Future New member/Build Thread

Jeeyota · 10-21-09, 08:47 PM

Well…I guess I will start off to say that I’m a relative of Greg (southerncrusier62). I have just started a new build-up so I figured that I would share it with you and hopefully once I’m done I can come out and wheel with you guys. I guess I will start out with how it all started. I have been wheeling for some time now with my jeep Cherokee, which started with just a 3 inch lift, then went to a 4.5 inch lift, and then to the custom suspension that is had under it until a couple of months ago. I did a lot of work to the Cherokee and took it wheeling to callalantee in Mountain City, TN. I was going on the trail called upper Armor-all, where I broke the front driver axle shaft and then tried to back it down and popped the bead on the driver front tire. Then one of the other rigs there tried to winch me up the trail which is where the steering bound up so much it pushed the draglink into the steering box and broke the steering box off the unibody while also bending and cracking the unibody. This of course happened because I did not reinforce anything on the Cherokee which is pretty much a necessity. I did not feel like having to deal with the unibody anymore so I bought a FJ-40 chassis from Chase (EastCoastGearSupply) and now I’m switching over everything from the jeep to the FJ-40 chassis.

Here is a picture of the jeep cherokee in the first stages:

Also here is another picture of the jeep in the first stages:

Now here are some pictures of the jeep at the ending stages:

And now Here is a picture of the chassis the first day that I picked it up (the axles were there just so that I could get the chassis to the house):

And after having the pizza delivery guy help push the thing in the garage here it is sitting in the garage:

Next was getting the axles out of the jeep and into the Jeeyota (only got the rear axle in so far because I need to get the engine in before I do the front four link suspension.

Now I got the engine out of the jeep and got the heads and everything checked out:

And that brings me up to date so far with getting the engine mounts fabbed up today and hopefully getting the engine mounted in the next couple of days.

Here are some pictures of the sad looking jeep now too:

diggity · 10-21-09, 09:01 PM

Welcome, cannot wait to see this one as well, for some reason I am picturing a rig similar to RK's.

Brad

southerncruiser62 · 10-21-09, 09:01 PM

It's sad to see my old cherokee get torn down but look forward to this build jonathan.....now you know that jeep motors not going to run right in that toyota chasis.....

Welcome to the board....you have a great group of people with a lot of knowledge here don't hesitate to ask questions.

Jeeyota · 10-21-09, 09:05 PM

Thanks, From what I have read on the forum so far it seems like everybody is very helpful. I will def let you guys know if I have any questions.

Mtbcoach · 10-21-09, 09:07 PM

Welcome...nice start to an ambitious build. Can't wait to see how it comes out. You could always steal one of Greg's rigs to come out and play with us until you get this finished...

1974FJ · 10-21-09, 10:00 PM

Jonathan, Nice to see somebody resurecting that fj truggy. Ive wheeled in that chassis several times!!! I love it..

krzyabncanuck · 10-22-09, 03:08 AM

Great way to start out on here.

Welcome.

R.K. · 10-22-09, 04:37 AM

Looking forward to watching the build-up, and seeing this rig back on the trail!

lt1fire · 10-22-09, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeeyota

Well…I guess I will start off to say that I’m a relative of Greg (southerncrusier62).

My condolences

So you're the one that got that rig..... I must have called on it right after you got it.

jfz80 · 10-22-09, 06:45 AM

jeep doesnt look so bad now...... I mean it could be worse; it could have a UNC sticker on it

welcome aboard, looking forward to the build and meeting you on the trails.

R.K. · 10-22-09, 07:31 AM

What axles and drivetrain are swapping into the new chassis?

Jeeyota · 10-22-09, 09:06 AM

I have a 14 bolt rear axle with a detroit locker and 5.38 gears the the rear, and a dana 44 with 5.38 gears and a lockrite locker. The rear suspension is going to have the 16 inch travel 2.0 swayaways and the for the front I have the 15inch rancho coilovers.

romaniacruiser · 10-22-09, 03:13 PM

Jonathan, I think i've seen that XJ around the NC State area last winter..

Jeeyota · 10-22-09, 05:38 PM

You might have...I went to NCSU for 2 years, but it has been a little over 2 years since I went there

Jeeyota · 11-14-09, 08:57 PM

Well, I have been pretty busy but I finally got the engine tacked in. Now I'm working on the transmission mount before I weld it all the way on. Here is a couple pictures: