Connect's TJ Buggy Build

[Connect]

Hi I'm connect, I'm a functioning Jeep-Aholic who longs for the rocks... Since the recent national attention focusing on 'glorified station wagons' (among other numerous challenges facing a XJ on tons) I have decided to change the focus of my project, to a full awn, getting it, 01 TJ Buggy! So it as at this time I am announcing my intentions to the world, for this Project. Ok here it goes....

2001 TJ 4.0/NV3550 Back-halved, front-halved, stock firewall and most of the floor.
Double Triangulated 4 link suspensions, based off a Rubicon express flat belly pan
Fox 2.0 16" Air shocks
Rubicon Rocktrak 4-1 T-case.
02 Superduty HPD60 front, ARB, 5.38:1, Mile Marker Hubs
03 Sterling 10.5 rear w/discs, ARB, 5.38:1
Full hydraulic steering. Stock pump, PSC Res, orbital, and 2.5x8 single ended ram
Dick Cepek DC1 Polished Alloy 17x9" wheels
40"x13.50R17 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers, comp Compound.

And Pics of it as it got home today, on some roller axles.... (anyone recognize the tires?)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy004.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy007.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy010.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy020.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy017.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy026.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/Buggy028.jpg

Should look close to this when it's done (DynaTrac 60's F/R, 42" IROK's) A bit wider though due to FoolWidths...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/buggy.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/buggy1.jpg

[wix]

Is that pj neighbors jeep?

[Dnmeistr]

Congrats on the score, you have been holding out on us. So what happened to the axles, he is keeping them for a different project.

Are those D&C's tires

[Connect]

Is that pj neighbors jeep?

Yes it is.

Congrats on the score, you have been holding out on us. So what happened to the axles, he is keeping them for a different project.

Are those D&C's tires

He is buying an LJ and building it up, he knew he was going to have to upgrade and since he would never get what he paid back out of those axles, he kept them. The tires are LD's tires that were on the infamous Rockape Single Seater for a 'year' according to LD :Big Grin:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/rockape81/100_1406.jpg

[jeeper89]

looks good.. but i think you need some updated pics..:wink:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

I laughed when I saw the tires!!!Those are getting more miles as rollers on other peoples rigs than anything LD owns!!!:cool:

[L.D.]

I laughed when I saw the tires!!!Those are getting more miles as rollers on other peoples rigs than anything LD owns!!!:cool:

hay now, those are well seasoned tires, and bring expirience and prestice to any rig they rest under. even YOURS. i don't think ANY of your tires have been anyplace but to the moonrocks.:mullet:
OH OH LOOK, THERE THEY ARE AT THE HAMMERS
(in the avatar)

[Reno Computer Repair]

Doing pretty good Mike, only 20 with a trail rig & a crawler.

Did he take off the lift kit as well, and are you going to stuff those 60's under it?

[xjmoser]

Not what I expected...for some reasone I thought you were gonna say "Im Connect and im a DUMBFVCK!"














































:tongue::Big Grin:

[Connect]

"Im Connect and im a DUMBFVCK!"



That'd be too easy now wouldn't it! :rolleyes:

Anyways got the roller axles out from under it up on jackstands, tomorrow I'm probably going to get the bellypan under it to put the links back in so I can start measuring out brackets and tabs!

Wanting to Buy Superduty rollers to make life easier moving those fawking axles around :Big Grin:










































:tongue::Big Grin:

[Ford_KTM]

[QUOTE=Connect;84010]That'd be too easy now wouldn't it! :rolleyes:

Anyways got the roller axles out from under it up on jackstands, tomorrow I'm probably going to get the bellypan under it to put the links back in so I can start measuring out brackets and tabs!

Wanting to Buy Superduty rollers to make life easier moving those fawking axles around :Big Grin:



My buddy has a set of 31-33ish size tires with the metric 8 lug he would be willing to let go, but the problem is there is only 3 of them. The tires are in pretty good condition too.

[Connect]

[QUOTE=Connect;84010]That'd be too easy now wouldn't it! :rolleyes:

Anyways got the roller axles out from under it up on jackstands, tomorrow I'm probably going to get the bellypan under it to put the links back in so I can start measuring out brackets and tabs!

Wanting to Buy Superduty rollers to make life easier moving those fawking axles around :Big Grin:



My buddy has a set of 31-33ish size tires with the metric 8 lug he would be willing to let go, but the problem is there is only 3 of them. The tires are in pretty good condition too.

Buddies family has 3 Super duty's and 1 excursion all lifted, I've been meaning to stop by and check out their pile of tires to see if they have any left. I'll let you know once I have, cause I could at least switch two between front and rear axles depending which one I'm working on :rolleyes:

[ammowaster]

Did you change out the unit bearing on the front axle? I remember you saying you had a set of superduty axles.

Lookin good

[Connect]

Did you change out the unit bearing on the front axle? I remember you saying you had a set of superduty axles.

Lookin good

Nope, I'm hoping with a vehicle that weights half of what the truck does, and has about 1/4 the torque of the truck, and I'm not putting 100k miles on it.... that they will last. These axles are becoming readily available to the market, and no one wants to touch them because of the supposedly horrible unit bearing, even though most professional racing teams who run the unit bearings don't have any issues with them.

I will prove either my theory correct, or the general consensus correct.

[ammowaster]

I think you have the right idea. I was really worried with mine because of all the horror stories I have heard. So far so good. I am not that hard on them but I am at 30k+ and like you said it probably weighs over twice what yours will when it is done.

[MR.ROCKAPE]

I think you have the right idea. I was really worried with mine because of all the horror stories I have heard. So far so good. I am not that hard on them but I am at 30k+ and like you said it probably weighs over twice what yours will when it is done.

Thats strange because when I worked for Granite...I never repalced a unit-bearing....and you know how hard construction guys are on company trucks!!!!But did do a ton off ball joints,tie rod ends and steering boxes!!!!

[Connect]

Thats strange because when I worked for Granite...I never repalced a unit-bearing....and you know how hard construction guys are on company trucks!!!!But did do a ton off ball joints,tie rod ends and steering boxes!!!!

Yea well with that heavy ass fawking diesel motor sitting on that front axle, I'd expect the ball joints to be going at, they should have made them KingPin again :rolleyes:

[ammowaster]

Yea well with that heavy ass fawking diesel motor sitting on that front axle, I'd expect the ball joints to be going at, they should have made them KingPin again :rolleyes:

And never ever dreamed up the bastardized dana 50. I would much rather have a 60

My first superduty lost a balljoint within 15k miles mine are holding up ok for now but I do wonder about the steering box.

Keep coming back to the idea that no matter what I do my truck is too big for anything hardcore(short of spending more money than I have)

I need to add some basics and start looking into a dedicated wheeling rig. Kind of like you are building

[Connect]

Ok so I have changed my plans mid-way through this, in order to get the thing done as fast as possible without skimping on any serious parts.

New plan is some Rock Equipment 16" air shocks front and rear, a Rubicon Rocktrac 4:1 t-case, and some tires in the 40-42" variety. This nearly cuts the budget in half, and I still will probably end up putting in some coil-overs and an atlas, but I'm thinking winter 08-09 for that.

Picked up the Rocktrac Yesterday...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/241j2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/241j3.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/01%20TJ%20Buggy/241j4.jpg

[MR.ROCKAPE]

I GOT A REAR DRIVELINE FROM A STOCK RUBICON...JUST NEEDS TO BE LENGTHENED FOR YOUR APPLICATION!!!!ALSO GOT YA A PRICE FOR AIR SHOCKS!!!

[Connect]

Well the parts collection keeps growing, I got a set of roller 35's so I can mockup link tabs and shock tabs. I think all I need is to mount the belly skid and some lug bolts for the front axle and then I can start on some trusses to get this thing a roller.

I got these in this afternoon from Shaffers! Fox 16" 2.0 air shocks! I'm hoping for 4" compression front and rear to keep the thing as low as possible while not smacking the radiator/oil pan with the front links!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/shocks.jpg

[wix]

are you still trying to sell this?

[Connect]

are you still trying to sell this?

Not actively, as Rockape put it no one is buying anything right now. I am tires and steering away from having it done, so I think I'll just finish it and then sell it to fund my pro-mod rig build :rolleyes:

[Mrburns]

who are you going to take it to?

[Connect]

who are you going to take it to?

:rolleyes:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

COOL WHILE YOU ARE MAKING BRACKETS FOR THE FRONT AXLE HOUSING, MAKE ME SOME FOR A CHEVY FRONT 60!!!!IM GONNA REVIVE THE GREEN YJ SOON!!!I ALREADY HAVE THE SHOCKS(OLD FOX REARS FROM THE BUGGY...)AND THE SAMBO JOINTS...EVEN THE FRONT 60(GOT THE SINGLE WHEEL HUBS/ROTORS FOR IT YESTERDAY FOR A SMOKEN DEAL...BRAND NEW)!!!

[wix]

COOL WHILE YOU ARE MAKING BRACKETS FOR THE FRONT AXLE HOUSING, MAKE ME SOME FOR A CHEVY FRONT 60!!!!IM GONNA REVIVE THE GREEN YJ SOON!!!I ALREADY HAVE THE SHOCKS(OLD FOX REARS FROM THE BUGGY...)AND THE SAMBO JOINTS...EVEN THE FRONT 60(GOT THE SINGLE WHEEL HUBS/ROTORS FOR IT YESTERDAY FOR A SMOKEN DEAL...BRAND NEW)!!!

HOW THE FAWK DO FIND THE TIME AND MOTIVATION TO WORK ON ALL YOUR JUNK!? I leave my house at 5:45 am get home at 6pm and just want to sit and chill with the kids..I havent touched my project since the week before 4th of july...

[Mrburns]

HOW THE FAWK DO FIND THE TIME AND MOTIVATION TO WORK ON ALL YOUR JUNK!? I leave my house at 5:45 am get home at 6pm and just want to sit and chill with the kids..I havent touched my project since the week before 4th of july...

I'm more interested in the smokin deals....you got a sign posted for parts in some backstreet crack alley? :gapteeth:

[wix]

I'm more interested in the smokin deals....you got a sign posted for parts in some backstreet crack alley? :gapteeth:

I have a hard time selling anything. Never know when I might need it. I still have a pile of yj parts that I need to get around to selling.

[Connect]

I'm more interested in the smokin deals....you got a sign posted for parts in some backstreet crack alley? :gapteeth:

He's got friends in Low Places :wink:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

HOW THE FAWK DO FIND THE TIME AND MOTIVATION TO WORK ON ALL YOUR JUNK!? I leave my house at 5:45 am get home at 6pm and just want to sit and chill with the kids..I havent touched my project since the week before 4th of july...

I JUST BUDGET TIME......AND MAKE SURE WHEN I GET HOME I GET A NICE DOSE OF SUGAR.....A SODA AND SOME CANDY(AFTER DRINKING WATER ALL DAY...),THEN IM GOOD FOR A COUPLE HOURS!!!SPEND AN HOUR WITH THE BABY BEFORE SHE GOES TO BED!!!!THEN I TELL MY WIFE THAT ONE OF THE WEEKEND DAYS ILL BE IN THE SHOP!!!!PLUS I HAVE NEVER NEEDED MORE THAN 6 HOURS SLEEP A NIGHT!!!

8-10 HOURS DURING THE WEEK AND 8-12 HOURS ON THE WEEKEND GETS STUFF DONE!!!!THERE IS STILL A TON OF COOL SHIT TO BUILD AND I WANNA BUILD IT ALL!!!!

AND THE SMOKEN PARTS DEALS COME BECAUSE IM NOT AFRAID TO KICK A BRUTHA WHEN HE IS DOWN!!!!AND I TRY TO KEEP CASH ON HAND....... AND DONT BE AFRAID TO BUY FROM CRACKHEADS :gapteeth:

[Mrburns]

I have a hard time selling anything. Never know when I might need it. I still have a pile of yj parts that I need to get around to selling.

what ya got?

[wix]

what ya got?

Yj front seats
yj stock rear drive line (hardly used)
rear CV RE drive line (like new)
Complete RE 4.5" extreme duty lift kit. w/ re shocks
cat back dyno flow exhaust
front stock d-line
gas tank
tj front fender flares and some trashed rear flares
stock pitman arm
M.O.R.E. rear shock mount extentions
brand new never used 35" spare tire (mt wild country from les schwab)
d-35
rear swing out tire carrier w/bumper
viair OBA setup (still thinkin about keepin this one)
4 american racing aluminum 15" wheels.
stock steering pump
I think thats it. Plus I got a pile of mog parts too!
the stock drum brake setup
hubs
and torque tubes w/ d-lines

probably should move this...sorry connect :gapteeth:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

Yj front seats
yj stock rear drive line (hardly used)
rear CV RE drive line (like new)
Complete RE 4.5" extreme duty lift kit. w/ re shocks
cat back dyno flow exhaust
front stock d-line
gas tank
tj front fender flares and some trashed rear flares
stock pitman arm
M.O.R.E. rear shock mount extentions
brand new never used 35" spare tire (mt wild country from les schwab)
d-35
rear swing out tire carrier w/bumper
viair OBA setup (still thinkin about keepin this one)
4 american racing aluminum 15" wheels.
stock steering pump
I think thats it. Plus I got a pile of mog parts too!
the stock drum brake setup
hubs
and torque tubes w/ d-lines

probably should move this...sorry connect :gapteeth:

IF YOU DECIDE TO GET RID OF THE OBA SET-UP LET ME KNOW THE COMPRESSOR MODEL....I NEED ONE FOR AN AIR BAGGED TRUCK I HAVE BEEN BUILDING.

[Connect]

Back On Topic, Tire sex!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/tirebling2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/tirebling.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/tirebling1.jpg

[MR.ROCKAPE]

Back On Topic, Tire sex!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/tirebling2.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/tirebling.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/tirebling1.jpg

nice!!!how much shipped to 89506???:gapteeth:

[stv]

nice!!!how much shipped to 89506???:gapteeth:

i'll pick em up when they get there:gapteeth:

[Connect]

Look pretty good on some Wheels!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/40R17.jpg

Kinda felt like a chase track driving home with these!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/chasetruck.jpg

[Connect]

Cleaned out the garage around the jeep, after not touching it for months shit got collected piled in all around it. Anyway, Trying to figure out exactly how I want to do this. Set up approximate ride height, and boy does it feel good to actually have it look like something! I'm probably going to make up some temp link/shock mounts, load this thing up and head off to shaffers.

I'm finding the lack of concrete, real jacks, and no 220 REAL ghey. Mike was nice enough to offer me some shop space after hours, I'm probably going to take him up on his offer.

The front link setup is more then likely going to end up being changed due to driveshaft interference with the front link, but it's not 100% until I can set belly height. Possibly 3 link w/panhard, but a track bar will be difficult.

Approximate ride height I'm thinking.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/nrminime/buggyfront.jpg

[EastCoast44]

I am tires and steering away from having it done....

Looks like a little more than tires and steering to me!

[Connect]

Looks like a little more than tires and steering to me!

Lol, a little more then that!

[MR.ROCKAPE]

I GUESS IT LOOKS BETTER THAN IT DID JUST SITTING THERE......IM NOT TOO SURE ON THE BLING WHEELS THOUGH......KINDA REMINDS ME OF THAT SAYING...IF IT DONT GO.....CHROME IT!!!

[Connect]

I GUESS IT LOOKS BETTER THAN IT DID JUST SITTING THERE......IM NOT TOO SURE ON THE BLING WHEELS THOUGH......KINDA REMINDS ME OF THAT SAYING...IF IT DONT GO.....CHROME IT!!!

Polished Aluminum I believe is the term! :wink: Was cheaper then a new set of 17" steel wheels, so I'll stick with it until I need less backspacing! :tongue:

[Connect]

:wtf:





Updated some of the specs on the front page, stick around for some updates tomorrow!

[MR.ROCKAPE]

:wtf:





Updated some of the specs on the front page, stick around for some updates tomorrow!

FINALLY......NOW YOU NEED A TOW RIG!!!!:gapteeth:

[Connect]

FINALLY......NOW YOU NEED A TOW RIG!!!!:gapteeth:

It ain't gonna be a 7.3 if that was what you were thinking :rolleyes:

I figure I'll wait on the picture, I HATE cell phone pics.

[Connect]

Well it's on it's own 4 tires. I'm moving out of my place in Verdi in a few weeks so I had to get this thing a roller so I could bring it down to Shaffer's and work on it to finish her up.

May end up changing the front links a bit. I know I'm going to redo all of the axle side tabs for the final product, I just cut out some ghetto ones to get the thing a roller and tacked them on. the chassis side shock mounts need to be relocated as well.

All the hydro stuff should be showing up today, brake lines, etc. The last couple things I really need are a piece of 1.5" quarter wall DOM for my tie-rod, and it seems Reno is out of stock, and a front winch. Gets closer everyday it seems!

[MR.ROCKAPE]

WELL AT LEAST IT LOOKS LIKE A RIG NOW......HOPEFULLY IT WONT JUST STOP AT THAT!!!!

[Mrburns]

did you change the hood/paint?


looks good....but did you have to rebuild the links or were those included?

[Connect]

WELL AT LEAST IT LOOKS LIKE A RIG NOW......HOPEFULLY IT WONT JUST STOP AT THAT!!!!

Coming soon to a Pirate for sale board soon! :tongue:

did you change the hood/paint?

No, he gave me the hood, and I'm reusing it. It's sat on the side of my garage for 6 months now, it's a little dirty and a little distorted.


looks good....but did you have to rebuild the links or were those included?

He gave me the links with the buggy, but they were meant for a narrowed axle. I think the rears will be fine, but the front uppers will at least have to be changed, the pumpkin is offset so much to the drivers side the upper pretty much goes right through the driveshaft.

[Mrburns]

the grill/hood just look a little orange to me....but that could be the POS work computer....:gapteeth:

[Connect]

the grill/hood just look a little orange to me....but that could be the POS work computer....:gapteeth:

It's the shitty cell phone early morning picture, it does look green. It is in fact red. I'll be bringing my real camera home today to take a better pic for ya! As stated before, I fawking hate cell phone pics. But it was too tempting to snap a pic this morning on my way to the truck, it's wierd having room to put my quad and having a tall buggy sitting in the driveway! :wink:

[jeeper89]

bump for updates:cool:

[Sierra Valley]

No update as usual. It will sit in his garage with the new pretty tires and he will just talk about working on it:Big Grin:

[Connect]

No update as usual. It will sit in his garage with the new pretty tires and he will just talk about working on it:Big Grin:

Shit it ain't even in my garage :P

Maybe someday it'll come home to get worked on...

[xjmoser]

Shit it ain't even in my garage :P

Maybe someday it'll come home to get worked on...

That didnt work for me! havnt touched it since i got it home.....need to take back to work!

[Connect]

That didnt work for me! havnt touched it since i got it home.....need to take back to work!

Lol. Well, should be getting a little time in on it tonight. Hope to bring it up to my new place sometime this week or next. As soon as Jeeper comes and get's his shit out of my garage :wink:

[jeeper89]

Lol. Well, should be getting a little time in on it tonight. Hope to bring it up to my new place sometime this week or next. As soon as Jeeper comes and get's his shit out of my garage :wink:

ill be up saturday:Big Grin:

[Connect]

ill be up saturday:Big Grin:

Sweet, are you going to take this bling shit with you?

[MR.ROCKAPE]

Sweet, are you going to take this bling shit with you?

I WILL!!!WHAT KIND OF TRADE IN DO I GET FOR MY 4:1 D300???:Big Grin:

[Mrburns]

I WILL!!!WHAT KIND OF TRADE IN DO I GET FOR MY 4:1 D300???:Big Grin:

i need one of them....what you want?

[jeeper89]

i need one of them....what you want?

i have a 300 with new 4:1 kit ready to go in.. Pm me if your interested:Big Grin:

[MR.ROCKAPE]

i need one of them....what you want?

ILL PULL IT OUTTA THE BUGGY FOR $675-$700....YOU EVEN WILL GET THE TWIN STICK SET-UP!!!!AND IT DOESNT LEAK AT ALL!!!LET ME KNOW.

[Connect]

ILL PULL IT OUTTA THE BUGGY FOR $675-$700....YOU EVEN WILL GET THE TWIN STICK SET-UP!!!!AND IT DOESNT LEAK AT ALL!!!LET ME KNOW.

What are you going to put in yours?

[MR.ROCKAPE]

What are you going to put in yours?

CALL YOUR HOMIE.....DSI!!!!:gapteeth:

[POOR BOY]

ILL PULL IT OUTTA THE BUGGY FOR $675-$700....YOU EVEN WILL GET THE TWIN STICK SET-UP!!!!AND IT DOESNT LEAK AT ALL!!!LET ME KNOW.

what all is done to your d300, 4to1 32 spline input outputs?

[MR.ROCKAPE]

what all is done to your d300, 4to1 32 spline input outputs?

STOCK INPUT AND OUTPUTS.....4:1 TERA GEARS,MODIFIED CURRIE TWIN STICK...

THE WAY I PRICED IT....
D300 $250-$300(IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.....)
GEARS $550-???
TWIN STICK $100
1310 CV OUTPUT YOKE REAR($65)
STOCK 1310 FRONT YOKE $0

ALREADY ASSEMBLED AND TESTED!!!

I HAVE NEVER BROKEN A STOCK OUTPUT WITH STICKY TIRES....

IF IT DOESNT SELL ILL KEEP IT FOR MY WIFES GREEN JEEP!!!!:Big Grin: