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Norcal69's Common Sense Build.

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Norcal69, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. Jan 16, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    3,549
    It's the second box now. The first one was replaced under warranty after it developed a bad leak. I don't really enjoy changing steering boxes every couple years..... This is hopefully killing a fly with a 12Ga. :cool:
     
  2. Jan 16, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Apr 8, 2008
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    Do you have a part number for that red headded battleship?
    18503?

    18503: 1972 – 1976 ALL JEEP’S
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
  3. Jan 16, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    This is the box that I bought. Its a slowed down 18:1 box for a YJ. My entire power steering setup (Box, Pump, Hoses) is off the shelf YJ.... For parts availability reasons.
    185104B 4T
    185104B 4T
    Their website is confusing.... I think that the CJ input splines are different from the YJ.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  4. Jan 16, 2021
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    That thing is a work of art, beautiful!
     
  5. Jan 17, 2021
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
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    Oct 3, 2019
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    96
    I have a question. I'm going on 63. I've worked on a fair few cars, and was a certified tech on motorcycles.
    But I'm in awe of how much some of you guys know. I mean Kyle is barely out of diapers compared to me
    and he makes me look like an absolute moron. ( which, come to think of it is probably not hard to do)
    Anyhoo, carry on gents.

    Mad
     
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  6. Jan 18, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I'm looking forward to using my ON X offroad map app on this summer's jeep adventures. I didn't want to futz around with suction cups or magnets so I pieced together this Ram mount setup to hold my plus size I phone. Have to borrow the wife's phone to take a pic of my phone in the mount......:confused:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jan 19, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Got the Redhead box all buttoned up last night. Just need to pick up some quality fluid this afternoon and we will be back on the road.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Jan 19, 2021
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Jun 21, 2005
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    I like your Ram mount solution, it's much less obtrusive than others I've seen.

    I also like your redhead....
     
  9. Jan 19, 2021
    Timber Cruiser

    Timber Cruiser Member

    Oregon
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2018
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    79
    Those Ram mounts are awesome. I have the exact same one mounted to the dash of my CJ. I use my phone for maps and sometimes as a GPS speedometer. I also installed a USB port to keep it charged on long trips.
     
  10. Jan 20, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    So I was messing around with a few IPA's and a tape measure late last week....... This stuff showed up yesterday......
    I should never drink IPA's while my tape measure and credit card are in the same room. :crazy:


    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ, timsresort, Rich M. and 4 others like this.
  11. Jan 20, 2021
    Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    North Carolina
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    Very nice. I ran one on my TJ. They work fantastic.
     
  12. Jan 20, 2021
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Can't wait to see how you make them work!
     
  13. Jan 23, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I drive the jeep so much it kills me to tear it apart!

    Here are some pics of the old front shock/swaybar setup. It worked good..... but its time to make it better. I have jack stands under the front axle to simulate the jeep sitting at ride height with the suspension loaded.
    I have been wanting to move the front shocks to behind the axle for the last 2 years. The shocks have sustained a little damage after 2 trips through the rubicon. Behind the axle mounting should cure that problem.


    [​IMG]


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    [​IMG]


    I still need to remove the old shock mounts and sway bar mounts, but I couldn't resist a little mock up to get thinking about how this is going to work. I want to get it right the first time.
    These 20" arms are the longest that Currie makes. Right now I'm still in the brainstorming phase.....

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Jan 25, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I'm waiting on lower shock mounts from Ruff Stuff before I can get the shocks back on, the old upper mounts will get spliced and reinstalled.In the mean time I went ahead a made a clean slate to work with. Everything is getting mocked up with the steering at full lock on each side to ensure there aren't any surprises when I turn the wheels later on. I may end up having to make an offset sway bar link to utilize the first two holes on the sway bar. We won't know that until the first few test drives. For on road/freeway driving the stock CJ7 sway bar was heavier than necessary and while the jeep cornered like a sports car, it hurt the comfortable ride that the YJ springs/greaseable bolts afford. Reading on other forums, many guys start out with the middle adjustment and eventually find themselves in the second to last or last hole (the softest sway bar setting).

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
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  15. Jan 25, 2021
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    So that splined arm mates to a torsion rod that you will mount in a bushing through your frame rail? So the holes are for different levels of leverage against it to fine tune the stiffness? This seems to be the concept behind the front suspension on my Chevy pickup.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
  16. Jan 25, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Yep!
    The goal is to fine tune the sway bar so that it controls body roll on road but doesn't hurt suspension travel off road..... eliminating the need for sway bar disconnects. It is also supposed to increase traction as it balances the weight loading in off camber situations.
     
  17. Jan 26, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    One of the hangups on this install has been the front hitch. I wanted to save it but there was no way to leave it in the current configuration and have the new sway bar.
    2 min with the plasma cutter and it was gone.....
    I may integrate a hitch receiver into the sway bar cross tube. I like to put the weed sprayer on the front for traction when spraying up and down steep hills.

    [​IMG]


    My knock out punch made a perfect hole in no time. Intentionally undersized so I can massage the hole one way or the other to get things square.


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    Perfection of course! It better be perfect after spending a couple evenings measuring, marking, erasing, marking, measuring...... :crazy:


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    Just some more mock up.


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    [​IMG]


    This shot gives a pretty good overall view of the setup.
    Hopefully tonight I'll get the cross tube tacked in and the axle side link bracket tacked on. From there it's out to the forklift for some clearance testing.


    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jan 26, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Looks good. Have you tested it with the tires on to see if you’ll lose any steering clearance with the tires hitting it at full lock? Maybe you’re tall enough to clear under normal driving?
     
  19. Jan 26, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I "THINK" I will be ok for my normal daily usage.
    Heaving wheeling..... I know the tires will hit due to the backspace on my renegade wheels. For a rubicon type trip I throw wheel spacers on and shouldn't have any problems with tire to swaybar contact.
     
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  20. Jan 30, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I have everything but the swaybar axle tabs tacked in. The upper shock mounts that I cut off got extended to make them brand new again.
    Once all the bugs are worked out I will make a inner fender filler piece out of rubber conveyor belting.

    [​IMG]


    I will relocate the frame bracket for the brake line. The lower shock bracket is from Ruff Stuff. Plenty of brake caliper clearance at full lock.

    [​IMG]




    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    Testing clearance with the tire on. It looks like everything clears just fine without wheel spacers. 95% of this jeeps use is daily driving/ranch work. For rubicon trips the wheel spacers will go on.


    [​IMG]
     
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