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So this is my first time I've wrote a build thread so here goes. I started with a 1995 Country with a 4.0l auto, 33x12.5x15 Feredal Cougarea M/T on steelies, D30 w/Spartan locker & C8.25 w/LockRite locker & 3.55 gears, 3" spacer lift w/BDS adjustable LCA's & shocks, DIY lengthened UCA's, Warn rear bumper w/tire carrier, after market front winch bumper (read forgot the brand) , HF 6k winch, Wal-mart auxiliary lights(4 on the roof & 2 on the frt bumper) and some crappy HID head lights. All this for $3500.
Here it is the next day I bought it.
I decided to call her the "Tirpitz" after the WII German battleship since I remembered seeing pictures of a similar paint job.
My plan is to be on 37 to 40's with fab'd 9" axles. Going with either ORI air shocks or coil overs. The only thing I haven't settled on yet is what style cage I'll build but most likely it'll be an Exo-Hybrid. I want to keep as much useability in the rear cargo area as possible. I like to camp out and sometimes I sleep in it when I don't want to setup a tent. This will be done in phases over, hopefully, the next 18 month's.
Phase 1
I removed the interior and found a little more rust than what I expected.
Removed the rear seat and added a sleeping platform w/lockbox.
Installed a IronRock HnT SYE last night.
Starting on the 2x6 rockers & while I'm at it cut the frt fenders.
Tomorrow I'll start cutting for the passenger floor pan. I got 3"x3/16" flat stock & 3"3/16"angle to weld to the 2x6, I'm having the plate/angle punch pressed with 1/2" holes so i don't have to hand drill them. Shop said Monday so hopefully be final welding on Tuesday.
Installed a set of Rubicon Express 3.5" rear leaf springs to replace the clapped out stocker and that stupid spacer block. Installed a Surco rooftop cargo carrier that I had on a previous Jeep.
I'm very interested in how you do your rockers, if you took a bunch of pictures on how you weld them / anchor them to the jeep and everything else, I'd appreciate it. I have a little welder and as soon as I am better at welding/grow a set I want to do the same. Jeep looks nice, project sounds fun.
I'm very interested in how you do your rockers, if you took a bunch of pictures on how you weld them / anchor them to the jeep and everything else, I'd appreciate it. I have a little welder and as soon as I am better at welding/grow a set I want to do the same. Jeep looks nice, project sounds fun.
Will try and take as many pics as i can. I've seen others use this method before but with smaller sized support stock. I only weld every once in awhile so I'm not that good at it, usually by the time I'm about done I get pretty welds. My new Miller 211definitely is making life better than the 30 year old 110v I had been using.
Just updating the build thread as far as with where my build is currently at.
Installed a set of USA Gear, 4.56 ratio & their master install kits.
Also at the same time I used a truss that was on a JK D30 I had laying around and modified it to work on the XJ D30.
So hated the stock seats. I found someone selling a complete set of ZJ seats so I did the swap. Just got to figure out how I want the rear to go in (I will only need one side as I have a sleeping platform on the passenger side) .
Fixed the small rust spots in the cargo & drivers side floor.
Cargo area prep'd for paint, I didn't complete finish the cargo floor to fender well as I knew I'd have to cut it up later for the coilovers/air shocks.
Ok got a late start today, man does factory seam sealer really sucks to remove. I decided to remove the rear passenger side bulkhead to fix a spot of rust in the jack well and also to be able to reinforce the front leaf spring perch.
Planning on running some 3/16" plate between the frame rail and the 2x6 rocker. Hopefully the RuffStuff stiffener get here early this week (left last Tuesday) so it all gets tied in together.
Mocked up the floor pan, got a little more sealer removal in the footwell for more clearance for when I go to weld that area. I think I've finally decided to stitch weld the pan in instead on spot welding. I need to pick up some sheet metal tomorrow for some patch panels.
Finally got the floor cut out as far as I'm going to go.
I hate rust but may hate factory seam sealer even more.
Started on the rockers. I'm copying some others I've seen but changed it up a little. I went with 3"x3/16" flat stock at the door sill and 3"x3/16" angle at the inner panel.
I added support plate under the B pillar, on top of the flat plate.
Plan is to get the rockers in first as I need to fab a support to the passenger side leaf spring front mount then weld in the floor.
Final finished one side rocker and boy do I suck at welding to sheet metal.
I think I didn't get the correct primer, I bought the high zinc primer from Advance Auto, it seemed that it welded dirty. My frame stiffeners should be here Friday.
If I did it all over again, I'd wouldn't have punched holes in the flat stock . Originally thought I'd weld the flat to the 2x6 first but then made those B pillar supports so I couldn't get it back in with the plate welded to the slider first.
I've been slow at updating my build. Finished the floor over New year's break.
Started another project for my rig, I wanted something to keep my trail tools & spares in. I had a tool box that came out of a HF rolling cart/tool box. The cart part I made into my welder cart.
So I welded up a cage for the box with a spot for extra fluids.
To hold the fluids in, I'm trying some shock cord woven over the top opening, we'll see.
12-26-2014, 10:40 PM
Project Tirpitz
to remove. I decided to remove the rear passenger side bulkhead to fix a spot of rust in the jack well and also to be able to reinforce the front leaf spring perch. 
