Evolution:




Changes for the 2014 season:


* Additional stretch from 105" to 110" wheelbase.
* Back-half the rig for different weight distribution and suspension setup.
* 2.5" Coilovers instead of the 2.0" already on it (with coil weight changes).
* Transmission change from the rock crawling set up 32RH to an AW4 with manual shifter
* Lose the tub and go with a lexan skins to reduce weight (keep the hood and front grill, cowl, etc.. to keep the Jeep look. I love Jeeps.)
* Lower the cage and seats 8 - 10 inches for a lower center of gravity.
* Boatsides instead of sliders.
* Wraps instead of rattle can.
* Real race radios this year.

Sounds like alot of work to me! Can't wait to see the finished pics!

Looked great when I saw it up at Andrews! Give a shout if I can help with anything!!

You got it buddy! Thanks.

*** Nov 8th update ***

OK, long frustrating day yesterday for everyone involved. The day was slated to put the auto tranny in the TJ and take it to Andrew for phase 2... well, the torque converter wasn't cooperating and the bottom line is that the TJ is in pretty much the same condition (13 hours later) that is was at the beginning of the day.

Good news: the Tahoe looks nice with a trailer.




TJ going up in the air for what was believed to be a great day of installation:






Yes, I made Joe sign the tranny...




We spend several hours seeing this sight over and over again as we kept trying to find out why it wouldn't spin once everything was bolted in. The tranny spins free, the motor turns over, but when you mate the two, it locks up. The suspect right now is the torque converter...






I have to admit, thought, even though the day was a total loss when it came to TJ progress, the sky was pretty. I think it was God's way of saying "Peace. Be still. I'm bigger than this."






We ended the day putting everything back together to make it a roller again. Andrew was gracious about the day, but needs it next Monday, so I'm picking it up from AO again (in pieces if we can't get it to work) on Frday and moving it to LetzRoll. Stay tuned...

major bummer... :/

Avis wrote:major bummer... :/

What?!?! i thought they were VERY beautiful clouds. ;-)

alanzona wrote:What?!?! i thought they were VERY beautiful clouds. ;-)

haha beautiful indeed.

Nov 11, 2011

The TJ has been moved from AO to LetzRoll Offroad for phase 2 of the build. Still no resolution on the transmission, but she had to move to phase 2 since it's less than 80 days until the race.

Main objectives of this phase: Coil overs, arms, joints, stretch, cage, and fuel cell.

I will try to go by each week and take update pics, but for now (since a friend said "Pics or it didn't happen") here are pics of the move.

The trailer and Tahoe did GREAT. Everything balanced nicely and there was plenty of power.

Nov 14th, 2011

Had a great build planning session with Andrew and Matt ant LetzRoll. Everyone is on the same page about what needs to happen and the tear down is starting today.

One of the big decisions was about tires (since my wicked cool 39.5" PitBull Rockers on 20" rims aren't race legal for my class). We had kicked around several options (37" tires on the 20's for one race then sell the 37's after, "borrowing" someones set of 37's for the race and using wheel adpaters if the bolt pattern wasn't 5 x 5, etc.) but had to consider a couple of key facts:

1. Ultra4 has opened up the modified stock class for all their events in 2012 and there are 4 events (counting KOH) out West that I might race in.
2. The risk of tire damage and/or rim damage is high and if it's for a one time event on 37's then that's money down the drain.
3. AIST with the setup I'm going to race is invaluable and that includes the tire configuration

So the take away is this: I have my 20" beadlocks and my brand new PBR's for sale and we'll be buying 17" beadlocks with 37" tires for the permanant setup. If I end up not doing any more racing, I can always sell the 37's and move back up to 40's, but this route gives me more options.

So... Andrew and Matt are busy tearing out the existing cage (which is also for sale) and stripping the skid plate and arms off the existing rig, building a new cage to race spec that incoroporates the shock mounts as well as a new four link for the rear and 3 link for the front. We've also decided to notch the front frame in front of the motor mounts (race legal) to allow for more up travel. Fuel cell and firewall are also on the agenda. It's going to be a busy couple of weeks, but Andrew is looking to have it fully operational by the first week in December so we can get some AIST.

I am swapping seats with Geoff for this race and until a permanent race seating arrangement can be figured out (my Beard seats don't have shoulder slots for the harness, so it's not race legal) so this afternoon I'm swapping seats with Geoff and also swinging by AO to pick up the tranny so LetzRoll can bolt it in for measurements of the belly plate, cross memebers, mounts, and 4 link. Good times. I'm excited to see activity.

I will swing by LetzRoll periodically to take progress pics and post them, but just wanted to update you on the planning meeting.

I didn't specifically state it earlier in the thread, but the operational plan for the TJ is to try and do a "cost neutral" build, meaning selling stuff off the TJ (my ORI struts, my NV4500, my tires and rims) to put back into the TJ so that it's race legal with little or no money "out of pocket". So far, with LetzRoll and Radflo sponsorship, and people being very gracious with their time and resources, I'm still on track for a "cost neautral" build. Once the final project is done, I'll post up the spreadsheet.

Rock on! Racer 4511 may live after all!!!!!!

nice updates Alan! The plan sounds pretty solid, looking forward to more pics.

Awesome!!

Really enjoy the updates!

Nov 15, 2011

Man, these guys don't mess around! I went by yesterday to drop off the Tranny Joe built so they could bolt it in to measure for arms, belly plate, drive shaft, etc... as well as Geoff's seats so they could use them while building the cage and.... WOW!

The sport cage has now been removed, they've gutted the inside, cut the rear to allow for the spare tire integration into the cage/body, and are basically ready to start the cage! They have also mocked in where the fuel cell will be (with all appropriate safety stuff, yada yada yada).

As Daniel observed - "She looks naked". That's ok, you gotta tear down to build up.

Here is where she sits as of today:






Old sport cage removed:








(and just for reference, this is how the spare tire will be integrated... easy access, good balance, additional fuel cell protection, and low enough I can access it without a very big step ladder... LOL)

Wow. Thats looking good!

Thanks Bob. Ivan and I both thought it looked longer without the cage. He asked me if they had lengthened the body of the Jeep. They expect to be done with the cage by Friday. Tube comes in today. If you know Tom Jacobson's cage it'll be similar to that one.

When they stretch the axle, there will more trimming of the back corner to narrow it up more and they'll cut the bumper and make it a stubby so this look is going to change a bit more:





Also (Mike) they said they were carefull to not harm the sticker. LOL. Good guys.

Whats that scuff mark on the rear of the tub above the sticker?

























:rolleyes:

Love the progress! Can't wait to see the cage and tire done..

Avis wrote:Love the progress! Can't wait to see the cage and tire done..

I'm looking forward to cage, stretch, and coilovers... the stretch and coilovers will definately change the stance of the rig and i think it will be very mean looking and a bit lower than the big tall jeep I've been running...

Have I mentioned I'm stoked? LOL

Very cool! How much are you stretching it??

8 - 10"