Goin for a drive

Sloppy Seconds Sees Daylight

Posted September 16 2009 01:36 PM by John Cappa
Filed under: Editorials, Jeep Enthusiast Culture, John Cappa

It's out of the garage and it's low.

Here's a pic next to a stock flattie. The transmission draggs on everything. I'm gonna need a skidplate or some casters for it.

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Reader Comments:

1. cool

Eroksmith - Posted September 16 2009 08:11 PM

2. man it looks real good... and REAL low...

it looks like you ended up with spacers on the rear wheels to clear the body?

how's the ride with only two inches of wheel travel.... is it bearable?

but nice job... I like the windshield frame... it'll grow on people

cgreenwood - Posted September 16 2009 11:02 PM

3. Oh HELL yeah! That looks awesome John.

Maybe you need a tummy tuck on your low rider so you don't get belly hung on speed bumps.

DirtyHarry - Posted September 17 2009 07:24 AM

4. Yeah, I needed some 1 1/4-inch wheel spacers out back for the tires to clear the tub. You could do it with the right wheels (maybe 3 1/4 or less backspace with the 65-inch axle) but all I had were these free Jeepster wheels and tires from Trasborg.

I don't even have two inches of up-travel in the rear. Maybe 1/4 inch. But not at all scary since the thing cruises between 40-50 mph or so. The front has several inches of travel and the tires run at 20 psi. It's way softer than I thought it was gonna be. I mean I'm sitting on a blanket on a plywood-covered seat!

Thing is, an SM420 is a tall transmission. I've already cut the inside of the tub to pull the tranny up and it still hangs lower than the crossmember. It's gotta stay for now. Mostly I have to be careful of driveways and speed bumps. I put a skidplate on so it slides on over now.

John Cappa - Posted September 17 2009 02:56 PM

5. Dude, that's sick. It's amazing. I love it. Well done!

And can we get some video of it?

fjduesel - Posted September 17 2009 07:02 PM

6. I dig the crusty look. Feeling inspired to do something with some of my biodegradable piles-o-jeep.

hoptruck - Posted September 18 2009 05:47 AM

7. I don't give a crap what the haters say. I like it...

prerunner1982 - Posted September 22 2009 10:08 AM

8. It looks like I'll be dragging it to the Off-Road Expo in Pomona, CA next month (October 10-11) if anyone wants a closer look.

John Cappa - Posted September 23 2009 10:04 AM

9. hotwheels has a jeep rat rod toy out right now

sylvanjake - Posted September 26 2009 07:38 PM

10. I love the "OPEN" front diff ;-)