Wide Open Design LJ buggy build

tobaccoroad4wd said:
You left out the taco truck part. Considering the audience, that may be almost as exciting as update pics. 😂
Always good to see you buddy, and can’t wait to see it all done and on the trail.
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@BigSouth also knows the best part of swinging by my shop is the taco truck nearby.
Glad you had time to tour Ujoint Offroad too. Those guys build some sick vans
 
orange150 said:
Why did you decide to change engines? Just more horse torques?
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Not any time soon or anything. Joe offered it to me at a very, very good price. One I couldn't turn down.
It's a Dart block, so it can take a lot of boost. Most 8.2 deck SBF will split around 500-550 HP.
This one will either get rebuilt and put away for another build or I'll swap it in and gain probably 50 HP and 75 TQ.
It's very low priority at this time as my current 306 does quite well
 
Is this the taco place I’m thinking of our are you holding out?

Wait till I bust out something like dinner tonight at camp. Gringos tacos are legit!

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Can’t wait to be on the trails again with you. Your rig is going to be slick! Keep up the good work brother, the finish line is near!!!
 
frankenyoter said:
Is this the taco place I’m thinking of our are you holding out?

Wait till I bust out something like dinner tonight at camp. Gringos tacos are legit!

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Can’t wait to be on the trails again with you. Your rig is going to be slick! Keep up the good work brother, the finish line is near!!!
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Yup, Tacos El amigo beside the Enmark on 25
Same here buddy!
 
Jody Treadway said:
@BigSouth also knows the best part of swinging by my shop is the taco truck nearby.
Glad you had time to tour Ujoint Offroad too. Those guys build some sick vans
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He speaks truth! Them tacos will change your life.
 
Got a pallet of coolness from Motobilt, courtesy of our resident MB dealer @tobaccoroad4wd . Their comp cut corners will fit the wheelbase and stretch of the WOD build. Grabbed their lower rocker guards too for aesthetics. They're all getting professionally painted soon.
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Ordered a Ram 2500 master cylinder so I have plenty of volume for the brakes to function. That'll be the next quest (plumbing and fitment).
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Finished up the exhaust this evening too. Added v bands galore to make servicing the trans and case easier. Once I mount the trans cooler (above the rear output) I'll bolt up the 2 hangers and remove the stands.
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Was definitely a ton of cut, grind and weld. But it turned out how I wanted. I really can't wait to hear it turned up!
It may make it over to the lift after next weekend. That'll make working on it sooo much easier.
 
tobaccoroad4wd said:
Normally, I’m skeptical when anything gets as much hype as a lumberjack and a lesbian gave those tacos…😂
After trying them, I’m convinced they did not receive enough hype!
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Your first mistake was being skeptical of a lesbian saying that tacos are great.
 
More progress this weekend.
If you're using the 2000 Ram 2500 master cylinder on a TJ/LJ booster, the booster push rod is too short. Won't even touch the master.
Grabbed some 1/4" x 2" fine thread bolts and went to work. I turned down the head of the bolt so it fits in the rear of the master. By turned down, I mean I spun it on a bench grinder until it burned my finger and I needed gloves.
Here's the magic measurement from the face of the booster - 0.575". You can round the head of the bolt and thread it in about 10 turns. I verified proper adjustment by bolting down the master and seeing how much free play there was in the brake pedal before the pushrod moved the master.
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More in the next reply
 
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Need to get the dash in so I can install the Genright console and start on shifters and wiring. I knew there was some clearance issues with the dash, HVAC ductwork and the cage. I didn't know just how much.
Ended up removing the OEM HVAC assembly. Also had to strip the dash down to the metal frame to cut it away from the cage tubes going to the floor. I wasn't expecting to do so as I *was* thinking about getting the AC working eventually. But alas, I'll toss a hot rod style heater in it and call it done.
It definitely is looking more finished inside. I have all of the OEM dash trim and pieces and will install them later.
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On to.the corners and rocker guards. Got the driver's side done today. I marked the fenders for cutting and will do that this week. The corners are being painted body color and the rockers will be black. Kinda sucked taking a plasma cutter to a $500 set of rockers. But they're made for an OEM tub/frame combo, not this one. Regardless, I have some scraps for the front corner piece I wanna add later.
I'll start on the passenger side tomorrow after work since I kinda have a system now.
Initial mock up
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Essentially bolted down (aside from one crooked nutsert)
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I'll add a piece to match the angle of the WOD fender line this week (both sides)
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Jody Treadway said:
More progress this weekend.
If you're using the 2000 Ram 2500 master cylinder on a TJ/LJ booster, the booster push rod is too short. Won't even touch the master.
Grabbed some 1/4" x 2" fine thread bolts and went to work. I turned down the head of the bolt so it fits in the rear of the master. By turned down, I mean I spun it on a bench grinder until it burned my finger and I needed gloves.
Here's the magic measurement from the face of the booster - 0.575". You can round the head of the bolt and thread it in about 10 turns. I verified proper adjustment by bolting down the master and seeing how much free play there was in the brake pedal before the pushrod moved the master.
View attachment 459709View attachment 459710View attachment 459711View attachment 459712

More in the next reply
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A little late now, but the Dodge 2500 Van MC is supposed to work with the TJ/LJ booster without modifying the pushrod
 
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