Jeepster Roller, Part 1

Weeks and months of delays and procrastination, and then I decided to turn the Jeepster into a roller.  I want the flexibility of moving it out of the garage, into storage, etc., so I can work on other projects inside my garage.  

 

Rear:

You can see the details in earlier posts, but to recap, the rear axle is a Ford 9" out of an Early Bronco with 4.10 gears and an Eaton TruTrac.  It has oversized Wilwood brakes, so it should stop well.  The 4 link suspension is already set up and tacked into place.  

This was truly a bolt-on project, as everything was already set up, painted and ready to go.  I just hadn't installed the parts because I didn't want them to get dirty, sprayed with paint, blasted with grinding dust, etc.

New brakes and new chromoly shafts installed:

Coilover installed:

Rotor installed...(calipers not installed yet because I don't want them to get dirty):

Temporary roller wheel installed...the Jeepster is now sitting on the rear tires, and the rear jack stands have been removed.  There's not enough weight in the Jeep, so it's sitting high.

Front:

You can see the details in earlier posts, but to recap , the front axle is a low pinion Dana 44 out of an Early Bronco with 4.10 gears and a lunchbox locker.  The front will also get oversized Wilwood brakes and Reid knuckles for crossover steering.  

Nothing has been done on the front...the "to do" list is long: custom 3 Link suspension, steering, shock mounts, gear setup, etc...

I measured about 100 times to get the axles parallel, centered on the frame, caster, etc:

Then the two lower arms were tack welded into place.  The actual steel steering arm is on order and will arrive soon.  

Another view of the passenger Side:

Driver's Side:

PVC links for now to make things cheap and easy:

Another view of the driver's side:

The upper link is more problematic - it's just set into place at the moment (no welds).  

The upper link mount, circled in red, is exactly where my exhaust pipe wants to be.  I'm going to have to shorten the upper link and change motor mounts to get the necessary clearance.  

Jeepster Next Steps:

Move Upper Link into better position

Steering...all of the steering components are ordered and will arrive this week.  (This will help me get the panhard bar into the correct position.)

Panhard Bar

Install Shock Mounts and Shocks

Make permanent steel links

Measure/design/order front sway bar - this seems like it will be tricky!

Complete axle build and gear setup

This is a long list, but I don't think it will take too long.  All the parts are either in house or on the way.  

88 CJ-YJ

The 88 CJ-YJ is still up in Dallas in secure storage.  I'm hoping to get back to it soon!