Swamp Donkey Progess

[JB]

I bought a factory Ford 205 mount off eBay for $32. After buying 4x4 angle, getting the holes just right, buying a rubber mount, this was just easier. It is not meant for 80s Ford frames, but it is pretty close to bolting right up. Just a minor tweak, and start drilling the holes in the frame. Should be done today, and have enough support to at least get it around the block, on the trailer etc.

[JB]

Front yard front dig successful. Rear line lock will make it better.

[JB]

http://www.tmrcustoms.com/store/inde...roducts_id=732

installed...


What do you think? The crossmember would be pretty basic, either tube or box and be boltedor welded inside the frame and it would have the poly mount as shown. Then just run a couple tubes up to the trans x-member, plate, done.

??

[JB]

I was able to make the old skidplate pretty much work. It is about as high and tight as you can get it. Just need to put together the rubber mount, possibly using the TMR stuff above. Only issue then would be the low hanging part of the 203..

[JB]

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...63004/10002/-1

Is this what people use for a brake line lock?

[redcagepatrol]

yes. I also use a manual one for the rear. They use them on tow trucks - others use a swageloc valve suitable for the pressure and fluid to lock the pressure in the line. I think Kulo's build has the part number for he swageloc valve. I run electric ones in the front and manual ones in the rear.

[redcagepatrol]

I use the mico lever lock on the Patrol for the rear:
http://www.mico.com/products/images/37_docfile.pdf

[Sharpe]

That electric one will work for a short time, thats what I run on the front. It gets hot as **** the longer its on and after 5 years, mine has trouble disengaging sometimes.

[JB]

doubler cable shifters
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...=917766&page=2

[JB]

Travis helped me out and now the skid is back in place with clearance for the 205. The mount I posted somewhere above is now in use, though it is in a location that is a little differrent. We'll see how it holds up. Ground clearance now is just slighltly lower than before, but I have yet to add any protection to the 203. This will be next on the list, along with a rubber mount for the trans.

[stx4wheeler]

doubler cable shifters
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...=917766&page=2

I am not a fan of my cable shifters, go with manual shifters. The 203 shifts like butter, and the 205 is a pita with my nwf cable shifters. I think Karls manual ones for the 205 is also hard, but not as bad as mine. Mine may have been better if they were new and not used. Another bitch about the cable shifters is routing them.

[JB]

I have manual shifters, and was posting that for future reference. My 203 shifts easily as well. The 205 can be a little trickly.

[KrazyKarl02]

I find it helps to have the 203 in neutral and be rolling slightly to shift the 205.

[JB]

In the 15 or so years of Bronco ownership, I have never really thought much about wheeling something else, until lately. While it doesn't break that often, I never really trust it. Lots of zip ties, sketchty wiring, slow leaks, a body that is trashed etc. I dunno, I just have lost the love for it.

I want something that I can trust. I know it could at least attempt some of the hardest trails out there, but I don't trust it if I am going to trailer it 2k+ miles to Norcal/Moab etc. If it breaks in Mason, well I am only out a weekend, so no big deal.

Part of me still wants a rig that I can beat the piss out of, load on the trailer, and go home. Another part wants something a little more civilized, like an LJ, XJ, Taco etc. These are very cookie cutter, but that also means alot of off the shelf parts, which I kinda like( yeah I know) A mix of the two would be great but I don't really know what that is.

I want somethign street legal, but not necessarily able to drive 80 all the way to Cali.

Rigs I have considered
XJs - 97ish and up seem to be a little nicer inside, motor is cheap and easy, they can be found dirt cheap. Drawbacks would be a D30/35.

LJs - Rare, overpriced. Rubicon would be great, but even more overpriced.

Late 90s Taco - 3.4, ext cab, would need a solid axle, but seems pretty easy, still long and alot of sheet metal to damage.

04 F150 - superduty axles and 40s? Probably not.

2nd gen 4runner - 86-89. Would also need a front axle. Most are pretty beat at this point

I dunno maybe this is just a phase. I would reallly like to find another Bronco and make a cruiser out of it. Keep the TTB, 4", 35s.

[BroncoJo]

I still say the 04 f150 with 40's