C4x4.com

It seems like many moons ago when we loaded Judy’s little gray Jeep YJ on the trailer and watched it roll off down the street. In reality it was just one year ago. Yep, on Christmas eve 2006, the trusty little YJ left for its new home.

Now as the one year mark rolls around we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. With the dash all finished up, the switches in place, and the shifter all securely mounted, things are really taking place.

With our deadline of New Year's weekend and the Tour De Sober run, all other projects have ceased. Every night is working til we drop time. The entire power train has been installed and the Pinion brakes and brake lines are ready. All the bodywork is complete and the whole thing has been doused in bright Purple. One week before Christmas and the DragonFly has been loaded for a trip to Bluementhol's Drive Train to get measured for some of their top end drive shafts. Saturday we hope to once again escort the DragonFly to town to visit the muffler shop for some custom exhaust. Yes, it is time to start pulling the loose ends together. Within a year of the day the first wrench was turned, the “Nana's Going Big” DragonFly Project Jeep should make its maiden voyage. (Now you think Nana ain’t excited?) It will soon be time for her to hand the keys of the Urban Crawler (loaner Jeep) back over to me and light the fire on the New Custom Dragon Fly Jeep.

During this last month we have been pounding long and hard at the DragonFly. Brad laid the bright purple paint on her inside and out. We laid the brake lines and mounted the pinion brakes. The engine was all dressed out with bright green plug wires, and new firewall mounted oil filter, new valve covers and a new shiny air cleaner, and then fresh oil and filter installed. The transmission got a new filter and fluids with lines routed to the new tranny/power steering cooler and the transfer case received the new super short slip yoke eliminator and new fluids and then was all mounted into place. The Painless wiring harness was all wired-in along with all the gauges and switches on the dash. The final assembly of the steering ram and brackets were installed. Last moment modifications to the transfer case mounts were made to allow adequate clearance for the rear driveshaft.

And then the big day arrived. The key is turned, (we hear the new electric fuel pump), the started button is pushed, the engine starts to crank, And then !!!!!! And then!!!!, the beast roars to life! All the gauges are checked and all fittings checked for leaks. All is well with her soul. Now Brad climbs in, and moves the shifter into the 1st gear position and as hoped, all is well. It starts to move forward. A short test drive around the yard and it’s time to call in the Boss.

The Big day has arrived. Judy is summoned and instructed to climb into the DragonFly. She turns the key and the DragonFly awakes. It is now time for Nana’s first test drive. The left front tire of Big Yeller is used to drive up onto and the flex is check to see that all of the joints are moving as they are supposed to. The turning radius both left and right are tested. One problem is found. The steering link is coming in contact with the pinion brake when turning hard. We roll it back into the shop and remove the front pinion brake and reposition it to the inside of the axle and inside of the drive shaft yolk. When doing this we also had to reposition the steering valve. About two hours later, again all is well.

A few last minute details are addressed. Head lights are wired and dimmer switch mounted, seat belts are installed and heater wired up. Now the DragonFly is ready for its maiden voyage. We will still have a little window dressings to finish up after the Tour De Sober run. We still lack some of the decals and pin striping, but Nana is beaming from ear to ear as she sits in the seat with power under her foot.

We want to give a special thanks to Skyjacker ( rebuildable heim joints), USA 6X6, (wheels), Joe’s Hand Cleaner (for helping us clean up), PRP Racing Products, ( Suspension Seats) Throttle Down Customs, (Mandrel Bent Frame) for their help and assistance in the Nana's Goin' Big Project Jeep.

For the final wrap up and maiden voyage, watch for the February issue and we will tie this all together. The results of how the DragonFly handled the steep rugged rocks and trails of Clayton, Ok., the adjustments and changes, if any that have to be done, and the joy that Nana (Judy) experiences from the DragonFly.

God Bless You and Yours
Okie-Out
David Austin