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A TJ truck build named "Dumpster Dive"

994K views 6K replies 336 participants last post by  NashvilleTJ 
#1 · (Edited)
Another TJ build with not so much bling,except where needed. Very few bolt on mods, and a ton of custom mods.




I acquired a 1997 TJ project that had been abandoned by a few previous owners. I felt like the TJ needs another chance to make it out of the garage for good and not to go to the crusher.

Now on with the plan. I want to build this Jeep by the EJS 2013. I am not really set on a final date, But I figured a year would be good. I do not plan on updating the build daily nor do I plan on working on the Jeep everyday of the next year. So, I will add good updates every week or so when progress is good.

Here is the low down. The Jeep has a clean frame, no rust at all. The body is also rust free. The Jeep came to me as a frame and tub, with a 4.0 and AW4. The AW4 will be going in my other Jeep, and the 4.0 will probably get parted out. (I still do not know what I want as a power plant.) 5.3 and a 4L60 is what will probably end up in it.

Most of the parts used in this build will come from Junkyards, trash bins, dumpsters, wrecked TJs, and any other donated parts...

What I have collected so far.

I thought I would add a price list to the build as I go along..

Bought the Jeep for 200.00
Sold the door surrounds on ebay +145.00
Sold the sound bar on ebay +95.00

So far, + $40.00

(4) Old style MTRs 37" really just 35" tall 150.00

Total money out of pocket today 1-2-12 110.00

Bed components, Sides, Factory corners, Belt rails, 450.00

Tacoma Bed inner assembly Free
Front suspension links (JJs and Mid arm links)
Rear XJ leaf springs
Stock Hood Free
Stock grille shell Free
OEM radiator Free

JK D44 rear with 4:10 gears and track loc 300.00
Stock front fenders and rear flares Free

Body work:

Custom cut tub to make 2 seater cab
Custom Highline stock fenders
Hendrix Hood mod with vents
Custom wrap around bed assembly with drop down tail gate (53" bed)

Frame work:

Relocate the steering box bracket for front stretch
Custom frame built front bumper with grille hoop and winch protector
High clearance front lower link mounts
Custom Coilover hoops up front
Custom shock hoops in the rear
Custom rear leaf hangers
Custom back half rear frame for leafs and extended WB for bed / Reason "Simplicity, Red_Smoke says it works" :laugh:
Ruffstuff anti-wrap kit

Total out of pocket: 2-20-12 $960.00

Pictures to come soon.....:rtft:

I will reserve a few posts so please no comments till I get about 10 posts saved to keep the build clean in the future. :wave:

It may look dumb with 10-11 posts reserved, but you guys will thank me 2 years from now when trying to look at the build. :duhrock:

Photoshopped version of this build. Thanks to XJAbuzer.


The real thing.




 
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#2,078 ·
gst95dsm said:
Son of a *****! I want that. Seriously something special. I foresee magazine features..... and a lot of press for this vehicle if you want it.
That would be Awesome!

Thanks guys, I am going to post a few things I want to change and some tech later tonight along with all the pictures I took today.
 
#2,080 ·
It took me about an hour to remove those ugly ballistic mounts a posted about a couple weeks ago. I ended up cutting through as far as possible then took the sledge a beat the hell out of them till they came off the bottom of the frame. I ended up ripping a hole in the bottom of one frame rail. I will cut and patch it later this week. I have to move the rear shackle mounts up in the frame and add a leaf to the spring pack. The Jeep dropped as far as I was anticipating no body it was it ting at 20.5 to the lowest part of the frame. With the body installed its sitting at 18 with 4" of up travel in the coilovers. I will probably end up adjusting the front up just a little to get the frame comfortably at 18.5-19 for the final ride height then add leafs to level the ride.

Here is a picture with the stance widened with Synergy wheel spacers. I can run without them as long as I know the wheels will rub the frame and lower CA at full lock.







Transporting from one section of the shop to the next made easy.



After the body was bolted in place.



A few random shots.











Lots and lots of work left. Not much to change except the shackle mounts. My inner fenders will be super easy after seeing the front fenders in place. I need to add a crossmember between your frame rails at the fish plate section. I feel like as long as the rear frame section is it just needs a crossmember , it will also be a good place to tie in the muffler and a traction bar later on.
 
#2,086 ·
yamaha225 said:
Looks really awesome. Can't wait to see it finished! Are you gonna have more lift in the rear? Looks close to the tires right now
That's a stock opening, I am going to add flares to the rear and open up the wheel opening a little front and back to make the tire fit.
 
#2,087 ·
Very nice, that should grace a magazine cover, or two, once it's done.
 
#2,089 ·
She is long and low pretty nice stance though.
I wouldn't change your rear spring shackle location just yet, unless the leaf springs are completely flat or have a negative arch.
Adding a leaf will raise the back end, but also makes the suspension stiff.
I would finish pretty much everything else, get it drivable and the see if you want stiffer rear springs. You don't want it to buck from the back
 
#2,094 ·
I will recharge the camera and take some 360 shots next week.
I want/need to see it next to Flop, to get a true sense of it's size.
 
#2,093 ·
It's a dedicated mall crawler....flop is for wheeling. We should all be so lucky.
 
#2,101 ·
crazycollinz said:
Make sure you park them both in the grass so the flop doesnt feel out of its element:rofl::cheers:
Well, the truck does not run or drive yet. So I will just make sure I use the lockers on flop. Probably be one poser shot in front of the shop because that's the easiest place to roll the truck to from my work area.

But, I will get some family pictures of my kiddos for you guys.
 
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