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Mikes 81 mongrel scrambler

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Motor and tranny pulled and chucked. We're cutting all and any unnecessary brackets off now, and then we'll slide the frame under the body. Got a new e locker for the front, the one in the housing should be salvageable, so if it is, I'll clean it up as a spare. Also ordered new front lower and upper control arms. All the heims were cooked, and between bushings and heims, it wasn't much more to just by new arms. The Rock trac t case is at my buddies, getting a rebuild, along with a teraflex 2low kit put in.


 
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Frame is cleaned up of unnecessary brackets and crap. We're going to take it for a wash tomorrow, and then slide it under the body. Then fab up body mounts. Unfortunately I was transferred north to work 10 on and 4 off shifts, so I hired one of my welder buddy's to get the body, motor and tranny/t-case installed. 3-5 months of north country work, and when I'm home, I have my boys the 4 days, so working on this will be limited. He should have it all set within the next two weeks, then I'll wire it up, and get the motor set up. 4WP has my new Core 44 in, and are doing the gears on it, with the new Rubi e-locker I have. And I get the Dynatrac D60 tomorrow to sling into place.


 
Oh, I expect arms by weeks end, and ordered new seals, bearings and a chain for the Roctrac 241OR T-case. $792. Ouch. Plus the teraflex 2low fork at $335. Plus labour. But I'll have a brand new 4:1 t-case.


 
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Cut out all the rust. So, we have an outline of a body! ;) Got the first side bent, cut and in place, passenger side next, and then a new floor. Have to move one body mount back to pick up the front of the tub.


 
I was gonna say that after all of that was cut out there wasn't much left. Wow.
 
Now thats a patch panel. . [emoji106] [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-N910P
 
When all work is complete you'll kick yourself for not getting a new tub. I did the same thing, I would have saved money and time buying a new tub. Hope it works out better for you though.
 
zr10054 said:
When all work is complete you'll kick yourself for not getting a new tub. I did the same thing, I would have saved money and time buying a new tub. Hope it works out better for you though.
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I don't think so. We have to move and open the wheel wells, move all body mounts to fit to the JKU frame, adjust floor height to work with cross members, and do so many small adjustments, that really, I am time and money ahead. To get a tub right now in Canada would be 40-50% above your cost, plus hours of labour to make it fit. Due to my job, and my buddies, we are getting the steel cheap, thru suppliers, and with all the work in so far, I'm still under a grand. By the time it's done, I'll be at around $2g, including custom fenders to cover the rear tires, and work on the fronts to make the beast road legal. Plus mounting the motor and tranny/t case.


 
I 100% agree...this is a fully custom off road rig, not an oem restoration. With a new tub, the first dent would hurt too much anyway. With what you have there you can weld away, and make due with what you've got, and repair it any way you want later also.... :cheers:
 
I guess with what you're doing a new tub wouldn't be the way to go after all.
 
I could have one built by aqualu, but it would add 2-4g to the base price of the tub. Don't wanna spend that on a body, with the rest of the jeep still to be built.


 
Great job. Had you considered shortening the frame to replicate the original look of the Scrambler? Is it difficult to shorten the frame on the JK's?
 
scramble1983 said:
Great job. Had you considered shortening the frame to replicate the original look of the Scrambler? Is it difficult to shorten the frame on the JK's?
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I have no desire to shorten the frame, or have the rear overhang of a stock scrambler. I will have a stock scrambler at some point, but this is being built to beat on. The frame and suspension is already proven to work, and the wheelbase works, as do the approach and departure angles. Think of this as a bobbed scrambler, but without the bob, just the great departure angle.

It really wouldn't be difficult to shorten the frame, the frames on JK's are built well. But not something I want to do.


 
As Randyzzz would say, "It's not what you buy it's what you build."
 
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