Made a new footwell panel to hold the gas pedal for the 2.8 CRD. It's drive by wire so just need to hook it up to the ECU

Installed the dash loosely to check the alignment. Need to open up the hole for the steering column a bit.

Transmission installed..... again

Installed the transmission again but now with the twin sticks installed.

Shifter in 4th gear

Transmission in 3rd gear

I need to remake the trans mount. I'm thinking something very simple attached to the belly pan. I also need to check the rear driveline angle and make sure I can make something that will work with the flat belly. Should be OK but I want to double check..

Back from vacation

Back from vacation, did a little wheeling in Moab. I was impressed with the trails the Taco got up. Did some wheeling in Ouray, CO too but nothing crazy. The high altitude passes are fun. I think we hit 13000ft on one trail..

Sitting pretty low but not full bump.

Took out the 85lb spring to let it flex with loading up the new mounts too much. Still need to fully weld them in and design a cross brace for it.

Full bump and droop. It's going to require 2" spacers for the wheels.

Fuel cells new home

Plating to reinforce the shock mounts/towers

Still more rear end

Finished one and have the other one tacked up. Leaving in another day for vacation so probably won't get anything else done until I get back.

More rear end

Started TIGing up the rear tower today.

Weld nuts for attaching the towers to the cage for lateral stability

Inside view of the weldnuts

Shot of the internal supporting tubes

Rear shock towers

I cut out the old shock tower set up which was pretty neat but just wasn't right for what I'm doing.

New rear mount mocked up

The tube is just a place holder. I need to cut down some tubes to weld in

Front end is done!

Well almost, need to finish welding everything up but the design is done with the exception of the panhard mount on the frame side. Currently it's 3/16" HRS and I'm going to switch to 1/4" CRS. Also I'll move the pivot out ~1" and up a touch. The thicker material will withstand rock strikes better. Pivot change will reduce bump steer.

Lowered shock mount 1" for more compression stroke. Just clears the steering arm!!

Ram just clears the 3rd member fasteners. I still don't know if I can pull the 3rd without pulling the ram. I'll find out soon when I rebuild the axle and put in the Dirty 30's.

Ram just clears the link tower.

Spring just clears the link tower and full bump/droop.

Full droop.

Full bump passenger side.

Sitting on the bumps.

Moved the axle back ~.500' to get clearance here!

Panhard mount and rear shock mount rework is next..