Woodrow's 97 Green TJ Moderate Build

[sab]

I’m sure you’ve got raised body mounts in there too or may already be done…looking forward to it all come together.

Way to push for scope creep, JMT - love it! (Woodrow, take it from the king of scope creep, don't give in if you want to hit your May goal. My LJ's been on the lift for 19 months now. Much of that time is due to scope creep, but lately it's been the new job and other distractions around the homestead slowing me down.)

 

[Woodrow]

Yeah, we’re still red-necking it Woodrow. Down on the floor these bones. After a few days creaking like the Jeep. Can’t tell a difference. How we become one with the Jeep. I’ll still take a lift though!

I do recommend a lift for anyone, but especially if you're over 50.

Nice project. I’m sure you’ve got raised body mounts in there too or may already be done…looking forward to it all come together.

Yep raised body mounts have been sitting around for a while waiting for this. The 4 body mounts in the back will all be custom.

 

[Woodrow]

Way to push for scope creep, JMT - love it! (Woodrow, take it from the king of scope creep, don't give in if you want to hit your May goal. My LJ's been on the lift for 19 months now. Much of that time is due to scope creep, but lately it's been the new job and other distractions around the homestead slowing me down.)

Mission creep is indeed an issue I struggle with at times. I expect there will be plenty of not specifically foreseen issues to hold me up. Its going to be a challenge.

 

[JMT]

I do recommend a lift for anyone, but especially if you're over 50.

Yep raised body mounts have been sitting around for a while waiting for this. The 4 body mounts in the back will all be custom.

We could have a race if it helps us both finish. I’ve got a healthy list, but not the same. I’ll post up in the next few days.

 

[Woodrow]

I am sure you probably have it already and I just don't see it but make sure that you have a way to hold the jeep down/up in the front and back while on the lift and everything removed from the back. I had to add an anchor in my floor to hold the front down since I couldn't have any stands aft of basically midpoint of the jeep when I removed the frame. I am very jealous of the lift!

Oh, yeah - this is great, and vital, advice. Woodrow, the lift pads on your lift are different than mine, so it may not work, but I keep a large C-clamp at each pad to lock the LJ to the lift:
View attachment 658851

The shortness of the TJ (which is even worse than my LJ) demands this because as you cut large, heavy pieces off, it will get "tippy." Having the rig fall off the lift would ruin your day!

{As Victor noted, you may have already considered this, so I apologize if you have and I'm in "Captain Obvious" mode...}

Absolutely. Good tip and I am aware. Without some additional support/tie downs, it would definitely fall forward off the lift. Tying it down was something Blaine mentioned as well. Currently I have a pole jack under the front bumper and two 800# straps from from the lift arms to the rails on my rocker armor. I did something similar when I had everything out a few years ago to clean up and paint the back half of the frame.

 

[mrblaine]

Absolutely. Good tip and I am aware. Without some additional support/tie downs, it would definitely fall forward off the lift. Tying it down was something Blaine mentioned as well. Currently I have a pole jack under the front bumper and two 800# straps from from the lift arms to the rails on my rocker armor. I did something similar when I had everything out a few years ago to clean up and paint the back half of the frame.
View attachment 658893
View attachment 658894

We all have our own sensibilities. Mine are centric to not losing location of components and being able to put stuff back exactly how it was removed after working on it and being able to compress the suspension to the limit for checking clearances.

 

[Woodrow]

I welded the truss on the rear axle and shaved the rear frame side CA brackets and so I could clamp the Savvy brackets onto the frame and start to get an idea of what the next problems to solve are. This is ride height with a 4" lift and about 5" of stretch.

I've got a lot thinking and work to do. Just getting to this point could be a long write up. I should be cutting the rear frame off behind the T-case soon.

 

[mrblaine]

I welded the truss on the rear axle and shaved the rear frame side CA brackets and so I could clamp the Savvy brackets onto the frame and start to get an idea of what the next problems to solve are. This is ride height with a 4" lift and about 5" of stretch.
View attachment 659901View attachment 659902
I've got a lot thinking and work to do. Just getting to this point could be a long write up. I should be cutting the rear frame off behind the T-case soon.

I've had enough mishaps with straps that I'd like to see both hooks in holes or go around the frame and hook them into each other. At least I'm not the only one who needs a cheat sheet to remember how to spell your last name, so good on you for that.

 

[sab]

At least I'm not the only one who needs a cheat sheet to remember how to spell your last name, so good on you for that.

The wizard has keen, keen eyes...

 

[Woodrow]

The wizard has keen, keen eyes...

No kidding. For a minute, I was thinking WTF is he talking about?

 

[Mike_H]

No kidding. For a minute, I was thinking WTF is he talking about?

The wizard has keen, keen eyes...

I definitely had to go back and look...

@Woodrow -> You need to buy a vowel, man!

 

[Woodrow]

I definitely had to go back and look...

@Woodrow -> You need to buy a vowel, man!

not the first time I've heard that, believe it or not

 

[gasiorv]

I've got a lot thinking and work to do. Just getting to this point could be a long write up. I should be cutting the rear frame off behind the T-case soon.

That crossmember and the two body mounts are really the only thing you got to think about. Everything else is pretty much a known. Cut it and then you will (have to) figure it out.

 

[Woodrow]

That crossmember and the two body mounts are really the only thing you got to think about. Everything else is pretty much a known. Cut it and then you will (have to) figure it out.

Its one thing for sure and its coming out. It also limiting my up travel. I think I will need to modify my tank to make room for the coil overs

 

[Mike_H]

not the first time I've heard that, believe it or not

Oh, I'm sure. I went to high school with a girl who's last name was Klco (pronouced Kel-so). We had a teacher that would make that joke EVERY DAY...and laugh like it was the first time anyone had ever said it.

 

[Wildman]

That crossmember and the two body mounts are really the only thing you got to think about. Everything else is pretty much a known. Cut it and then you will (have to) figure it out.

Scary when you do this... But once you get there then it's over with and you move on.

And it was actually lighter than I thought it would be.

I cut the crossmember out and then bolted it in place without any lift pucks then tacked it to the frame and then pulled it back out and fully welded it in place.

 

[JMT]

Oh, I'm sure. I went to high school with a girl who's last name was Klco (pronouced Kel-so). We had a teacher that would make that joke EVERY DAY...and laugh like it was the first time anyone had ever said it.

I can’t help myself when it comes to name pronunciation. I watch this once every few months to maintain sanity.

https://share.google/uAHlUfNUv4fFhaqp1

 

[Apparition]

I can’t help myself when it comes to name pronunciation. I watch this once every few months to maintain sanity.

https://share.google/uAHlUfNUv4fFhaqp1

 

[Woodrow]

That was a hilarious episode

 

[Woodrow]

Scary when you do this... But once you get there then it's over with and you move on.

View attachment 659987

And it was actually lighter than I thought it would be.

View attachment 659989

I cut the crossmember out and then bolted it in place without any lift pucks then tacked it to the frame and then pulled it back out and fully welded it in place.

View attachment 659988

I ain't skeered... much.