The more we looked at the...
The more we looked at the suspension and wheelbase of our Scrambler, the more we realized it needed some fine tuning. We cut off the original shock hoops, removed the suspension links (which will be replaced later with ones 10 inches longer), and lengthened the wheelbase from 103 to 108 inches. The steering box was also relocated farther forward on the frame for better steering geometry.
The Scratch-Built Scrambler has been a long and arduous project spanning a number of years, but sometime in the next few months we hope to have the rig out on the trail. Those of you who have built a rig from scratch or completed a frame-off restoration know just how time-consuming a project of this magnitude can be. There will always be a number of components that need to be refabricated, replaced, tweaked, and retweaked before the machine hits the road.
We weren't happy with our first choice of front fenders because they didn't have inner fenderwells. The fenders wouldn't protect the engine and components under the hood, and they looked unfinished. Since the Jeep is now being built at Overkill Engineering in Nuevo, California, owners Gabe Gile and Mark Hanson offered up their Original Rock Fenders.
While installing the fenders, we stepped back and took a good look at the Jeep and the suspension geometry, and things just didn't look right. So we took this opportunity to rework the front suspension, build coilover mounts, and lengthen the wheelbase. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and with a little luck these parts and suspension modifications will get us closer to the big test run.
 The laser-cut and TIG-welded...  The laser-cut and TIG-welded fenders have an impressive amount of fenderwell; they are made of 1/8-inch steel plate and 1 1/2x0.120-inch DOM tubing. The fenderwells can be cut for taller coilover mounts and other components. |  The Rock Fenders completely...  The Rock Fenders completely cover the inner fenderwell and make a great place to securely mount forward-running wire looms and battery and winch cables. They come with mounts for LED sidemarker lights, which are available at www.superbrightleds.com. |  The Rock Fenders are 100 percent...  The Rock Fenders are 100 percent made in the USA and are available for Jeep CJ, TJ, LJ, and JK (JK fenders aren't available with inner fenderwells) and with or without flares. |
 Originally the Jeep CJ-8's...  Originally the Jeep CJ-8's wheelbase was 103 inches; we stretched the Scratch-Built Scrambler to 108 inches. This will give the rig more stability and a much better approach angle. The Walker Evans 2 1/2-inch coilovers are 39 inches fully extended eye-to-eye. This means the shock hoops had to extend farther into the engine compartment. This extension was easily achieved due to the room under the CJ hood. |  Squeezing the coilover mounts...  Squeezing the coilover mounts into the engine compartment was tricky while working around the steering pump, steering shaft, and radiator. |  We were able to work a radiator...  We were able to work a radiator guard into the mount and a bolt-in crossmember. Once we are certain that all belts and hoses and the radiator will fit, the tubing will be fully welded. |