OK, I have decided to get the hell on with building my next project.

It will be a hybrid contraption - a concoction of what I want, what I can afford, and what is available to me.

The basic plan will be YJ frame, SOA, 105"-ish WB. RCD60, D70. Ford 400m,T-18, 203/205 doubler (or 2 205s - one divorced). Topped with a '72 land Rover Series IIA body (or most of a body) - coz it's cool, and I have one for free.

So - I'm starting completely from scratch...bare rusty YJ frame and a heap of Drivetrain parts.

What the bloody hell do I do????

I'm thinking...

1) build the axles
2) sling them under the farme with my springs, setting wheelbase
3) Bolt engine, Tranny, and T-case together - and set in place
4) Curse like hell that WB is about 1" too short
5) redo-spring mounts
6) Set body on top
7) worry about the chicken sh#$ like steering, brakes, throttle, gauges, seats, etc.
8) full cage
9) wack on some 42" TSLs and GET IT!

Or something like that

Any advice, lessons learned? Is that the right order?

I think your suspension design will play a big factor.
Take a look at Strange Rover's rig.
He's running 100" wb w/42's.
How do you want yours to look?

From your description I'm guess that you are running leaf springs?
Which leaf springs will play a factor in how far forward you can put the front axle. Same with the rear. Shackle location may affect tire clearance during articulation. Lots of things to consider.
Guessing without taking any measurements your frame will have to stick out of the front farther than Sam's if you are using leaf springs.

The rear also will have to have the frame extended for leafs.

1.decide on basic suspension design/system.
2. determine wheelbase(within a few inches)
3.decide on basic body appearance(like headlight location) and location of wheel in relation to front fender.
4.determine clearance for transfercase/trans/engine in relation to the frame and front axle/driveline.
5.start modifying the frame working from the front to the rear.
front suspension, front body, rear suspension, rear body etc.
do all of this in mock up/ tack welds then finsh off the fine tuning with steering, engine/trans/tcase.
6.Once you have a working package start making it permanent.

Usually you will come to a point(probably many) where you will have to make decisions that are a compromise. That's where your ability, skill and creativity are needed.

From your description I'm guess that you are running leaf springs?

Correct. SOA with Dakota or Durango or F150 springs

1.decide on basic suspension design/system.

as above

2. determine wheelbase(within a few inches)

105"

3.decide on basic body appearance(like headlight location) and location of wheel in relation to front fender.

Don;t care really - whateve it has to be (i.e appearance will be the first thing compromised) but something like Sam's I guess, or a croos between that and H8s or Silly's YJs

i would suggest that you chuck that yj frame and start from scratch. it is much easier to make a frame than do do all the modifing that you are going to have to do to make the yj work. i have built up 5 or 6 rigs and the last one is a buggy from scratch. we built the frame from 1.5x3'' rec tube. it was so nice when we decide that we wanted a spring hanger in a certian spot and didn't have to grind and brackets out of the way or make a new mount because the frame had some dimple in it. just my 2 cents mike

come on Bill the tape measure is your friend. measure everything lots of times throughout the process to make sure everything will fit. Mount the important stuff that has to go in a specific place first. Don't forget about drivelines and a radiator/fan when you mount the engine/trans/cases assembly. But your order sounds fine, and I am sure that you will measure more than most people. Also tack weld everything until you are ready to put the body on.

Originally posted by gunracer1
i would suggest that you chuck that yj frame and start from scratch. it is much easier to make a frame than do do all the modifing that you are going to have to do to make the yj work. mike

Ditto. That's the plan for any of my future projects. Get a body, Build a frame, add the other shiat!!

Why not just do a tube frame and make a buggy out of it, I think body just kinda gets in the way.

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions lads.

As to why not full-tube bodyless buggy - I'm clingig to the idea that, while not exactly street legal, I may be able to get away with a quick run down a country road back to the trailer without immediately getting pulled over at first glance - probably futile :rolleyes:

First,round up all of the parts if you can.
Build it around the tire size. Special attention is needed through out if you're using 42s and want it to last. :)