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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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#1,230 ·
I'm not sure if all the loose ends will be finished or not by tomorrow/Thursday, but the current plan is for me to meet Mike at his place in the morning & head up to Blaine's.

Without a doubt - its been a real challenge (for me) and learning experience assisting Blaine with your fine rig, Mike. I'm looking forward to wheeling with you if at all possible this weekend.
 
#1,231 ·
Brought the bad boy home yesterday. I can't believe it's actually my Jeep. Awesome job done by Blaine and Joe. I'll take many more pics and explain what Blaine and Co. did on Sunday. Plan now is for Joe and I to wheel it this weekend at Coral Canyon.

Here's a couple of teaser pics.



 
#1,241 ·
Andrew and Blaine beat me to part of the punch about how it handles.

You're one of the people on JF that can look at the pictures I posted and know pretty closely how well it drives, so I figure your question was rhetorical. I'll answer it anyway...:laugh:

I can finally drive it with only one hand, heck two fingers, on the steering wheel and feel like I have complete control over it.

I learned a lot from Blaine during this build, but I still don't understand half of what Blaine did or why he did it. :rofl: I just know it works. :thumbsup:
 
#1,236 ·
Imped said:
Does she drive as nice as she looks?

Awesome work.
I test drove it wed and ill say it drives, rides and handles BETTER than it looks.

The handling and traction this jeep makes is ridiculous. All thanks to the suspension design and shock tuning by Wayne I hit a rough rutted out hill at about 20mph and did not even spin tire climbing the rather rocky hill

i felt like I could compete in koh with it and be competitive
 
#1,245 ·
Nice Mike!!! You will definitely appreciate the control you have. I have a tendency to try and make my Jeep do things I wouldn't try in a full bodied rig in the past. :D I am still shaking my head to this day that I can drive out to the trail, pound on mine, air up and drive home (while staying in my lane):rofl:

Let me know if you plan a JV trip or anything like that, I'd love to meet up and wheel!

Blaine did you guys start out with a similar shock tune to mine?
 
#1,251 ·
What we did to the steering pump was right at the limit of my understanding of the principle.

The extra volume demand on the system resulted in slow heavy steering in parking lot type situations.

Without removing the pump, we swapped the pressure valve for one that was higher and then drilled out the orifice to a larger diameter to drop the pressure back down but increase the volume.
 
#1,256 ·
It may not be as simple with a TC pump. The CBR pump we are using has the same internals as the venerable P pump which is not shared with the TC pump that you have. I suspect it is a bridge that will need to be crossed IF we find a problem, preferably not before.
 
#1,258 ·
A few pics from todays shake down run. I have to say that it handled amazing on the trail. I was taking lines that I've never tried before and the Jeep just gets up, over, through anything I pointed it at. Works perfectly!!!!!!!!! I can't thank Blaine and Joe enough for all of the hard work and attention to detail that went into the build. I can't wait for Johnson Valley. :D








 
#1,259 ·
Looks great, congrats and enjoy!
 
#1,260 ·
Don't take this the wrong way, but does it really climb that much better? was it the ability to climb better your number one reason behind this overhaul? what other benefits does this setup have over the short arm setup you had originally? I know the shocks alone would have been a nice improvement but i have never seen much improvement in longer links. I'll admit that i havent seen a build as thought out with good reasoning behind it, but i have seen alot of guys lengthen their links in order to achieve results that dont seem to make a big difference. apples to oranges i know, but im curious.
 
#1,262 ·
The Currie SA lift that I had on this and my other Jeep were perfectly fine. There was nothing inherently wrong with it. I believe it's the best bolt on lift on the market. It is what it is, though.

Blaine has got this suspension figured out. His custom lift is nothing short of amazing. It does everything better. Climbing is a joke with this set up. If you read back a page or two you will see where Blaine and Andrew talk about climbing a hill in 2hi, that was steep and pretty rutted out, and did not even slip a tire. Blaine gets it and the suspension, with their attention to detail and all of their hard work, just gets it.

I'm kind of pressed for time, as I've been since I picked it up, so I have to make this short. Your question deserves a detailed answer and I'll provide one as soon as I get some time. I plan on getting some detailed pics up to hi light some of the work done.

You don't live that far from me. I'd be willing to meet you half way and let you drive it so you can see for yourself how it handles. :2thumbsup:
 
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