Long Arm Build for a TJ - Page 8

**Tommy R** · 05-19-2008, 09:09 AM

Yeah, fortunately, I've got the tow rig and econoturd to drive while the Jeep is down for the count.

Tommy

**Tommy R** · 05-19-2008, 11:50 PM

I see a light at the end of the tunnel. And it might not be a train!

So tonight I made tons of progress....

The Good: Got everything painted and the brackets welded to the frame and axle. Also got the control arms in place.

The Bad: I forgot to remove my diff cover and the heat from the welding looks to have done a number on my reuseable diff cover gasket. No worries. RTV to the rescue!

The Ugly: Some of my welds!!

In reality I made multiple passes, but in some cases the top welds came out looking ugly.

Here's the brackets getting paint. I then ground away the paint where the welding would be. Access to paint after installation would've been a pain for some parts:

And with the upper and lower control arms. Note the uppers use LH and RH threads so I can adjust pinion angle without removing the arms:

Front bracket which came out larger and uglier than planned, but should work fine:

Rear truss and mounts and sway bar in position. Note nothing is tightened down yet:

Tomorrow I'll need to clearance the skid plate, install the new tranny mount, torque everything, drill and tap the axle for the vent tube, and then I can tie up some odds and ends.

Tommy

**Tommy R** · 05-21-2008, 12:55 AM

A few friends came over to help me knock out some of the odds and ends tonight. I drilled and tapped the new axle vent, torqued down all the control arms, final painting (though I missed some spots), changed the diff fluid, trimmed the skid plate to clear the front brackets, and then also moved my front brake line brackets a little lower since the brake line was pretty much acting as a limiting strap up front.

Anyway, here's some pics:

This is under its own weight. I think I may end up building longer lower arms eventually. At full bump it's about a 1/4" from the gas tank (not like that will ever happen):

I still have to secure the brake lines:

Sitting on the ground again!

I stretched the wheelbase quite a bit more than it was, but unfortunately, the wheelbase was really short before so it only measures 94" right now. Doesn't make much sense to me because it actually looks streatched more than just a 1/2" more overall than stock. Ah well...

After I got it on the ground I noticed the axle was shifted to the passenger side by about an inch! I just got underneath and turned the upper control arms and easily shifted the axle over. Easy as pie!!

Then I took it for a test drive and it's great! It rides really smoothly, takes bumps great, and the "torque steer" from the Detroit is significantly reduced. So far I'm really, really pleased.

Tommy

RedMountainYJ · 05-21-2008, 09:45 AM

poser pics? shakedown pics?

Awesome build!

**Tommy R** · 05-21-2008, 10:12 AM

Nope! It didn't get back onto all fours until 12:30 last night! I may get some RTI ramp pics at lunch, though...

Tommy

**Tommy R** · 05-21-2008, 02:25 PM

RTI pics! No, I didn't get a score. I didn't want to bother the guys any longer than necessary since they were busy.

No clearance issues anywhere other than tire to fender flare issues which I don't really care about.

Tommy

PBR · 05-21-2008, 03:05 PM

very nice man. Hows it ride?

**Tommy R** · 05-21-2008, 04:53 PM

It rides great! Tracks straight, too!

Tommy

The Mean Fish · 05-24-2008, 12:15 PM

Total material cost so far?

**Tommy R** · 05-26-2008, 02:50 PM

I think about $400 in bushings and Johnny Joints, the steel was free (otherwise maybe $200), and miscellaneous stuff/consumables, maybe another $100 or so. The number of man hours? Priceless.

By the way, I banged the ever lovin' hell out of it this past weekend at the Texas Twister and it did absolutely fantastic! I'll have plenty of pics later, but it got it up climbs I wouldn't have thought possible for a Jeep on 35's.

Tommy

**Tommy R** · 05-29-2008, 08:24 PM

Well, I wheeled the Jeep this past weekend and I couldn't be happier with the way it performed. Instead of all the anti-squat inducing hopping and such from my short arms, the new rear end just pushed the Jeep up and over obstacles. It was subjected to tons of hard hits, lots of rocks, and the most extreme terrain I've put my Jeep through yet. I should point out that a sway bar endlink bolt backed out while trailering it so I removed it and wheeled with no rear bar and the front bar disconnected.

Here's a few pics:

Here's a couple videos a friend took:

redjeepguy32 · 06-09-2008, 07:09 PM

How do you like the Hobart 187? did it have enough power to do all your welding?

**Tommy R** · 06-09-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjeepguy32

How do you like the Hobart 187? did it have enough power to do all your welding?

It was great and had lots of power. Wish it were mine, but I've only got a 135 Lincoln.

Tommy

brooksjeep · 06-15-2008, 10:06 PM

This thread is great man, good work definately a success. Thought about making long arms to sell? Or maybe the whole kit?

**Tommy R** · 06-15-2008, 10:17 PM

Lordy no!

I'd be more than happy to lend a hand on someone else's rig (when I'm no longer burned out!), but I don't have the time or desire to make and sell them. I would merely suggest someone purchase the Clayton kit if the cash is there, otherwise if you'd like to save some money, do what I did. I won't lie. It was a lot of work and makes a heck of a mess in your garage.

Oh, and thanks for the compliments!

Tommy

06-09-2008, 07:09 PM	#117
redjeepguy32 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	How do you like the Hobart 187? did it have enough power to do all your welding?