I took advantage of the 75% off sale at 4 wheel parts yesterday to get my wheels, and ordered my tires and a set of the staun beadlocks.  Wheels and tires will be here next week, but the Stauns are about a month out as they just started making them for 17x12" wheels and nobody has them in the US yet. 
I went with 39.5x16.5x17 Pitbull Rockers.  I based this decision mainly on Billavista's review on the Pirate4x4 board, but I've found dozens of other people with nothing but positive comments, and not a single complaint.
The wheels are 17x12" (recommended size for my tires) Weld Methods.  What can I say...they're Weld wheels.  I never thought I'd be running them on an offroad rig, but they were so cheap I couldn't pass them up.

How much did the whole set up run you?

Your rig is looking awesome!  You have a badass set up going on.

Amilla

How much did the whole set up run you?

Wheels were $140 each, no shipping:  $560 (75% off weld wheel sale at 4 wheel parts)
Tires were $230 each, $200 shipping: $1120 (cosmetic blems from 4x4groupbuy.com)
Staun Beadlocks were $170 each: $680 (bought from a friend with a 4x4 shop at just above cost)

total: $2360

Pretty good price for all new 39.5" tires, forged alloy 17x12" wheels, and double beadlocks.  Seems like a lot of $$ if you're used to 15" wheels and 31's, but put all of this same stuff in a shopping cart at any 4x4 site and you'll end up with a price over $4000. 

Next I cut 7.5" out of the long side of the rear axle

OK, I had to reread that twice... I almost shat myself!  I think it is great to see someone try something different (mog axles) then to be willing and able to cut them up... Holy Crap Man!!.  I can not wait to see it done.  Please keep us posted.  (pics)

The freight truck brought a pallet of motivation today...in the form of some Pitbull Rockers 

I got my front axleshaft back from the machine shop last week...and a bill for $150.  They got the pin out, but destroyed it and the CV ring (see the hairline crack in the lower pic) in the process.  They had to machine a special pin and socket out of 4340 to press the pin out, and even then 100 Tons alone wasn't enough; it had to be heated until it was glowing red before it moved.  At least I still get to use the axleshaft.
A new CV assembly is $300 for one side...didn't really want to pay that kind of $$ for just the CV ring and pin, so I found a used front long side shaft complete with CV for $300 shipped and picked it up.  Now I have a spare for the front and the CV parts I need.  I spent a minute or so with a small brake sylinder hone in the shortened shaft to smooth out the rough edges, and the new pin pressed right in.  The front axle is all assembled now; next I need to figure out what I'm doing for the steering arms and ram. 

awsome build ,love the mog axels, thanks for sharing

Finally got a day to work in the shop today...I've been busy the last week with lots of work.  We had a few cold mornings here too...that prompted me to waste a few hours getting my motor oil burner working.
I spent most of the day with the plasma cutter and grinders taking off IFS brackets and crossmembers.  Front is all done...I think.  I left the strut towers because of the excellent frame bracing that they provide.  I also left the coil buckets, thinking that I may be able to use them as bumpstops, and the front crossmember because I don't think it is in the way, it provides some protection and support for the radiator, and it's the only thing holding the framerails together now.  Talk about a lot of grinding...went through an entire 6" grinder wheel, and most of a 4-1/2" one.
I also picked up my wheels last week as well; 17x12's are some WIDE wheels.  They look great...but will look better with a little rock rash on them 

cant wait to see the finish product bud nice work

How is the time line looking for Powerfest? Would love to see it in person

Derek

How is the time line looking for Powerfest? Would love to see it in person

Derek

I really don't think I'll have it done by Powerfest.  There are just too many small details that still need to be done, plus the big projects (steering and suspension design, mainly).  There's a lot of time needed to take care of this stuff.  Many of the parts I have ordered haven't showed up yet either...still waiting for the clutch parts to do the tranny swap, beadlocks, steering arms and cylinder, etc.  Right now I'm kind of held up waiting for that stuff..don't want to go ahead with the suspension design until I have the drivetrain entirely in. 
I'll keep working steadily on it though...I feel pretty confident that it will be 100% done sometime this winter. 
Anybody who is interested in seeing it is welcome to come by the weekend of Powerfest though...I'll even be willing to provide a warm dry place and tools to work on a broken rig that weekend if anybody needs it 

How's the project coming? I know you have been busy trying to stay warm.

Still waiting for lots of parts 
The biggest things holding me up are the steering arms for my front axle.

But yes...now I'm nice and warm burning my old motor oil.

I actually have the tranny bolted in and the clutch assembly built; no crossmember yet.  I'm working on typing a writeup for the tranny conversion...I'll post that in a separate thread (it's kind of a stand-alone project) when I get it finished.  I have had quite a bit of work in the last few weeks, so I haven't spent a lot of hours working on the Unimooki...   

I'm sooo jelous, I  always loved mog axles

Anymore progress on this?