Recent content by Kyle_Craig

  1. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    I made some more progress this past weekend! The exhaust is in and complete. I added a section of exhaust tube (dimpled to fit over the crossmember), installed a small high flow catalytic converter, and reinstalled my muffler and turn down. We also reinforced the skid plate using a mixture...
  2. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    Thanks Jeff! I had the same username over on Jeepforum. I'd imagine we crossed paths over there at some point. As far as the double parking brake goes, it's good to know it's been done. I think it could be pretty simple with a universal park brake kit...but I guess we'll see! Thanks! It's fun...
  3. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    I had the past two days off and was able to make some more progress on the Atlas install with plenty of help from my buddy Tommy and my dad. I determined that in order to achieve a completely flat skid with a little wiggle room in all directions for the drivetrain, everything needed to come up a...
  4. Kyle_Craig

    Trail_Krawler & Trail_Willys

    Holy freaking moly!
  5. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    Yes and yes. They are XJ springs with one added leaf. I am actually contemplating two different designs to "French" the springs. Option 1: I may simply french the front spring hanger and keep the springs under the axle. This would lower the ride height a bit (which I want to do anyway) and...
  6. Kyle_Craig

    New highline option

    I like these too! I think they look good. It looks like they have a ton of clearance and it's great to see options outside of the typical Metalcloak/Genright/Poison Spyder TJ bolt-on echo chamber. Nothing against Metalcloak but I think these have cleaner lines.
  7. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    I added an update to one of the posts I reserved on page 1 if people want to see what I am working on currently. Thank you! The leaf springs have served me really well and they were a simple conversion. My favorite trait is the stability they provide. They are very predictable. My only...
  8. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    With the TeraLow 231 4:1 transfer case kaput, I needed to come up with a new plan for gear reduction. The TeraLow served me very well through the years but it has since been discontinued. I kicked around the idea of building a 231/231 doubler but ultimately scrapped that plan due to concerns...
  9. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    My JK wheels were scratched, chipped, and one was cracked. The logical next step at the time was an upgrade to bead lock wheels. I found an awesome deal on some Champion alloy beadlocks. They were 17x9, 5x5.5, 4.75" backspacing beadlocks for $400. I mounted them with some 1.25" wheel spacers...
  10. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    By about 2014, I had graduated college and moved back to Minnesota. I knew I would miss all of the trails, mountains, and scenery of the west but I had felt the need to head home to where I was raised. My 35" BFG KM2s were worn out from all the daily miles and hard wheeling. I swapped them...
  11. Kyle_Craig

    Bessy the Rock Rod - A Crawler Built in Stages

    Between having selectable lockers front and rear, light wheels, newer (softer) tires, and the 4:1 transfer case---this thing worked unbelievably well. Looking back, I had so much fun at this stage of the build. The Jeep just plain worked! It was surprisingly impressive with a stock~ish...