Finally, some work!
After months of him-hawing around, we decided to get rolling on this thing again. For those of you not in the know, my Bronc made me really sad, so I decided to give it the frame-off that it really deserves, and take it back to DD status. All of my heavy parts are now going onto the Doodlebug.
I'll start with some pics, and some explanation of what all we're doing with it.
She finally decided on a color scheme - it's going to be a deep sky blue, with white trim, and cotton candy pink accents. Definitely a girl rig.;D
I scored big, and landed a NP435, which again bigjhoov was awesome enough to come out and lend a hand on installing, as well as share his new expertise on putting one in a 6 cyl EB (he finished his a few weeks back, and said it's the single greatest thing he's ever done to it;D )
He helped me stab the T shift D20, and after much deliberation with myself, I decided to pull it back out, and put my J shift 20 in there, since this is going to be a crawler rig, having independent control of the axles will be a real asset.
We'll be keeping the 170, it runs strong, and it's pretty cool in it's own right. I will convert it to run on propane eventually, and ditch the carb. I'll also put in a DUI setup, as it simplifies things, and reportedly has a significant power increase over stock. That's pretty much it for engine mods.
I do smell a doubler at some point in the future, it's gonna need it. I figure she'll be at ~75:1 as it sits, and a doubler sure would be nice for those tougher trails.
I dropped off the pump, box and steering cylinder at PSC for a rebuild, Bec'll be picking them up later on this week one day after school, so we're kicking ass in that department.
I just found out last night that I won a set of Dedenbear knuckles to go on the D44 from the giveaway on Pirate, they'll be here later this week. Orange knuckles will clash, but they'll never get painted on my watch! The Doodlebug will be sporting a pretty bombproof D44 by the time it's all said and done:
- Detroit locker
- 4.88 R&P
- Yukon shafts
- CTM joints
- Dedenbear knuckles
- PSC steering cylinder
- Baertrax Buttface diff cover
- Wild Horses track bar riser
- Stock disc brakes
She'll also be getting my Sunray 9":
- Sunray custom housing, shaved for clearance, and a bashguard to protect the ring gear
- 4.86 R&P
- Detroit Locker
- 31 spline Moser shafts
- a Nodular housing, and Great Lakes pinion guard are both on the list of upgrades
The plan is for the rig to sit really low, so it's super stable. I'm also planning to keep it reasonably light (maybe under 4k
)
No body lift, 2-1/2" total spring lift height. It'll run 36x13.50x16 IROK bias tires. When I do the propane conversion and ditch the rear tank, I'll move the rear axle back 3" (no more than that, in case she decides to participate in the WE Rock womens events that have been rumbling here in Texas)
I've got some rock sliders built, and will get them installed ASAP. It does need new a new drivers door post, and floor pans, otherwise it's pretty solid.
She'll be getting the front clip and hood off of my 76 as well, they're pretty straight, and very solid, not to mention already cut up pretty well.
I've got a cage designed, but I'm hoping that I can get the COR cage that a fella is/was selling a little while back, and modify that. Yes, it will all be DOM, I plan to have many years of service out of this, and for it to take some really hard hits if need be, and protect the passengers. The cage will have a 1/8" aluminum rock top. I may take it wheeling without the Mrs now and then, so it has to be able to stand up to me, and my brand of 'fun' on the trails.;D
We're doing this as budget allows, but the big push is to have it in good driving condition for the LEBC Roundup at Katemcy on April 20.
