CJ7 tub/frame work was help me lift my tub

[Deleted]

Had a day off with nothing to do so:



Started cutting out for the TJ flares. Was kind of a pain in the ass, but nothing a couple rum and cokes didn't take care of. It was hard to find the correct ratio of booze to keep the confindence up, yet still aware enough to cut straight. Had an assortment of tools; sawzall, cut-off wheel, zigsaw, and a rotozip.



Got the back ones on. What do you think, Tony? Enough room in there, or do I need to go ahead and get the 4" springs? I think it'll work, besides the wife took my credit card, so I'm done for a while.



Who's gonna help me with this beast? Swapped the main shaft and went through the whole thing. Everything looked good so back together it went. This is my weekend project this weekend. I'm off the everyone's going out of town, so I have the whole house and no nagging "are you done yet? Aren't you gonna spend time with us this weekend?" ;D

[Jim63]

cool looks like fun!

[Chuck]

Looks like a beaut! Nice adapter, too, going to clock the case up some?

I'd normally be down for helping ya out with the swap, but I'm going to be swamped with my own work this weekend. I'm almost done with the back end, and the 302 is just about back together, so it'll soon be time to get the new cab sitting up on the frame and start mocking up the new cab crossmember ... I was hoping to have this thing at least somewhat together by Christmas, but right now it's looking iffy unless I can get a lot done.

[Deleted]

Chuck, I was wondering if you were going to be done in time to go wheelin this winter! I'm not that far away, so if you ever need a hand, just holler.
I could clock the t-case, but it won't really do me any good with the stock skid plate, unless I modify it to take advantage of the extra clearance. But then again, I might go ahead and clock it up just because I can! ;D Plus I hear Dave is good with a welder and could cut that piece out of the skid that hangs down for the t-case.

[CORE 4WD]

Hi Keith! Once I get the RTI ramp done I'll drag it over to your house (or a meeting!) and you can flex out on it and check your clearances. If you can clock it, I would say go for it. The skid can be adjusted accordingly ie; plasma and weld!
Unless Jay's ARB stuff gets here, I should be free Friday morning until about 3 or so. Gotta love Xmas dinners. At least maybe we can get it stabbed up and figure out what skidplate mods are needed.

[Chuck]

I was hoping to, but we'll have to see. I'm hoping things will move much more quickly once the cab's on -- the only major fab work after that will be the bed. I'm hoping to be able to take off all next week to thrash on it some too. I figure I have 4-1/2 weeks before this GWNF run to get it together and test everything out, so I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.

I still won't have good front recovery points until I get the front bumper done later this winter, but worse come to worst I could probably just leave the front bumper off and tie straight to the frame. Do we actually have a bumper requirement in this state? I haven't been able to find one in my hunting. ;D If I can just get the center section of the front bumper done, that'll give me my recovery points (and then some) and some safety, and I can finish the outer ends afterward. There won't be anything below the headlights on the outboard corners anyway, so I figure that'll make it a little harder to whack stuff there.

[Deleted]

core4wd said:

Hi Keith! Once I get the RTI ramp done I'll drag it over to your house (or a meeting!) and you can flex out on it and check your clearances. If you can clock it, I would say go for it. The skid can be adjusted accordingly ie; plasma and weld!
Unless Jay's ARB stuff gets here, I should be free Friday morning until about 3 or so. Gotta love Xmas dinners. At least maybe we can get it stabbed up and figure out what skidplate mods are needed.

Sweet! To me, the hard part is just getting this sucker lifted up and bolted in. Everything is cake from there. I'd think we could have the old one out and new one in in a couple hours, ya think? I'll have all the d/s and shifters out of the way and ready to go.

Chuck, yes there is a front bumper requirement. You could just put a 2x8 bolted up and meet that requirement, but then they'll get you for having unapproved equipment, VA will get you one way or another. Back is not required. But if it will help you on the trail, I think I have a set of recovery hooks on the workbench if you want to bolt them on (and drill some more holes).

[swampercj]

Use a engine hoist and pull the body shift plate off...It's easy as pie then. You can install the tranny by yourself if your careful and take your time.
Scott

[Chuck]

I've got a spare set of hooks and hardware, I'll probably just slap the old bumper back on for now if I don't have time to build the new one. I can mount the hooks on the bottom or top of the framerails as a temporary measure -- if I tweak the old bumper a little bit running a strap over it, it won't hurt my feelings much. ;D What is the requirement for the front bumper, and do you have a code reference where I could look it up on LIS? So far I've been pretty careful to keep everything I've done well within the bounds of "legal" so I don't get hassled too much. This thing is going to attract enough attention (wanted and unwanted) without leaving obvious problems to get picked on for. ::grins::

Do you have a tranny jack? If not, you can borrow mine if you want to work from below. I'm hoping to put the tranny back in mine this weekend, but since there's no body I'll be cheating and doing it from above with the engine hoist, no jack required. Besides, I don't want to separate the transfer case, and this monster is waaaay too heavy for my poor little tranny jack with the TC on the back. Tried it once, almost took my roommate's hand off doing it.

[Deleted]

I'll copy you the code from my code book and have Cheryl take it to work.
Thanks for the offer on the jack, I'm going to attempt the engine hoist through the trans tunnel trick this time and see how it works. I was trying to figure out how to wrap chains around the trans, but your pic helps out a bit, looks like the ratchet binders might be easier to work with. Thanks.
BTW, another good source for state and city codes is www.municode.com

[Chuck]

Neat site! Never knew that was there. I'm gonna have to do some digging.

I think through the top will definitely be easier. That's how we pulled the 435 I got at the yard a few months ago. Of course, I didn't have a hoist there, so we were hoisting it from above with the strap over a D60 axleshaft. ;D

[4WDnRocksNmud]

Keith, I too have my father's tranny jack. seeing as I'm a little closer to you, I can bring it over whenever! I'll bring the manuals and flare and lights then too. you know my number!

[swampercj]

I prefer to use a chain wrapped around the tranny instead of straps because they are more narrow and fit in to crevasses better plus you can pull two bolts out of the top cove of that T-18 and install a couple of longer bolts with some big fat and thick washers and it’ll be balanced, just line it up and shove it in. I also used a come-along once wrapped around the roll bar, it worked but I wouldn’t do it again! You'll really like that low 1st gear after it's in!
Scott

[Chuck]

Yeah, I definitely want to snag a ride in that sucker once you have the NP in. I'm not planning on using mine in the Bronco right now, but I already have some plans (and parts) for next year's (hopefully) meaner and uglier trail beast. For all the stuff that's getting done to the Bronc, it's still going to stay DD and medium-trail friendly, if slightly homely. ;D

[Deleted]

If I could convince Cheryl to drive it to work one day, you guys could take it to Craney Island.