That is a nicely stretched out Sammy. 

Sticking with the stock parts idea, what about sliding the axles apart in order to fit the larger tires without cutting into the firewall portion of the vehicle?  We are going for 33" tires right?

Slide the rear back about 4" with a 4 link, so you can stuff the tires up without rubbing on the front of the fender well.  In the front, forward 4" or so as well?

As for the fenders, we want to keep the tires covered so it remains a daily driver capable rig.  Do we want to go with tube fenders, plastic or custom metal?  If metal is ok, you could use a crazy idea my Dad and I came up for his Tracker that may or may not be implemented. 

Zig, 3 seaters are HOT!!!
That's my input....

If I had the cash, this is what I'd do (assuming we want to stick with IFS here):

2.0L 4-banger
4" Zukination lift, then a 2 or 3" body lift
33" tires, as skinny as possible, on CJ rims
chromo rear axleshafts, some sort of locker
up front I'd go with the Hagan widening mod, Toyota CV's and the V6 Vitara steel diff
2WD Kick tranny backed by a Sammy t-case with 4:1 gears (high range reduction for on-road performance)
Sliders, aluminum skids and bumpers
Snorkel (just in case), 2" exhaust

RHodge,
Actually, Yea. I love the look of the newer competition rock buggies(wide, low and big tires). I will see if I can find a pic I sent to Liberty Overland with a comment " like this but a GV look. I will see if I can find in and post it later today.

Element,
I can rarely find someone to ride with me on local trips, what do I need a third seat? I'm thinking 2 seater till I find someone to regularly put up with me the maybe expand if needed 

Olija,
My current set up has most of these:
2.0L 4-banger ( 1.6 L)
4" Zukination lift, then a 2 or 3" body lift (3" body 3" suspension)
33" tires, as skinny as possible, on CJ rims (33x12.50 MTR's)
chromo rear axleshafts, some sort of locker (Currie Ford 9" w/ upgraded axles)
up front I'd go with the Hagan widening mod, Toyota CV's and the V6 Vitara steel diff (Hagen widened with Maxima shafts, Calmini Anvil V/ XL-7 housing)
2WD Kick tranny backed by a Sammy t-case with 4:1 gears (high range reduction for on-road performance) ( 4;! Kick T-Case and 5.83 axle gears to compensate for high range)
Sliders, aluminum skids and bumpers (Got it but all steel)
Snorkel (just in case), (2" exhaust Header and exhaust but no snorkel)

I like your taste 

Originally I was thinking of just upgrading what I have with weight reduction and increased power, but after last year in Moab, I want more. That is why I am torn on exactly what to do.

Zig

My cent worth -

I like what England's own Dave Jones was doing to his 3rd Generation Vitara. The approach and departure as high as possible.



I would like to also add is to cut and raise the center and rear portion of the frame and associated driveline when you do a body lift. Let the front frame horn separate from the body with the lift spacer. What this does is give you belly clearance and higher departure (gas tank clearance), but yet keep the integrity of the frame with the front suspension. MH basically does it with the front frame stretch and lowering it the 6-8".


I'd also suggest that you add a doubler (stock tcase with a D300) with the dual shifters, maybe even some cutting brake hand controllers.

I like what England's own Dave Jones ....

Ooops. Beware the wrath of the Welsh devils 

I love tha bobbed of tail of the GV, and great idea onteh cutting brakes. How difficult is it to set up cutting brakes? would it be as simple as running seperate e brake cables to each of the rear wheels?

Zig

I love tha bobbed of tail of the GV, and great idea onteh cutting brakes. How difficult is it to set up cutting brakes? would it be as simple as running seperate e brake cables to each of the rear wheels?

Zig

with lockers cutting breaks would be impossible(except with selictible ones)

Quote from: Zukipilot on March 05, 2008, 07:18:42 AM

I love tha bobbed of tail of the GV, and great idea onteh cutting brakes. How difficult is it to set up cutting brakes? would it be as simple as running seperate e brake cables to each of the rear wheels?

Zig

with lockers cutting breaks would be impossible(except with selictible ones)

Oh yea... Did not think about that  and definately keeping the Detroit in the 9". Oh well, good thought though.

Zig

You can take the 9" out of Detroit, but you can't take the Detroit out of the 9"...

Or something like that! LOL!

Quote from: locjaw on March 05, 2008, 08:14:23 AM

Quote from: Zukipilot on March 05, 2008, 07:18:42 AM

I love tha bobbed of tail of the GV, and great idea onteh cutting brakes. How difficult is it to set up cutting brakes? would it be as simple as running seperate e brake cables to each of the rear wheels?

Zig

with lockers cutting breaks would be impossible(except with selictible ones)

Oh yea... Did not think about that  and definately keeping the Detroit in the 9". Oh well, good thought though.

Zig

It depends on the style of braking you choose. You could look at using a rear tcase output disconnect and hand brake cables to lock both rear tires, you could look at using individual parking brake cables with the rear disconnect, you could look at using an output disc brake on the tcase to limit its output to the rear, or like most competition cutting brakes are arms that you push and hold/lock down after you using the brake pedal. You run the hydraulic brake lines (separated before the arms) to the arms and then to the rear brakes. By locking down one tire, you can still use a full time locker in the rear axle. What you are basically doing is limiting/minimizing any input of that tire and this makes the vehicle swivel around on it. Many users have a shift gate which locks and hold the arm secure till they want to change because you are using only 2 hands on a lot of gear shift levers, brake controllers, steering wheel, etc.

I didn't like the look of these at first, but they're really starting to grow on me. I've been thinking myself that I want to start one of these in 4 or 5 years, when they come down in price a bit.
I'd build it to fit 35's, move the rear axle back a couple inches, same with the front.

jagular7,
That sounds like WAY to much work for cutting brakes (and really expensive too  ) I'll probably stay with standard brakes.

Zig

I didn't like the look of these at first, but they're really starting to grow on me. I've been thinking myself that I want to start one of these in 4 or 5 years, when they come down in price a bit.
I'd build it to fit 35's, move the rear axle back a couple inches, same with the front.

I've liked the looks of them since the first time I saw one with teh yop off. They remind me of a bubbly X-90 

Zig

OK, Mikey has thrown me for a loop. After seeing the rear articulation pictures of the Rockstar V 3.0, I am seriously thinking Coilovers for the project....



What kind of issues will I run into with the stock Kick T-Case with articulation like this? Will I need to do a slip yolk eliminator? CV Driveshafts? Any thing else I am not seeing?

Zig