RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread
Why? ...well why not? :naughty:
Phase 1: Purchase daily driver to take place of VX. Completed August 22nd- RS licensed
Phase 2: Remove 3" bodylift: this includes cutting off rock sliders, pulling air compressor & removing winch plate. Completed August 24th
Phase 3: Install front rock bumper (acquired from Jo). Completed August 26th
Phase 4: Remove IFS and all front drive-train components from VX. Completed September 4th
Phase 5: Install Dana 44 solid axle under VX under the following configuration Completed December 12th
- Jeep Wagoneer Dana 44
- 12" ORI suspension
- TnT Y-link control arms
Phase 6: Increase rear axle spring height to match front, build adjustable rear control arms Completed January 15th
Phase 7: Install 5.38 axle gearing Completed November 1st
Phase 8: Purchase custom front drive shaft, finish front bumper, install rock sliders & air compressor. Completed April 2015 except sliders still need to be installed
Future phase: Enlarge wheel wells, increase tire size to 37" Completed May 2015
There it is. :_beer: Project completed Summer May 2015, major work finished with small improvements on-going
*This thread will be updated with on going projects.
Modifications
Suspension/lift
ORI STRUTS
Rusty WJ 4.5 lift coils with 2" spacer
ORI STRUTS 14" travel
Rancho RS9000 Rear Shocks
Currie anti-rock sway bar
HD adjustable rear control arms
Ranch RS5000 Steering Stabilizer
High angle front & rear driveshafts
Triangulated 3-link on rear axle
Swapped direction of rear axle track bar
Tires/Rims
KMC Enduro 18x9 0 MM offset replaced Cragar Black "D" Slot Steelies 15x8 +6mm offset
37x12.50R18 NITTO Trail Grappler replaced 35x12.50R15 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R
Off Road Upgrades
Dana 44 Front Axle
OX locker
12 Bolt ARB Air Locker
5.38 Axle Gearing
Chromoly axle shafts
Warn XD9000
Warn Rock Bumper
Kilby Full Skid Plates
Warn Manual Hubs
Indy4x Coil Spring Retainers
Jeep Wrangler TJ Rock Sliders Custom Welded
Project ZU Rear Tire Carrier
Airflow Snorkel Custom Fitted with K&N Apollo Air Intake
TOD off switch
30" LED Light Bar
Cobra 75WXST CB Radio
Cobra 38WXST handheld CB Radio
2 FT firestick & 102" whip antenna
Interior
OTRATTW Contura V switches - LED bar/offroad lights/fog lights/zombie lights/air compressor/rear locker/front locker
Black Door Inserts
JDM VX Steering Wheel
Vent Mounted Cup Holders (x2)
Fire Extinguisher
Alpine IPOD deck, Alpine Speakers, JBL Amplifier, Sony 10" Sub
Rear Dome Light
Gry/Blk seat swap
Exterior
Vinyl Wrapped Paint in Avery Midnight Matte Send Metallic
Smoked Front Marker Lights
Smoked Front Blinker Lights
Showroom New Treatment Applied to Cladding (black)
Project ZU Hood Insert Heat Extractor
Debadged and Rebadged
CREE LED Reverse Lights
Yakima Rail Grabber Roof Rack
Rola Cargo Basket
Future
Rear Bumper/Receiver/Skid Plate to Protect Rear Tire
5-Speed Swap
The First Picture July 2009
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...um/VX_0014.jpg
November 2012 :bwgy:
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352744971
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352745023
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352745139
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352745092
My Links:
Lift
Snorkel
Body Lift Install How-to
RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread
Project ZU Modifications
*Project ZU is just my fun way of saying, designed and built by me. Most of the projects take forever to finish because I'm usually figuring them as I go along.
Rear Tire Carrier
Description: Tailgate flattened and built to carry a 35" tire.
Working time: 6 months (on & off)
Link: Project ZU: Rear Tire Carrier
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352745724
Headlights --- Now Owned by ND92
Description: LED Daytime Running Lights built into headlight bezel. Additionally, I installed Morimoto D2S projectors, 3five 35w ballasts, 5000k bulbs and blacked out reflector. Gun Smoked Lamin-x applied to lens.
Working time: 5 months- mostly design
Link: Early design thread
DRLs
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352746229
Headlights On
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352746086
Close-up
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352746009
Hella 500 Driving Lights
Description: I wanted Hella Driving Lights embedded in the bumper for a clean look. I used a 4 foot piece of fiberglass unistrut as an internal light bracket because the unistrut fits perfectly between cladding turn signal & OEM round light. Next, I carefully cut out a shape for the driving lights and used a mounting bolt to secure the lights to the unistrut.
Working time: 4 hours
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352754150
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352747116
Hood Insert
Description: I wanted to add a functional heat extractor to the hood insert. I used a reverse hood scoop sold aftermarket for the Subaru WRX/STi. I fiberglassed the reverse hood scoop into the insert and had the insert professionally sprayed with Line-x
Working time: 8 Months (on & off) - first fiberglassing experience and I kept improving the quality over time.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352747888
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352748184
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352748228
Air Compressor
Description: My goal was to install a belt driven York air compressor to make an on-board air system capable of 10 CFM. I used a York A/C compressor from a 70s Ford that I picked up for $20. I wanted to mount the compressor on the engine but couldn't find the room. Instead, I moved the battery and made a mount for the compressor to attach to the alternator with a V-belt pulley. I ran the air hose back to a tank behind the rear seat. The tank has a pressure switch that will automatically cycle the compressor when necessary. Unfortunately, I can't run the system full time because the compressor causes vibration through the VX. I leave the belt off unless I'm using the compressor for filling tires or impact tools. I can fill one 35x12.50x15 tire 15 psi in 1:20 sec. Overall, a successful failure. :smilegray
Working time: 2 months
Compressor & Relocated Battery
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352749072
Air Tank with Hose
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1352749318