Red Rocket

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This is from the lokka website, and about 3/4 of the way down the picture you can see the option for a c8.25 29 spline. It doesn't say anything about including a cross pin like some of the top options do.
Some of the Spartans that I have looked up picture it with a cross pin. Guess I'll just have to call lokka and ask if it comes with one? :p
 
Those you reuse your stock pin. The Spartan is the only that comes with what they call a hardened zitainium pin. I call it BS myself. I did a bunch of research on it and the only thing I could come up with is that name is patent by Randy's ring and pinion.
 
Also did specfab pre clearance the two gear teeth so you can get the cross pin back out without removing the carrier? If not you will need to grind down the tips of two gear teeth.
 
I run mine on 35s and chromos with the stock pin. Havent heard of anyone using a hardened pin really, but im sure they are out there.

Dont take the carrier out of the 8.25 when you install your locker unless you know how to set the gear lash in it and have the stupid threaded adjuster tool. Its easy enough to install with carrier in.

You do have to grind 2 of the inner ring gear teeth to install it, doesnt cause any issues everyone that has a lunchbox has to do it.

On the d30 u just pop out the carrier take the ring gear off install and put back together. make sure all the same shims go back where they were.
 
My d30 already has a spartan in it, so no issues there. Thanks for the heads up on just installing the Aussie in the rear with it in there, I'll do that for sure.
 
Hey at least it's in the garage now!
...I think that's a good indication that progress is on the horizon!
 
Well I got some work done last night. I took out the front axle, but I left the control arms, steering linkage, track bar and the track bar mount on the frame side, shocks, and brake lines on the axle. Made it pretty simply to take out :D

Next was on to the task of gettin rid of the stock lower control arm mounts. The ruff stuff frame stiffeners wrap up the body and cover where those are, so I wanted as flush of a finish as I could when taking those off. Rather then cutting them off and leaving an extra 1/8" or more of miscellaneous sheet metal welded to the chasis I decided to drill out all the spot welds.

This my friends, is a chore!
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So there's some on the side, and some in the middle, and then you have to cut the inside of it.

I started by center punching each weld, then spot drilling, drilling an 1/8" hole, and then finishing it with an 3/8" bit. ..... Only broke two 3/8" bits last night :D

But, this is how it ends up
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Now tonight I'm going to get a spot weld drill from harbor freight and see if that makes this any easier. My goal is by Sunday to have the frame stiffeners welded on and the long arms welded on. And possibly the truss welded to the d30, and the front suspension put back together.
 
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Got some more work done today. Prepped the frame, prepped the stiffener, got it all mocked up into position, and then burned it on. Other side will come tomorrow, and hopefully the long arm brackets!
 
Update time. I didn't get as far as I wanted to this weekend. But considering I started at 7pm on Friday and worked til like 11:30, Saturday was about 6:30-11, and Sunday was from 11-7 with the addition of welding 99nwxj's axle, I think I got decent progress.

I was dog tired last night so I didn't get finish pictures of the frame stiffeners but I got the drivers side welded on yesterday, and both sides ground down thanks to the help of Josh. Next was onto install the 3 link.

As I was putting together the 3 pierce crossmember this TJ drove past my house and then backed up and parked in front of my driveway. Turns out his name is JD, and he's part of freedom wheelers. He said he just helped a wounded vet put a lift and sye on his XJ over the weekend and he only lives a few blocks from me. Seems like an alright guy, does anybody else know him?

Anyway, I got the crossmember bolted to the trans mount and then centered on the frame rails and welded in. I guess I can say I'm starting to get the hang of this welding upside down sh!t, although I still don't like it!

At this point the Clayton directions say to weld the reinforcement piece onto the upper control arm bracket. Well... A month and a half after I ordered it I found out I'm missing that piece.. So today I have to call Clayton.

Then I went to work on getting the truss onto my turdy 30. When I found out I'm missing the bracket for the upper control arm... Guess I'll talk to them about that also.

With making those two discoveries the tiredness finally hit me and I laid on the garage floor deciding what to do.. Mostly it was checking to make sure my eyelids didn't have any holes. :D good news guys, no holes still! I decided to clean up and then called it quits for the night. Hopefully I'll get pictures tonight along with some updates on how I'll do the uca mount on the axle.
 
Small update concerning the Clayton parts. I spoke with Adam on the phone, and he was super understanding and didn't ask me any questions about "are you sure you didn't misplace it?" Or any thing like that.

We found out that by subtracting the pumpkin bridge and bracket, and adding the d30 truss option the upper control arm bracket got left out, so he said that's not a problem. And then he said he'd throw in that reinforcement even though I said I could make my own.

Even with my order being almost two months old, he shipped me those two parts and upgraded it to 3 day express and didn't charge me anything!! I can say that from dealing with Clayton now, and when I was deciding which to order they are a stand up company and their product is awesome!! They've got my approval and referral!
 
It might be stressful and overwhelming now, but enjoy it. :D

Seriously, I think the initial build is half the fun. Before you know it you'll be out on the trails again. Keep the progress going!

Did you weld the upper lip of the RuffStuff stiffeners to the floor board at all? They look good installed, makes me want to get mine on.
 
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