Betsy's Build

[ScottR]

I have started collecting some parts for my jeep's, Betsy, next build. It is going to take a while to collect the parts so this write-up will be on going.

My wife has only three rules for my jeep and I tend to agree with them.
1. Must be street legal and be comfortable to drive for an hour. (Having two sets of tires is fine, that is what I do now.)
2. Must be able to seal it up and stay dry inside.
3. Must be able to put a back seat in it. (Does not have to stay in it but must have the option to put it in for an upcoming trip.)
Other than those rules I can do what I want.

Major items that are staying:
4.0L Engine- 160K miles, still going strong for now.
AW4- swapped this with the AX15 earlier this year- love it.
NP231- I know, I know, this be swapped eventually but will stay for now.
Clayton Long Arms up front- couldn't be more pleased with the 8 years of torture they have taken.

What is being removed:
Dana 30- Lockright, warn hubs and alloy shafts
Ford 8.8- Eaton e-locker
Rear leaf suspension- served me very well but don't think it will hold up for my next phase.
Gas tank- stock tank needs to be removed to move axle back.
Front highline fenders will be swapped to tube fenders.
Rear fenders will be pushed back 4~5 inches and highlined.

What's being swapped in:
14 Bolt- ARB, probably go with Ballistic's shave kit. Will hang down less than my 8.8 if I do that.
Ford 60 Front- probably an ARB
Gears: Probably 5.38, since that is what is in the 14 bolt I picked up. (have the AW4 auto and 2.72 lowrange right now)
H2 Wheels
Staun Beadlocks- Can't find these instock anywhere!!!
Double Triangulated Rear Suspension
Suspension Support- ORI's
Aftermarket Gas tank- not sure which yet
Tires- 40" GoodYear MTRs

I will post up parts as I gather them. Then, eventually the actual buildup will begin.

Scott

 

[BRUISER]

I have to admit I am excited for this

 

[adam greene]

how hard was it to swap in the aw4 id like to swap my ax15

 

[ScottR]

Here is a recent picture of my Jeep. Taken at Rausch Creek last fall.

 

[ScottR]

Here is one of the four H2 wheels I picked up in May over in High Point.

 

[ScottR]

Here is the 14 Bolt C&C I picked up this weekend in Winston Salem on my way to help the Rock Corp 4x4 club. Thanks to Keith and Randall- couldn't have gotten it in the back of my truck without you.

 

[ScottR]

Here is the axle with the wheel on it.


Hub hangs out just a hair.

 

[ScottR]

Didn't notice this when I picked up the axle- had rust/dirt all over it. I have since started cleaning it up. I need to take off the cover and see if there is any damage internally I need to be concerned about. It obviously was welded up for some reason.

Anybody know what this might be from? Should I be concerned?
I will know some more once I look inside.

 

[ScottR]

Adam Greene- sent you a PM.

 

[ScottR]

Small scratch/gouge in the bottom of the housing- probably from broken pinion tooth.


Here you can see where the axle was welded from the outside.


All of the important areas look fine.

 

[Scibetta]

All I can say is that I hope the stock front bumper stays !!!

 

[y2kcrawler]

Where is Rouch Creek? Thats an awesome picture! Cant wait to follow this thread!

 

[ScottR]

Scibetta- Yep. Stock front bumper is staying as long as it will hold out.

y2kcrawler- Rausch Creek is in Pennsylvania. One of my favorite places to wheel.
http://www.rauschcreekoffroadpark.org/

 

[ScottR]

Picked up a Ford Dana 60 a couple of weeks ago- thanks Bruiser.



From what I can tell so far, the axle is in fairly good shape. I know it needs calipers, rotors, ujoints and probably a pinion seal. I haven't torn apart the king pins yet. The hub bearings, spindle bearing and lock outs look good.

 

[ScottR]

I found a SRW 14 Bolt with a lot of the goodies I wanted already installed.
5.38 Gears, Detroit Locker, disk brakes, brake lines, BTF truss that is tied into the pinion support, Solid diff cover, 1410 Yoke.

 

[BRUISER]

more updates needed

 

[ScottR]

I know. I know. I am getting my own camera soon so the updates will be more frequent.
For the D60- I removed the stock brackets. I checked the king pins, they look great. Cleaned out the tubes. Painted the king pin caps. Trimmed the truss to fit over the diff.
For the 14B- I removed the leaf spring perches.
Pics to follow soon.

 

[houdini]

Yea, I wanna see some more pictures! Sharp jeep!

What's the wheelbase now? You planning to change it at all?

 

[ScottR]

The wheel base is currenlty at 93~94. After I swap in the 1Tons I plan to be around 100" even- pushing the rear back.

Scott

 

[ScottR]

I cleaned up the D60 and painted the hubs.


I had the wheel center hole machined to fit over the D60 hub (they fit fine over the 14B hub).


Plenty of room for brakes and tie rod.



Scott

 

[ScottR]

Wheel on the 14B- Outer picture.


Wheel on the 14B- Inner picture.


I measured the overall width of each axle with the wheels installed and here is where I am at:
D60: 77 5/16
14B: 75 3/16

I plan to cut my front axle to match the width of my rear axle. With a max of a 13.5 wide tire that will put me at 80 3/16 total width. My trailer is 83" wide between the fenders. There will probably be some rubbing when I drive up on the trailer with the tires are aired down.

Scott

 

[ScottR]

I cut the Inner C off of the long side of the Dana 60.

I cut the tube to get the Inner C off. Then, I cut the tube that was in the Inner C in two places and then knocked it out with a hammer.

Here is a picture of the axle. Now I just need to cut it down to length.


I was over at ECGS talking to Chase the other day, he suggested cutting my axle down to be able to use a different year/make axle shaft so I did not have to go the custom shaft route. Looks like if I cut it down 2.3 inches then I can just use the long inner shaft for a 78-79 Ford. (This axle is an 88-91, Ford). I was planning to cut the axle down 2.125 inches, so another 0.175 inch won't hurt to save me some money and headaches down the road- Thanks for the suggestion Chase!

 

[ScottR]

Got some more parts in this week...
Rock Rails- Genright Mini Boat Sides






Genright Stretch Corners


Hope to get axle cut and Inner C back on the front axle in the next two weeks.

 

[BRUISER]

very nice

 

[ScottR]

I got the Dana 60 axle cut to length a couple of weeks ago- thanks Keith for you help and band saw. Today I got the Inner C back on the axle tube and tacked it in place.