Round 2: Keepin' up with the Joneses, Mud Devils and Tony Woody

[Jody Treadway]

She's been a faithful servant of my 4 wheeling hobby for the last 2 years. Aside from a few high steer studs and 2 ujoints, I couldn't be happier with my Ranger. It has taken me on every trail at Harlan, Windrock, Durhamtown, Golden Mountain, The Flats and The Shop and it even made it back to trailer!

My built 44 and 8.8 have served me well even with sticky Treps and a pretty healthy SBF under the hood. But like we all do, it's time to advance to the next level with my rig. The quest for harder lines and more difficult trails has resulted in a pile of parts sitting in my shop (and office and bathroom and mezzanine).

Over the next month or so I'll be installing a HP60 front and a 14 Bolt rear. Hopefully they will hold up to my new 40" Competition Treps and the "little small block" going under the hood .

I'm keeping the height, wheelbase and link geometry the same as it flexes like a hooker on qualudes and climbs like a mountain goat with something to prove.

I'll update as I make progress and plan to have it on it's own weight in about 3-4 weeks (slammed in the shop for the next month).

As it was

As it is currently:

The heart transplant awaiting it's turn:

 

[Mulishajoe]

Sub'd let's see the magic happen.

 

[shawn]

I have $200 cold hard cash that says @Jody Treadway finishes his ton swap before @Mulishajoe

Any takers?

 

[StretchASU]

I have $200 cold hard cash that says @Jody Treadway finishes his ton swap before @Mulishajoe

Any takers?

Just the ton swap? Or the ton AND engine swap? Haha.

I'm just pumped to hear that long rod engine wind up.

 

[XJsavage]

I spy Trickflows. This could get rowdy.

 

[Jody Treadway]

I spy Trickflows. This could get rowdy.

Trick Flows that spent time at Total Engine Airflow getting some CNC love. About 205 cc worth.

 

[REDLYNER]

Very cool. Looking forward to watching this one.

 

[BUCKEYE PERFORMANCE INC.]

So um do you need a axle fabricator to burn it in for ya.

 

[Jody Treadway]

So um do you need a axle fabricator to burn it in for ya.

I do believe I have that covered
Besides, shipping them to @stinkbomb at ECGS would be too expensive.

 

[snappy]

I have $200 cold hard cash that says @Jody Treadway finishes his ton swap before @Mulishajoe

Any takers?

I will would take it and spot you 9 months!!! Lol

 

[Jody Treadway]

Ho, ho, ho.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Finished up a JK regear and had some time to tinker on mine today.
Got the front axle stripped down to the bare housing and mocked up under the front. @Pless played mailman and dropped off some suspension goodies from @Barnes 4wd.
Going to tack the LCA mounts in and place the upper tower tomorrow. Next step will be head scratching determining where the trackbar fits best

 

[ORV design and fab]

What % antidive are you going to run in the front? Trackbar...is that your upper or panhard?

 

[Jody Treadway]

I ran the numbers once before and according to math, geometry and trig, my truck should fold in on itself.

My Lowers will be flatter, my upper will be parallel to the ground and my trackbar will be just shy of parallel all at ride height.

 

[ORV design and fab]

Hahaha, I hear ya, come over and do mine while your at it. Hate that you got rid of my traps? Didn't last long, as soon as I saw it they were sold.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Hahaha, I hear ya, come over and do mine while your at it. Hate that you got rid of my traps? Didn't last long, as soon as I saw it they were sold.

You'll see their big brothers on it. Stepped up to 40s.

 

[farmboy]

Now the shit talking will really start.

Go ahead and start looking for another Ranger body to swap on when that one is thrashed.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Now the shit talking will really start.

Go ahead and start looking for another Ranger body to swap on when that one is thrashed.

I guess you're right. My truck was kinda like the annoying little brother hanging out with the cool guys with their buggies.
But you wouldn't know anything about that would ya?

 

[StretchASU]

I guess you're right. My truck was kinda like the annoying little brother hanging out with the cool guys with their buggies.
But you wouldn't know anything about that would ya?

Don't worry...I still hold that down with my leaf springs and squirrel power.

 

[ORV design and fab]

I need some cheater tires to keep up! Ole boogers ain't gots the lugs they once had.

 

[Lorenzo816]

Subscribed. Aught to be badass Jody when you get it done.
What is the engine going to push out when you're done?

 

[Jody Treadway]

Subscribed. Aught to be badass Jody when you get it done.
What is the engine going to push out when you're done?

According to my engine builder and the software we've plugged it into it should generate about 425 HP and 380 ft/lb torque. Peak HP is higher in the RPM range as you would think. The torque curve is somewhat flat above 2500 for a smaller displacement engine.
There's no replacement for displacement, but a lot of compression and a thoroughly thought out build plan don't hurt!

 

[Jody Treadway]

I finally had some time to devote to my truck today. I'm closed for the next 2 weeks so I can have a bit of time for my own rig.
Today consisted of getting the rear axle underneath and ride height established. Thanks to Brad @Barnes 4wd I had a pile of goodies for my front and rear suspension. I installed his truss, pinion guard and 13 bolt rear diff cover kit. After welding on some air shock tabs, I installed the rear axle. Still need to weld on the upper CA mounts on the truss, just ran out of time.
Up front I got the front axle installed to finish mocking up the steering and track bar. Excuse the super sweet ratchet strap keeping the body centered on the axle. I'll bend some 1.5" x .250" DOM this week and finish the track bar design. Ride height is now established and I can make some tweaks here and there.
I hope to have it as a roller in another week.

 

[shawn]

Those lowers are fucking nice.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Those lowers are fucking nice.

The rears? Having an electric over hydraulic bender is even nicer!