M4wd&Fabrications
Projects place => Projects Section => Topic started by: wnyjpgy on September 12, 2013, 10:57:13 AM
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Smike- I hope it's OK to put this here.
About a year ago I decided to part the Scrambler out after breaking the transfer case in half while wheeling in Bradford. There were a few reasons I made that decision, tired of working on it, worn out parts, different needs, and basically just time for something new.
During some conversation with a friend on the WNYO he had informed me of a rust free/slightly lifted 89 Grand Wagoneer on the IFSJA site, so I contacted the person and ended up buying it last october.
I've been driving it on and off for the last year and put a plow on it for driveway clean up, it's been a pretty good jeep so far. It has power everything, factory dana 44's, and a lockright rear locker.
Here's a picture the day I bought it.
(http://s22.postimg.org/3kmyvha9t/IMG_0740.jpg)
I recently got bit by the wheeling bug and determined I missed it, so I put a plan together in my head (this is the first time I've written everything down) of what I wanted in a family style wheeler.
Here's a quick run down.
Full Frame
Factory v8
4 doors (since I have a 1 year old)
under 110" wheelbase
Able to plow the driveway (with heat)
Rear axle disconnect
Cutting Brakes (Possibly)
Half doors for the summer
Creature comforts for long trail days with a young child
So I immediately decided I needed another waggy for the doors, glass, and tail gate. So I found on in Akron, with another plow set up and purchased it.
(http://s22.postimg.org/up9a8a62p/IMAG1542.jpg)
The plan for the red one was to use the entire interior (which is almost complete), make 4 half doors for the summer, and cut the tailgate down and remove the glass. All of this should help save some sprung weight.
Next I had to decide on axles, and I've gone back and forth on the dana 44's that are under it vs a set of 60's.
I have 2 sets of waggy 44 axles, so I have all kinds of spare parts, and I have extra 8" wide steel wheels, and a set of 35" Cooper Stt's, sounds like a done deal, put it all toegether and wheel it nice to prevent breakage.
Well, I found a good deal on a set of 60's so they were purchased, I have a chevy front and a ford rear so they will be getting installed. This will help with unsprung weight.
On to tires, I didn't want to go back to 15" wheels on 8 lug axles due to clearances and what not, so I purchased a set of Maxxis Creepy Crawlers in the 37x12.5x16 flavor, so that's what it will be rolling around on.
I have already built a bumper and bought a winch as well.
(http://s18.postimg.org/r21xvjfex/IMAG1563.jpg)
My biggest dilema is what to do with the roof, cut it off completely, and have a bolt on roof skin, make it a 4 door tuck, etc. Here are some pictures I have saved.
(http://s22.postimg.org/ay3qgk94x/littledirty.jpg)
(http://s17.postimg.org/i2w7jrl4f/129_1209_12_fullsize_invasion_jeep_grand_wagonee.jpg)
(http://s13.postimg.org/gr4ub5s7r/2013_03_24_17_10_23_425_1_zps49cbcdbc.jpg)
I have a few purchases to make to have everything to complete the project but alot of the big purchases are complete so I thought I would start a thead.
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why not make a 90% sunroof?
leave 1.5" around the rain gutter and cut the center section out..
would make it easy to either use the metal top or canvas with snaps to get a roof back...
doors would close nice and you wouldn’t even notice it was a convertible unless you saw the top.
thing has AC right.. take advantage of it!!!!
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^^^ This! Best of both worlds. And keeps momma and kiddo happy not getting rained on or sweltering in 90+ muggy heat...
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I like that idea a lot! Just have to be careful about crushing that top edge rubbing on things or else the top nor the full doors will fit too well... Halo rub rail?
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I enjoy having a roof panel to minimize getting poked with sticks and the random rain storm.
I can see the drip rails being destroyed in one year of wheeling and well as the doors being dented which is the reason I'm building the half doors from the other jeep, I'm going to try to save the rust free doors as long as possible.
As funny as it sounds cutting the roof off even with the top of the doors would save it, in the summer have the cage skinned with an aluminium roof panel and use the half doors, have provisions in the cage to bolt the roof back on and run the full doors in the winter.
and yes, I know I'm a little odd.
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Thanks fo the ideas and replies.
I did have the truck cab idea with mostly a interior cage, with a few external tubes along the drip edge, and on top of the roof, maybe I should re think that.
Truck cab vs, leaving the entire roof vs, cutting it entirely off, I would like to hear pro's and con's if anyone would like to share.
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Obviously, truck cab is no good if you have more than one passenger... ;)
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I really like the convertible idea. Whether you make it a pickup is kinda separate.
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By truck cab, I meant a 4 door truck similar to the picture in my first post.
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keep the AC... your grundle with thank you..
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Here's a convertible pic without a cage.
(http://s9.postimg.org/5ncwtb0nv/waggy_convertible.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5ncwtb0nv/)
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That's terrible. I like keeping the roof line whether via visible cage bars or keeping the drip rail and door seals
Tapatalking in traffic
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buy my jeepster if thats what your after...
strait trade? ;)
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I like convertible with a roof line/pillar matching cage, you know it wont last long the any other way :D
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(http://s23.postimg.org/gl7of8pcn/IMAG1572.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/gl7of8pcn/)
Ordered the Creepy's thursday and they are here already.
4wd.com did pretty good on this order, tires were $390 a piece on line, talking to one of their people about club discounts and what not, they came down to $350 a tire, and shipped all 4 for a total of $50.
Wheel decisions, and axle components are next.
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That's a good deal!
My observations from this weekend:
-Wet traction feels about the same as my TSLs in dry conditions
-Dry traction was noticeably better, but I needed to adjust my driving style to let them work. I was used to needing wheelspeed on things with my old tires, breaking static friction is usually not necessary now.
-Had a few burps at 8lbs on 16x7 wheels (mine are 37x12.50)
-Sidewalls seem stiff. They are thick and have a lot of ribbing, probably will flex much better after a few more runs.
So far, I really like them!
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Glad to hear, one of the guys we competed with for years (Jay Hopko 222) was running them and they looked awesome on the rocks.
No matter what they will be an improvment from my Iroks.
You don't have a line on any more of those Ford Alcoa wheels do you?
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I do not. My TSLs came on them for a price I couldn't beat. Liked them so I kept running them. Probably would have just run steel wheels otherwise.
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Just a quick update.
I sourced a dana 300 , and placed it on the rear of the spare drivetrain to take a quick look at it. In the clocking position in the picture, the case is nice and flat, however driveshaft clearance will be a little tight, rotating it down a set of holes, is not an option for the overall goal, so a clocking ring may be ordered next.
(http://s24.postimg.org/5id8e2w1d/IMAG1583.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5id8e2w1d/)
I'm almost done disassembling my parts jeep, remaining items include, roof, axles and springs, steering column, dash pad and a few tim parts. Most of the interior that was in this jeep has already been reinstalled in my good jeep with the exception of the head liner and overhead console.
(http://s23.postimg.org/q3jqhnhev/IMAG1586.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/q3jqhnhev/)
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looks like you got some real blue boxes for this shop :)
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i have a clocking ring kicking around if you find yourself needing one, you can have it for what i paid for it,free
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Clocking ring would be great, I'm assuming heading to rochester at some point and buying you a few beers during the exchange wouldn't hurt either.
Mike,
I bought a Synchrowave with 4 hours on it a while back, and picked up a millermatic 175. I also have a 45 amp Esab plasma.
The latest purchase was a horizontial band saw with water cooling and a 18" bed. ( I also picked up a full size arcade game with 36 games on it for winding down).
I continue to buy tools when I find a good deal.
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i love buying the proper good tools to do the job. nice line up.