dev_daddy

If you do decide against the sterling... I know someone who might be interested.

customzj73

Im for sure going with the sterling now ha, but i could point you in the direction of the 70 if you want??
Updates tomorrow

dev_daddy

Nahh im a sterling guy but cant wait for updates!

customzj73

****PROGRESS****
Okay well i have had a couple hours here and there to do some stuff, so i got a little done. Also i got this stuff....



New parts include-
All new brakes (rotors not pictured)
New bearings
5.38 gears
Master install kits
1350 Dana 60 yoke with u-joint straps
4.56 and up Dana 60 carrier
New axle seals

I also ordered 35 spline 4340 chromoly shafts for the Dana 60
they were supposed to be here thursday so tomorrow ill have to call and see whats up.
I havent bought a locker for the 60 yet because i am debating between and ARB and a Lock-rite. I love my current ARB, but they are pricey. I think im just gonna start saving up and by the time i get the axles in i will have the money to get an ARB. The sterling will be lincoln locked of course

Now for some work...
Made a crossmember

Old one had a 1" drop for t-case so it hung down really low, tucked the t-case up high so nothing will hang below the frame rails

Stripped the undercoating off to prep for the frame plating



The transfer case will be tucked up farther when done then it is in the picture

Frame plating
cut out some 3/16 plate


4 of these long beads made my hand tired



Holes to weld to, they will be welded and bolted on.


No more odd shaped uni-rails


Of course it will all be tied into the front when i start the front swap, still need to finish plating farther back.



Here is the tranny x-member, it is not in place yet-it will be slightly higher then it is in this picture, the pieces of plate that bolts the x-member to the rail will be cut down level with the tube so nothing will be below the frame rails i just ran out of time and had to stop there for today.
I got the rear longarms almost finished, waiting on some joints. Brackets are all almost done but im not gonna post pics of them or the arms until they are 100% done, i think i have changed the lengths about 4 times now ha, dam 4 links.
The rear is pretty close as far as suspension goes, just gotta tweak some brackets and finish the arms then burn everything in. Halloween is tomorrow so i wont be getting any work done on the heap, more updates this week! Let me know what ya all think

dev_daddy

Wow, lots of progress. Sweet stuff, why did you decide against welding the front?

Gorillaxj

Nice work man! nice to officialy meet the other night. Looking clean! If you can swing an ARB i am sure it would be worth it... why not a Eaton Elocker? or spool that ***** with hydrolic assist lol

4.3L XJ

I really like the looks of those rail stiffeners

customzj73

Well I decided against Lincoln locking or spooling it because it has unit bearings. So no matter if I'm in 2wd or 4wd the front shafts would constantly be turning which means my tires would wear out really fast. At least with a lock right it would be okay in 2wd since there would be no torque to engage it so the shafts could differentiate enough to turn without chirping and wearing out the tires. And ya it was good to meet ya man, nice to put a face to the name ha.

customzj73

Thanks! I think they look alot cleaner then any aftermarket ones I could find and they are stout! If my jeep wasn't being supported by the rock sliders I would have removed them and not made cutouts for them, boatsides will come asap after the build so I will fix it then. Also I originally had made them going from the very bottom of the front fender well and all the way to the back where they are, but since I'm gonna be making new CA brackets up front I decided to finish the plating when I do that instead of working around everything then having to fix it later.

Domaas

Great looking build! and congrats on the new shop toys, love to see people invest in something good.

Side note..i didnt see in the pics of your electrical rework..but be sure to add a retainer nut/clamp to your added romex where it exits the box.

Keep up the good work..i'll be watching for updates.

customzj73

I will have to do that thanks!

X1994J

Looking good bro! Going to make my junk look, well, like junk. So we should be good to go! Now git r dun!

customzj73

Ha ha your heap isn't junk cory, aparently a 9" stock 3rd member is but not the rest of your jeep ha. I'm tryin, my goal is mid December to have the axles swapped in, cage will be a bit longer.

builtnotbought89'

...mmm sausage-egg-n-cheez...

customzj73

Hahahahahahahahahah oh keep dreaming Ryan!!!! I'm gonna finish before you and you still have a cage to build!