[Kioti]

I haven't been on here in a while LOL It's been a good winter here in IOWA and I started a new build. I sold my big Jeep in Dec and with the wife getting a 2013 Toyota Venza (on order to be delivered in May) I got her Jeep to be my new rig. Original plan was to put different tires on it and slowly build it. Once I started looking a little closer I found some rut on the rear control arm mounts I decide to fix all the rust on the frame. This is where the the build took a life of its own.

At this point the build is set as this. Dana 44 rear axle and regear rear front Dana 30 front to 4.10 to match rear. 35" Goodyear MTRs, 4 Link Rear and 3 Link Front Long arm suspension, and a few other trail mods.

The Start

Frame Rust

New Tires

Ballistic Fab Parts

Currie Johnny Joints for Longarms


Frame Rebuild. Bottom is 1/4" plate and sides are 3/16" plate.




The new skid plate





The 4 link brackets welded up I did discovered I need to do a 1" body lift to clear the frame brackets.

The 4 lower links built.

The longer ones are the fronts. If ya look close the other rear is on the jeep fror a test fit.

The tube for the arms is 2" ID DOM 1/4" wall. The tube for the bushing ends are 2 1/4" ID DOM 1/4" wall.
I got the Rear 4 Link all set. Just a few welds to finish up and paint.
The axle truss front side

Truss back side also got the rear 4.10 gears installed. Found out that this 44 axle is set up like the Rubicon Axles. 4.10 Rubicon gears will fit the 3.73 carrier and shims for carrier bearings go between the housing and bearing races not between bearings and carrier. Also gave me an excuse to buy some new tools :D

Test fit



Full flex

I decided to rework the axle truss a bit and I added some bracing to the lower control arm mounts


Right side

Left side

[Rollbar]

Looking good.

[Jim B]

Excellent project, keep us posted