Expedition Scrambler..?

[jeepdreamer]

No sandbox for me again yet but thank you for the appreciation. Last trip downrange was good for the Jeep if nothing else. We are rolling into another training cycle for the next one but no word on when or where yet this time. Hoping we can invade Mexico or someplace not so nasty next time. I wouldn't mind "hitting the beach" at Cancun armed with an umbrella drink for a change. haha. But I'm currently in Germany and not slated to rotate home to the states until sometime next year. That will likely get pushed even further back if the deployment happens though.
Sounds like you Jeep is a beast! Are you running 35s or 37s? Mine, once I level it out, seems like it would clear 37s with no problem and I haven't cut any of the sheet metal yet. Went with 35s to keep cost and availability over here somewhat reasonable, not that I've put more than a couple thousand miles on them so far. Looks like yours is running a shackle reversal also? Did you fab that or is it a kit?

 

[renolaw]

37s. Note one of the pix above-- w/ 37sit BARELY clears the garage door. Anything larger I'd have to air down... No clearance issues but the flat front fender retrofit adds lots of room. Before, the ires at full stuff would rip the rubber fender flares off... SOA and shackle reverse. It was a warrior kit but had to hack it in half to widen it to accept the wider spring perches, which were outboarded to outside of frame.

As for Mexico, not so sure its all that nice. We have a timeshare in Mazatlan and are not too excited to go back anytime soon, although more murders in Chicago this year than in Mazatlan. But Mexico has had more beheadings that Iraq. Hummm...
The touristy places are generally safe but if tourists start getting whacked, a lot will change fast. Cartels have interests in resorts, restaurants, discos, so there is a code to not eff with tourists, according to a buddy living full time there. So far its brown on brown violence.


Lay dog and keep safe.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Can you see me now???

Looky what I got today....

 

[Randyzzz]

I am officially jealous...

 

[Bad Karma]

before and after shot!!! I wanna see the difference!!! (and i;m jealous too)

 

[jeepdreamer]

I'll try and get them in, or at least hooked up soon, promise. I HAVE to work on thing II this weekend to fix the oil leaks so I can get it registered first though. RMS, oil pan, valve cover,and tranny pan. If I get it done then I will try and do some stuff with the Scrambler. Unfortunatly it will be only daylight photos until I can get it to drive on its own. It lives in a fenced in yard at the shop right now...

 

[jeepdreamer]

Just got an email from TruckLite telling me what wires are what. Still not sure on the Jeep side of it though... Anyone know which is Hi/Low/ground on the head light plug?

 

[Bad Karma]

got a test light or a voltmeter?

 

[jeepdreamer]

I do have both... was just hoping to take the lazy way out. heehee! Looks like I will need the rings to hold on the headlight. Looked at the Scrambler yesterday and it doesn't have either one. I may just order some new ones since its not a huge hurry really.

 

[jeepdreamer]

The wheel of life turns and turns again....
Looks like I'll be having to make progress soon on the 8 so I can get it road worthy again....Just got my new "marching orders" for my next duty station. I'm a bit disheartened to say I won't be heading to Colorado as I had truly wished but Uncle Sam has other ideas for me. Looks like I will be headed to Ft Myers VA. No idea what to expect there so if anyone is local to that area... Please chime in. Could use some intel and good news.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Feeling kinda sick right now.... May need to vomit.
In an effort to get back on track a little with the Scrambler I pushed it inside today to begin reevaluating where it stands. The main issues is/has been how to get the new transmission, range box, and the Dana 300 tucked up enough so it wouldn't be a huge rock anchor. The problem was that when I jacked up the assembly it made good contact with the bottom of the tub well before becoming even close to where I think it should go. So after a while unloading all the acquired crap (where did all THAT stuff come from?!? haha) and pulling the seats I began to measure things a bit. My options were:
1- add a 1 1/2 body lift and hope its enough. That would require ordering one and then installing it and hoping... and if not having to find another way to make it all work. Or...
2- Cut the tub.
Well.... I simply don't have the words to describe how daunting it was to do but I went ahead and broke out the cutoff wheel and went with option 2. I honestly feel physically sick to have done this to a near rust free tub that had only surface stuff on the front floor feet area and a bit around the rear wheel wells.
But... done is done. Its on like donkey kong now!
Much like any jeep modification.. one solution ofetn presents several other challenges. In this case it looks like the seats will now have to have custom mounts made since the floor mod will be changing a bit of the shape. I may be able to retain the factory tilt bases but I kinda doubt it from a quick look and first thoughts. Oh well... one obstacle at a time. I did get to raise the drive train up to where it look right finally. I forgot the pics I printed of others here that have done new cross members for their NV4500 so I didn't get very far after that other than looking and head scratching a good bit. I really need to think this through and try for a solidly constructed design so I'm not remaking it over and over but there are not a lot of close examples out there and so much of it will just be "winging it". Between having the V8 and then adding the range box between the deal... I end up with a kinda unique set up. My intent is to keep as little hanging down as humanly possible but I'm not really sure how to skate around the front drive shaft just yet. Based on where everything falls and looking at the DS's potential path during travel...I'm in for some weird metal work. I also need to tie the T/C in somehow so all the extra weight isn't just hanging on the back. It does look like I will have to go with a CV type rear shaft since I think the angle of the dangle will be to much. But that's a bit down the road. There are so many things I still need to get at on this project I am kinda regretting having mothballed it for so long. Once its at least moving under its own power I won't have such a hard time working on it but getting enough folks to help me push it inside and back out after a work day is difficult.
So... I have a 4 day weekend next week and I plan to jump back on this thing. Need to get the cross member done and in. Measure and order a rear shaft, and start the seat configuration if not get the floor all back in...Lots to need doing but I have less than 6 months before it has to hit the boat. And it HAS to pass inspection before that happens. And with field time coming up and the job in general.. time is shorter than I think....
Off to research ideas for the cross member...

 

[renolaw]

Rubicon in 10 days. Discovered three majopr frame cracks and only way to properly fix was to pull all the body mounts along one side and hi lift the tub up and away. Will get pix later.

Now, in the spirit of Black Rock City and the HUGE party taking place for the next week a few teasers

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/RARECJ8/DSCN1284.jpg

yes, those are mirrors can't seem to get the hot link to work for this one


not a jeep but u can see the H1 in there somewhere

a cool toyota--- maybe some day i'll find a '45

and this? well, mad max is in town!

 

[jeepdreamer]

Cool stuff renolaw... Am wondering if you meant to post it on this thread though?? lol

 

[renolaw]

oops, sorry... but those vehicles are expedition rigs...

 

[jeepdreamer]

Lol! No... no problem and I think they fit. I guess my thread kinda got lost and confused between a regular one and a build one.?. And I'd love to have an FJ45 myself...but with a diesel!

 

[jeepdreamer]

Warning...

If you have a weak stomach you may not want to look at the picture...
This is from last weeks grinder attack...

 

[jeepdreamer]

Slow but hopeful...

Today was not to bad even if it wasn't hugely productive. The shops welder was tasked out so all I could do was brainstorm and make little stuff.... I think I have figured a halfway decent cross member idea as well as a way to tie in the t-case to keep the overhang/leverage to a minimum. Hopefully my little truss idea works out. Not much to see in the pics but you may notice that cutting the floor has allowed me to get a nearly flat belly! The t-case is flush with the bottom of the frame rail and the tranny hangs down maybe 1/2" or so? Not to bad considering how huge that whole thing is assembled. Now I just hope the driveshaft can handle it....

 

[jeepdreamer]

Ever get stuck on one of those sub projects that just won't form a good idea in your head? This cross member is just that way for me! I keep laying under the Jeep looking up at it and every time I start building something I seem to toss it out. I spent most of yesterday working on it again and think (crosses fingers) that I finally have most of a working idea of where this is going. Unfortunately, that idea came late and I only just got started building stuff. Started on the bushing brackets and sleeves but simply ran out of time at the shop. At first I was confused as to how to make the round sleeves mount on the cross member bridge that goes from the tranny to the t-case girdle but I think I've figured that out. Made a bad cut on the girdle so I'm not sure if I will just weld in a fix or remake the bracket...But at least I feel like this time the idea will work. Maybe. haha!
Today is my XJ day since the shop here is closed and I have no access to the Scrambler. I'm knee deep in the XJ at the same time which adds even more frustration due to to much on the plate at one time syndrome. Not sure how much I will get accomplished on it today but I'll do something. Parts for all are piling up in my room!

 

[renolaw]

for inspiration this is my home brew belly pan cross member combo. Very stout and have sat entire loaded rig onto the pan w/ no issues. good luck and keep us posted.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Thanks Mark...
The ideas seem to form but then they get in a battle with conceptualized issues or factual clearance stuff. I think I have a grasp on most of the basic part but I'll know more when I get back to it Saturday.
I spent today at the other shop intending to work on my XJ but ran into a shut out. The place was packed and the only bay that I could have possibly used was right next to some guys painting their car. Grinder sparks and fresh paint don't mix so I just futzed around and rummaged through the dumpster. I did find a large hunk of nearly new exhaust tubing that must have been a take off from someone installing a performance exhaust on their vehicle. While its no where near the same as the Scrambler, I should be able to use the mandrel bends and much of the tubing for it. It has a couple of resonators that are dented but maybe useable...and the entire thing looks like stainless steel..Hmm... There is even a weird little X-over deal to equalize the two sides. not sure if I can/will use that but its neat since its two tubes connected by a flexible doohickey. I also found out the Graf shop has an actual exhaust machine! As in one that can bend as well as expand tubing! Woot! When I get to that stage I will likely take the Scrambler back over there to run the exhaust.
I also found a pair of CV style drive shafts in the dumpster. One is only half of one but has a very long male end slip spline. The other is bent pretty bad and the CV joint is toast so I may ponder trying to rebuild the end and welding the shaft up to a length I need. If it just gets the Jeep to move around under its own power I'll be happy.