Jeep Speed Goat TJ, the anti-build thread

[Greg]

With the new wheels having a little more backspacing, I was concerned about the rear shocks clearing the tire at full compression. I decided to try a make-shift RTI ramp using my flatbed and trailer ramps. I got 3/4 of the way there, but not to the point of flexing everything out. The shock is within 3/4" of the tire at stuff and the opposite tire still has 2" of down travel to go. If they don't hit, it's going to be damn close. I'd much rather figure this out now, than destroy an ORI shock. There's a chance I'll have to move the lower shock mounts in a hair.

After I did all this, I realized I can just fully charge the shocks on opposite corners, and run the shocks all the way down, reaching full stuff and full extension in the shop. I may try that tomorrow.

 

[Greg]

The next thing I need to work on before hitting the trail is the engine oil pan and transmission pan skid plate. I'm trying to make it tight, keep it light but with just enough reinforcement to protect the vulnerable parts.

I started out with a piece of 1/8" sheetmetal, 14" x 36". I bent the edges at a 45*, then spent a bunch of time drilling holes with a 1.5" annular cutter, then adding dimple dies to add even more reinforcement. I'll be adding some rubber pucks between the oil pan and skid plate, just in case it takes a hard hit and will dissipate the hit. I'm also adding a piece of HDPE down the center that should add even more rigidity, help reinforce the skid plate and give something to slide on.

What's crazy is that at this ride height, the bottom of the front axle tube is just a hair lower than the engine skidplate will be.

 

[Greg]

Wrapped up the skid plate build, took two full days and plenty of effort. I built a 3/16" x 2" skid mount off the engine mounts supporting the front, then added the rubber pucks at the back of the oil pan in the unsupported section, then it bolts to the t-case skid.

I added a 3/16" steel plate extension behind the t-case skid to tie into the rear lower link mount, otherwise it would have left a perfect gap to get hung up on. Ended up drilling and tapping everything, counter sinking 1/2" bolts and threading the holes. It was all a giant pain in the ass!

There are four more things that left that I need to take care of before hitting the trail.

• My front locker isn't working, I think the copper air line isn't secured to the bulkhead fitting inside the diff.
• Need to swap around my hydraulic hoses at the cyl, I don't like the way I routed them.
• Need to cut the shifter gates.
• Lastly, need to verify shock clearance out back at full droop.

I have plans to wheel the TJ next weekend on 21 Road with the Grand Mesa Jeep Clubs event... but I don't like taking an untested Jeep out on a big trail run. I also need a working front locker... we will see what happens.

 

[Greg]

ORI Struts are officially RAD!

I still needed to verify shock clearance at the rear tires, so I pressurized the upper chamber on the passenger side shock (pushing out/extended) and then pressurized the lower chamber (pulling the shock in/collapsed) on the drivers side. At 450 psi of Nitrogen, I was able to get full travel and see that the shock still clears the tire, by 1/2"! 😲

Got lucky there! 🤣

I raised the height a bit, for more clearance for the upcoming 21 Road trip. Again, ORI's are RAD.... just a little more nitrogen and it has more belly clearance!

Also added a safety warning sticker.... @I Lean , @Vonski , @XJEEPER

 

[Herzog]

Also added a safety warning sticker.... @I Lean , @Vonski , @XJEEPER

Um, I need some of those stickers! I remember laughing my ass off about those at the old RL shop!

 

[Greg]

Um, I need some of those stickers! I remember laughing my ass off about those at the old RL shop!

@XJEEPER did a reprint with permission from the RL boys a few years ago, I bought a few and just randomly found that one in my toolbox tonight. Not sure if Jeff has any left.

 

[mbryson]

Hrrrrmmmm, I have a sticker and now I have windows....

 

[XJEEPER]

Um, I need some of those stickers! I remember laughing my ass off about those at the old RL shop!

I've got an all-you-can-eat buffet of these stickers. $4.00 each. Venmo or Paypal - Hit me backchannel for your order. 👍

 

[Greg]

Alright, I've knocked off all the items on my 'trail ready' list! Really looking forward to getting the TJ back out on the trail with all the changes.

I swapped out the full hydro hoses, rerouted them and they look much better. I zip tied the hoses to the track bar, need to add a hose protector at the frame to prevent wear. I pulled the front dff cover off and was able to repair my front air locker issue, so I have a locker again. Also cut the shifter gates so I can find Reverse during an "Oh Shit!" moment and then started working on the mount for the Milwaukee PackOut boxes. These will hold recovery gear & tools and should be a handy addition. The sheetmetal mount doubled as a deflector for the transmission cooler fan, it used to blow toward the back of the cabin and is quite loud, so hopefully this makes a difference.

 

[bryson]

From the pics it looks like the front of your engine skid mounts to the engine (at the plate bolted to the block) itself? And the rear of the skid mounts to the t-case skid which I'm assuming is frame mounted? Do you anticipate issues with things flexing with the front being drivetrain mounted, and the rear being frame mounted? Maybe the skid will be flexible enough being 1/8" that it won't be an issue?

 

[Greg]

From the pics it looks like the front of your engine skid mounts to the engine (at the plate bolted to the block) itself? And the rear of the skid mounts to the t-case skid which I'm assuming is frame mounted? Do you anticipate issues with things flexing with the front being drivetrain mounted, and the rear being frame mounted? Maybe the skid will be flexible enough being 1/8" that it won't be an issue?

That's what I'm hoping, had I gone with a thicker material for the skidplate, I'd be more worried about wear and tear... time will tell!

*edit* Actually, it's mounted the same way it was before with thicker plate and there were no issues.

 

[Bart]

Looking great Greg.

 

[Hickey]

Also added a safety warning sticker.... @I Lean , @Vonski , @XJEEPER

Quick shipping!! Would buy again!!

 

[SoopaHick]

Quick shipping!! Would buy again!!

View attachment 160515

.... this is awkward.

 

[Greg]

Had a wiring issue with the yellow LED's, they'd blow a 25 amp fuse as soon as they were turned on. It took the test light to figure out that the wire plugs I bought on Amazon were backwards.... Black is power and Red is ground.

Rewired them, fired up the LED lights and headlights after adjusting them.... that's plenty of light! I want to add some small rock lights down the road, but this is good enough for now.

I had to relocate my 'Warning' sticker.... now it's right in front of the driver, not on the roof.

 

[Hickey]

Had a wiring issue with the yellow LED's, they'd blow a 25 amp fuse as soon as they were turned on. It took the test light to figure out that the wire plugs I bought on Amazon were backwards.... Black is power and Red is ground. Rewired them, fired up the LED lights and headlights after adjusting them.... that's plenty of light! I want to add some small rock lights down the road, but this is good enough for now.

I had to relocate my 'Warning' sticker.... now it's right in front of the driver, not on the roof.

 

[Coco]

I need some of those sticker too.... I remember with Rocklogic had them way back when, then LROR did a run of them, and now they gone again.

I would donate some money to some!

 

[UNSTUCK]

I need 50 of them to put in our fleet of trucks.

 

[_Auzzy_]

Good looking setup 🤘 curious how the wheels hold up over time, they look like some solid units

 

[Greg]

Good looking setup 🤘 curious how the wheels hold up over time, they look like some solid units

I'm pretty sure I'm going to destroy the plastic hub caps right away, but that's OK. Hell, the wheels will probably get beat up pretty good on 21 Road tomorrow! 🤣