Well I missed your work party, I came by after the fundraiser but it looked like everyone had gone home.
Bummer, sorry we missed you. We had to skeedaddle around 12:30, too many other committments. We'll be there all day next Saturday...there's a TON of stuff to do...not the least of which are the front spring mounts and motor mounts.
Here's a little about the plans for this thing:
I'm swapping my 14bolt and D44 over to the new frame. The D44 will get a new 4.56 ring and pinion and a ram assist. The 465/205 combo gets fresh paint and will get swapped over too. There will be another new addition to the family: an '89 TBI 454, last seen in Joe's big white GMCJ6 (1995 Top Truck Challenge)
The whole thing gets a new wiring harness, Monster battery cables, and new fuel lines. It also gets a new YJ master cylinder and new brake lines.
If I can find the AC compressor from the 454, it might even get compressed air (or if I can find one to bolt up)
The springs will remain Rancho 44044's in the rear, stock waggy fronts in the front. New shocks all around. Driveshafts will make the move, as will the rear GORILLA ladder bar.
We (Russ & Ian) made a rear bumper and tire rack. A cooler/cargo rack will sit up on top of the spare. (even a scrambler gets crowded with 4 kids in it
).
The front bumper will be prerunner style and incorporate the front spring hangers and the roller fairlead for the winch. Maybe even some tabs for lights.
The old front seats are going in the dumpster. I've got some gray wrangler buckets that will go in (for now) along with a gray fold and tumble rear seat. Since I run 2 back seats, I'm looking for another wrangler fold and tumble rear seat, gray. Otherwise I'll put a gray cover on the CJ rear seat I have. I don't think I'll reuse the sammy back seat.
I'm debating between a center console or overhead console for the head-unit. I have a soundbar, and just need an amp/sub.
I'm excited to make this version of the jeep really nice, with a lot of things I didn't bother with on the old one (like putting lipstick on a pig).
Brett