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I was extremely apprehensive about tackling the roll cage having only 4 tube bends under my belt in my entire tube bending career. I read forums and watched YouTube videos on the ins and outs of tube bending. I searched the internet for pictures of roll cages, trying to find one that had a...

I did have to slightly modify the crossmember to clear the driveline. I kinda figured it was a result of my motor and transmission mount locations. That's interesting we both had the same issue.

I was really excited about one of my most recent purchases, an LJ hard top! I had the brilliant idea of setting the hard top on the tub to set the windshield pitch then I could start to measure for the roll cage. And this happened...

Started the process of thinning out the wire harnesses and merging the 5.3 and YJ harness together. Thank goodness for online resources, this would have been a nightmare without them.

Set the tub on and threw on a couple tires to get my first glimpse of how it's going to turn out. Kids were pretty excited, up to this point it was just a frame sitting in the garage.

While we're talking strength of bends, I have a question. My front is 3-linked, the upper link contacts my motor mount before full bump if I put it in the uppermost mounting hole on the axle. So am I better off dropping down to the next mounting hole and reducing axle separation 1 1/2" or...

It's 1 1/2" x 1/4" wall DOM. If you think I should be concerned I could add a gusset as shown, this doesn't help the tightest radius, but maybe adds a small benefit to the whole track bar.

Got my shocks and bent some shock hoops. Kudos to all of you that understand all this link and shock geometry. The more I learn, the more I worry about how it's going to perform when finished.

Finally, wheels and tires! Finished the frame in front.

Made a new double shear pitman arm using the splined section of one I had laying around. Also made a track bar with the tube bender, first peice of tube I bent.

I want the front axle pushed out a couple of inches, which is proving very frustrating, five things trying to occupy the same space. Now I know why people say go full hydro now and save the headache. The Jesse Haines high steer arms put the drag link and tie rod very close to the frame at...

Somewhere in this time frame of the build I picked up a used JD2 tube bender with 1 1/2" and 1 3/4" dies.

Decided the drum brakes need to go. Now back to the front end.

Please share what you have done.

ILean made me a crossmember and rear axle truss so I can start working on the T-case support, skid plate, and linking the rear end.

By now I'm losing interest in the idea of a 5.7 TBI motor and start looking for a 5.3 instead. I probably should have done more research on this before jumping in and buying one. I've since been told the 5.3 oiling system doesn't like off camber or steep inclines unless you run the deep truck...

Came across a 08' F350 D60, I've heard a lot of good about the 05'+ SuperDuty axles, so I picked it up. Now I guess I'm linking the front as well.

As I worked on this I looked at several YJ's, asked enough questions to become a nuisance, and grew particularly fond of two local rigs. Glen's "MOAB YJ" and Bart's "YCJ", both performed well and had a great look. At this point I'm thinking a 5.7 TBI, SOA GM 60 up front, with a linked 14 bolt...