I have been waiting a long time to do this and it has begun!!!
my plans are to triangulated 4 link the rear with air shox or coilovers.

To start i tore the old 1/2 stock 1/2 bolt on sport cage 1/2 crappy add ons.
started building a cage that when time comes, it will be easy to use it for tubing the rear and cutting rear of body off.

here is before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010029.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010003.jpg
so here is the cage, got the main part installed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010037.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010039.jpg

its lowered almost two inches(yes i will have plenty of headroom)
and angled back a bit more.

few more
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010038.jpg
yes there is no air in one tire
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010040.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010042.jpg


will be somewhat slow, i hope to link up in next few weeks though.

haha, you biter.

keep the pics coming.

it definetly looks different. im not sure if i like the look or not. im wondering if you'll regret building around the stock dash considering you'll probably end up one day ripping it all out. sort of makes your jeep look like someone with a humongoid forehead.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010037.jpg

http://www.filibustercartoons.com/ford4.jpg

I dig the low slanted back cage. Keep it up.

keep the pics coming.

im wondering if you'll regret building around the stock dash considering you'll probably end up one day ripping it all out.

i dont think i will ever do that, i love the yj dashes. so i wont regret it.
but i have a feeling you will like it when im done:D

you k eeping that rectangular box for the main hoop mounts to the frame? if so, run some triangular plate up the frame to help spread the load so it's just just a right angle joint on the frame. how're you planning to do the overheads too? I've got some opinionated theories on that as well :P i liked making my downtubes hug the dash a little more vertical but it looks good, squatty, fast...looks good so far

Glad to see that you're putting that tube to use. Let me know if you need any more materials and/or parts. I've got some 7075 Al. coming in next week to start making some nice control arms...should be pretty blinging

Glad to see that you're putting that tube to use. Let me know if you need any more materials and/or parts. I've got some 7075 Al. coming in next week to start making some nice control arms...should be pretty blinging

ohh yeah, thanks man. i will be needin some link tabs and stuff soon, i will get with ya.

you k eeping that rectangular box for the main hoop mounts to the frame? if so, run some triangular plate up the frame to help spread the load so it's just just a right angle joint on the frame. how're you planning to do the overheads too? I've got some opinionated theories on that as well :P i liked making my downtubes hug the dash a little more vertical but it looks good, squatty, fast...looks good so far

yes i am keeping the 2x4 as the mount, but they will for sure be beefed up and not left that way. i had planned on asking for ideas on that.
as for overhead my plan(which im not set on) is...
bending a 180 degree that will attach in the center of the B pillar say about 12" long, then from 180 bend i will have spreaders go to the center of A pillar and one to center of upper windshield bar(which will have that mean bent look) does that make since?
i would love to hear ideas, im wantin strengh, not just looks.

i will admit that i had planning on the downtubes to be more vertical, but im new to this bendin stuff didnt get it perfect, but i actually like how it turned out.

I hope your welds have improved since the last time you posted pics... :eek:

I hope he's gotten better too. Looks like he's still not using gas though.

I also second the motion to ditch the factory dash, I wish I didnt bend my cage where you bent yours (top of the dash).

Good luck and keep updating!

I hope he's gotten better too. Looks like he's still not using gas though.

I also second the motion to ditch the factory dash, I wish I didnt bend my cage where you bent yours (top of the dash).

Good luck and keep updating!
yeah, i will have to get some pics of the welds for yall.
and i will keep the factory dash, what do yall have against it? i love it.

here is some updates as of today, basically got the upper windsheild bar tacked in and mocked up seat mounts.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010044.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010043.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/WhitesideFAB/P1010045.jpg

Basically visibility. After sitting in a few without that ugly dashpad I made the descision mine is going to hit the ebay pile.

That and my I-6 is long gone so none of the gauges are of any use.

hmm, yeah i can understand that, does stick up a bit. i got alot more done on cage, will post pics soon

I think it looks cool,wish i had one like it!!
keep up the good work!!

ok here is a bit mor fe, threw the seats in to mount, its not finished.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010046.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010047.jpg
in this pic, i am trying to figure out if i can do a spreader on each side from the 180 to corners of windshield bars. the headroom will be very close, so i will give em a small bend, just gotta play with it and get it right.
tell me what u think? i am looking for ideas on how to tie rear part of cage to b pillar, either some simple spreaders or??

man im digen the cage and also that shifter is fuckin bad ass

Nice build. I like how the cage is laid back. Looks fast. Have you pulled your windshield up to see how it will look with the new cage? You could mount some speed glass directly to the cage and ditch the windshield all together. You wouldn't be able to use a top though. I also like the shifter. I did the same thing on my Cruiser and will to the Jeep as well. Nice work. Keep it up.

thanks man, yeah when the windshield is up, it looks goofy, but the only time the windshield will be up is when the top is on and doors, so it wont matter, should be DD for a few more months, then the top,doors and windshield will be sold. thanks man

ok i am figureing my 4 link cal.
here is my problem. how do i find tire rolling radius?
find a point on the tire, turn it until it comes around and measurethe distance?
also i have no idea what my jeep weighs
its stock compcut custom cage 38" tsls d44 axles stock engine/tranny.
any idea?

rightnow with having

Wheelbase 104.0 in
Tire Diameter 36.00 in
Tire Rolling Radius 17.00 in ?????
Vehicle CG Height 22.00 in
Vehicle Mass 5,000 lb ????
Front Unsprung Mass 800 lb ???
Rear Unsprung Mass 700 lb ???


Upper Links x y z
Frame End 30.00 20.00 25.00 in
Axle End 0.00 10.00 30.00 in
Lower Links x y z
Frame End 50.00 5.00 15.00 in
Axle End 3.00 20.00 15.00 in

Anti-Squat 76 %
Roll Center Height 29 in
Roll Axis Angle -12 degrees (Roll Understeer)
Instant Center X-Axis 90 in
Instant Center Z-Axis 15 in

rolling radius is from the ground to the center of the axle shaft at whatever air pressure you run. for center of gravity, what my friends have done that's worked well for them, and what i did, was sit in your seat, reach down and touch the rocker. measure that point. i guessed on the weights off some numbers i'd seen in the past. i'd say you're closer to 4k. after designing everything i played with the weights and it didn't change things too much either way. take a screenshot of the spreadsheet and use your red star, too many numbers to try to figure out at this hour :) or, wait a month and i'll tell you how mine works and send you the dimensions :D i went with 8" of vertical seperation at the axle, and 6" at the frame. if i had brought the lowers closer in to each other that would have flattened out the roll axis some more, im at 5 degrees, but i didn't want to build a crossmember, i liked the high clearance poly mounts. i'm pleased with my decision as far as the fabrication aspect goes, we'll see how it runs. you've got some looooong lowers there. edit://just opened up the spreadsheet, you haven't changed anything, wtf?

I like the slanted cage, keep up the good work. Are you using a 110V flux for your cage welds?

Looking good. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Looking very cool, SO are you thinking an inverted "V" on the front windshield?

edit://just opened up the spreadsheet, you haven't changed anything, wtf?

huh??

and thanks for the input!!

got the rest of my ends in today so im ready to go

i opened up a fresh copy of the 4 link calculator and the default values are what you posted. it hought you'd been tweaking it already.

ohh, i just looked at it and i guess i didnt open up my saved sheet. sorry

Looking very cool, SO are you thinking an inverted "V" on the front windshield?

ohh yeah, its already on, gotta get some pics

Looks like what I am working on for mine, except I am doing it a little bit differently
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/rock_crawler/Tube%20Creations/mycage.jpg
the blue is the stock yj cage (still debating leaving it or not) and the green bar is a tire carrier. what size box steel did you use for your seat mounts? I do like the look of the cage though.

ok i snapped a pic of the cage, not done, but you can get the main idea of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010051.jpg

and thanks to TJ Ken (K.O.R.E Custom Components and Fabrication)
custom design of crossed axes, i am a soon to be fireman.
contact him for the best deal on DIY beadlocks, custom or basic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010054.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010052.jpg

i will be mounting them up on my brand spanking new 38" TSLs that come tomorrow.

ok got em mounted up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010057.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/P1010058-1.jpg

i didnt think the jeep could look better, but i was wrong:D

dude your jeep looks bomb now with the bead locks. cant wait to get mine and to build my cage! Let me know when you want to take me to chandler, lol.

later man

Beadlocks look good all mounted up on the new meats. Did you wind up doing anything with the gussets?

-i'm Out....long day at the shop

looks good,

i would like to see how the back half comes out!

Beadlocks look good all mounted up on the new meats. Did you wind up doing anything with the gussets?

-i'm Out....long day at the shop

i am going to put the gussets on today, thanks again!!

looks good...something seems entirely different about the cage...I guess it's just the angle on it...but it looks good

how soon are you goin to backhalf it?

Looks really good. I like how you lowered the cage height.

How high above the door opening is your seat height?

:)

My only question is, was the bend in the windshield bar necessary? Seems like it wasn't, and it may have weakened that part of the cage some, but I could be wrong, and it might be totally needed.
Scott

Ive been looking at cage design reacently. And I by no means a expert, but I dont see haw that slight angle in the cage could weaken the design. Id like to know how much that weakend the cage...

i hope to start backhalfing the jeep this weekend?? not 100% sure, trying to figure out what to start with. dont worry, i will let u know so u can come over.
as for the bent windshield bar, if you ask anyone who has it, i bet just about every person will say its for looks, some like it, some dont. i could have done a plain jane 90 degree angles cage, but i wanted it to look nice and different.
i understand how u could think it would weaken it, but with the windshield V, i think it makes it alot stronger.
as for the seat mounts, i am not sure, i will have to check, i know the mounts are about level to the door opening.

progress has been slow. i bought a Daily driver...
1969 Ford F-100 60,000 Original Miles no rust anywhere, plan on restoring it and daily driving it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Ford%20f100/P1010074.jpg

Nice Progress And I Love The Dd

thanks, for some reason my camera isnt working, i got the backhalf cutoff and all the links mocked and tached in. hope to be wheelin it next weekend??? i dont know for sure

hey man it looks good so far! and i think your right on the angled back idea i think it looks much cooler like tha!

later

Hurry up! I gotta see this!

this jeep is sickkkk looking i can't wait to see it finished

linking is done and backhalf is almost done, i gotta find a working camera to get some updated pics listed, but its turning out great.

You find the camera yet?:flipoff2:

yeah i had a buddy come over, but couldnt get them loaded on the comp:mad3:
i got the coils perches from Kings Offroad mounted up, gotta weld them and take support bars off and finish up some minor things

looks good man, its always nice to see people step out of the norm... sure you might get flamed for it a little, but i guess youre use to flames :smokin:

now hurry up and get some new pics up :grinpimp:

but i guess youre use to flames :smokin:


not yet, but very soon!!!

i got my fathers camera, but the freaking thing has a different USB hookup deal:mad3: :mad3: :mad3: :mad3: :mad3:

Nice work!
the cage looks great, IMO :smokin:

thanks, i see your in tulsa?? where about and whats your rig?

Ummmmmmmmmmm..............Hurry up hehe:flipoff2:

thanks, i see your in tulsa?? where about and whats your rig?

Yo, I live around 117th and 75. Work at 41st and 129th. I just bought a stock 89 yj with a 4.2 last week. Trying to figure out where to start, its not my daily driver so it could be down for awhile if needed. Your build is looking great! I would like to check it out sometime to get some ideas.
:smokin:

yeah let me know and come check it out, if you ever want a nice cage bent up and put in, you know where to go:D
btw i am in midtown area.

Find a damn camera already or it didnt happen! :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS PICS

ok here are a few, im headed out to work on it, so i will make more soon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2612.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2615.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2620.jpg
i hate daylight savings time, that pic was taken at about 6 last night

sweet man!...id like to see how much weight u lost...

also like i said add a diagonal to the b pillar

whats up drew! man im diggen the balkhalf im goin to try to swing by today!

Why did you end two peices of tube in the middle of a tube instead of in line with each other? You have loads ending in the middle of a tube, instead of spreading them back to the frame. You already know this but you need some kind of lateral support as well.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/7417/image2ig4.jpg

Drop your uppers at the frame end. The upper links should be as close to flat as possible. You're AS must be through the roof.

Keep going

i totally agree, the tube work is not done at all, everything will be braced up and yall will be happy with it:D :D

what have yall done for sway bars??

here is how
it sits now, not anymore tube work done, but its supporting its own weight, the tin is just there to see how it looks and to mount lights and L plate until i get a skin cutout

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2623.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2625.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2628.jpg

yea i like it and hey i met kenoth and im goin to try to get a job their!

I really like it. Good work man. What did you use on the links at the frame end? Bushings at the axle and ????

thanks man, they are PORC flex joints at frame and crossmember end.

all those people asking wheres the pics... wheres the pics... now nothing?:D

yeah nothing huge going on.
took some more pics, blurry but at least i have pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2647.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2644.jpg
put alittle paint on the tube, got the fuel cell mounted up lined and wired.
anyone have a diagram or info on what the rest of the lights go to that run to the rear of a yj.
gotta figure which lights hoop up to what wire.


since i got it running i thought i could drive it out of the garage other than roll it out, to work on it. but i let the clutch out a bit too much, the lower link crossmember was not fully welded:rolleyes: so it broke the welds, and pushed everything up. easy fix, i just hate to get pushed back

yea i was goin to tell ya you should probably cut some hole out of your tub and weld the top side of those but i figuered you had allready thought of that!

yea i was goin to tell ya you should probably cut some hole out of your tub and weld the top side of those but i figuered you had allready thought of that!

huh? i have a way im going to brace it, just have not yet

ohh ok

tj grill is on, very easy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2650.jpg

little gap in corner, but new hoop will cover it until i get a tj hood

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PLATE-SCREW-LED-Licence-Bolt-Light-CAR-BIKE-blue_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33713QQihZ006QQite mZ160049822304

just got these for my turn signals, i have seen them used, and should work great

Coming out really sweet!!!

Gui

thanks man, its out and driving, not done, but driveable. took alot of pics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2651.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2652.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2653.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2654.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2655.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2658.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2657.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2659.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2660.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/DSCN2662.jpg

btw if you are wondering, the rest of the tubing will be silver(tube fenders, hoop, stinger)

maybe I missed it, but what springs are you using in the back?

stock tj front springs

Damn she turned out nice, sure was fun watching this thread so far and look forward to see more.

What's going on with the shocks? The passenger side has even less uptravel than the drivers.

thanks, i have enjoyed the build, there is more to come, so keep checking it out!!

the shocks and shock mounts are just temp. i need to get some longer travel ones and some actual shock mounts

dude bad ass! love the build. You did a great job.

thanks man, glad u like.

now maybe you will actually buy a jeep????:laughing:

were do you go to wheel your rig.as im about 20 minutes from grand.

man drew i am really liken the way it turned out to! i just wish you would have used DOM tubing! but great job!

Did you use HREW?

were do you go to wheel your rig.as im about 20 minutes from grand.


when i have time Disney, other than that, chandler here in tulsa.


yeah i used HREW, i am one of those firm believers that its good stuff.:D
say what you want.

You and me both on the HREW. I loved that stuff and it never failed me. Of course I never summer-saulted my jeep or barrel-rolled it to ever cause my cage to fail. :flipoff2: I had my stinger, grille hoop, and front cage all 1.5'' HREW i think.

Awsome build!! Im in the process of building my yj now. Hope to see you at Disney sometime!

sweet, ya let me know when your going, prolly be awhile before i can go though.

i think u need to explain why ur name is yota.... and ur building a jeep

Very sweet! Good job and looks awesome! Do you think that you may need a little more bracing from the top of your spring mount up to the upper bar to make sure that you tweak the tubing? Just a thought. Keep on with the pics:bounce2:

yeah i think i mentioned there is more bracing to be done. so stay tuned:D

glad ya like

Are those btf coil buckets? or did you make those?

Looking awesome! Do not tempt me!!!! :D Hos is the head room and front view now?

Are those btf coil buckets? or did you make those?

they are Kings offroad... K.O.R.E
aka TJ ken here on pirate.
great product for great price. i had to modify them a bit to work with tube, but i believe he plans on making some to use with tube.


Looking awesome! Do not tempt me!!!! Hos is the head room and front view now?

thanks man. ohh come on, backhalf ur jeep man!!

headroom is ok. i will always be wearing the harness for sure, but plenty of room

Jeep looks great! I can vouch for TJ Ken he made me the same coil buckets!

Hopefully someday I can finish mine. Maybe when I do we can hit some of the good trails around here in oklahoma. I live in OKC.

Looks good under its own power!

Here's a closer pic of the coil buckets I make....plenty in stock

no progress pics, but i have been driving it, and i was able to flex it out today during halftime of the OU Vs. osu. i was very very happy with the flex, better than i thought i would get. only thing is, the front was not flexing as well as it did before. only think i could think of was i might need a sway bar in the rear:confused: but unless i get some sort of antirock setup, would that majorly limit my flex?

or it could have been that i flexed on a retaining wall and the angle and height of it just made the body roll??
now to find a trailer to haul it to disney... anyone got a trailer for sale around here cheap??

any thoughts on my above questions?

hey did you guys go to chandler yesterday?

It obvious you need a sway bar on that thing. Now the rear is doing all the work where as before the front and rear suspensions were working together with similiar resistence in springs. Now that you have those coils out back they are softer (i assume) and are now doing all the work.

Swaybar it and youll be fine.

ok makes since, so wouldnt some basic sway bars limit my flex? is there something out there that is not alot of $$ that will work?
anyone got pics of their sway bars? ill do some searchin in the mean time.

spencer, no we didnt go to chandler. almost did today, but i did some leaves insted:laughing:

well, got some nice flex shots and some urban crawling...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Jeep1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Jeep2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Jeep3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Jeep4.jpg

how you think it turned out? i am pleased:D

Damn!!! :eek: Fawkin tight. THat thing turned out alot better than what I thought. Looks like the rear is doing all the work though. I see the shocks are limiting uptravel...is that on purpose? Or used as bumpstops? Looks nice.

lookin good now lets go wheelin damnit

Bought my swaybar parts from Tony K on here, www.Rockequipment.com

http://206.196.31.97/images/upload/member_vehicles/Bushwhacker_vehicle(61).jpg

How tall are you at the belly? Top of the cage?

Damn!!! :eek: Fawkin tight. THat thing turned out alot better than what I thought.


got no faith in me??? i see how it is:flipoff2:


i would love a nice sway bar setup like that for the rear, but i have ZERO $$ left for the jeep now.

i will have to take those measurments for ya.

You got a trailer didnt you?

why yes i did, plannin a disney trip in a few weeks, got a jeep yet?

Nope, not yet.

looks damn good. clean. what size tire you runnin?? 42s?

38x12.50's from what it looks like to me.

It looks in the flex pics like the rear is doing a hell of a lot more work than the front is. But thats just my untrained eye.

that is somewhat true. but i also think that is because 4 link is going to flex waay better than leafs.

the front does flex. but not as much as it should be. not by much.

i am thinking of removing a leaf... for two reasons. the front sits a bit higher, and i figure it will soften up the flex.


ohh and yes they are 38x12.5

What size fuel cell are you running?

10 gal.

started on the boatsides, what u think? i just need to plate the sides/bottoms down to the floor, and tube in the doors.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_0815.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_0814.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_0816.jpg

Once you start cutting...there is not stopping.... Its addictive.

I like it..good work.:smokin:

i totally agree, glad ya like.
it will look real nice once its plated and all.

took it to disney this weekend, so here are some pics and video.
jeep did amazing, i was impressed.

here is a video going up the waterfall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/th_MVI_1420-2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/?action=view&current=MVI_1420-2.flv)

here is nosedive
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Disney%2007/th_MVI_1440.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Disney%2007/?action=view&current=MVI_1440.flv)
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/Disney%2007/?action=view&current=MVI_1440.flv

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_1409.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_1410.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_1441.jpg
just a few, got more videos to upload.

is this guy on pirate? amazing buggy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/biggreentj/IMG_1422.jpg

Jeep looks really good. Also, looks like it performed flawlessly.

looks good lets see the new truss