Well i guess i will start a build thread. I'm always looking for some input, Maybe away to do things easier or cheaper, Most important to make sure i do it right. so feel free to comment. This is my 2nd Yj that i have owned but is the 1st one that i have put a Chevy drive train in.

The day that i pick it up.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep001.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep002.jpg

Taken the seats and carpet out
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep005.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep004.jpg

And guess what i found!! :eek:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep007.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep006.jpg

Now you know how i came up with the build name.

Took it to my buddy's shop to pull the body off the frame.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep013.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep012.jpg

Sand Blasted the frame.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep010.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep009.jpg

I made my own motor mounts and trans mount.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep031.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep035.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep034.jpg

What the fawk was that doing there!!
What are some of the build plans besides the Chevy drivetrain?

Put a Dana 60 and a 14 Bolt in it. plus it a ready had 3 1/2 lift springs in it.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep032.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep036.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep037.jpg

Now it sits a little too high :shaking:

Also sand blasted the floor.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep033.jpg

So i bought some stock springs off Craigslist, and now it sits a lot better.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep042.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep043.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep044.jpg

Oh yeah, I cut the sides off, so that i can boat side it. Loaded it up to that to a guy's house name Tab. so that he can make the sides for me.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep049.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep050.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep051.jpg


I am thinking about buying a Redneck ram and some kind of Locker for the front. also want to buy a fuel cell.

The motor is the 350ci 330hp crate motor, turbo 350, 205 t-case. 4.88 gears

Looking at the pics it looks like the wheelbase is stretched is this right and if so how did you do it. My YJ is built about the same.

Looks like all he used was a perch with a 1" offset center hole.So 1" stretch in rear.

What are your wheeling plans?Rocks,mud or what?I suggest you shave the 14bolt.Atleast get rid of the lip on the bottom.Also for that size a tire I would push the rear out a few more inches.Around 106" or so WB.Also you need to put a traction bar on the rear.NO ifs or ands about it.Stock YJ springs SOA.There is NO choice.

What are the plans for the boatsides.Looking good keep the pics coming.

Looks like all he used was a perch with a 1" offset center hole.So 1" stretch in rear.

What are your wheeling plans?Rocks,mud or what?I suggest you shave the 14bolt.Atleast get rid of the lip on the bottom.Also for that size a tire I would push the rear out a few more inches.Around 106" or so WB.Also you need to put a traction bar on the rear.NO ifs or ands about it.Stock YJ springs SOA.There is NO choice.

What are the plans for the boatsides.Looking good keep the pics coming.

Yeah I have the offset perch in the rear. and i already have the brackets for a traction bar. Should i try to make the springs a little stiffer? or just leave them the way they are. I did also move the front forward about 2" to 3" not sure.

I like to hit the trails witch have some mud and rock.

I think the stock springs will hold up fine. I wouldn't try to make them stronger or stiffer. Just make sure you have a rugged anti wrap bar.

I think the stock springs will hold up fine. I wouldn't try to make them stronger or stiffer. Just make sure you have a rugged anti wrap bar.

Alright, Thanks.

What would be a easy way to get the axle back another 1" or 2" with out changing springs. I was thinking about drilling another hole in the main leaf and slide the rest of the pack back to the new hole. I plan on four linking it next year.

Instead of Redrilling the spring pack. Move the front leaf spring mount back on the frame and run a longer shackle in the rear. Will keep good shackle angle and move the axle back. redrilling the leaf spring will just add a weak point that isnt necessary.

SOOOOOOO....How was that sweetness:smokin:? Anygood:D I had to ask.....

hahah Sweet leagf indeed! That is a way to fund the build, hahahah!!!!

Instead of Redrilling the spring pack. Move the front leaf spring mount back on the frame and run a longer shackle in the rear. Will keep good shackle angle and move the axle back. redrilling the leaf spring will just add a weak point that isnt necessary.

That sounds like a good ideal. So if i was to move the mount back 2". How long should i make the shackle? 2" longer than the stock one.

SOOOOOOO....How was that sweetness:smokin:? Anygood:D I had to ask.....

Yeah the sweet leaf went in the trash, I don't smoke and plus how knows what could have been in it. :shaking:

The shackle length wont be a number equal to the amount that the front spring hanger was moved.

Mock up a piece of scrap that is longer than original shackle, and find the proper length of the shackle to be at a 45-60* angle with the spring bolt 2" farther to the rear.

The shackle length wont be a number equal to the amount that the front spring hanger was moved.

Mock up a piece of scrap that is longer than original shackle, and find the proper length of the shackle to be at a 45-60* angle with the spring bolt 2" farther to the rear.

Alright, Thanks

Along with moving the spring hanger back I would move the shackle hanger back also.On my old CJ-7 I move the shackle hanger back by unbolting and moving the front hole to the back bolt.Then welded it to the frame.Don't go with too long a shackle.4"-5" is plenty.
I would find a nother set of stock YJ springs and blend them into your current packs.I used 2 sets of packs to make a 7 leaf pack for the rear of my fullwidth SOA CJ-7.Ran a set of stock YJs in front for alittle while.But they settled bad and I had wrap.So I swapped in a different set.

Got some parts today....:D

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep.jpg

I like what i see. Im interested in seeing how your boat sides turn out.:mr-t: I pitty the foo who don't like this thread!

Nice build.

i am in the middle of doing boat sides in my rig and i cut off my body mounts so i could go all the way to the frame. i am using 1.5 round tubing so far it is turning out pretty sick.personally i have run rancho rs44044 springs in my rig front and rear with a ladder bar shackle set up for going on five years. works great flexes like a bad dog and is very stable. fuck links!!!!! oh yeah shackle reversal is key to keeping your front leafs alive.

I like what i see. Im interested in seeing how your boat sides turn out.:mr-t: I pitty the foo who don't like this thread!
I will post pics when i get them done.

i am in the middle of doing boat sides in my rig and i cut off my body mounts so i could go all the way to the frame. i am using 1.5 round tubing so far it is turning out pretty sick.personally i have run rancho rs44044 springs in my rig front and rear with a ladder bar shackle set up for going on five years. works great flexes like a bad dog and is very stable. fuck links!!!!! oh yeah shackle reversal is key to keeping your front leafs alive.


My boat side are going to just mount to the body and not the frame. The springs that you are running, are they a lift spring or are they like a stock spring? I'm not sure if i want to do a shackle reversal yet. maybe next winter. I have a lot to do to get it ready for this spring/summer.

lift springs with the third leaf from the bottom of pack taken out. cush ride at high speed in rocks and good support. my wheelbase is 102

[QUOTE=CHEVYRCKS;11020869]My boat side are going to just mount to the body and not the frame. [QUOTE]

Well sorta. They are mounting under the 2 middle body mounts and to the body. Plus in the front of the wheelwell on the 1/2 inch bolt coming through the firewall that mounts the braces. Funny, I found this thread searching for some pics of the "fix" we spoke about :D

[QUOTE=CHEVYRCKS;11020869]My boat side are going to just mount to the body and not the frame. [QUOTE]

Well sorta. They are mounting under the 2 middle body mounts and to the body. Plus in the front of the wheelwell on the 1/2 inch bolt coming through the firewall that mounts the braces. Funny, I found this thread searching for some pics of the "fix" we spoke about :D

Thats is funny. So when they are done and i get some pic's posted and If you like them. You can send Bruce T a PM and he will hook you up with some :D Now get back to work Tab, you only have a week. :laughing:

A few pics of the almost finished boatsides are up on Greatlakes.

Here are pic's of the boat sides.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/boatside3.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/boatside2.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/boatside1.jpg

Dude those are bad ass:cool:. I am for sure going to have to do some thing along those lines. I love how the body mounts are tide in to them. Keep up the good work!

you need to put a pot leaf somewhere on that jeep:flipoff2:

The boat sides look bad ass! Are you gonna do anything to protect the body mounts?

Build looks sweet, nice work.

Dude those are bad ass:cool:. I am for sure going to have to do some thing along those lines. I love how the body mounts are tide in to them. Keep up the good work! Thanks! I also have a 3/16 thick plate that i am going to weld on the face of the side.

you need to put a pot leaf somewhere on that jeep:flipoff2: I will have to pass on that ideal :shaking::laughing:

The boat sides look bad ass! Are you gonna do anything to protect the body mounts?

Build looks sweet, nice work. Yeah i think i will have to do sometime. just not sure how yet.

do you have some detail specs on those boatsides ? would live to send a drawing or specs to a sheetmetal shop here in ontario

Lookin good. I like it.

do you have some detail specs on those boatsides ? would live to send a drawing or specs to a sheetmetal shop here in ontario

Send Bruce T a PM, He might give them to you. He is the one who made them. or he could just make you a set :D

Got a little more done this weekend.

Patch the floor
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep008-1.jpg

Made a hood bar for the front bumper and welded some D-ring mounts.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep005-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep006-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep010-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep009-1.jpg

Mounted the battery box, TBI, Pulley's....ect.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep004-1.jpg

Sweet rig, love the boat sides !

Front bumper looks sweet keep up the good work.

Sweet rig, love the boat sides !

Front bumper looks sweet keep up the good work.

Thanks guy's, I can't wait to take it out.

what headers are you using?

yeah your doing a great job,and i to love the boatsides makes me wanna do it to mine.

Looking good. What size rims you running? 16x10? What about back spacing? Keep the pics coming!

Right on man, looks a lot better with those springs.

what headers are you using?
Headman

yeah your doing a great job,and i to love the boatsides makes me wanna do it to mine.
Thanks

Looking good. What size rims you running? 16x10? What about back spacing? Keep the pics coming!
17x9 I think the back spacing is 3 3/4

Right on man, looks a lot better with those springs.
Yeah i agree, should flex better also.

you need to put a pot leaf somewhere on that jeep:flipoff2:


I will have to pass on that ideal :shaking::laughing: .


Aw... Come Awn... I concur, it needs the Leaf Man...

:laughing:

Mounted the fuel cell and got some more parts :D

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep001-2.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep065.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep068.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep063.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep067.jpg

Started the cage this weekend.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep003-1.jpg

Did some more work on the cage today.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep010-2.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep009-2.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep008-2.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep007-1.jpg

The cage is done..:grinpimp:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/cage010.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/cage009.jpg

ans so are the boat sides.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/cage003.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/cage007.jpg

Sweet build. I love the boat sides also. That cage looks kick ass.... And nice titties on the wall......

Any pics of the boatsides from the inside?

I have my rockers cut out already, just wondering if you replaced the sheet metal or just put the armor over where you cut and left it open inside.

Looks good!
How come you went through all the trouble of a frame up build and put a body lift in it though?

Looks good!
How come you went through all the trouble of a frame up build and put a body lift in it though?

It's only a 1" Makes it a little easier to clean any mud off the bottom.

Any pics of the boatsides from the inside?

I have my rockers cut out already, just wondering if you replaced the sheet metal or just put the armor over where you cut and left it open inside.

I cut the floor so that it would be against the boat sides, Then i welded it.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Jeepfloor2.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Jeepfloor001.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Jeepfloor004.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Jeepfloor003.jpg

The cage is in
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/blackJeep2007.jpg

The Radiator is mounted
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/blackJeep2001.jpg

Drive shafts are in, went with the 1410 U-Joints. and they used a thick wall tube.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/blackJeep2004.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/blackJeep2005.jpg

Now i need to make the fenders and exhaust then get it running.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/blackJeep2003.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/blackJeep2002.jpg

Jeep turned out lookin good. I love the wood block Idea on the trailer for getting over the wheel wells.

Took it out this weekend, every seem to work okay. I did bend a front leaf :(

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Bentspring.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep5-23-10004.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep5-23-10003.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep5-23-10002.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/BlackJeep5-23-10005.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Newfenders003.jpg?t=1290634494

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Newfenders004.jpg?t=1290634666

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Newfenders001.jpg?t=1290634763

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Newfenders002.jpg?t=1290634834

good job on the build

good job on the build

Thanks

Front fenders came out great ! :smokin:

I have posted photo's of the build, So now i guess i could post a Video of the past weekend trip up to Twisted Trails in Copemish,Mi. We had a great time and broke a lot of stuff. might be time to 4 link it. I just don't understand the math part of the 4 link.

YouTube - Twisted Trails Chevyrcks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yvE4jtjMHY)

Took it out this weekend, every seem to work okay. I did bend a front leaf :(

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/Bentspring.jpg


Yeah I liked my shackles out front but ended up doing the reversal anyway due to the same problem. Jeep looks good!

Holy skinny pedal!!! HAHA I love it! ... You jeep is almost the same as mine... I'm getting there.... gearing up for the one ton install next.

Its nice seeing a Jeep being built on leaf springs, nice job man! As a suggestion maybe take out the 1" body lift under the boatsides and just cut and move the body mounts up, plus it'll help get em outta the way.

Holy skinny pedal!!! HAHA I love it! ... You jeep is almost the same as mine... I'm getting there.... gearing up for the one ton install next.

Yeah I have a heavy right foot......lol

Its nice seeing a Jeep being built on leaf springs, nice job man! As a suggestion maybe take out the 1" body lift under the boatsides and just cut and move the body mounts up, plus it'll help get em outta the way.

I have new frame mounts. Just need to get them on. and yes i will move them up 1" then cut a 1" off the bushing.

Could you post a better pic of the double ended ram for you steering. Thought I was going to have to use a single ram cause of leafs in the way of the arms. Thanks and great build

Could you post a better pic of the double ended ram for you steering. Thought I was going to have to use a single ram cause of leafs in the way of the arms. Thanks and great build



I will try and get some pic of that. if i forget. just send me a PM.

I had trouble with my front springs too, I put a set of front springs out of a 1/2 ton dodge truck and have BEAT on them for two years with no problems. This may save the headache of a shackle reversal.
The springs will also move the front axle forward about 2"

Had some fun with the spray paint this past weekend. I'm thinking I will change it up every now and then. :eek:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110806_121824.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110805_204157.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110806_145900.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110806_123333.jpg

looks like someone took the sweet leaf out of the trash...LOL Nice build so far!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110910_151311.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110910_153114.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x134/chevyrcks/IMG_20110910_151130.jpg

nice build. how well does it climbs the dunes at silver lake? i'm hoping to make it up there next year.

nice build. how well does it climbs the dunes at silver lake? i'm hoping to make it up there next year.

It did okay up there, I have only had it there that one time.I would rather be out on the trails,then on the sand.

I like it, simple, cheap and reliable.
Those front fenders turned out great.