[TIG_Tech]

Another season, another car to build. I ran the 4676 Cherokee for the last two seasons. Ended last season with a tumble, roll and cartwheel maneuver. Messed up the rig more than I wanted to fix, plus, who doesn't like to build a new car? I wanted to do something a little different, but stay in the same class. Came across a clean 2wd Comanche on Craigslist.

Time to start building! I am going to use the motor, axles, wheels and tires from the Cherokee. The plan will be simple:

9" Axles, 6.20s and spools
3-link front with Kings and PAC Springs
Deaver G9 Leafs and Kings
Stock 4.0L
AX-15 and NP231
Semi Exo cage, and try to keep the "truck" shape

 

[TIG_Tech]

Here's a pic of the last rig after getting it back to the pit:

 

[TIG_Tech]

Pulling the motor:

 

[TIG_Tech]

Cleaned up engine bay, and the motor sporting a color other than dirt/grease/grime!

 

[TIG_Tech]

Now on to the fun stuff! Suspension sitting on the bumps:

 

[TIG_Tech]

Leaf spring sliders from Liquid Iron Industries:

 

[TIG_Tech]

And the front:

 

[TIG_Tech]

Another of the front at bump.

 

[TIG_Tech]

I wish I could leave it this way! Mean looking!

 

[TIG_Tech]

Beginning of the cage, were almost up to date. Digging through pics.

 

[youngblood]

That does look mean. :evil: sub'd

 

[TIG_Tech]

Working on the cage. I generally don't find myself to be too "creative" but I was pretty happy with how the cab section is coming out. I am trying to keep the only exposed pieces of the cage are the ones around the cab. That also meant tieing into the cab, internally. I ran a tube through the side, where the wiper assembly goes, and went from there.

The cool thing is that instead of having to remove the exo section of the cage, i could pivot the whole thing on that tube. It will make sense with more pics.

 

[TIG_Tech]

Here is the cab section, starting on the welding.

 

[tjjared413]

very nice!

 

[jeep_cj7_304]

Im liking it so far, but why are you deciding to go leaf in the rear? Any plans to minimize rear wheel hop at high speeds with that setup, or will shock tuning take care of that?

 

[TIG_Tech]

Im liking it so far, but why are you deciding to go leaf in the rear? Any plans to minimize rear wheel hop at high speeds with that setup, or will shock tuning take care of that?

Good question. Class rules specify that we have to have "Stock Style" suspension. I ran the G9 springs on the Cherokee with some 2" Bilstein 7100s, it handled pretty good. I didn't really care for the ass end moving around so much with the boomerang shackles, that's the reason for the sliders, to hopefully cut down on most all of the side to side give of the leaf spring shackle bushings.

 

[jeep_cj7_304]

Good question. Class rules specify that we have to have "Stock Style" suspension. I ran the G9 springs on the Cherokee with some 2" Bilstein 7100s, it handled pretty good. I didn't really care for the ass end moving around so much with the boomerang shackles, that's the reason for the sliders, to hopefully cut down on most all of the side to side give of the leaf spring shackle bushings.

Good to know. I'm interested to see how solid the rear is with the sliders. I think your big issue is gonna be a heavy front end making the rear float around a lot

 

[geberhard]

Sweet looking MJ! Looks mean and fast!

 

[desertCJ]

Here's a pic of the last rig after getting it back to the pit:

It was just getting broke in:laughing: Looks like a lot of work man...looking clean though!

 

[TIG_Tech]

Here's a pic showing how the whole roof of the cage pivots up on the dash bar.