Project "Single Barrel" An LJ build

[jeepster1407]

Over the last year my wheeling club made the switch from CB to GMRS. I had been using a Baofeng UV-5R handheld radio with great success but wanted the extra distance a hard mounted radio has to offer. After much back and forth I purchased a B-Tech UV-25x2. These radios are tiny compared to their ancient CB brother. This made packaging much easier. I was able to remove the overhead CB mount I pieced together and mount the radio behind the shifter. Previously I had my CB antenna installed on the tailgate hinge delete plate but that location would interfere with the rear glass if I ever decided to reinstall my factory hard top. So I came up with another bracket to move the antenna further over and out of the way just in case. (I've since cut a new delete plate without the CB antenna tab)

 

[jeepster1407]

Since I removed the overhead mount I needed a place to mount the mic when wheeling. I came up with this simple combo bracket that mounts behind the factory grab bar. There are several on the market similar to this but I wanted to integrate a RAM ball to it for a phone holder. The one on my center dash will be going away as it shakes too much for my liking.

 

[jeepster1407]

That about takes us to where the jeep is in its current form. I say its complete because in the next phase of this build I'll be switching over to 05+ Superduty axles and 40"+ tires. I'll be updating this thread as work begins on the 1 ton swap. (Still pinching pennies so it may be several months)

 

[D M]

Whats the glass circle below the vent defroster? BTW we see that rubicrawler

 

[jeepster1407]

Whats the glass circle below the vent defroster? BTW we see that rubicrawler

That's a trans temp gauge from GlowShift.

I wish It was a rubicrawler Its actually the replacement handle assy for the Advance adapters cable shifer.

 

[D M]

That's a trans temp gauge from GlowShift.

I wish It was a rubicrawler Its actually the replacement handle assy for the Advance adapters cable shifer.

man im dumb i thought that was a rubicrawler LOL

 

[jeepster1407]

man im dumb i thought that was a rubicrawler LOL

It looks very similar

 

[DuncLJ]

You've got some incredible skillz! Keep up the great work. I'll be following along.

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

Really like the work looks great! Especially the metal Fab. Did you sell or toss the Camo seat covers?

Oh, and my one small critique is the cinder blocks under the jack stands. I know it worked, but if one crumbled it could hurt you or worse. Not trying to be rude! The bigger stands are worth your safety though!

 

[jeepster1407]

You've got some incredible skillz! Keep up the great work. I'll be following along.

Thanks dude! Much appreciated!

 

[jeepster1407]

Really like the work looks great! Especially the metal Fab. Did you sell or toss the Camo seat covers?

Oh, and my one small critique is the cinder blocks under the jack stands. I know it worked, but if one crumbled it could hurt you or worse. Not trying to be rude! The bigger stands are worth your safety though!

Thanks for the kind words! Yea that setup was pretty sketchy. Bigger stands are on the radar to prep for the axle swap!

 

[jeepster1407]

Did you sell or toss the Camo seat covers?

Not sure how I skipped over this part. I ended up selling those. Honestly they were some of the best fitting seat covers I have ever seen.

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

Not sure how I skipped over this part. I ended up selling those. Honestly they were some of the best fitting seat covers I have ever seen.

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Those are nice. That company is in Montana near where I used to live. I talked to the owner once on the phone, seemed cool. He would build you all sorts of attachments for those also. Gun holders and pockets or drink holders stitched on.

I can see how you may not have wanted the camo tho.

 

[Shuttlesworth]

Great build, awesome design work. I don't even think that "fabrication" is a deserving term. This all looks like finished goods ready for sale. This is exactly what I want to do to mine when I get to that part of the project. Designing all the components and working out issues in CAD before the build. Really looking forward to the 1 tons and 40s.

 

[jeepster1407]

Those are nice. That company is in Montana near where I used to live. I talked to the owner once on the phone, seemed cool. He would build you all sorts of attachments for those also. Gun holders and pockets or drink holders stitched on.

I can see how you may not have wanted the camo tho.

That sounds interesting, based on a google search for these they appear to have been made in Three Forks, Montana . Had they been black or gray I'd still be rocking them.

 

[jeepster1407]

Great build, awesome design work. I don't even think that "fabrication" is a deserving term. This all looks like finished goods ready for sale. This is exactly what I want to do to mine when I get to that part of the project. Designing all the components and working out issues in CAD before the build. Really looking forward to the 1 tons and 40s.

Thanks bud! Some were definitely not 100% the first go around.

 

[jeepster1407]

I drove the Jeep to dinner on Friday and somewhere along the way I started to hear a loud clicking/binding noise when turning. After I got home I found a spit u-joint cap. Looks like some new Spicer 5-760x joints are in store. At first I didn't see the joint so I popped open the diff cover. Everything looks good in there so I guess it just gets a gear oil change and new pinion seal since the old one was leaking. Trying not to spend to much money on these 1/4 ton axles since there not long term. Only fixing what breaks and routine maintenance.

 

[B00mb00m]

I wasn't super happy with just carrying my tools and recovery gear in bags and strapping them down in the tub. After some collaboration with a friend who works at a cabinet shop I came up with a slick drawer setup. The drawer body is made from UV sealed 3/4" Plywood and wrapped in automotive carpet. The drawers are 1/8" aluminum. This setup has been super nice and rattle free. It bolts down to some factory holes in the tub so in the event of a roll it should stay put.

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Did you make the aluminum drawers or buy? They looks like good size. How does the size work for wheeling gear?

 

[jeepster1407]

Did you make the aluminum drawers or buy? They looks like good size. How does the size work for wheeling gear?

I made those as well. The size seems to work out great for my needs. I used some oak hardwood and made drawer fronts and screwed it to the drawer body. Then I wrapped everything in Black automotive carpet.

 

[Ardenlonewolf]

On one wheeling trip I managed to catch the rear corner on a tree, caving the corner in slightly. I pulled the corner out best I could but knew it would happen again. Time for rear corner armor. Rather than making tooling to build them myself or bump forming them I went to Stout Fab and they built a set for me form 3/16" Aluminum. Fit was great and cost was far less than anyone else.

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I just picked up Rock Krawler 3.5 springs for my LJR, do they ride lower in the back than the front? some other threads people report they lift the front are 3.5" and rear around 3". I have extra weight on my back so looking to add in a jks acos adjustable rear spacer.