Project: "Stretch it"

[Blase]

Originally Posted by texasag02

Need some opinions......

- Option 1: Spool front and rear. Spool front and rear equals unmatched reliability. Spool in the front can bring the suck with steering, but I will have full hydro and the ability to disengage the front with the Atlas if necessary. On the road I can unlock the front hubs or remove the drive slugs (depending on what I run). Extended wheel base and spool can bring the suck. On road driving will be predictable but cause faster tire wear.

- Option 2: ARB front, Spool rear. Predictable on road with the ability to turn off front locker to turn better/sharper offroad. ARB, not as reliable.

- Option 3: Spool front, ARB rear. Best on road driving with the least amount of tire wear. Can unlock rear and use front to pull me through the turn but can cause the front to walk out of the turn.

First off I run ARB's in HP 60's front and rear.

So with that said I would run with option number three as an alternative to running ARB's F&R.

When wheeling WITH FULL HYRDO I rarely unlock my front end. I find (guess found is more appropriate since my rig has been apart for over a year)my rear end only gets locked when I need it. So most of the time I’m running a Spool or locked in the front and open in the rear.

On the flip side I used to run with the front unlocked and rear end locked all the time and my steering brought the suck!! The rear end would just make the front end push even though the front wheels turned full lock. It didn't even matter if I disengaged the T-case it would still push.

As Far as the street goes As long as the t-case is not trying to turn the front axle it will drive OK. If you pull the slugs it will be just like driving a jeep with NO lockers.

Option number three for me.

With cutting brakes and a selectable locker(ARB) you can get through 95% of trails with the front end locked.

P.S. Dave is a big help on a project like this!!!

[rkik]

Originally Posted by texasag02

I'm leaning toward a spool in front and an ARB in the rear with a cutting brake for the rear wheels only.

That sounds like a good plan. FWIW I run a spool in the front and welded rear and do the occasional drive around town in nice weather and have no ill effects besides some extra tire wear on the rear.

[texasag02]

Originally Posted by Blase

First off I run ARB's in HP 60's front and rear.

So with that said I would run with option number three as an alternative to running ARB's F&R.

When wheeling WITH FULL HYRDO I rarely unlock my front end. I find (guess found is more appropriate since my rig has been apart for over a year)my rear end only gets locked when I need it. So most of the time I’m running a Spool or locked in the front and open in the rear.

On the flip side I used to run with the front unlocked and rear end locked all the time and my steering brought the suck!! The rear end would just make the front end push even though the front wheels turned full lock. It didn't even matter if I disengaged the T-case it would still push.

As Far as the street goes As long as the t-case is not trying to turn the front axle it will drive OK. If you pull the slugs it will be just like driving a jeep with NO lockers.

Option number three for me.

With cutting brakes and a selectable locker(ARB) you can get through 95% of trails with the front end locked.

P.S. Dave is a big help on a project like this!!!

Thanks for the info! Dave is trying to get me to run spools front and rear
When we get our rigs together we will have to go test them out

[texasag02]

Originally Posted by rkik

That sounds like a good plan. FWIW I run a spool in the front and welded rear and do the occasional drive around town in nice weather and have no ill effects besides some extra tire wear on the rear.

Thanks man! I go to your build many times to get ideas and refrence

[texasag02]

Made a lot of progress over the weekend! Got everything situated under the Jeep and got the tires on. I also got the hi-line fenders on and installed the hydroboost on the firewall.

As you can see it is missing the hybrid coilover. The axles are actually welded to the frame. I am headed up to my buddies fab shop (ATX Customs) in Amarillo on February 9th for 4 or 5 days to complete the major parts of the build. We will be building the rear frame section, front frame section, roll cage and front hoops!!! It is going to be some long days













I will get some better pics, but this is a hydroboost and MC from a 2004 Dodge 3/4-1 truck. The guy I bought it from made me a custom bracket and modified the arm that hooks to the pedal. He did great work. If you are interested in something similar send me a PM and I will get you his info.

[texasag02]

FYI it is sitting pretty close to ride height.

Some dimensions:

• Overall height - 77"
• Bottom of Frame - 23"
• Clearance above rear tire to tub - 6.5"
• Clearance above front tire to fender - 7.5"
• Wheelbase - 111"

[senterd]

when are you going to do some garage surgery to get that thing out of there?

[Krawlher]

Great looking rig man.
Question for ya, why is your spindle mounted outside the caliper bracket? I don't guess it would hurt anything and actually gain you say and extra 1/4" WMS each side. I know my chevy 60 has the spindle mounted behind the caliper bracket.

[OkLaHoMaYJ]

Originally Posted by Krawlher

Great looking rig man.
Question for ya, why is your spindle mounted outside the caliper bracket? I don't guess it would hurt anything and actually gain you say and extra 1/4" WMS each side. I know my chevy 60 has the spindle mounted behind the caliper bracket.

My 78 HP60 was the same way. Brake shield, caliper bracket, spindle.

[texasag02]

Originally Posted by OkLaHoMaYJ

My 78 HP60 was the same way. Brake shield, caliper bracket, spindle.

Yep that is the way it came off

Originally Posted by Krawlher

Great looking rig man.
Question for ya, why is your spindle mounted outside the caliper bracket? I don't guess it would hurt anything and actually gain you say and extra 1/4" WMS each side. I know my chevy 60 has the spindle mounted behind the caliper bracket.

The Chevy 60 is opposite as you indicated.

[texasag02]

Got it out of the garage today







Also got the old cage out to make room for a new one

[sureshot40sw]

very nice... mine will be similar in stature..

[CAPTIN INFERNO]

It looks SICK, love the stance!!

[JORDANJ]

LOOKING GOOD. WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR CAGE? I JUST ORDERED MINE FROM ESSENTIALLY OFFROAD. IF YOUR OLD CAGE WOULD FIT A YJ I CAN GET IT SOLD FOR YOU.

[texasag02]

Originally Posted by JORDANJ

LOOKING GOOD. WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR CAGE? I JUST ORDERED MINE FROM ESSENTIALLY OFFROAD. IF YOUR OLD CAGE WOULD FIT A YJ I CAN GET IT SOLD FOR YOU.

New cage is a custom cage that will be built by ATX Customs. Old cage is sold, but thanks for the offer

[texasag02]

Headed up to Amarillo yesterday (Tuesday) to spend the next five days at ATx Motorsports with my buddy Derek and his crew knocking out the rest of the work on the Jeep!

Getting the Jeep on the trailer was fun with no drivetrain or brakes







First we got the Jeep up on the frame table and got the rear frame cut off.





Derek and Ryan from ATx posing with the rear frame.

[texasag02]

While we were waiting for the rear transition pieces to be cut I removed the front hoop and stinger.





Today we are tackling the rear frame and we will start on the cage!

[tjjared413]

nice man!!!!

[texasag02]

Progress yesterday on the rear frame:

[texasag02]

[myke52081]

That rear frame section is sick

[JORDANJ]

Why did you take off the hoop and stinger?

[iispms]

Looks good!! We need to go wheel we are both done!

[Slangy]

If your not gonna reuse the front bumper and hoop I would be interested in buyin it from you. That is if your not using it.

[513]

That's a great idea for reworking the rear frame, nice and simple. Jeep is looking awesome