear ($100)
- Spray paint soft top/roll bar to black again ($3)
- Wire electronics relay box/switch box

Total: somewhere around $3,000.00 - the 2 axles and tires taking up most of that.

---

So the tires won't be for a while, maybe not even until after next winter, depending on how the 31s look at the end of this fall... I don't want to be stuck with bald tread in a foot of snow. The axles I get will be with 4.10 gearing as it's all I can afford at this point, and I'll run 35s on those until the money for a re-gear (and need for a re-gear) is really there. I've been driving with 31s on 3.07 which isn't ideal but it's been possible so I'll just have to fix that problem when it arises down the road. I've talked to a bunch of guys on here who run 35s on 4.10 and have all said that it's really not that bad at all. Looking at gear ratio charts for 5 speed 4.0s, they show 4.10 gearing at around 2200 RPMs at 60 mph, which is in their "good fuel economy" section. I don't see it as worth dumping the extra $400 to have ECGS re-gear the 8.8, then either paying to re-gear an HP30 or meeting in the middle ground and buying an LP30 with 4.56 (which do exist locally, believe it or not). 4.10 shall be fine, since it will still be running 31s for at least a few more months.

Thoughts and suggestions welcome as always. And things change, so we'll see how this all works out down the road.

SaxManClay · 05-07-2011, 05:16 AM

For tires, if you're going to go to 35's you might as well go with an M/T tire. I'd go with the Wrangler MT/R. It's only $2 more per tire on tirerack than the BFG A/T's, and it's a far better tire as well. Besides, you have me to get you a good deal on tires anyway, so it's all good.

**djflyy** · 05-07-2011, 08:20 AM

Good thought man. My only concern is with snow capability and handling. From what I've read the MTRs don't do very well in the snow. But yeah, if that Goodyear is comparable, for $2 more a tire it'd be worth it. Also, tire rack shows an $80 mail in rebate when you buy 4, which would put it down to $720 for 4 MTRs. And thank you, I'll be sure to take you up on the offer!

**djflyy** · 05-11-2011, 05:06 PM

North Shore Jeeps is up and running! We've got a crew of 14 guys now and our forum is staying active. I just designed some shirts with the help of another guy in the group... ordered some for myself and Steph said she wanted one too.

Cheap Jeep mod, huh?

Smallz · 05-12-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djflyy

Good thought man. My only concern is with snow capability and handling. From what I've read the MTRs don't do very well in the snow. But yeah, if that Goodyear is comparable, for $2 more a tire it'd be worth it. Also, tire rack shows an $80 mail in rebate when you buy 4, which would put it down to $720 for 4 MTRs. And thank you, I'll be sure to take you up on the offer!

I live in Cleveland and get several feet over the winter months. I have 33 mt/r kevlars under my tj. They do great in the snow and rain.

**djflyy** · 05-12-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallz

I live in Cleveland and get several feet over the winter months. I have 33 mt/r kevlars under my tj. They do great in the snow and rain.

Thanks for the info man. Might just get some MTRs next time. PS How do you like Cleveland? I've got a job offer at 8th Day Sound in Highland Heights.