[Blue Baby Sound]

The sub zero temps slowed me down a bit, but I'm ready to pick up again.
Got the axles back from sand blasting and the wheels from powder coat.

I think I'll start on the rear axle first. I plan on using OX locker in the rear but the 14 bolt is still not available, and my last convo with them sounds like it may be a few months before it's on the shelf.
So I might reuse the factory open carrier, add some 5.38 and keep moving....??? .... we'll see ....

 

[Mouse]

The wheels turned out sharp!

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Axles are painted with Steel it and ready to mock truss.

Today I started roughing in the first of 2 drawers for under the sleeping/doggy deck. Used Kaizen foam, burned in the sockets and traced/cut everything else.
This one is for the twisty things, drawer # 2 will be the poundy, prying things.

• 1/2" drive 6 point sockets from 10mm to 24mm (plus a 36mm for the hub)
• 3/8" drive 12 point sockets from 7mm to 19mm.
• 1/4" drive sockets from 6mm to 10mm
• Ratcheting wrenches from 8mm to 24mm
• 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket wrenches
• 1/2" and 3/8" extensions and wobble sockets
• Torx set
• Metric and SAE Allen wrenches
• Various pliers, cresecnt wrench and a couple of screw drivers.
• Dewalt 3/8" and 1/2" impacts will go in a bag (or maybe a case) below

 

[johncanfield]

You have a 4WD mobile service vehicle there! Good job on the truss mock-up!

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Hopefully start welding this weekend, parts have been rolling in as much as my wallet allows.

Parts that are here or on the way:

• Front axle- Artec Apex truss, unit bearings, Warn lock out hubs, Powerstop brake kit (calipers, rotors, pads), RPM aluminum steering (drag link, tie rod), Artec high steer kit, ball joints, TMR track bar relocation bracket
• Rear axle- Artec truss, Powerstop brake kit (calipers, rotors, pads), Timken bearing kit (outside)
• Misc.- Core 4x4 control arms & front/rear track bars, VKS rock sliders, Posion Spyder rocker armor

 

[Norminator]

Those are some huge calipers!

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

I'm excited to see how they perform!

 

[Mouse]

Nice parts selection. Was hoping we'd get an update soon. Will be nice to see it come together!

 

[johncanfield]

Jeep parts.. shiny new parts YES

 

[elff]

Subscribed.
This is shaping up to be a killer build

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Thanks guys!!
Got a little bit of welding done on the front axle, it was hot and muggy so we stopped before we got to the cast parts.
Track bar bracket intentionally left off until we can measure, lower control arm brackets not fully welded until we can test fit the arms.
More to come later this week.

 

[elff]

Those are nice C's on those welds.

It's looking really nice

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

The passenger side high steer arm is done and I've started mocking parts to test fitment.
Pretty much everything will be new, ball joints, hubs, brakes, etc.

In my mind those calipers were going to pop more behind the wheel.

 

[Elwarpo]

Looks awesome, nice work.

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Pulled the Jeep into the shop and started disassembly yesterday.
Still lots of work left

The old D44 next to the new D60.

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Axle swap update:
Tires have been swapped to the new 8x170 wheels and new Colby Valve shorty vale stems are installed (20x stronger than standard stems)
Both new axles are mocked under the Jeep.
Old frame side track bar mount has been chopped, need to grind and weld in the new RPM Steering mount
Metalcloak 3.5" coils, Core 4x4 arms and new grade 8 bolts all the way around.
Getting some prelim measurements done before final weld on the rear axle.

Baby steps

 

[elff]

Man I wish I had half your fabricating skills

I'll just have to stick to making delicious cookies.

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

World's slowest one ton swap flying by at a snail's pace!

Rear axle has been final welded, sending it out for gears next. Leaving it open for now, I have faith OX will eventually release their locker for the 14b.

Dropped the Jeep on to the front axle, ended up at 2 degrees caster on my first guess. Now to adjust it to around 7, then start assembling all the goodies. I'll gear it once the rear is done and it's driving.

 

[johncanfield]

Good looking welds!

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Tone rings welded to the new rear hubs
Additional bumpstops ordered
Antirock ordered
Rear ABS sensors ordered
Never had a press so I picked one up and will be pressing in new bearings on the rear hubs.
Decided to have my local shop do the gears, they've treated me right for years and I trust them to do it better than I can.
Hopefully have it to them next week.

factory track bar bracket vs RPM Steering off-set bracket.