Project Pipehitter reborn....Blue Torch style....

[akxj]

And so it begins....as some may know i was hit by a roadside bomb back in may while doing bomb disposal over in iraq....i was pretty banged up (i'm still alive thank god) unfortunately i lost a good buddy that day named Jerry Palinsky; he had a wife and two teenage children...he was killed on his 23rd wedding anniversary...Jerry and I had joked about building a buggy from all the blown up vehicles that were in the bone yard...we were gonna start building it up as soon as returned from homeleave...my first day back was the day we were hit...this is a recuperation project for me as well as a way of remembering Jerry...

Here's the build info:

Jeep CJ-5 later model w/o tailgate

Drivetrain:
TBI 305 from Chevy Camaro
Th350 or T400 tranny
Atlas II 3.0
Custom built square driveshafts

Axles:
Ford HP D60
5.13 gears (possibly 4.88)
Aussie locker or ARB (depends on how cheap i'm feeling)

D60FF rear (78 F-250)
5.13 gears (possibly 4.88)
35 spline conversion
disc brake conversion
Detroit or spool

Tires:
39.5x13.50x16.5 IROKS
H1 beadlock rims w/ custom GLO 'INFIDEL' rock rings

Steering:
Full Hydro Steering from Performance Offroad Steering (Station on Pirate)
Hi-Steer

Armor:
BTF prototype CJ-5 wrap around crush corners (comp cut)
BTF rock sliders
BTF custom tube fenders
BTF stinger w/ hood hoop
BTF custom cage
Great Lake offroad Diff covers

Suspension:
BTF Front Full width SOA kit w/ stock rear CJ springs
BTF Rear CJ2XJ kit w/ stock Dakota springs (little stiffer)
BTF 2in shackles
Total w/ shackles and SOA roughly 7 inches

Recovery/Misc:
Warn M8000 w/ Amsteel Blue Winch Rope
Aluminum Fairlead from Holeproof Industries

I will be painting it Tan and OD green or Tan and Dark Brown...I'd like to have it on the trail by Summer '07....enjoy...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01186.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01185.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01184.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01183.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01182.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01181.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e287/akxj/DSC01179.jpg

any suggestions; please feel free to chime in...laters, Eric

[Fix_It]

sounds like you already hve a great plan with a good platform to start with .
welcome home , sorry to hear about your friend . from one soldier to another thanks for all you have done . im looking foward to seeing this unfold .

[akxj]

thanks appreiciate it...

[STOMPR]

That thing outta be sic when your done. I think that is a close to perfect (in my mind) setup running a Chevy V8 in a CJ. What wheelbase are you shooting for? I am assuming you already have the engine as it was defined but . Will this thing be driven to the trail or trailer queen? If driven you might want to consider a OD trans like a 4l80e instead of the 350 or 400 Just a thought and not sure about the electronics and what would be required. Anyway thanx to all that serve and its cool that this is somewhat of a tribute rig to your buddy hope it all goes smoothly.

[akxj]

96 inches...bout as far as it's gonna get w/o some extensive frame mods...she's gonna be a queen....so i figured 350 or 400...i think she'll do mighty fine...

[STOMPR]

Trailered it makes sense to stay away from OD. I`m sure that it will be a fun rig to run.

[sevenslats]

Your garage is too clean. spill somehitng on the floor already. and mini-blinds? Ha.


Neat. You building it yourself? What's your tow rig?

[akxj]

still haven't bought a tow rig yet...but it's in the process...and mini-blinds are so people can't see my expensive stuff...and i don't exactly live in the best neighborhood...they're starting to clean it up though...

[holeski]

Looks good man. Wish I was there to work with yeah. Keep the photos coming.