The black jeep - 1 ton XJ

[Mike Honcho]

So does the rubber clear as good as the hard parts?

I'm dove nosing it like my MJ with a little different tube work so they don't look identical. As you can tell I'm not afraid to cut a little sheet matal

 

[fl0w3n]

Did you get the ecobox-i yet? I just ordered mine today.

Their website instructions are for the standard ecobox, how much does the -i differ?

 

[Mike Honcho]

I actually called them on Thursday for an update and they said they would call me back and never did. Edit: 15 weeks in

 

[fl0w3n]

Shit, that doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies

 

[RunningProblem]

fl0w3n Start saving up for your atlas now. 😂

Actually I was just looking at the midnight metalworks Dana 300. With the JB gears it could be a driver drop Dana 300 without a flip kit required. It’s smaller than an NP231 and close to the same weight. It’s just $4,000.

 

[fl0w3n]

I’m a bargain hunter, hence almost everything being used on my build. I’ll be into the doubler setup about $2k or less and that’s with a 4:1 gear set in the d300.

The atlas is sweet but a comparable atlas setup would cost more than I have into my entire build.

Mike Honcho what does the ecobox-I come with? I think I misspoke in my thread, and the ecobox-I must come with its own output shaft to spline into the 300?

 

[Mike Honcho]

Made a front bumper.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Chopping the front up. Goal is to get both axles and coilovers in this week.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Got some diy driveshafts in the mail. 2-1/2x 1/4 wall dom. Should take a beating

 

[Mike Honcho]

Flexed out and steering lock to lock. The tire contacts the lower link a very small amount. I need to reduce the ram travel by a 1/4" anyone have experience with this? Can I make/order a spacer for the ram or do I need to sent it to psc and have them do it?

 

[RunningProblem]

There is some Info online about it. First decisions is determining if you want to limit it internally or externally. internally is harder and people discuss how any sort of limiter gets in the way of fluid flow. External…you could add some UMMV rod as a sleeve over the left and right cylinders to act as a bump stop.

I’d contact PSC and discuss it with them. Since it is a double ended ram maybe an internal spacer works better for some ‘because life is weird’ reason.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Front hoops are done. I've flexed it and everything has clearance. I am going to install a spring and make sure there is plenty space between the coilover and the unibody before I burn it all in.

Coilover mounts. Made the first one quite a bit longer than needed.

Tig welding practice.

Both mounts are in. They are level and square to the unibody. They are within a 16th or better of each other.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Wheel on and lots of room feel like I made good progress today. On to the rear axle tomorrow!

 

[RunningProblem]

 

[fl0w3n]

Sickkkk

What was the reason for building the XJ when the MJ you've posted seems pretty built as well. Are you a glutton for unibody punishment? Had you considered other platforms to build off of to start? Just curious

 

[Mike Honcho]

Sickkkk

What was the reason for building the XJ when the MJ you've posted seems pretty built as well. Are you a glutton for unibody punishment? Had you considered other platforms to build off of to start? Just curious

I have 2 kids and the wife likes wheeling also. 2 seats in the MJ its always my co pilot 6yo daughter and I. The XJ is the 4 seater/ family wheeler. ( I like the MJ a lot more)

 

[fl0w3n]

If I could find a good MJ to start with I'd swap everything over and go that route, for my uses.

I've always loved XJ's but my wife has never wheeled and I feel like I only get one shot to convince her, and my shitbox XJ is not the ticket

I've had half dozen or more GMT800 based trucks and love them, so I'm considering a GMT800 Tahoe for a "family" build. Basically my inspiration is Verne Simons from 4WOR

 

[RunningProblem]

I wanted a frame so bad I played my Jeep front to back. It would have been smarter to pay the Toyota tax.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Burning in the front coilover mounts. 16" coilovers and the hood closes

 

[Mike Honcho]

Not happy with the lower link mounts on the rear axle. Fabbed some new ones and turned them down about 15 degrees. This should allow for the axle to sit a lot higher and give me equal ride height front and rear.

Cut, grind and weld

 

[Mike Honcho]

Got the rear axle mocked up. Need to cut a hole in the rear cargo floor as the upper axle link mounts hit. Otherwise everything looks good and should go in with more clearance than the front did. Wheelbase will officially be 116".

 

[NickMaul]

What’s the plan for coilover springs? Triple spring? I was considering 16” on my front but opted for 14s instead. 16s went on the rear

 

[Mike Honcho]

What’s the plan for coilover springs? Triple spring? I was considering 16” on my front but opted for 14s instead. 16s went on the rear

Dual springs. I ordered 4x 150 lb springs with the coilovers per wide open designs instructions. Once I finish the cage and add all the heavy stuff I will check spring sag and order the upper springs. Should be close to 100 lb over 150lb but we will see.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Didn't get a lot done today. Cut a few holes for the upper links in the sheet metal. Everything clears no problem. Mounted some tires to sit back and look at it. I'm ready to go wheelin already! Anyone want to come help me get this thing done let me know

 

[fl0w3n]

Shit you work fast.

If you were local I’d come help and learn a thing or two

 

[RunningProblem]

Everyone sees you work quality. Ain’t NOBODY willing to put their work next to you’re stuff.

 

[RunningProblem]

Dual springs. I ordered 4x 150 lb springs with the coilovers per wide open designs instructions. Once I finish the cage and add all the heavy stuff I will check spring sag and order the upper springs. Should be close to 100 lb over 150lb but we will see.

Is that a link bar going over the coilover?

 

[gozuki]

Got some diy driveshafts in the mail. 2-1/2x 1/4 wall dom. Should take a beating

Those look great, who are they from?

 

[Mike Honcho]

Is that a link bar going over the coilover?

I just set that up there for a straight edge.

Those look great, who are they from?

Adams. They were about $250 cheaper than wide open design.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Got a new chop saw today. Thing is awesome! Very clean 90 degree cuts.

Cut the annulus gear out of the stock t case. Doubler should be here next week.

Made the rear links and got them installed. Hope to knock out the rear coilover mounts tomorrow.