[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by wick913

You are a jeep god.. A well thought out plan, and excellently approach to the whole project. That hammerite stuff is my newest got to find. Did i read right ,that it also comes in rattlecan?

I am certainly not a Jeep god -

Thanks for the compliment but I am still pretty much a "newbie" with a jeep sickness and depleted budget.

Yes on the rattle can although I sprayed most of mine with a sprayer. I was not aware that sun created problems for hammerite mrblaine. Silver goat (member here) used some on his fenders a year or two ago and they seem to be holding up pretty well so far, so I should be ok since most of mine is under my jeep.

*Update* I worked out my brake line on my rear axle and got the bungs welded to the frame, I put one beadlock and tire together I picked up my front fenders from the painter they look great, - will post photos later. I am no longer waiting on parts - now I just need some time to work. Seeing the wheel and tire together and those finished fenders got me excited - this thing might actually look good!

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by Idaho-Jeep

I am certainly not a Jeep god -

Thanks for the compliment but I am still pretty much a "newbie" with a jeep sickness and depleted budget.

Yes on the rattle can although I sprayed most of mine with a sprayer. I was not aware that sun created problems for hammerite mrblaine. Silver goat (member here) used some on his fenders a year or two ago and they seem to be holding up pretty well so far, so I should be ok since most of mine is under my jeep.

*Update* I worked out my brake line on my rear axle and got the bungs welded to the frame, I put one beadlock and tire together I picked up my front fenders from the painter they look great, - will post photos later. I am no longer waiting on parts - now I just need some time to work. Seeing the wheel and tire together and those finished fenders got me excited - this thing might actually look good!

It's easy to confuse Hammerite with Krylon Hammered Metal finish. The brand Hammerite does this in the sun.

[kyle_waters]

love what you have done .makes me want to get home to work on mine

[-Rudy-]

Hot! lol.

I love the way the padding looks with that color on the cage.

[Wheelin98TJ]

Very nice.

You'll have to report back on how the suspension performs.

The TnT LA kit looks very impressive, but I haven't been able to get any feedback from someone who is actually using one.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Yesterday I installed my front tube fenders. I am glad I did all the test fitting and drilling before they were painted. They went on very quick and reinstalling all the engine bay parts was not much trouble. The painter did an incredible job prepping and matching the paint color. I ground down the welds but he was the one that took care of filling the small gaps left. They are very smooth and I could not be happier with the outcome.

The LED holes are exactly what I wanted - and will look great once I get them installed. After I reattached the fenders, I used a paintable seam sealer on the wheel well side - I plan on painting the inside of the fender with (yea you guessed it) hammerite black to match the rear wheel well. I will also install a new rubber skirt to close off the opening to the engine bay - similar to the stock one - more on that later in the build.

I know that some people like the welds to be left untouched on the fenders and corners - but it was not something I was crazy about. I appreciate a nice looking quality weld, but the TnT welds while strong were on the ugly side and I only spent $300 total to have the fenders and corners prepped and painted (including the LEDs)!

Here are some photos -







I thought it was a good idea to create a drain inside the tube since there is potential for water to get in through the LED holes. You can see the hole at the low point of the fender tube.



Here is a shot from above and one with the hood open showing the relocated engine bay parts.

[Idaho-Jeep]

Tonight I got a little further with the lift install. I finished re-routing the rear brake line on the axle. It took a while but I was able to route it through the axle truss. I thought this would be best since it would be well protected inside the truss. The new extended brake line mounts in the same position and will come out of one of the truss holes - you can see it in the photos.

Here rear control arm cross bar plate. This is what is installed over the weld-in bungs.


Upper arms are in - you can see the brake here.



Here is a shot taken from under the engine looking back after uppers and lowers are in.


Side views:





I adjusted the uppers and lowers so that my pinion pointed towards the TC. I still have some more adjusting to do but need to get my tires mounted first. I will also need to install the sway bar and shocks at some point.

[Zew]

pure madness... i love it.

[-sean-]

Just came across your thread via your JU post. Nice build.
I have some prototypes of TnT parts that you are using. If you have any questions about them feel free to PM me. I have had them for three years now and have a lot of experience with them. One thought, have you considered using a HP housing for your D30 build? It's an easy and cheap upgrade, I'm currently selling one (not the one pictured) locally for $100.
Here are some pics...











Currently...

[DirtNMyTeeth]

Your painter did a great job on the fenders. Can't wait to see more pic's keep them coming.

[LGriffith]

Awesome build! Can't wait to see it done. Those fenders look reaaaallly nice. Great work!

[wick913]

Wow!!!!!! Very Nice

[bmlawless]

Hey Idaho-Jeep. I talked to a client of mine in Grangeville who said it was snowing up there today. Once it starts falling you should be able to wrap that project up pretty quick. It must be pure torture for you waiting for parts since you have to order everything in.

My wife and I go to McCall 2-3 times every summer. We usually stay at Ponderosa and play around on the lake with our boat. We are shopping for our first Jeep and I'd love to have someone show me some good roads up there. (hint, hint)

[Idaho-Jeep]

Originally Posted by Zew

pure madness... i love it.

Well it didn't start out that way - but it is quickly becoming madness. I am dreaming about jeep suspensions at night and I catch myself wondering if I torqued that bolt correctly the night before while at work.

Originally Posted by -sean-

Just came across your thread via your JU post. Nice build.
I have some prototypes of TnT parts that you are using. If you have any questions about them feel free to PM me. I have had them for three years now and have a lot of experience with them. One thought, have you considered using a HP housing for you D30 build? It's an easy and cheap upgrade, I'm currently selling one locally for $100.
Here are some pics...

Thanks, yea I have seen you over at JU and on colorado4x4.org I believe? You have a really nice LJ. I would have been interested in you HP 30 but I already have my 30 locked, re geared and the truss is on.... I may PM you with a couple questions on the lift - thanks!

Originally Posted by DirtNMyTeeth

Your painter did a great job on the fenders. Can't wait to see more pic's keep them coming.

Thanks - yea I am really happy with the job he did and really glad I did not paint them myself!

Originally Posted by LGriffith

Awesome build! Can't wait to see it done. Those fenders look reaaaallly nice. Great work!

Thanks - I can't wait to see it done either - you have no idea.

Originally Posted by wick913

Wow!!!!!! Very Nice

Thanks, much appreciated!

Originally Posted by bmlawless

Hey Idaho-Jeep. I talked to a client of mine in Grangeville who said it was snowing up there today. Once it starts falling you should be able to wrap that project up pretty quick. It must be pure torture for you waiting for parts since you have to order everything in.

My wife and I go to McCall 2-3 times every summer. We usually stay at Ponderosa and play around on the lake with our boat. We are shopping for our first Jeep and I'd love to have someone show me some good roads up there. (hint, hint)

Yea - a few flakes fell today. It was about 20 this morning on my way to work. Depressing.

With the exception of the brake kit & shocks (and now a radiator - see below) I have all the parts so it is just a matter of finding the time to work on it. Would be happy to hit some jeep trails with you!

[Idaho-Jeep]

Well besides killing my radiator I focused on the front suspension tonight. Everything went together pretty well. I am pretty sure that I am going to be spending several hours adjusting everything after I get the Jeep back on some wheels. Right now everything is just "close" and I will need to put weight on the system to determine what needs to be adjusted. I don't have my Vanco brake kit yet so I wont be mounting any tires to the front yet. I have plenty to keep me busy until it arrives. I also installed the new front brake lines. Here are some shots of the front.






Here is how everything sits at the moment.


Here is the bone head thing I did...




My fan fit great inside the fan shroud after the MML & BL but once I raised my TC up for the high clearance belly pan it lowered the fan, it dropped about 1/2" and touched the bottom of the shroud. I just happened to notice it and figured that I could drill new holes in the shroud just above the old ones and move the shroud down. I unscrewed the shroud, pulled it back away from the radiator and began drilling the holes in place and accidently pushed to hard sending the bit through the plastic shroud and into the radiator. It put a 1/4" hole right through the back of the radiator. went in like a hot knife through butter.