Bty34 TJ Build

[Srfnfly227]

Holy crap. Is that a Savvy skid bet like that?

 

[bty34]

It is. It didn't look as bad until I put something straight next to it. Definitely taken a couple of hits.

 

[bty34]

Pulled the tank and hammered the bottom closer to flat. The back is a little distorted as well. Put the whole skid in the press and it got better but not quite 100%. I have a TJ kit with aluminum arms and a universal. Going to try using the universal kit with the steel arms so I can bend them as needed around the outboarded shocks.

 

[G Beasley]

You got your moneys worth out of that skid! What do you think of drilling and tapping some holes so you could add umhw to the bottom?

 

[bty34]

You got your moneys worth out of that skid! What do you think of drilling and tapping some holes so you could add umhw to the bottom?

I hadn't thought about that. The bottom of the skid is a little thin to be able to get decent thread engagement. Could wrap it up towards the mounting flanges to have room for a nut. Would help with the gouges. The dents don't concern me too much as long as the tank doesn't get damaged.

 

[bty34]

Made up some new mounts out of a piece of 4" flat and a whole saw. The tube is a section of what comes with the universal kit.

Messed up a couple of push nuts for the skid mounting bolts. I was pleasantly surprised NAPA stocked them.

 

[bty34]

Added a little more bend to the arms. I had flattened them out a bit when I was running it in front of the axle. Standard TJ rear arm for comparison. The mounting location I have it mocked up on also matches the standard TJ kit.

 

[bty34]

Found a spot I'm relatively happy with. With the outboarded shocks and the stupid big F350 calipers there aren't a lot of options. I also noticed I need to grab a new clip for my ebrake cable.

 

[en480c4]

That's some impressive packaging!  Nicely done.

 

[G Beasley]

That's some impressive packaging!  Nicely done.

X2 lot going on in a tight area!

 

[bty34]

Antirock is in. Ended up having to bring the rear of the gas tank skid down 1/2". The rear of my frame is raised 1 1/4" and I've been running the rear half of the savvy skid in the no body lift position. That leaves me 1/4" below where a stock frame and raised savvy skid would be.

 

[green50gt]

Looks good, nice work!

 

[G Beasley]

Holy cow you have a lot stuffed in a small spot!

 

[bty34]

Pulled my ARB sliders. I like having something extend out to protect the door opening, so I went with Savvy rather than a mini boatside. Makes me feel a little better that Savvy started production in 2009 and I installed the ARB sliders in 2008.

Started with the drivers side since the tub is less mangled on that side. Elected to notch the sliders around the corner armor rather than pulling the corner armor and messing with the paint. I'm happy with but it turned out considering.

Also reminded me that the torque boxes will need to be dealt with at some point.

 

[G Beasley]

Turned out nice! Torque boxes are such a rust magnet , but there are slip over weld in place options.

 

[bty34]

Sliders are done. The fronts needed to be trimmed a little bit to match the modified fenders.

Deadblow helped getting them seated, even with all the clamps.

 

[bty34]

Fresh paint didn't last long, but at least they're not dented and the tub didn't get damaged.

 

[bty34]

Weekend went well. Spent a day in the trail with a Hendrix built JK-L. It was a nicely done Jeep, but the Baja Pro XS really struggled for being a 40.

CJ7 was a little on the tall and narrow side.

Found a missing chunk on one tire. Looks like the only damage besides a bent tie rod.

 

[Jeffro06]

That's quite a chunk.

 

[untchabl]

I've not been impressed by what I've seen of those Baja Pro XS tires.