Project "Constructive Deconstruction"

[altrocker1]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

yeah i've had mine since the summer, which for me means well over 10k miles. it lasted a trip to grand island and nyc. so far so good...i check it a lot, though i'm really not sure what would go wrong since i put new bolts and ujoints in. mine is a yoke style and not the flange style. same nerves though cutting off the shaft. i put mine in reverse too, worked like a charm. my kit came with a brand new tap, but i bought my own drillbits since the ones they gave me looked crappy. i drilled the hole twice, first to 1/4 then to full size. brand new split point bits went right through that shaft like it was aluminum.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

yeah i've had mine since the summer, which for me means well over 10k miles. it lasted a trip to grand island and nyc. so far so good...i check it a lot, though i'm really not sure what would go wrong since i put new bolts and ujoints in. mine is a yoke style and not the flange style. same nerves though cutting off the shaft. i put mine in reverse too, worked like a charm. my kit came with a brand new tap, but i bought my own drillbits since the ones they gave me looked crappy. i drilled the hole twice, first to 1/4 then to full size. brand new split point bits went right through that shaft like it was aluminum.

good to hear. people run them a lot, so much so that companies like RE and IRO make H&T kits. but i guess im just a little leary of my craftsmanship. i reread the RE installation instructions, it says to "peck drill" the hole. i kind of figured that out myself, worked a lot better than constant pressure.

the flange and adapter were really what saved me here. the AX15 is a couple inches shorter than the AW4, but the flange adapter gained me that inch or 2. if it was a full replacement shaft, or a yoke style H&T, id probably have to find a different shaft. everything worked out perfectly though. the 6* shims i installed put the pinion just a C hair under pointing right at the output shaft. its just a tiny bit, but my young eyes can tell. ive heard reports of people getting vibes, because a tiny bit of axle wrap rotates the pinion up to far. im content with it. more than content.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

no more tire carrier!:

no worries, i had a plan for my spare... for the time being:

now... what to do...

i want to build a carrier. but thatll probably wait. i do want to rebuild a bumper asap. JCR has a DIY kit that looks good coming out. if the price is right... maybe...

it just has to be strong enough to replace my hitch for towing duties. i plan to lose mine and retrieve some expenses. modifying it for my cut and fold shouldnt be too hard.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

here is what i would like to build, but im not sure if time will allow. spring break sounds reasonable, but the girlfriend wants to go do other things.

first off... the frame rail sleeve that we all know:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g247/danman2k06/IMG_1499.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g247/danman2k06/IMG_1509.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g247/danman2k06/IMG_0514-1.jpg

second, i want to recess the swing arm into the bumper:
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n621/COLEgasmaxx/jeep forum/102_0414.jpg

and i want a swing out/down carrier like this:
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp194/spatag/Bumpers/TireCarrier05.jpg
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp194/spatag/Bumpers/TireCarrier07.jpg
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp194/spatag/Bumpers/TireCarrier08.jpg

add some corner protection, make the lights flow, and brace it:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l318/jdbwrx/P1010523.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/VET8911/P1010169-1.jpg

you get the idea. biggest goal is to get the tire higher up. also, make provisions for jerry cans, highlift, and the license plate. 8 stock bolts, 8 from the nutstrips, and 2 in each side into the frame. 20 total... should be strong enough to tow and lose the hitch, not DOT approved, but strong enough. stronger than the jeep at least.

 

[John D]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

I don't see the point of both swing out and down on the carrier, maybe I'm missing something.
Seems like a lot of extra work.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

rear stinger idea...

but after some deliberating, i dont think the stinger would be all that functional. since its only mounted to the swing arm, and not up top to a cage or something, its only going to be as strong as the swing arm. so the idea of it actually working as a stinger is kind of wrong...

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

horrible news!

walking to class today, i noticed that my jeep was dripping from around the steering box. green, warm... got to be coolant. opened it up, and sure enough, the lower rad hose was leaking. which i replaced last winter... poo. i took the clamp off, felt around for cracks (its a new hose), made sure it was on all the way, and retightened it. we will see if thats all it needed. im REALLY not looking forward to doing that job again if i have to. but if thats the case, at least the weather is better this winter.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

false alarm... after tightening, it stopped leaking. topped off the over flow just in case, and called it good.

i filled up my tires to the proper PSI, who would have thought itd make a difference in handling? lol.

also, in about 9 hours i should have the start to bigger and better plans. stay tuned...

but first... beer!

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

also, in about 9 hours i should have the start to bigger and better plans. stay tuned...

diamond in the rough.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

i bought a HP44 knowing that it was set up for a cherokee (poorly), still full width, came with most of the parts i needed to run it, but had most of the features i wanted in building a front end.

'77 ford Dana 44
HD housing with ribs on it
half in axle tubes
full width
3/4 ton outers
blue torch fab truss

the way i see it, i can put brackets on it for cheaper than regearing my 30 and adding a lunchbox. i plan to keep the truss, remove everything else, and remove the hoakey brackets that are on it. possibly turn the Cs, and hopefully run the LSD that is inside of it. the 4.10s should last until a regear warrants a selectable locker upgrade.

this thread might turn out awesome after all!

 

[kmanxj5050]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

i bought a HP44 knowing that it was set up for a cherokee (poorly), still full width, came with most of the parts i needed to run it, but had most of the features i wanted in building a front end.

'77 ford Dana 44
HD housing with ribs on it
half in axle tubes
full width
3/4 ton outers
blue torch fab truss

the way i see it, i can put brackets on it for cheaper than regearing my 30 and adding a lunchbox. i plan to keep the truss, remove everything else, and remove the hoakey brackets that are on it. possibly turn the Cs, and hopefully run the LSD that is inside of it. the 4.10s should last until a regear warrants a selectable locker upgrade.

this thread might turn out awesome after all!

Unlikely it turns out awesome! Lol

You have 3:55's now right? What's the planned tire size?

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

Unlikely it turns out awesome! Lol
truth...
You have 3:55's now right? What's the planned tire size?

sell the moabs and buy 15" rims and 33" duratracs this summer to save money.

run the 4.10s and LSD in the 44.
go high steer, redo track bar and front end
find a full width 8.8 or 9" with 4.10s and an open carrier
drop in a lunchbox.
sell 15s, buy new 5 on 5.5 15s and the duratracs on the street
find some used 35-36s for wheeling.

save pennies for ARBs and 5.13s.

 

[kmanxj5050]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

Nice!

 

[John D]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

sell the moabs and buy 15" rims and 33" duratracs this summer to save money.

run the 4.10s and LSD in the 44.
go high steer, redo track bar and front end
find a full width 8.8 or 9" with 4.10s and an open carrier
drop in a lunchbox.
sell 15s, buy new 5 on 5.5 15s and the duratracs on the street
find some used 35-36s for wheeling.

save pennies for ARBs and 5.13s.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

???

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

sad face...

should have gone to winterfest... would have been cheaper.

 

[John D]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

That sucks - insurance?

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

PLPD... dont think that sort of thing is covered.

homeowners cover this sort of thing?

 

[John D]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

Not likely, but check on the home owner's.
Comprehensive would cover it though.
How bad is it? Just the hood? Or hood and fenders?

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Re: Project "Something Awesome"

hood and fenders.

could have been worse.

still F'in sucks.