Varg In Jeep's Clothing

Thanks guys. This stupid thing is all I can think about. I work on it for as long as I can, then crawl into bed at 2am and lay there for another hour wide awake, laying out my plans for the next chance I get to work on it.

I can't go too big... this is technically my wife's jeep.

 

Starting on the radius arms. I took out the parts I need from the Volvo 850 control arm mounts and cleaned them up. I drilled some big holes through the frame. The nut-end of the mount will get welded into the frame like so....





That cup-looking thingy around the head of the bolt will get welded to a removable mount that will get bolted to the outrigger.

 

I really like the recessed spring mounts. Cuts down leverage against the frame and ride height with spring over. I will use this method on my son CJ's Jeep. Very good out of the box ideas.

 

I can't go too big... this is technically my wife's jeep.

Lol that's funny!! My wife wouldn't have anything smaller than what I have on my Jeep... So she's got 37in Pitbull Rockers coming...

 

Way back on page 1 of your build, you alluded to the variety of axle and diff choices from Volvos that adapt to Jeeps. Volvos use some interesting LSDs (including Powr Loks!), but what do you think of the G80/G lock differential? From what I have read, it can be used in the front diff of a Jeep Dana 30 (narrowtrack in my case). I picked up a Volvo G80 diff earlier this week and am considering this for the front Dana 30 on a street/light trail CJ5 with 225 power. Its an interesting piece, and seems to lock just by spinning an axle shaft by hand. Any thoughts on using one of these up front?
Thanks-Donny

 

There are some good YouTube videos on guys swapping the cases into Cherokee dana 30s if I remember correctly. I don't know more than that; I've probably read the same articles you have. If you have any questions, there are some seriously knowledgeable folks on the turbobricks forum.
Definitely post your progress in a build thread!
Judging by the smokey burnouts I've seen them doing, they're pretty tough units.

 

I think I went high school with that guy! Can't believe you know him too!

 

He got me in a lot of trouble back in the day.

 

Finally read your whole thread, love the work you been doing.

Makes me want to go work on my jeep now.

 

I got the outer support plates fabbed up and tacked together...




Then came down with an ear infection, a sinus infection AND bronchitis. It's been a rough 10 days, but I'm finally coming out of it.

I needed a break from this anyway to figure out how I was going to fasten these plates to the outriggers. Without cutting a big hole, there's no way to get nuts inside, but the bracket needs to be removable.

I ended up cutting a slot along the top weld,



dropping a 3/16" plate inside and plug welding it in place.



Before I dropped it in, I cut the plate almost all the way through on the chop saw. After I plug welded it, I simply broke it the rest of the way off. This will get re-welded. Now I can tap into these two 3/16" plates for 3/8" of thread bite.

 

Good work makes me smile. I am smiling.

 

After hours of cutting cow mat, making templates and fine-tuning these brackets, I finally have these radius arm bushing mounts ready to tack in place.



DS:


PS:


I have to pull the axle out and flip it over to tack these in place to ensure they are in the perfect spot and square.

 

Nice work.... almost too beautiful to hide this under the body

Continu on the good work!

You will love for sure the ride quality with coil spring

 

I continue to be amazed by your creative thinking and novel solutions to problems. I think your thread is really educating me about possibilities, and I think I'm finding that following your work is making me a better fabricator, in general. Seeking this kind of knowledge and education is one of the reasons I landed at earlyCJ5 to begin with.Thanks, and keep up the good work!

 

Thanks GraySkies. I appreciate the kind words. I sometimes feel out of place around here with this not being an early CJ5 or Dauntless or Hurricane powered, but I love this site and the "just the facts" attitude.

You guys are very motivating to keep me at this. Thank you.

 

thats the best part of a jeep....it can be whatever you want.

 

Dress rehearsal. I wanted to make sure driveshaft and front axle vs. engine clearances are good before I go any further. They look good.

I think the only spot I'll have room for a track bar is directly over the axle. I won't know a finished length until I get my steering box set, for the track bar and drag link should be the same length and angle.





Engine bay...



And I had to throw a spring in there to visualize it.



Radius arms are next!

 

That looks aaaamazzing!

 

your just saying that cuz it has a orange hood!

ITLKSEZ....it does look aaaaaamazzzzzing!

 

Thanks guys. Orange is Chris's pheromone.

Here's a teaser pic of the template for the outer plates for the radius arms.



I must've done something right, because it fits both sides identically. These plates will be bent like an "S" to clear the tires at full lock. The inner plates will have a funky design to clear the frame rails at full stuff.