[BlueBabySound]

I picked up a 2005 Ford SD60 and a 2001 Chevy 14 bolt from the salvage. Cut the brackets, had them sandblasted and that's mostly where I'm at. I plan on 5.38 gears and OX lockers. I'll leave the rear open until OX releases a locker for it, hopefully it's not 2052 when that happens....

Front:
Artec Apex kit, mostly welded up, hopefully done this Saturday.
Artec High steer arms
RPM aluminum steering 1 ton kit
RPM Offset Track Bar Bracket
Warn lockout hubs
Powerstop brake kit


Rear:
Artec Basics kit, tacked and ready to weld
Artec 60 tooth tone rings
Powerstop brake kit
TMR Rear 14 Bolt Conversion Wheel Spacers

Other stuff:
VKS weld on sliders
Poison Spyder rocker guards
Core 4x4 tier 3 arms and track bars
Vision D wheels powder coated white
New brake lines

It's using all my budget to get this far, but I'll add PSC pretty soon.



Here's a few pics of where I'm at.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Here's how he sits as of last weekend.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Since the passenger side high steer arm is done I went ahead and put new spicer ball joints on it. Maybe I'm crazy but they sure seem a lot easier to do in a vise compared to on a JK...?? Eventually I think I'll do ball joint deletes.

Mocked up the brakes and wheel to check clearances. It's pretty tight, not sure if I'll use the dust shields, forgot to put them on for the mock up. I see why people use a larger wheel on the SD60 builds. When I order my trail wheels/tires I might go up in size.

 

[BlueBabySound]

No building this weekend but we took both Jeeps out, along with about 70 other Jeeps, to deliver pizza, water, snacks, etc to several rural police/fire/emt departments to show them our support this 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Followed my wife most of the day so a lot of the pics were of her Jeep's butt.

 

[Hullerman]

Looks like fun!
Nice welds in that truss.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Front axle is removed, gotta pick up a buddies extra jack stands tonight to get the rear removed. Probably won't have any more time to work on it until the weekend.

 

[Hullerman]

This would be me someday.....if I didn't have a 3.8 to start with. If I'm going to get this crazy it may as well be with something with over 200 hp.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Rear is out, 14 bolt is mocked in place and measuring.
Colby shorty valve are installed, discount tire is swapping the wheels on Tuesday. Metalcloak 3.5" coils should be here next week so I can stuff, cut and measure.

Baby steps

 

[BlueBabySound]

Dang this build is going slow!!!!

Rear axle is final welded
Front is on the ground, no drag link, tie rod or track bar yet. RPM aluminum steering is up next.
Eyeballing the VKS pre-runner front bumper

 

[BlueBabySound]

Man, I need more time....and more money.....

Changed my mind on ABS and going to run front/rear sensors. Went ahead and ordered new rear hubs instead of using the old ones. Ordered all new Temkin bearings.

Got the rear axle to the paint shop for paint.
By paint shop I mean I rolled it outside and shot it with some Rustoleum LOL
Rear axle is installed and 3 out of 4 wheels/tires are on the ground. Only have 1 old rear hub with bearings in it.
RPM 1 ton aluminum tie rod is installed and made the first toe adjustment. Buggered up the bolt on the drag link so it will need to wait.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Additional bumpstops ordered
Antirock ordered
Rear ABS sensors ordered
Never had a press so I picked one up and will be pressing in new bearings on the rear hubs.
Decided to have my local shop do the gears, they've treated me right for years and I trust them to do it better than I can.
Hopefully have it to them next week.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Jeep is on the ground and heading to our local shop tomorrow. (Harmon 4x4 in Tulsa)
They have a stack of parts waiting on him; 5.38 gears, Eaton e-locker up front, Grizzly in the back and some 1550 front shafts.

 

[BlueBabySound]

Jeep should be done at the shop today or tomorrow.
Will still need to finish up the brakes, wire the front locker and get drive shafts.
There's a 3 day trip starting the 24th that I'm trying to make.