I haven't made any worthwhile progress since I've been a little gimpy (shoulder surgery 4 weeks ago), but was feeling good enough to set things up the other day and check axle widths, get ideas for where suspension links, shocks, steering box & the track bar will need to sit.
@I Lean called it, my steering box needs to sit right where my low winch mount is, especially if I push the front axle forward as far as I'd like to. I'll have to put the winch on top of the frame rails.
I did purchase a forward throw Astro steering box, frame end track bar bracket and rear-upper 4 link brackets recently... the last 2 coming from
@Dan Fredrickson and Ruffstuff. Plan on getting more suspension fab parts from them in the near future!
I tried to set the tub up close to what ride height will be, dragged the Dana 44's underneath and rolled the 35's into their respective places. I really want to have a decent amount of up travel, at least 5-6"... my old TJ had 3" of lift with 40" tires and the front has about 3" up travel. It was fine for the slow crawling, but running at speed (which is fun!) was not enjoyable as it was bottoming out often. A low COG is great, but I don't know that I'll be shooting for super low. I'd like to start gathering parts for the suspension links and work on getting the Willys to 'roller' status this Winter, probably without shocks for now. I think once I'm putting the front end together, I'll ditch the stock front fenders, cut the hood 2-3" to raise the fender height and probably build a small set of tube fenders.
If I push the front axle forward quite a bit and get the rear axle back a little further, I think I can get 98" wheelbase which will be a pretty good compromise for the length needed for steep climbs in Moab, but still be short enough for the technical rock trails like 21 Road.
I think this thing also needs a set of 37's. The 35's are just looking too small for the height and length. I wanted a set of Krawlers, but having 2nd guesses on that. The previous owner ran sticky 37's on these axles with good luck. I'm hoping the Willys will end up pretty light (3,200 #'s?), the V6 isn't a powerhouse and I'm usually a pretty reserved driver. A new set of DOT 37" tires would be OK.... there's a set of 35" Maxxis Short Course tires in the future, too thanks to
@RockChucker. They'll be a 2nd set to play around with, Dave says they measure around 37" tall so that'll fit well!
And a shot of both Flattys... in very different stages!