Build Project - SS Cherokee

[mucovich]

it's also a "roller" again (although not under it's own power). So once the console is done I have to focus on the second cross member for the TC brace, build the traction bar, mount the hydro ram and of course build the cage (which will be a huge job) plus a billion other loose ends not worth mentioning.

It's still on stands for ease of working.

 

[dwcjwerfner]

Console looks good in real life, camera flashes in the garage have a way of making things look garish.

dj

 

[chunkytrunks]

Looking good Marek

 

[mucovich]

thanks! I did some measurments today and i've ended up with a wheel base of 107 inches - right where i planned on it being.

 

[polo609]

Sexy...!

 

[mucovich]

got alittle more progress completed, first coat of bedliner done as well as the top cover was fitted and installed. The aluminum turned out great, i used automotive door trim for all the edges. I may not use the stock shift cover/indicator, one from a grand cherokee may be a cleaner fit as the stock one has funny contours for the plastic console.

 

[mucovich]

Next i started the installation of the brace for the atlas - putting it together...

next, putting the second crossmember together...

all welded up minus the brace tabs...

finished up with some paint on the topside so it isn't as hard to paint when installed...

and with it all in the truck...

 

[mucovich]

I didn't do anything too spectacular today - put another coat of bedliner on the console and cut the leaf perches off on the rear axle. Tomorrow i need to rotate the rear pinion up abit and therefore will be welding on new spring perches.

 

[Dirk]

Can't wait to see it in person, home tomorrow.

 

[blueguy]

Looking good Marek. Wish I could say I've done anything on my rig since moving - but I cannot

The upside is we bought a place outside F'ton and manland is going up in the spring. I've got a bunch more adjustments to make once I get somewhere to work....

Keep up the good work

 

[mucovich]

thanks Nick, i'll be out your way next fall and i'll be sure to bring the rig (i'll probably be out there most of next winter too!

i got some more stuff done this week but i kept forgetting my camera. I did get the traction bar fab'd up and installed as well as mocking up the hydo ram (i need to get a high pressure line before i can finish the hydro) and installed the front seats, oh and changed out the engine mounts. I took a couple picks today so i'll post them up tomorrow.

I'll be taking a break from the jeep over the holidays and i'm looking forward to taking it easy. I think most dudes building or rebuilding a rig would know what i mean, plus i will be south of the border in the new year too so updates will be a bit slow.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Marek

 

[dwcjwerfner]

Well I have seen it and it looks great! Marek has done some really nice work.

Dwayne

 

[mucovich]

So here's a few pics from this week, again I didn't have the camera so i didn't document all that well. I also didn't get any pics of the seats in with the new floor/console. I did have to modify the drivers seat mounting bracket a bit as the floor/console ate up about 3" of floor space on that side. It was no big deal to do that, i just narrowed and remounted the stock bracket and made some new mounting brackets out of 1/4 plate inorder for the seat to fit. here is the traction bar, i used 1.5" DOM with a hiem joint and shackle on the frame end...

Here is the ram mocked in place - I built a bracket out of 1 3/4" HREW (Dwayne's idea) off of the axle for the ram to attach to giving it the best angle (or lack of one) through it's range of movemnet as not to bind in any way and put almost 100% of the ram's force in a staight line. Plus the ram's position over the tierod protects it from rocks from below. (Not a very good pic)

 

[Twinkie]

I'm not a fab'r by any means, but are you not worried about the trac bar ripping out of the axle tube?

 

[mucovich]

no, not worried - i didn't get any pics of the frame end but the heim should take care of all the roll axis movement and the shackle will take care of all the compression/decompresion of the axle as it moves through it's cycle. I've intentionally kept the rear suspension fairly stiff as in it won't stuff or drop out too much, but some test runs will be the proof!

 

[mucovich]

I think that "if" i run into issues (before it gets linked next winter i'm sure) I could always go with a "slip and twist" style, however many dudes run the shackle style with success.

 

[Baja]

Hey Good job Merek
One question though. Shouldnt the seats mount to your cage (the one you will be building)

 

[mucovich]

That would be the best way to mount those seats and i will be looking at ways to do that when the cage project starts, i just wanted to get those seats in so i could check that where the atlas shifters where positioned was good and console/floor clearances was ok. Hows your rig coming?

 

[Baja]

My rig is sitting in the garage hibernating for the winter. I will start working on it around March or so lol (which really means 2 weeks before spring fever lol)

 

[chunkytrunks]

Awsome work Marek. Looking great