....the point of no return...refurbishing the old cj

[commandtoad]

you may be slow but i think you'll beat jason, in putting his cj back together!
looks good, i'd look better with swampers

[Craig]

Jeep is pretty much back together but without wheels and tires at the moment. I'm torn between trying to run 40's on my current axle combo; upgrading to a 60/9 combo; or staying in the 37-38 range.

This "refurb" has kind of snowballed from I originally anticipated....I'm blowing more money than I intended and it's taking a toll on my decision making. I have a huge list of "want to do's" and the end result would be nice but as I add up the $$ it gets discouraging. Maybe by spring it'll be ready to go somewhere....

[commandtoad]

your buiding a jeep, and you did'nt think you were going to spend at least twice what you projected? you've done this long enough to know better than that.
your getting a screaming deal on a set of 40's, run them, let the chips fall where thay may.

[Craig]

i knew i'd spend more than i originally anticipated. the battle of trying to maintain some kind of self control and minimize cost is wearing me out mentally - you people have been around me enough to know that i'm a tightwad with this jeep. you're probably right about just running the mtrs and seeing what happens.

[ScottyB]

you can't back out now, besides, they will look sweet!

[Craig]

Here are some pictures I snapped tonight with the 40's. Even with the 40's it could stand to come down a couple inches. So, some suspension work will be required with either 40's or 37's to get it down where it needs to be. Two of the pics show ride height without any susp mods and two show a modified ride height. Track width with 8" wheels and 2.5" backspace is around 78."

[ivbeenrokd]

From the pictures it looks like if you run the 40's it would be good without ride height adjustment. I'd say get the wheels, mount them up, and then let's see if anything needs to move. I look forward to the new pics coming soon.

BTW, looks like Jason ended up beating you. It did take him a total of 6 years though.

[Craig]

Wheels are on the way. Will be here next week sometime.

[ivbeenrokd]

what kind of wheels?

[Craig]

Black, steel, 17x8 Allieds

[commandtoad]

i know we have talked about lots of different things, but those look good just the way it sits. i agree, mount them and see what it's like.

[Craig]

Well, the tire and wheel saga has ended. I know some of you are as glad as I am.
37" MTR Kevlars on 17" Allied Beadlocks. The tires measure out at 36.75"...really dang close to 37" - an admirable quality in my opinion. This combo should work well with my current drivetrain. The jeep will go under the knife soon for a little bit of suspension re-work then it'll be ready to go again.

[JasonC]

More weight in wheels than I preferred you have, but have to admit it looks good!

[ScottyB]

nice!

[XjCrazy]

Those new MT/Rs are growing on me. Jason i am going to have to get a set of that same size and wheel more than likely.

[ScottyB]

yea ryan, dana 30 and 37's i bet that would work awesome

[JasonC]

Any ETA on the windshield frame and etc?

[Craig]

Glass is in the frame. It's ready to bolt back on whenever I can get a few hands to help.

[Craig]

Took off from work a little early today, and with the help of my buddy Widener, got the windshield put back on. Next is the electric fan control, power steering cooler, and slight suspension re-work at RY4X4. Was going to try to get a few little more odds and ends done but the little guy is sick with a 102 fever and the wife requested my presence indoors while she fixed some Thanksgiving day goodies for Reid and I to eat tomorrow.
Getting closer...

[commandtoad]

looks good.

[Craig]

thanks mike. looking forward to getting back on the trails.

[Craig]

No pictures but..... Jason and I finished up the front suspension redeux last night for the most part. It is sitting on all fours now. The rear is next, and in theory, should be exponentially easier than the front.

[JasonC]

Now the front is mostly done and painted up nicely, but not CAT yellow, Mike. The shock mounts still need to be welded in place and new shocks purchased. We did turn it around and get the rear shackle hangers cut off and ground down. Craig did most of the grunt work and grinding , and I supervised with the others. It's looking nice, not too much left.

[Craig]

Dad-gum, that's a late post.
Update on the grinding wheel to the thumb - the wife "glued-it-up" and now it's good to go.

[commandtoad]

a picture is worth a thousand words....

[JasonC]

The CJ is now sitting on it's own weight, 2" lower. Turned out nice. The fan controller harness has been made and is ready for installation. This and headlights and it will be headed back home for some finish work.

[JasonC]

Fan controller and headlights are finally wired in as well as a custom hole in the radiator drilled by no one other than me! Got the radiator repaired today and will be reassembled Thursday evening and the headlights with new buckets installed then too.

[commandtoad]

after your done, and he comes to get it, get a pic of him behind the wheel, it may be the only time we get to see actually driving it!

[JasonC]

The CJ is back at Craig's house for a little bit. I think we are going to try some redrilled u-bolt plates from Randy to move the axle forward an inch and then measure/weld/install shock mounts and shocks.

[Craig]

Front end is back out of the Jeep. Spring mounts are drilled and Randy is working on the spring plates now. I'll get the axle re-installed and check alignment on the shock towers / tabs and move forward from there.