'03 Sport—Northern NM (Manhattan Project With No Secrets)

[WHBNM]

Savvy 1.25 " body lift went on a few weeks ago. Body bolts came out weirdly easily. Best tool purchase in a while is a 1/2" 20v cordless impact wrench! Have air but ...

Dont love the exposed areas resulting from it but can live with it. My rear bumper hides the plumbers crack pretty well except at driver corner.

 

[WHBNM]

Currie motor mount lift same day.

Doing this alone presented a few challenges getting things lined up and holding bolts but some determination and beer helped.

 

[WHBNM]

This is what the MML did to the shifter.

It stays in gear but hits the console in 2nd, 4th, and Rev.

 

[WHBNM]

A few days earlier - Break time and quick trip to hills with the cabin fever crew.

 

[WHBNM]

I knew that the MML would cause some issues with the shifter getting tilted back but after that it was full speed ahead on the Savvy TT highway! T case shifter cable setup from Savvy went in next.

 

[WHBNM]

About a week later this arrived.

 

[WHBNM]

Cleaned up the bare steel soon after with acetone. Sloshed around some paint inside the taped up cross member as suggested by @Rook . Obviously I didnt tape it up as well as he did 'cuz I made a hell of a mess!
Sanded down some spots the next afternoon and primed and paint the steel. Then I coated the Al skid with 2 coats of Sharkhide clear coat.

 

[WHBNM]

The skid came partially textured around the holes and I felt the need to make it uniform so I had some fun with a half assed attempt at making a cool design with the flappy disk after a number of beverages. I'm ok with it though.

I'd blame it on the Sharkhide fumes (Its potent. Have adequate ventilation) but I applied that after.

 

[WHBNM]

Finally got to start the Savvy MUA install yesterday afternoon. Pulled the factory skid (dredge) knowing there would be some frame rust to touch up and was pleasantly surprised to find barely enough to warrant the quick prime and paint that went on.

 

[WHBNM]

Heres what I was looking between the t-case and body pre-tuck.

A few other spots. Looked promising.

 

[WHBNM]

Good progress today. Got the crossmember and tranny plate in relatively painlessly. What fun it was to just keep jacking up that tranny & t-case.

 

[WHBNM]

Shifter now. In Rev.

 

[WHBNM]

Haven't had time to do anything in the last couple of days but have few photos of where things ended up after bolting up the crossmember.
T-case to body clearance.

DS prior to aligning pinon perfectly.

Muffler to body.

Tailpipe to frame

The rear track bar very close to exhaust.

 

[WHBNM]

That troublesome t case bolt.

 

[WHBNM]

Things I know so far:

I got lucky. Seems I have more vertical space to start with than most.

I didn't have to "clearance" the area of the tub above the t case. My exhaust seems to be fine so far.

I thought for sure my tailpipe with get shoved up against the frame but instead the rubber hanger flexed rearward and that height did not change much.

Longer rear DS needed. (Counted on this)

Sure looks like I will have some rear track bar issues once I dial in pinion/longer rear DS. This may accelerate my plans to do the whole Currie /Savvy lift as I want to hold off on getting DS until new springs are in. Dangit!

Always the plan but this may force it.

 

[Flivver250]

Great looking sled. I think you are having fun.

 

[WHBNM]

Great looking sled. I think you are having fun.

Thanks man! I'm am having fun with it. Probably throwing to many pics and stuff up on here but oh well, its entertaining.

 

[WHBNM]

Looking for a little advice - Savvy lift with track bars, anti rock and Fox 4-5" shocks set to arrive tomorrow. I'm getting the Currie steering next couple of days. Am I stupid to get a cheaper stabilizer like the Zone offroad. It seems like there is not much of an advantage to spending $100 more except looks and continuity. Thoughts?

*Edit - ended up getting a Monroe - @$35 and it's black - felt like a good spot to save a little cash and it works great.

 

[WHBNM]

Kinda thinking it's too late to cheap out now.

 

[WHBNM]

Here we go! Out with the old, in with the new. Currie springs, Savvy CA's, Currie bumps, track bars, currectlync, Fox shocks (mocking up with old ranchos to confirm length). Good thing it's a long weekend. I think I'm gonna need it!