new rig (Black Betty)

[XJensen]

So whats left now ? Trackbar and long arms ?

I spent the rest of the day visiting my grandpa. I am going to finish welding the truss tonight and weld on the lower brackets. I might hook up the arms but I think I need to notch the truss a little. That's not happening now that the kids are a sleep.

So close but always a step behind.

 

[Mike1331]

Sticks for days....looks dang good bud. Can't wait to go on a run with this rig.

 

[XJensen]

I got the lowers tacked on and need to clearance the coil buckets. Next I need to measure for shocks and burn them in.

I thought I might need to cut the long arms to shorten the owners an or lengthen the uppers. Doesn't look like that will be the case.

I am excited about the raised brackets and am so glad I went with the TNT truss. It made everything a breeze.

 

[XJensen]

Opinions wanted.

So I have a 3/4 heim for the new track bar and am going to run Polly at the other end. Is the 3/4 heim big enough or do I need a 7/8?

I am also considering a Jonny joint. The flex joints always seem the last a long time and are easy and cheap to maintain

 

[cal]

I would do a 7/8 heim. It would probably outlast the jeep.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

I would do a 7/8 heim. It would probably outlast the jeep.

You would not regret a 1.25" heim.

I wouldnt consider any less than 7/8" . I vote for a 1.25" heim. Next time I build a trackbar its getting 1.25 heims.

I was going through 3-4 sets of 7/8" heims a year (you already know that)

Before the crappy steering, wandering and DW would start to come back each time, then another set of heims and it was good for a while. But my shit pile probably has other issues.

 

[cal]

You buying cheap heims?

We run 7/8 heims in single sheer on 4643, and have never replaced them. I have them off right now (axle is out being regeared) and they are still tight..

are FK RSMX 7/8 with a 3/4 bolt hole.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

You buying cheap heims?

We run 7/8 heims in single sheer on 4643, and have never replaced them. I have them off right now (axle is out being regeared) and they are still tight..

are FK RSMX 7/8 with a 3/4 bolt hole.

Ive only recently started to transition to FK JMX - starting with the trackbar and one control arm. They were all ruffstuff.

how do the FK RSMX compare to the JMX? Those seem to be more affordable than the JMX heims?

 

[cal]

They have a heavier duty shank and body, more resistant to sheering off at the threads.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

They have a heavier duty shank and body, more resistant to sheering off at the threads.

The RSMX or the JMX?

 

[cal]

RSMX is the heavier duty version. But also like twice the cost, so if you don't need it..

 

[EricsXJ]

Josh,

I also recommend going with 7/8" heims for the track bar. I use Ruff Stuff for that and they are still good. I've been replacing my heims with FK rod ends and so far I like what I'm seeing. If you missed my write-up about the comparison, it is here: http://www.ericsxj.com/rodend/rodend.htm

 

[cal]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fkb-rsmx12

thats the default rod end we use everywhere.

ended up with 3/4x3/4 for the tie rod, as the 7/8 was hitting the brake rotor.. but that's the heim i have had the best luck with, without going to 1.25" stuff.

 

[cal]

The upper joint pictured is a RSMX12

The lower is a JMX12. Observe the broken shank.


(to be fair, the knuckle broke, as did a ball joint, the inner C, the spindle, the steering box, the frame, the locker..)


but the RSMX joint did not.. in fact, all of those RSMX joints are still on the car now.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

Cal those are actually cheaper than the JMX on summit. I paid about 55$ each for JMX heims.

FK RSMX Series Rod Ends
43$(these are 7/8x3/4 not 7/8x7/8)
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fkb-rsmx12t/overview/

FK JMX
55$
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fkb-jmx14t/overview/

I am using the 55$ JMXT

so you are telling me I could have gone with 12$ cheaper per joint - joints and they are stronger?

 

[cal]

Thats what the internet told me.

Is also how FK lists them. RSMX is listed under heavy duty.

Rates the JMX 3/4" to 28,000 pounds and the RSMX in 3/4 to over 50K pounds.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

those JMX are rated to 55K pounds.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fkb-jmx14t/overview/

on paper they seem like the same joint, but the RSMX have a larger shank and are therefore stronger and cheaper?

In that case, Ill be going with RSMX joints for now on.

"FK's RSMX series heim joint rod end bearings. A 3-piece made from a high strength steel alloy with a heavy duty shank with a PTFE lining. This series features a thicker shaft than the JMX series for heavy applications and hard off-road abuse."

http://www.kartek.com/Product/356/FK-Rod-Ends-RSMX-Series-Rod-Ends-Right-Hand.aspx


some good reading:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/1092401-school-me-heim-joints-2.html

 

[cal]

I thought you were running 3/4" stuff.

But yes. RSMX are supposed to be stronger, i would suppose they are cheaper because of volume sold?

 

[Bryan C.]

I have used the RSMX 3/4 shank, 5/8 bore for almost 10 years on my rig, for both tie rod ends and drag link with no problems.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fkb-rsmx10t/overview/

I swapped out the drag link ends for the HSMX, the high misalignment version, for better range of motion.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

I thought you were running 3/4" stuff.




But yes. RSMX are supposed to be stronger, i would suppose they are cheaper because of volume sold?

The Steering is all 7/8 and links are all 1.25".
Tie rod is 7/8x3/4 and the trackbar and drag link are 7/8x7/8


Well, I am now going to be upgrading the rest with the RSMX instead of the JMX.


that being said, my pass side ruffstuff LCA and UCA 1.25" heims are still going strong. I think the driver side lower heims I pulled off still might have been ok, but all of the clanking clunking went away when I swapped them out so who knows.