Project LTJ

[Bart]

I removed the frame side coil buckets and put them at the top of the arch, just under 2" back from stock and directly against the crossmember bracket. It's not that much work and allows a true vertical coil placement.

Funny there's more attention to the coil bucket relocation than the 10" frame stretch. : ) Coil buckets took about 20 minites and the frame took almost 2 hours.

 

[waynehartwig]

I removed the frame side coil buckets and put them at the top of the arch, just under 2" back from stock and directly against the crossmember bracket. It's not that much work and allows a true vertical coil placement.

Funny there's more attention to the coil bucket relocation than the 10" frame stretch. : ) Coil buckets took about 20 minites and the frame took almost 2 hours.

lol We knew what/why you did the stretch... I just couldn't figure out what the deal was with the coil buckets!

 

[Badger]

Looking closer again, it looks like the stockers are still in the same place, and he ground aroud them - maybe he cleaned up the area to weld something there in the future?

no i meant down the frame rail in the straight section before the axle hump.it was clear that the rear bucket hadn't changed location since it was still in the hump .i was just saying he could have possible changed the angle of how it sits slightly .i haven't had much time to play with my Tj so i don't know what the factory ones truly look like.

 

[Bart]

Got the frame extension ground and the frame painted. Set up the lengths on the control arms and tightened into place. Should have the driveline this afternoon or Monday. Ordered a brake part so I could run brakes early next week.

Wednesday night I started fitting the new rear tub section. The first 2 pics show it with about 1" overhang all the way around. The last pic (not real good) is where it is now with about an 1/8 to a 1/4" left to fit. It's a slow process but I'd rather cut a few more times the cut too much. I'll do more fitting this weekend and will weld it on next Wednesday night. Yes, it will get a section to fill in the front of the tire well. Should have driveline and brakes by then.

Need to have it ready to pull the front axle and suspension next Saturday. It's gets a HP 44 and a coil over conversion then. EJS is coming soon and I'm scrambling.

 

[Greg]

Lookin' good Bart! Is the project happening in UVSC body shop?

 

[Bart]

Lookin' good Bart! Is the project happening in UVSC body shop?

That's where I cut the tub and am doing the initial fitting and welding. I'll be doing the fitting this weekend in my cold cluttered garage. Sounds pathetic, eh?

 

[Greg]

That's where I cut the tub and am doing the initial fitting and welding. I'll be doing the fitting this weekend in my cold cluttered garage. Sounds pathetic, eh?

Not pathetic, if I were you I'd let the teacher give his students a shop project, then I'd just supervise! I just had to ask about the location... I spent more time in that shop than I'd care to admit.

I like the idea of a LWB TJ, sounds like you're doing it right. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[Hickey]

What did you do with the back of the old tub?

 

[Herzog]

Looking good Bart! I get scared when it comes to body work.

 

[richs88rocker]

Good luck, it is more work then it looks like. I am almost done with my strech 19 inch frame and body 110"wheel base 88 yj But the end result is awesome

 

[jdub]

This is fun, Love the pictures! Props for cutting up your rigs. Takes guts!

 

[Bart]

What did you do with the back of the old tub?

I still have it in the garage. I may mount it on the wall on day and put working lights in it.

 

[Bart]

Good luck, it is more work then it looks like. I am almost done with my strech 19 inch frame and body 110"wheel base 88 yj But the end result is awesome

Sweeet, nice job. I like your full width axles too. I bounced back and forth on that one, but ended up with narrowed. Yep, it's a ton of work for sure. I've planned mine for quite a while and it still surprises me what I overlooked. Good luck.

 

[Bart]

Weekend update:

Pulled the front axle and suspension, torched off the frame side coil/shock buckets. upper control arms brackets and track bar mounts off the frame. Ground and cleaned up the stuff, mounted the new brackets and installed the new Tera LCG Pro front kit. Then I got to cut holes in the inner fenders and we made, fitted, and welded in the new hoops for the new shocks.

The HP 44 is now sitting on the new 14" Sway away coil overs and the front end is mostly ready to go with the exception of the drag link which should be in by Wednesday. We'll also be building a cross over brace, between the tops of the shock hoops.

Also installed the rear drive shaft.

 

[waynehartwig]

Weekend update:

Pulled the front axle and suspension, torched off the frame side coil/shock buckets. upper control arms brackets and track bar mounts off the frame. Ground and cleaned up the stuff, mounted the new brackets and installed the new Tera LCG Pro front kit. Then I got to cut holes in the inner fenders and we made, fitted, and welded in the new hoops for the new shocks.

The HP 44 is now sitting on the new 14" Sway away coil overs and the front end is mostly ready to go with the exception of the drag link which should be in by Wednesday. We'll also be building a cross over brace, between the tops of the shock hoops.

Also installed the rear drive shaft.

Where's the pics???

 

[kyojin]

Where's the pics???

x2

 

[Bart]

It was a frantic day that ended about 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning. We were beat and didn't get any pics besides one on my phone of the bare frame. I'll try to get it with some updated pics asap.

 

[Herzog]

Sounds like good progress. Thanks for keeping us updated.

 

[Bart]

Pics as requested, but quality is poooooor. Sorry.​

 

[waynehartwig]

Get some better ones, please.. Next time have someone that hasn't drank 3 pots of coffee hold the camera!

What made you choose Sway Aways over another brand? Are they 2.5's or 2.0's? And what weights are the coils?