Build Project - SS Cherokee

[dwcjwerfner]

Good job you did everything on your list for today!

 

[mucovich]

Yup, got it finished - the steering is in, AC gone and the OBA moved over to it's location and both coolers are in and fuel cell is 100% ready to go. I also started cutting and prepping for the rear bumper to be welded into the rear frame - that will probably consume most of monday.

Here are some pics i took on friday, rod end now in place of bushing end on track bar...

and cut off and relocated the bottom coil buckets 1 1/4" back...

 

[mucovich]

Good job you did everything on your list for today!

Hey Dwayne - did that piece of tube fit ok?

 

[Kunker]

well, another semi-productive day. Amazing how much dirt is still falling out of the frame! I finished up the steering box stiffeners (both sides) and started plumbing in the new steering.

It might be the angle, but it looks like the feed line from the reservoir to the pump actually dips below the pump height, which may cause some issues with getting fluid in the pump, especially on an incline. Not that I see much space to move the reservoir without cutting a hole in the hood, or routing the hose that it won't be too tight to account for body flex/engine twist.

 

[mucovich]

ya, i see what you mean - i had it connected up that way just to mock it all up, now that it's hooked up it's done differently.

 

[mucovich]

So yesterday i got the rear bumper welded and tied into the frame and today i made and installed the front stiffeners back to the lower control arm brackets. Rest of the week will be doing the rest of the frame all the back to the bumper.

i've plated the front with 1/8th steel. From the LCA brackets back will be 3/16's and i'll go with 1/4 on the inside frame where i'll be putting in the crossmembers. :glasses:

This is the drawn plating on a sheet of 1/8th from the cardboard templates i made yesterday...

Rough cut after some time with the plasma...

after a clean up and fit to the frame...

 

[mucovich]

I didn't get any pics of them burnt in so i'll get that either tomorrow or the next day.

 

[mucovich]

Oh ya, i feel it needs to be said - welding plate to sheet metal really sucks!

 

[Root Moose]

True dat.

Planning on plating the rear?

 

[mucovich]

yes, i'll be using 3/16th and doing all sides

 

[mucovich]

Been kicking ass on this thing all week and have some pics i took late last night on the progress. i finished plating the frame so now it's done from the front straight to the back. i will say i never want to plate a cherokee ever again - welding to sheetmetal sideways and upside down in some tricky spots sucks big time with a constant waterfall of slag constantly raining down on me! issed:

next i'll be working on the cross members that need to go in but in the mean time i did alittle chop...

 

[mucovich]

And one more before i called it quits last night...

 

[Impact]

Been kicking ass on this thing all week and have some pics i took late last night on the progress. i finished plating the frame so now it's done from the front straight to the back. i will say i never want to plate a cherokee ever again - welding to sheetmetal sideways and upside down in some tricky spots sucks big time with a constant waterfall of slag constantly raining down on me! issed:

next i'll be working on the cross members that need to go in but in the mean time i did alittle chop..

She sure is coming along. Looks like Dwayne is making some good progress on your Jeep :0

Love the picture on the side of the Cherokee of how the final product should look like.

 

[mucovich]

She sure is coming along. Looks like Dwayne is making some good progress on your Jeep :0

:lmao:, Dwayne's been tearing into his too and it's coming along!

Marek

 

[mucovich]

I almost forgot - this came in the mail yesterday - an extra bushing end for the traction bar and a brace for the atlas.

 

[mucovich]

Thought i'd post up some ideas for the rear of the cage and get some feedback, i know exactly how the front through to the rear will be but i've had some discusions on the best way to do the rear end to minimize material but provide the strongest setup possible without going crazy.

Here are a couple of ideas that i like and think will work including the comanche tailgate (anyone out there have one to sell?!)

This design I like except i would have a crossbar midway up the "X" for the spare tire mount

This seems like a good design too

 

[Impact]

I like the light blue XJ design. Great mounting surface and leave you with plenty of room underneath the "X" and they wont fly out. My only concern is that mounting a tire up there will be a pain in the a$$... Might be better off making some kind of fold up cage that allots you to mount/dismount the tire on the ground but when not need it, it folds up an locks in place. Know what I mean? Anyways that's my 2 cents

 

[mucovich]

I do know what you mean, in fact Dwayne is talking about designing something like that - i think we'll try to come up with something.

 

[mucovich]

here's another that i like but not as much as the blue ones above...

 

[Farm Boy]

I also vote on the light blue one.

The rear bumper of the dark one (including tailgate) is nice but I hate those big gussets. Infact, the light one is much nicer in many ways when you look at the internals and the x brace on the roof. Those gussets would be a pain to see thru/around, I could see you taking the plasma to them after the first trail ride.

Same thoughts on the tire carrier, make something low and removable, leave the spare back at camp. You don't want (or need) another 200lbs way up there (and also blocking view)