CJ7 project - lipstick on a pig

lojones · Jun 27, 2008

I will have to edit in more pics this weekend, i left my memory card at home.

I bought a Summit Racing universal aluminum radiator, shroud and fan to save money. Those direct bolt in ones are way too spendy. I had to clearance a bit out of my grill to get it in but was able to fit it nicely and get it bolted up. Also got a B&M plate style trans cooler, hopefully it works well enough, i can always put a little 8" pusher fan in front of it.

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

Wow been another year and the jeep is mostly finished! Hopefully i can get out on the 20th for a day run to Evan for a shake down.

A few big things left like bumpers, sliders, corners and then all the cosmetics/paint.

I wanted it narrower and lower then it used to be. It ended up 2" narrower and 1" shorter, so not bad going from 35" and 44's. In these pics the tires are fully aired up.

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

The front is about as low as i could get it and still have some room for uptravel. I even shaved .25" off the builtin d60 spring mount.

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

The rear i shaved the spring pads until they were almost flush with the top of the axle. The front spring mount i cut in half and rewelded on to lower about an inch. The rear shackle mount got raised about 4" up in to the frame. Made some rear shock mounts that hug as tight to the frame as i could get, hopefully the tires dont hit em when twisted up. Need to cut the rear wheel wells out a bunch next.

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

The new mounts and crossmembers for the tranny and atlas. Just need whip up a skid plate and maybe something to cover the tranny pan too. I made my own rear atlas brace, hopefully it does its job, what do you guys think? (see if anyone reads this). The amc th400 is actually tilted 3 degrees unlike the gm version if anyone wonders at the angled mount.

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

Had to make up some new exhaust since the atlas doesnt leave much room on the passenger side and i needed room for a traction bar.

Decided to build a 2.25" Y-pipe in to 3" all the way out the back. Turned out pretty good and doesnt sound too bad either. I put in a flex tube section so i could mount the rest of the tube up pretty tight.

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

Still trying to figure out how i want to mount the ram but other than that the steering is done.

Bunk1 · Jun 12, 2009

DO NOT mount your atlas support like that. The tube will bend(first belly slam) and you will fawk yer atlas up.

EDIT: could you flip the mount 180 degrees and hook into your cage(figuring you tied into the cage for seat mounts)?????

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

That is some good thinking Joe, I actually plan to make the skid plate float below the crossbars and connect to the frame directly but for a different reason. The bars have poly bushings at the ends (same as engine mounts) and i didnt want to bolt the skid plate to them and make them more ridgid.

The belly pan will be like \______/ and not touch the crossmembers at all if my plan comes together.

Bunk1 · Jun 12, 2009

lojones said:
That is some good thinking Joe, I actually plan to make the skid plate float below the crossbars and connect to the frame directly but for a different reason. The bars have poly bushings at the ends (same as engine mounts) and i didnt want to bolt the skid plate to them and make them more ridgid.

The belly pan will be like \______/ and not touch the crossmembers at all if my plan comes together.

That'll work, I was thinking you would sheet up the bars for a belly pan. I was wrong:booo:

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

Wrong, no, you made a good observation based on the info available. Now im thinking i better get that belly pan made sooner then later.

CHOP SHOP · Jun 12, 2009

you got 2inch spacers behind those H1s?

lojones · Jun 12, 2009

yes 2" spacers on the front. Thanks again for the deal on the wheels :awesomework:

pos97TJ · Jun 13, 2009

:awesomework:looks good, I bought that dodge 60 from you awhile back. Mine is about done, you will have to let me know when your plannin to run rimrock:beer:

CHOP SHOP · Jun 13, 2009

lojones said:
yes 2" spacers on the front. Thanks again for the deal on the wheels :awesomework:

Hey no prob! Looks good. Nice and low, no pucker now.

lojones · Jun 13, 2009

pos97TJ said:
:awesomework:looks good, I bought that dodge 60 from you awhile back. Mine is about done, you will have to let me know when your plannin to run rimrock:beer:

Will do, i imagine our group will be heading there for Labor Day. I hope you were able to get that 60 fixed up without too much trouble. I prob shoulda just fixed it up myself but i was just too pissed after getting ripped off, didnt want to look at it hehe.