[sourskittle]

So I know you started the work, but are you currently working on it ?
If so your fab skills have made HUGE progress.

Looks great man, I really like it.

Any reason you went with square tubing over DOM on the control arms ? I've been told by a few people that DOM is stronger than square.

Have you fired the motor yet ? ( maybe I somehow missed a page for something ).

Keep updated, where are you mainly going to be wheeling it at ?

[TJftw]

can you fill me in on why the atlas has 2 shifters? may be a dumb question

[TJSport01]

it has to shifters so that you can control the front and rear axle separately, making it possible to put the front axle in neutral and rear axle in gear for sharper turn or a front dig

[stjjames]

Originally Posted by sourskittle

So I know you started the work, but are you currently working on it ?
If so your fab skills have made HUGE progress.

Looks great man, I really like it.

Any reason you went with square tubing over DOM on the control arms ? I've been told by a few people that DOM is stronger than square.

Have you fired the motor yet ? ( maybe I somehow missed a page for something ).

Keep updated, where are you mainly going to be wheeling it at ?

I built the suspension & did the motor swap.
I have it at a shop getting the cage / fender / rear bumper / skid xmember built.
http://home.comcast.net/~thoseguys/home.htm
I have not fired the motor, it is awaiting a proper ECU, as the one that I got with it is sentry key.
The square tube was cheaper & I am told it is every bit as strong as the round. Honestly as $ allows I may eventually go to aluminum links
I will primarily be wheeling it in the NW, though a celebratory Rubicon run would be in order once it is in my possession again. I really need to go to Moab as well . . .
I am building it with some expedition driving in mind.
Future plans include a rooftop tent, hot water shower, etc.

[stjjames]

Originally Posted by TJftw

can you fill me in on why the atlas has 2 shifters? may be a dumb question

Originally Posted by TJSport01

it has to shifters so that you can control the front and rear axle separately, making it possible to put the front axle in neutral and rear axle in gear for sharper turn or a front dig

Correct, though TJFTW - it should be noted that all Atlas's have at least twin sticks . . . if not 3.
I plan to run AA underdrive as $ allow, meaning I will have another lever

[sourskittle]

Originally Posted by stjjames

I built the suspension & did the motor swap.
I have it at a shop getting the cage / fender / rear bumper / skid xmember built.
http://home.comcast.net/~thoseguys/home.htm
I have not fired the motor, it is awaiting a proper ECU, as the one that I got with it is sentry key.
The square tube was cheaper & I am told it is every bit as strong as the round. Honestly as $ allows I may eventually go to aluminum links
I will primarily be wheeling it in the NW, though a celebratory Rubicon run would be in order once it is in my possession again. I really need to go to Moab as well . . .
I am building it with some expedition driving in mind.
Future plans include a rooftop tent, hot water shower, etc.

Ok, cool man. I just spent $150 on 24ft. of 1.5''OD, 1.0''ID .25 thick DOM for my control arms. I don't plan on rockcrawling, but I want them to be able to take a hit and survive. I didn't go with such a killer joint as you did, so I guess were even, hahaha.

BTW kick *** project name too. I'm going to their show in Oct. ( again ).

That's a nice welder you got for home use. Keep rocking it, and you'll be a pro mig welder in no time. I started on a 85 amp walmart flux-core welder, now I have $4000 miller machines at work I can use, its pretty nice.

I can't wait to hear how the susp. works. Hopefully, you finish before I do. That V8 is going to be SWEET. You'll be so pissed at jeep for not at least putting in a 4.7L or something at some point. The 4.0L is a reliable (sometimes) workhorse, but man, the V8 just makes a wrangler SUPER cool to drive. I can't really explain it. The EFI is a big part too. If you do a V8 swap and it runs like crap, its not the same. But an EFI V8 that runs like factory, but with twice the power (at some RPMS and throttle openings), its just so much fun.

My jeep with 3.07 gears and 33's is still a blast ( 4.10s in my 8.8 that going in with the 4-link ).

I wouldn't buy the doubler until you've wheeled it for a while. I was going to turbo my V8 (b/c I can, for cheap ), until I took it wheeling for the first time. Between the V8 and low, its crazy the torque you can fart out, even with my crappy 3.07 gears. With proper gearing and a V8, you'll prob. be more than happy.

The auto that came on that 5.2L isn't the same as the TJ auto is it ? If so, I'd be all over some 4.88s, hahaha.

[TJftw]

oh i see, thanks for the answers TJSport01 and stjjames

[stjjames]

Originally Posted by sourskittle

Ok, cool man. I just spent $150 on 24ft. of 1.5''OD, 1.0''ID .25 thick DOM for my control arms. I don't plan on rockcrawling, but I want them to be able to take a hit and survive. I didn't go with such a killer joint as you did, so I guess were even, hahaha.

BTW kick *** project name too. I'm going to their show in Oct. ( again ).

That's a nice welder you got for home use. Keep rocking it, and you'll be a pro mig welder in no time. I started on a 85 amp walmart flux-core welder, now I have $4000 miller machines at work I can use, its pretty nice.

I can't wait to hear how the susp. works. Hopefully, you finish before I do. That V8 is going to be SWEET. You'll be so pissed at jeep for not at least putting in a 4.7L or something at some point. The 4.0L is a reliable (sometimes) workhorse, but man, the V8 just makes a wrangler SUPER cool to drive. I can't really explain it. The EFI is a big part too. If you do a V8 swap and it runs like crap, its not the same. But an EFI V8 that runs like factory, but with twice the power (at some RPMS and throttle openings), its just so much fun.

My jeep with 3.07 gears and 33's is still a blast ( 4.10s in my 8.8 that going in with the 4-link ).

I wouldn't buy the doubler until you've wheeled it for a while. I was going to turbo my V8 (b/c I can, for cheap ), until I took it wheeling for the first time. Between the V8 and low, its crazy the torque you can fart out, even with my crappy 3.07 gears. With proper gearing and a V8, you'll prob. be more than happy.

The auto that came on that 5.2L isn't the same as the TJ auto is it ? If so, I'd be all over some 4.88s, hahaha.

Thanks Man, I can hardly wait
I have a buddy close with a 5.9 powered TJ & have an open invitation for some wheel time, but have yet to take him up on it. I was actually using his welder to burn all of the mounts, arm's, etc. It's a Miller 220 unit.
King Diamond Rules !!! I can hardly believe his vocal range, he is the master
I've heard the 5.0 is somewhat top end bias . . . though I have no personnel experience with one, only hear say.
I think I'm gonna ditch the Ballistic Fab joint in favor of JJ's - they pissed me off. I won't be running a doubler for awhile, but will be stretching my rear at the same time - though that is a call to Gen-right & some $$ away . . .
I actually believe the auto I have came on the late TJ's, 42re ?
I'm hoping to get it back before too long - Don't want to waste away summer without it

[sourskittle]

Originally Posted by stjjames

Thanks Man, I can hardly wait
I have a buddy close with a 5.9 powered TJ & have an open invitation for some wheel time, but have yet to take him up on it. I was actually using his welder to burn all of the mounts, arm's, etc. It's a Miller 220 unit.
King Diamond Rules !!! I can hardly believe his vocal range, he is the master
I've heard the 5.0 is somewhat top end bias . . . though I have no personnel experience with one, only hear say.
I think I'm gonna ditch the Ballistic Fab joint in favor of JJ's - they pissed me off. I won't be running a doubler for awhile, but will be stretching my rear at the same time - though that is a call to Gen-right & some $$ away . . .
I actually believe the auto I have came on the late TJ's, 42re ?
I'm hoping to get it back before too long - Don't want to waste away summer without it

In stock form, the 5.0L IS ALL TORQUE. It has no topend really. That's what made fox body mustangs so popular, a light car, RWD, and nothing but torque.

The 5.9L prob. makes the same power a stock 5.0L makes, and prob. delevers it in the same way ( all torque, not much topend). The hemis and LSx motors are different completely, they have it all; if you can afford it.

That overdrive in the 42re is INSANELY tall. I'm gearing my wifes TJ with it to 4.88s right now, and if it was an option, I'd be putting 5.38s. I really think its the best tranny ever put in a TJ. 4.88 is as big as you can go with the D30, so I'd start there.

I'm not using JJ. I'm using 3/4'' chromemoly heims. I was going to use tractor supply tractor joints, hahaha. I could not justify the money for the monster JJs, I mean for what I'd have in the JJs, I could buy an off the shelf weld-on complete 4-link ( rockkrawler ). I paid $180 for the heims, jam nuts, and threaded sleeves shipped ( for 8 ). That would get me about 2 1/4 complete JJs

V8 and 4-speed auto with huge OD..... LUCKY !!!!

[stjjames]

Originally Posted by sourskittle

In stock form, the 5.0L IS ALL TORQUE. It has no topend really. That's what made fox body mustangs so popular, a light car, RWD, and nothing but torque.

The 5.9L prob. makes the same power a stock 5.0L makes, and prob. delevers it in the same way ( all torque, not much topend). The hemis and LSx motors are different completely, they have it all; if you can afford it.

That overdrive in the 42re is INSANELY tall. I'm gearing my wifes TJ with it to 4.88s right now, and if it was an option, I'd be putting 5.38s. I really think its the best tranny ever put in a TJ. 4.88 is as big as you can go with the D30, so I'd start there.

I'm not using JJ. I'm using 3/4'' chromemoly heims. I was going to use tractor supply tractor joints, hahaha. I could not justify the money for the monster JJs, I mean for what I'd have in the JJs, I could buy an off the shelf weld-on complete 4-link ( rockkrawler ). I paid $180 for the heims, jam nuts, and threaded sleeves shipped ( for 8 ). That would get me about 2 1/4 complete JJs

V8 and 4-speed auto with huge OD..... LUCKY !!!!

The 5.2 is ; 220hp 300tq
The 5.9 is ; 240hp 340tq

Good to hear on the overdrive.
I have been wanting to regear to 5.13 anyhow

[JeepRocks86]

Looks good. Looks like the fenders have turned out well.

[sourskittle]

Originally Posted by stjjames

The 5.2 is ; 220hp 300tq
The 5.9 is ; 240hp 340tq

Good to hear on the overdrive.
I have been wanting to regear to 5.13 anyhow

People have called me a "dodge guy" before, but even still, I'd have to call dodges power rating on those motors " a bit optimistic". Even still, it will feel way way stronger than the 4.0l ( which is even more optimistic rated at 190 ).

I do believe the torque ratings though.

Hahaha, I just remembered when Stacy David ( from old "trucks!" ) did a full bolt on 5.9L with a supercharger and didn't break 300whp. But trust me, you'll deffinately be happy with the V8. Right after my swap, I wanted to take every jeep guy in the county for a ride ( and that's with 3.07 gears ).

[472cid]

looks good i like it

[NotURMailman]

Awesome build!

[stjjames]

A couple of updates.


Hoop & supports added to the front bumper





Relocated Gas filler / cap




Profile shot of the cage