Another off-road buildup...

[bell 11]

Thanks Scott...

Well, I've been BUSY... Not a lot of pics, but I assure you I have been busy.

I bought a set of Breeze drop shackles for the rear They were pretty crusty, so I blasted them and gave them the obligatory hammered silver...

I pulled the rear 3rd member apart to change the pinion seal (was leaking) and install the mini-spool... It took me about 3 hours to change the pinion seal (nut would not budge, had to take it to a buddy with a GOOD impact... lol) It took me about 20 minutes to install the mini-spool after the pinion seal ordeal. The TT mini-spool is a EXCELLENT product and SUPER easy to install... I highly recommend one.

On to the pics...

I was planning on a virtual lift (cut fenders), but I don't think it'll be necessary... there is PLENTY of clearance.

I ordered my brake hoses today... Then, I'll need shocks, a driveshaft spacer and a few other things...

[Operator 7]

I always wondered is there enough hamsters to turn the big meats on the little trucks like that? I'm more used to the 70's style Bronco's and rigs with more umph. Not but really wondering is there enough power?

Looking good

Randy

[hounddoghundzsa 7]

Never cared much for the Jap rides - but you sure do make them look nice!

[bell 11]

It's all about the gearing... and the light weight. Plenty of power when you're turning 5000 rpms @ 60mph. :whistle:

[perry 82]

looks great .

have you ever done up a old 60's bronco ?. or a international ?.

[KyBlue 655]

Looks good!

[bell 11]

Perry, I have had 4 International Scouts... 2- 800's and 2- Scout II's.... I never had enough money to build one of them though.

If I ever win the lottery, there will be a NASTY Scout in the garage... :whistle:

[Brian1045 28]

Here is the model

I've always wanted. 1970 off of the movie "Deliverance"

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5805/deliverance41aa7.jpg

Nice work BTW!! :whistle:

[bell 11]

Thanks for the comp's...

Today, I made some bumpstop mounts... They use stock front bumpstops...

I also added another leaf to the rear to level it up a bit... It was sitting a little lower in the rear. It's just right now... and the springs should live a little longer with some extra support. :thumbs:

[bell 11]

Here are a few flex pics... It's not at FULL flex, but close... (my makeshift RTI ramp was a little sketchy, so I didn't push it )

Clearance is GOOD!... doesn't appear to be rubbing ANYWHERE! I'll do some light hammer work to the pinch welds JIC, and trim the lower rear corners and call it GOOD!

[TJ 184]

Nice work. :thumbs:

[stevasaurus 23,274]

jon...that is way tooooo coool!

my back hurts from just looking at the pics :drool:

[perry 82]

your cruising right along on this build. looks like you have done this a time or two . .....

this one was in the new release movie role models. goofy movie but lots of senes with the bronco.

[BTK07 0]

LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE CLEARANCE, CLARANCE!!!!!! :omg:

[bell 11]

:omg: :drool:

[bell 11]

Time for a BIG update...

I cut the stock front shock mounts and bumpstop mounts off...

Built some new ones... and relocated my brake hose mount.

Then I made some lower shock mounts...

[bell 11]

I cleaned everything up and gave it a new coat of paint... I also "hammered" the shocks. ;D

Today, I pulled the front axle apart and re-packed the wheel bearings (had to replace one)... And installed the 4.62 3rd member. I already have the TT chromoly axles, but I figured I should break these before I change them... so the chromo's will sit on the shelf until their time comes...

I also drilled, filed and put on the Mercedes arm for 1/2 hy-steer...

[Operator 7]

:omg: Lokkin good Bell. Got a question for you, have you ever messed with Explorer's ? Namely we are "thinking" of putting a Jeep front axle [Cherokee] into a 92 Ford Explorer. Then we would have the solid front instead of IFS. Just kind of thinking, haven't got the tape measure going yet.

Randy

[bell 11]

Thanks Randy!

I don't think I'd go with the cherokee axle... they are pretty weak. But, if you're going to keep your tire size small (31's) it should be fine with light wheeling. If you could find a Dana 44... with a similar width, you'd be better off.... OR, find a matched set of axles out of a old Bronco... (Dana 44 front and 9" rear) would be IDEAL... And you could use the radius arm suspension for the front.

[Rollerman 290]

Jon you have some serious skills.

I've seen & see a few of the spring over Sami's running aroud up here, but after following your buildup so far very few of these look as capeable as yours & are cobble jobs made to have the "look".

Keep the pics comeing....will you be building any bash bars for the outside?

[bell 11]

Stephen, thank you... That means a LOT! Yes, I'll be breaking out the tubing bender for some sliders, bumpers and a full roll cage.

Here is the completed steering...

I used a stock Samurai centerlink and drag link to make my new drag link. The drag link slides PERFECTLY inside the centerlink... I cut them to length (the drag link runs the full length, inside the centerlink) slid them together... and burned it together. I also added a couple plug welds in each end for a little insurance.

This steering is FANTASTIC!!! There's NO bumpsteer now!

Here are my new M/L rests...

I made them out of UHMW (plastic cutting board material) and bolted them on with some countersunk bolts. The rubber "rest" that I had on it before (rubber spare tire bumper) had soo much force on it that it looked like it was going to pop, so I think this will solve that problem. :drool:

[bell 11]

4:1 transfer case gears are in... I originally planned on just swapping the guts from the 4:1 case (busted) into my case. Once I split the cases, I realized that the bearings in the 4:1 case were SHOT. I broke out the bearing pullers and swapped out the bearings and put it all back together in my case. Good to go!

I used a Sky Mfg. rear upper shock mount and made some new lower mounts, then mounted up another pair of "custom" Monroe's...

It's now ready for a shakedown run... I'll be taking it to a local wheeling spot, next Saturday, to try it out. :drool: