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Eric's trail wagon build, 56K b/w!


SoobieDoo
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Well, I don't regret buying those pugs, since I can pass along a great deal to other USMB'rs, but I'm not going to use them. I had so little time to pick them up, that I didn't notice the width is only 5" on 3 of them. I thought I was getting 5.5 and 6's. That means the biggest tires that can be mounted are 205/75R14, and they won't even take the liberators. As the 15" steel pugs are so rare, I'm going back to 6 lug. I'll give the local boys first dibs on the pugs, then post the rest for sale here, and return any not sold by this thursday. I'm sure the (2) 5.5" powdercoated ones won't last!

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You may want to reconsider those wheels if you already have them. Here's my 27-9.50-14 swampers on 5" pugs. They are a tight fit but work great and I'm not worried about popping/damaging a bead.

b01f99dd-2.jpg

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You may want to reconsider those wheels if you already have them. Here's my 27-9.50-14 swampers on 5" pugs. They are a tight fit but work great and I'm not worried about popping/damaging a bead.

b01f99dd-2.jpg

 

Those are sick, man! Didn't think you could squeeze those into 5's!

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Yeah, in shopping for tires, I was looking at the measured rim width. I now know that's not set in stone, but there's still much less selection in 14's compared to 15's. I can see in the future much less selection with even the "smaller" 15's. I picked up some nissan's that are just what I'm after: 15" selection, 5.5" width, and 5" backspacing. My stock wheels are 5.25" b/s, so these will tuck in there real nice. 205/75R15's call for a minimum 5.5" rim width, so I think there's enough protection there. Granted, not as good as 9.5" ssr's on a 5" rim, but sufficient for my "trail" rig. I'm willing to put the extra effort into the 6 lug conv, for a perfect rim size like that. I test fitted one of the 5.5" pugs, and with the 4.5" backspace they have, it lined up flush with the fender...and no tire taboot.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Okay, I'm getting some real progress done now. I decided to go with a SJR 4" lift and got the easy half installed the other day with Scott's help. Just didn't have the time to do it all at once, and I thought the muscle car rake would be funny for a short time. Also finally had the cherry bomb welded in, but Midas decided to put it in diagonally for some reason!?! I know there was enough clearance, but maybe they were concerned with bumpage or heat. Oh well, it's still better ground clearance than a stocker...just could have been even better. I've also been working on the nissan wheels, but no pics 'till they're all painted. Full lift, 6-lug conversion, and new tires to come soon! :banana:

 

The rear lift:

DSC00801.jpg

 

The cockeyed muffler:

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Diff drop plate and camber:

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  • 4 weeks later...
Looking really nice! Looks kinda cool with the back raised up like that.:)

 

I had a few comments about that rake in the week or so that I drove it like that to work, but not as many as you'd think! :confused:

The full lift is done now, with the 13's still on, but I've been waiting to post up pics until the 6-lug conv. and wheels are on. Guess I was just tired of posting minor stuff to my build thread. Anytime now...a front halfshaft replaced, wheels all painted, and new tires on the deck! :banana:

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I had a few comments about that rake in the week or so that I drove it like that to work, but not as many as you'd think! :confused:

The full lift is done now, with the 13's still on, but I've been waiting to post up pics until the 6-lug conv. and wheels are on. Guess I was just tired of posting minor stuff to my build thread. Anytime now...a front halfshaft replaced, wheels all painted, and new tires on the deck! :banana:

 

 

I like minor stuff!!! Its a build thread, you got to update us with all the little stuff.......................Like the front of the lift!!!!:grin:

 

Jeff

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Very cool looking wagon. The hammered finish on your rims is nice.

I used that same paint on my old rusty roll around toolbox I have in my garage after some minor sanding and prep work. I have had the toolbox painted that way for over a year and it takes abuse very well.

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Very nice!!! It will look like a whole nother rig after you get those wheels and tires on!!!!

 

Jeff

 

That's the plan, Jeff! I even like the look of it lifted with the stock tires better. Now I just need to drill a bunch of holes for the 6-lug conv.

 

Jerry, I just have to say it again...I love that weber you rebuilt! After the initial tuning, I haven't had to touch it since. :banana:

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I went to the Arlington PAP over the weekend and GOT EVERYTHING I NEED FOR MY SOOB for $27! No mod parts, but just missing or broken stock stuff. I'm stoked about this, cause I have never not had to go to the wrecking yard for anything. Got some great working hatch struts, door lock actuator, interior spot light lenses, front mud flaps, and a front hub. Once installed, I'll have an '86 that works 100%! :banana:

 

Next up, I'll be shimming the shift linkage so 4X works again and of course...the 6-lug conversion. :headbang:

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Got the 4X linkage hooked back up today. :banana:

After lifting, I had to disconnect it in order to get it into FWD, because the lever bottomed out on the floor. The suspension lift is 1" over stock, so I found a way to lower the shift linkage about an inch, while raising the 4X lever so it can go into FWD.

 

First I got under the soob and took this off from under the shifter. It was stretched to it's limits, and the rubber was starting to tear, so I eliminated the rubber spacer. This also lowers the shift linkage back down to stock. (Click thumbnail for pic of right side up)

th_DSC00898.jpg

 

Same bracket with the rubber spacer cut out, drilled holes and bolted.

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This bracket holds up the 4X lever and is easily accessed through the rubber boot from topside. It needs to be higher!

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Fabbed this up real quick from some scrap. I never measured, but guess it to be about 1x2".

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Getting the bottom bolts in was a blast. :rolleyes:

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And how the lever rides now:

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Now it shifts smoother, and goes into 4 low, high, and FWD. That much closer to wheelin!!! :headbang:

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be very careful when removing that rubber bushing. this was done on the PoopenVagon at some point, and it ripped the mounting stud out of the driveshaft tunnel.

 

Any other thoughts on this? I think mine will be fine, for several reasons. For one, I extended the length. It was a good 1/2" stretch to get the rear slot onto that stud, so there couldn't have been much play left in it anyway. Now the slot is centered, so that should slide before breaking a bolt. I also left maybe an 1/8 of rubber behind on the brackets and created a weak link by bolting them together with just one 1/4". That should give it some pivot play also. I'll let everyone know if I have any probs with this setup, as this is my DD.

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Any other thoughts on this? I think mine will be fine, for several reasons. For one, I extended the length. It was a good 1/2" stretch to get the rear slot onto that stud, so there couldn't have been much play left in it anyway. Now the slot is centered, so that should slide before breaking a bolt. I also left maybe an 1/8 of rubber behind on the brackets and created a weak link by bolting them together with just one 1/4". That should give it some pivot play also. I'll let everyone know if I have any probs with this setup, as this is my DD.

 

the Poopenvagon was a 3" lifted EA82 (early BYB kit. so 3" all around. including engine and tranny xmembers). that bracket was removed entirely, and was replaced with a solid piece of steel, although I'm not sure when in it's life this was done. it had been about 4 years since the original lift when I had it, but it broke off. I wasn't even shifting, already in gear at about 3k rpms, put the throttle down, and it ripped the stud out of the tunnel, and the linkage fell onto the driveshaft (at speed.....not fun!!!!).

 

I got a stock piece from the junkyard, and put it in there, and mounted it about an inch further forward than it was by drilling a hole and putting a nut on the top side. it has been like that for about 3 years.

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the Poopenvagon was a 3" lifted EA82 (early BYB kit. so 3" all around. including engine and tranny xmembers). that bracket was removed entirely, and was replaced with a solid piece of steel, although I'm not sure when in it's life this was done. it had been about 4 years since the original lift when I had it, but it broke off. I wasn't even shifting, already in gear at about 3k rpms, put the throttle down, and it ripped the stud out of the tunnel, and the linkage fell onto the driveshaft (at speed.....not fun!!!!).

 

I got a stock piece from the junkyard, and put it in there, and mounted it about an inch further forward than it was by drilling a hole and putting a nut on the top side. it has been like that for about 3 years.

 

Did you soil yerself on that one!?! :lol:

The stock design is kinda scary when you think about it, with just one small stud and glued rubber holding up all that linkage. I may redesign it and implement some rubber at some point, but it's working fine for me right now. I've got 3" of lift at the Xmembers, and 4" body, so that 1" difference is what I needed to fix. Not sure why yours was even messed with, since the lift was an even 3"? Thanks much for the input, though...I certainly don't want to soil myself in the future! :eek:

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  • 4 weeks later...

Yippie... I got the lift and 6 lug conversion done, and just in time for my memorial day camp out! Unfortunately, I couldn't make the camp out for personal reasons, but the goal was still met. :banana:

Scott in Bellingham was instrumental with much of the work done so far. I can honestly say that this could not have been done without his help (and fine lift kit, of course!). This build is far from done, and I'll do my part in keeping you all updated with every little, boring thing that I can think of. :lol:

 

 

The soob came with one of the oddest-sized hitch recievers that I've ever seen: 1-1/2". This thing is 100% angus BEEF! It's 1/4 wall 1-1/4 tubing welded into 1/8, 1-1/2. That essentially makes it 3/8" wall.

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This shot shows how well the nissan 15's work with the tires. Stock backspace: 5-1/4", nissans: 5", with 215/75R15's mounted. No bashing, only zzz

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I like pizza cutters, and oh yeah...It's my car!

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Overall, it's just what I was trying to achieve: The wagon that subaru should have made! I did some more trimming since these were taken, which I'll post up next time.

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BTW, that's a full-sized Bronco with 31's behind it! :headbang:

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