Building a new and improved Jalopy frame

Yep, I check the movement. First thing I did when I finished it up. The pinion angle does change a little, so I gave it a negative angle at the axle coil spring mounts (the pinion was 20° above those before, now it is like 10) just to try to average it out when it flexes and man, this thing is gonna flex! Just standing on one side makes it lean.

After lunch, I was able to get the front mostly done, but done enough soI can roll it around. (I even fixed my cable clamps for you guys)

 

A rolling frame. Nice! That's a major step right there.

 

:wipes sweat off forehead: Yep, the hard part is done, now I have easy stuff left like the after burner, flux capacitor and making the "tub" into a heated jacuzzi. I wan't to ride in comfort now.

 

Last week, I tore it back apart and painted it and today, I reassembled it to where I had it before. At least all 4 wheels will have traction when it really flexes. Thats a major plus! Before when I would jack up the front like so, the frame would twist pretty good and both tires would lift up with like a 3" difference between the two (hight wise).











And my lower radiator hose was impossible to get on the radiator with the oil filter, so I got a remote oil filter kit. That left me just enough room so the hose wouldn't chafe.

 

Well, I got it running and driving (just not stopping). I really like it. It soaks up all the bumps, and it exceeded all my expectations. I have taken it down some trails and a few things I've noticed:

1) no wheel hop
2) It doesn't seem quite so "flippy" in a few spots like before
3) Handles pretty well

I did drive it one time without shocks and holy crap, it bottomed out like crazy. Here's some pics. I don't think I'll be doing this with it though. It's still going to be my weekend trail rig like before.







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Looking good! Glad you are running.

 

nice ride man...i'm jalous of you're setup

 

Looks like she twists pretty good. Glad it meets your expectations and turned out like you wanted. Can't wait to see it all back together and on a trail.

 

Thanks guys! I did finish on Sunday, but waited for a nice day to take some pics. I did take it down the trail to a friends house, a fairly rugged one with mudholes, ledges and leftovers from logging. He was impressed and wants and willys sized jeep now (he has a K5 blazer). Here's the final product. I picked up some BF Goodrich Mud Terrains on CL a few months back. They are definitely my favorite tires in looks and performance.




and the way I like to roll, windshield down!

 

Dumb redneck moment, but ain't that spring supposed to be attached to somethin? or did I miss that part?

 

There is a mount that sockets inside it. I did end up extending the mount down to prevent the spring from popping out and the weight of the body closed that gap up a lot more.

 

I applaud your efforts!

Have you thought about toying around with front spring rates or perhaps a rear sway bar? It looks like the rear is doing 99% of the flexing in all the pictures you have posted. If you could equalize your flex a bit, you could keep the body much flatter while traversing uneven terrain...

 

Actually, with the front clip and all the crap I take with me in the body, it evens out quite nice. Those pics of it on the rocks is barebones "just git er runnin" running gear. It was still fairly light. I'll take some more pics for comparison.

 

Hey man got other picture riding it? like to see how it's working....(ok i admit it i'm so excited to see mine so i'm looking at others coil spring project so i know the upgrade worth the work done on it!!!