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Savvy LJ Test Mule

273K views 1K replies 162 participants last post by  Savvy 
#1 ·
Here is the Savvy LJ Test mule as it currently sits. Just needs a TT and some LEDs tail lights and it will be trail ready.

This Jeep was displayed at the King of the Hammers and was praised a lot. Sorry I don't have any before pictures as it was a theft recovery that was completely stock. We use it to prototype the TJ/LJ parts. I'll update this post with all of the current mods.

Specs:
· 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Auto
· Savvy Aluminum Gas Tank Skid
· Savvy Aluminum Full Corners
· Savvy Stainless Steel Wrecking Ball Tub Rails
· Savvy Aluminum Rockers with Chromoly Sliders
· Savvy Aluminum Front and Rear Bumpers
· Savvy LED Tail Lights Billet Housing
· Savvy Aluminum/Steel Under Armor - The 1st complete engine, tranny and transfer case skid
· Savvy Aluminum 1" Motor Mount Lift - Integrated into Under Armor
· Savvy Aluminum 1.25" Body lift - CNC Milled
· Savvy/Currie Ultimate 4130 Heat Treated HD Steering
· Currie 4" Suspension Lift - CE-9801H
· Currie HD Adjustable Trackbar - CE-9120TJS
· Currie Rear Adjustable Trackbar - CE-9120R
· Currie 4" HD Coil Springs
· Currie Rear Universal Antirock - CE-9902-18
· Currie Front F9 Housing with Hi-Pinion ARB 4.86 third member
· Currie Rear Rock Jock III ARB 4.88s
· Vanco 17" Big Brake Kit with Master Cylinder
· Metalcloak Aluminum Oveline Fenders and Flares
· Superior Outer Front Axle Shafts
· Rancho 9000XL Adjustable Shocks
· Novak Transfer Case Cable Shifter
· Poly Performance Rear Shock relocators
· Poly Performance LJ Roll Cage
· Raceline RT233 Monster Bead Locks 17 x 9"
· BFG KM2 37" x 12.50" x 17" Tires
· Tom Woods Drive Shafts
· Warn M9000 with relocated solenoid pack
· Hella 7000 Driving Lights
· Viking Off Road Synthetic Winch line and Safety Thimble

How it currently sits






 
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#805 ·
You're already up there, but you'll see me this morning as well. :p

Yah, what happened there... I know Blaine was making good progress before you went up to the Rubicon then all these guys got him booked up copying my rig and outboarding and Rancho's and all of that... :rofl:

I know, I know, all in good time and no more spyshots or prerelease stuff and all of that! :thumbsup:
I've seen the idea behind the tire carrier. Pretty nice. I can't wait to see the rest of it.
 
#810 ·
The shocks are fantastic! The best i've had under the LJ so far. Let me see, I've had Procomp MX6s, Skyjackers, Bilsteins, and Ranchos (in two flavors.) these are actually designed for a Ford F150. The larger diameter imakes the dampening more consistent and less prone to fade as there is a lot more oil. The adjustment of the shocks is currently at 0 and I have set the back to 3 when it was loaded down for the Rubicon.

These do take some work to get under the Jeep. You have to outboard the rear and the front mounts were shaved and moved to the lower control arm brackets. We could do that because we have a Currie F9 up front. The cool thing is I have at least 5" of up travel so going over the wash boards and fun stuff is not so bad!

It rides very nice on short arms and 35s. I'm guessing a F150 is around 4500 to 5000lbs? Anybody know?
 
#812 ·
We have another set of shocks for standard 4" lift. We have been experimenting with a few different sets.

Glockster is our tester for a new set we think are going to work nicely up front and he is using the same rears as is on the Mule. Blaine is nearly done with his so hopefully he'll post up.
 
#813 ·
Couple questions about the Mule:
1. What did you guys do about the rear trackbar and the relocation of the rear springs?
2. I know you guys move the front shocks down a bit to get more uptravel. How did you acheive 5" with stock suspension points and steering location up front? Does your front axle allow more clerance that the standard TJ axles would?
Thanks for your feedback!
 
#814 ·
Blaine moved the spring buckets and we have aftermarket axles so everything had to be adjusted. In the process shock length is design into the axle installation. He also creat a very unique rear trackbar which you will not find anywhere. The shocks are 11" and 12" travel shocks so we get alot of articulation and travel. The front axle is really a tight fit and requires a lot of work to get the steering and suspension to work right. It is a larger axle than the D30 that was in there. The axles installation are for piece of mind when running larger tires off road.
 
#817 ·
Today I started taking apart the Mule in order to get it more show ready for the Off Road Expo in Pomona October 9th and 10th. Basically I have 3 weeks to get both of the LJs ready. The armor is all being prepped and powder coated and should be an interesting display when they are done.

Matson from Metalcloak just confirmed shipment of the Overlines which is perfect timing as I can have them powder coated at the same time.

 
#818 ·
Been lurking for a while on this thread. I got half the CAs put in, need to do the uppers still. Thanks a lot Gerald. I can't wait to see this rig all done up. Lots of exciting stuff on this build It has sparked many Ideas for my rig. I am looking at options for a regear/ axle swap. It going to be a bit down the line still like we talked about on the phone. Where did you source the JK axles? If you can tell me with out having to kill me.
 
#820 ·
I'm still waiting to see some half doors on there Gerald! And for news on some trailreadys lol
 
#822 ·
It definately will. For those of you who saw us last year, we have the end cap this year. The same spot Genright had. It was good for them so hopefully it will be good for us. GR has got a huge booth this year!

Today I received the Metalcloak Overlines and will get the fitting before I send them to the powder coater. I'll have to make some changes to the rockers to accomodate them. I saw a couple of install last weekend that should help me get them ready

I got the Overline with the 4" flare. I'm undecided on the rear as to what I'm going to run. Regardless it will be a busy weekend for me.
 
#835 ·
Hey Gerald,

I'll send you a PM sometime about what I'm thinking. Right now I can't figure out why my math isn't adding up right in my head.. I should come out about even after all is said and done, but I can't figure out why I'm not.

Anytime, next time you're coming to help!
 
#839 ·
I really wish you hadn't done that Gerald. Bleh.
 
#844 ·
I'm guessing he was talking about the money he now has to fork out for the new fenders. I think they look great and I really like the way they open up the rear of the fenderwell. BTW, I plan on running them with the 4" flat Xenon's in the rear. I'm more concerned with banging the rear tub in the rocks vs the front fenders.
 
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