Bruno's Lapis Blue build - Page 4

brunosplace · 09-11-2010, 05:02 PM

Cut into the drivers side frame rail today.

At this time I received a reminder, I had used the frame rail as a conduit for wiring to the rear of the Jeep

delay of game for 20 minutes while I repaired the damage.

Test fitting

brunosplace · 09-11-2010, 05:11 PM

Finishing it up, new coil springs, shocks all mounted.

Tires on

Back on the ground

The frame lost a little weight in the process, mother nature is trying to reclaim Toledo's finest iron.....in the form of rust scale..

brunosplace · 09-11-2010, 05:22 PM

Now for some numbers that I know will be asked for:

4" between bumpstops and lower spring perch
5.5" uptravel on shocks (I found the bumpstops to compress .75" with the full vehicle weight on them, so I built in some margin of error)
5" of droop
Ride height stayed the same even though I replaced 2.5" lift springs with 2" BDS lift springs due to the fact that the original springs were broken.

After the test drive I found the handling to be firmer and it handled a washboarded dirt road readily at speed, it didn't get that squirrelly feeling to it at all.. Very nice, I highly recommend this project.

Djay101 · 09-11-2010, 06:24 PM

I like how the tummy tuck looks!! take long to install?? how much kit cost?

brunosplace · 09-11-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djay101

I like how the tummy tuck looks!! take long to install?? how much kit cost?

Thanks, It took my brother and I over a week of evenings to do it all, due to the customizing of certain things, and fighting the Michigan cancer ( lots of broken & seized fasteners) . It wasn't a kit, it was independent parts I put together from several vendors (Northridge 4X4, Currie, AEV, Skyjacker, Coast Driveline, Teraflex, Dakota Digital, and some others) to achieve a certain goal. Still the total was under what would have been paid for Nth's (AEV) tummy tucker kit.

If I had to do it over I would seriously look at Savvy's Under Armor kit (once they produce one for the earlier models.) due to it having the separate crossmember and a fair weight savings. But I am very pleased with the results I achieved with this setup.

Djay101 · 09-12-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunosplace

Thanks, It took my brother and I over a week of evenings to do it all, due to the customizing of certain things, and fighting the Michigan cancer ( lots of broken & seized fasteners) . It wasn't a kit, it was independent parts I put together from several vendors (Northridge 4X4, Currie, AEV, Skyjacker, Coast Driveline, Teraflex, Dakota Digital, and some others) to achieve a certain goal. Still the total was under what would have been paid for Nth's (AEV) tummy tucker kit.

If I had to do it over I would seriously look at Savvy's Under Armor kit (once they produce one for the earlier models.) due to it having the separate crossmember and a fair weight savings. But I am very pleased with the results I achieved with this setup.

and the rotweiler wasnt bugging you to play? lol

brunosplace · 09-12-2010, 09:47 AM

He is where I came up with my screen name, his name was Bruno, he is gone now

best dog ever!

**MisfitSeven** · 09-12-2010, 10:04 AM

how long are your rear shocks? are those just the shocks that came with the 2.5" BDS kit?
do your springs stay seated at all times when you flex out?

brunosplace · 09-12-2010, 10:51 AM

the travel on the rear shocks is 10.5 inches, I selected the length of shocks according to what I was doing to outboard them, these particular ones are commonly used on lifted half ton Chevy trucks. The original 2.5 inch lift was a different manufacturer, the springs broke, so I replaced them with 2 inch BDS springs. I haven't had a chance to flex it out, since finishing it last night, had to work today.

Djay101 · 09-12-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunosplace

He is where I came up with my screen name, his name was Bruno, he is gone now :-( best dog ever!

dam, sorry man I know how hard it is to loose such a nice dog, mine passed away in 2002... still wish she was around...

**MisfitSeven** · 09-12-2010, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunosplace

the travel on the rear shocks is 10.5 inches

what is the eye to eye length at ride height?

brunosplace · 09-12-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisfitSeven

what is the eye to eye length at ride height?

I'm not thrilled with the new springs at the moment, yesterday the ride height length of the shocks was 21 inches, today after driving about 60 miles on it the springs have apparently settled and I've lost a full inch of ride height. I'll be calling the vendor tomorrow to see if they will exchange the rear springs since they recommended using the 2" instead of the 3" coils.

**mrblaine** · 09-12-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunosplace

Also to mrblaine for all of answering my questions, and being willing to answer the phone when I call.

It looks good and you're very welcome. As far as the phone goes, any time D, any time.

**Fropleyqk** · 09-12-2010, 10:25 PM

Looks good dude, Thats one hell of a task and takes b@lls to cut into the frame like that. ive been looking to outboard my shocks and move the spring seats as well. Im definitely going to hit this thread up again if I do. Good job!

brunosplace · 09-13-2010, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblaine

It looks good and you're very welcome. As far as the phone goes, any time D, any time.

Thanks, I'll be taking you up on that!! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by fropleyquark

Looks good dude, Thats one hell of a task and takes b@lls to cut into the frame like that. ive been looking to outboard my shocks and move the spring seats as well. Im definitely going to hit this thread up again if I do. Good job!

Thanks, that first cut into it was the hardest!!