Building a Universal Modified

Metcalf wrote: .... It would be nice to be able to make the back of the seat as thin as practical to be able to tuck it close to the front of the wheel tub. Kane's modded aluminum seats have SOOO much more cabin room vs my suspension seats. I'd like to find a happy medium. ...

I used a gel filled cushion:



Buliding A Universal Modified (page 81)

I sewed these into the seat cushions and it is by no means a lazyboy but it is a night and day difference in comfort where you can still keep the cushion thin. I put a 1/2" thick exercise mat underneath this cushion and sewed it into a cover. My cushion is less than 2" thick. Again, no lazyboy but still way better than any other 2" thick cushion and allows for more leg room. I did notice in the winter that this cushion retains cold temperatures for a while but not that bad. After all, it is an old jeep.

No, I wouldn't change anything, I like the looks, I like the comfort, I like the leg room. Originally, I was going to make some cushions for the sides, but after using them all season, I don't feel a need for them. I also like the 1" tubing for sides because it is easy to attach custom holders for your stuff such as drink, phone, radio, e.t.c. with 1" clamp collars. This system has also been fully tested in a roll over. Approved



Edited by jpet - 24 July 2019 at 6:39pm

Thought I'd bring this thread up to speed.

Earlier, you may remember that I have been getting hung up on my rear spring hangers:

https://www.thecj2apage.com/FORUMS/building-a-universal-modified_topic28473_post450995.html#450995

.... so I had new springs made for the rear. I went from 48" long with a 4" pin offset to 44" long with all 4" taken off the front so now my rear springs are symmetrical. The holes in the frame show how I have been shortening my springs again and again over the years:



I have lost a little travel but body roll was also a problem so I think it's a good thing. The suspension was thoroughly tested at Windrock last weekend and I was able to keep up with the bigger rigs and I never felt like I was in a situation where I needed more travel. One thing I have learned by watching Ward and Rick is that sometimes, less travel is a good thing. (Some of you probably already knew this).



That pic is a repost but that Is with the new springs and swaybar still attached. I also wasn't slamming my cage into trees at Windrock which has been a problem in the past so for now, I'm pretty satisfied.

SM465:

Anyone who has followed this thread is familiar with the tranny problems I have had throughout the years. lots of gear noise which I thought was the transfer case, vibration in the cane shifter and tc shifters, 1st gear shift fork wearing out in months, low range high gear was so loud, I could hardly stand it. Finally, I decided to stop being lazy and do a real inspection. Turns out that my output bearing was shot:



.... upon further inspection, 1st gear and the bushing were shot:



.... that explains alot .... anywho, since I pulled the tranny, I decided to replace my leaky rear main seal and put some sound deadener in the tranny tunnel. Now my tranny and TC are amazingly quiet. No more vibration out of the cane shifter and tc shifters. The noise in low range is gone. I can hardly hear the difference between low range and hi range and low range hi gear just sound like a normal flatty. I can't believe I put up with that noise for so long. Also, with the new rear main seal, BAM BAM does not need diapers anymore:



... it's nice to get a win. Oh, and I moved my radios so I don't have to fear deep water so much:



Thanks for reading.

Edited for spelling.

Edited by jpet - 04 Sep. 2019 at 2:06pm

Metcalf wrote: ….Have you given any more thought into frenching the rear spring hangers now that the springs are a little shorter?....

I've thought about it but right now, I'm still experimenting on spring length. You saw all the holes in my frame where I have moved my springs. I would want to be pretty well decided before I start Frenching spring hangers because it's not so easy to move them.

Hi all,

Here is a video of BAM BAM in Carnage Canyon during the FCT:



.... thanks to the Evans family for shooting the footage. The Exit at the end of this video is no joke and as I describe in the video comments, it was a beat down for BAM BAM. Two flat tires, and ripped a spring hanger at the frame webbing. In other words, good fun I’m going to do some detailed videos of Blueberry and Olive Oyl as well so stay tuned for that.

Here are a couple shots of BAM BAM at Rockfest last weekend where he shows his authority over Clint’s 1500 hp rock bouncer with 46” tires:





..... yup. That’s the way I remember it .... anywho .... today I did some inspection to see why my power steering pump pulley is now touching the gearbox on the frame and my steering column shafts are touching the side of the motor in flex situations:



These pieces of angle iron are clamped to the sides of the frame and show that my frame is twisted allowing the motor to sit lower:



I don’t understand how this happened!! I’ve always tried to be so careful!

The method used to straighten this out was to weld some strong angles to the sides and draw them straight with an all-thread:





Much better:





Tomorrow, I hope to add some reinforcement so that this doesn’t happen again. Thanks for reading.

Some sort of record for running Carnage Canyon in your tire size?  That exit out the top is pretty intimidating, having had the opportunity to stare into it from Chinaman!

I said this to Jeff in person.

Someday the mountain may git ‘em, but the law never will....😎

Rick G wrote: Someday the mountain may git ‘em, but the law never will....😎

Okay Jpet,