Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift
- Thread starter Wildman
- Start date
OP
I'm looking forward to being able to test fit the Savvy brackets soon. Might be as early as tomorrow or Friday. This will just be a look see to how things are going to work under the Jeep.
OP
Well the 2nd side came out a lot faster.
Now it's time to break out the grinder and take the frame brackets off. Don't trust myself with the plasma cutter for this.
Now it's time to break out the grinder and take the frame brackets off. Don't trust myself with the plasma cutter for this.
OP
Of course when you need something you can never find it. I know the wrench for my angle grinder is in the garage SOME WHERE...…. After looking for it for about 45 minutes I said Screw It and drove to town to buy a new wrench.
OP
So here are the brackets I need to cut off the frame. After going through 3 cutting discs I got out the plasma cutter.
I wasn't having much luck with the discs.
You can see how I was trying to cut under the bracket but I'd forgotten about the butt welds.
Plasma cutter took them right off. Now I'll just grind down the welds and take the rest of the brackets off.
My first time getting to use my new plasma cutter. Bought it about 6 years ago and never got a chance to try it out. Man is it fun slicing through metal like butter.
I wasn't having much luck with the discs.
You can see how I was trying to cut under the bracket but I'd forgotten about the butt welds.
Plasma cutter took them right off. Now I'll just grind down the welds and take the rest of the brackets off.
My first time getting to use my new plasma cutter. Bought it about 6 years ago and never got a chance to try it out. Man is it fun slicing through metal like butter.
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OP
So the first bracket I was trying to take off is almost off. Not really sure yet what the best process is to get these brackets off the frame. But they all need to come off so I have a clean frame for what comes next.
Here is how I stopped for the day on that first bracket. I think I am going to try using the plasma cutter again tomorrow and see if I can't shave off a bit of each bracket a little at a time to cut down on the amount of grinding I'm going to have to do.
I'm open to suggestion and advice on other ways to get this off.
Here is how I stopped for the day on that first bracket. I think I am going to try using the plasma cutter again tomorrow and see if I can't shave off a bit of each bracket a little at a time to cut down on the amount of grinding I'm going to have to do.
I'm open to suggestion and advice on other ways to get this off.
plasma might work great, when I did mine I used a torch, cutoff wheels (4 1/2 and 3), then some large (7 and 9") air grinders (the flappy wheel kind, dont know the proper name) for the cleanup work... the air grinders were a godsend for getting all the old weld and bracket leftovers off the frame
OP
If I was cutting the stock brackets off yes the plasma cutter would be more than enough but these are brackets I welded on 15 years ago for the Nth Degree long arm suspension and never thought I'd be taking them off. So they are on there pretty good. I'm going to have to try other ways to get these off.
And yes a flapper disc does a great job cleaning up the frame after the brackets are removed.
OP
Just jacked it up and got the Jeep sitting on the custom jack stands I have. Gives me a little more room for working under it.
OP
I've got 2 3/4 of the old brackets off now. Got it down pretty good at this point. Between cutoff wheels and a air chisel they're coming off faster.
After doing some research and more reading I canceled the order for the TNT body lift and got the Savvy kit instead.
For the raised body mounts I got them from SWAG.
Some serious beef and got here fast.
After doing some research and more reading I canceled the order for the TNT body lift and got the Savvy kit instead.
For the raised body mounts I got them from SWAG.
Some serious beef and got here fast.
OP
DONE......
All the Nth Degree frame brackets are off and the frame is ground down smooth again.
All the metal grindings and dirt knocked loose.
What is left of the Nth Degree brackets.
UPS just dropped off my transmission gauge.
Got to love
getting parts from the brown Santa.
All the Nth Degree frame brackets are off and the frame is ground down smooth again.
All the metal grindings and dirt knocked loose.
What is left of the Nth Degree brackets.
UPS just dropped off my transmission gauge.
Got to love
getting parts from the brown Santa.
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OP
Tomorrow I'm gonna try to test fit the Savvy brackets and arms so I got them ready now.
OP
Need a WHOOT WHOOTI have wanted a set of these for YEARS and finally decided to pull the trigger on them.
https://www.rcvperformance.com/ultimate-dana-44-cv-axle-set-for-jeep-wagoneer-80-92.html
And a set of these to go with them.
Yukon Gear & Axle (YHC70005) Hardcore Locking Hub Set for Dana 30/44 Differential with 30-Spline
OP
I was just checking it all out
I was just checking it all out and knew I would be pulling it all apart again. Just wanted to check things out and see how things were going to fit. As I thought my air tank is going to have to move. Not sure yet where it is going to go at this point, might have to put it inside the tub.
As I thought also my front axle is 2 1/2" forward of a stock axle using the measurements from the Savvy kit. So I'll have to fudge a few things to get everything to line up. But it was fun to start seeing how things are going to fit and line up. I've got to remove some more stuff, ie: an exhaust hanger bracket the muffler shop had installed is in the way of the lower passenger bracket.
I was just checking it all out and knew I would be pulling it all apart again. Just wanted to check things out and see how things were going to fit. As I thought my air tank is going to have to move. Not sure yet where it is going to go at this point, might have to put it inside the tub.
As I thought also my front axle is 2 1/2" forward of a stock axle using the measurements from the Savvy kit. So I'll have to fudge a few things to get everything to line up. But it was fun to start seeing how things are going to fit and line up. I've got to remove some more stuff, ie: an exhaust hanger bracket the muffler shop had installed is in the way of the lower passenger bracket.
OP
So I removed my air tank and then cut the bracket I had made off the frame. Also had to cut a exhaust hanger the muffler shop had installed that was in the way of the front passenger Savvy bracket. Then I put the brackets on the frame to see how things were going to line up.
@mrblaine I could use your help here. I ordered the LJ kit as you suggested to give me a little longer arms in the rear.
Here are my measurements as it sits right now. I hope I am not screwing anything up in doing this.
You'd said I could slide the rear back some which I did but I am wondering about the front?
Front frame brackets measured from the center of the middle hole : 19"
Front lower control arm length : 27"
Rear frame brackets : 16"
Rear lower control arm length : 28"
Am I good or do I need to move things?
Here is how it looks right now.
I am DARN close to getting the 100" WB I was shooting for. It's sitting at 99 1/2" WB right now.
@mrblaine I could use your help here. I ordered the LJ kit as you suggested to give me a little longer arms in the rear.
Here are my measurements as it sits right now. I hope I am not screwing anything up in doing this.
You'd said I could slide the rear back some which I did but I am wondering about the front?
Front frame brackets measured from the center of the middle hole : 19"
Front lower control arm length : 27"
Rear frame brackets : 16"
Rear lower control arm length : 28"
Am I good or do I need to move things?
Here is how it looks right now.
I am DARN close to getting the 100" WB I was shooting for. It's sitting at 99 1/2" WB right now.
That is one of the great things about the mid arm brackets. Clamp them in place and cycle away. If it has interference, move it back.
OP
I need to pick up a few more 4" C clamps....
Are there any issues with the arm length a little longer than is suggested? How much thread can I have showing in the joints?