Red Rocket

[bmikes]

From what I've researched I believe I'm arriving at my numbers by measuring them correctly. After making adjustments I had a pinion angle of 91 degrees, which actually means my pinion angle is positive 1 degree, and ideally it should be 0 degrees, if I understand correctly. Because if it is at 0, that means it is in line with the driveline. I came to the conclusion by measuring thr front of the axle housing on the little machined circle. There is one on each side of the differential. My reading from that was 79 degrees.

Then I measured my driveline angle and that turned out to be 12 degrees.

Here is a wider picture of my driveline/pinion angle

I haven't had time to get on thr freeway yet, and in town I could only get up to 60 for a real short period. But, it seems as though most of the vibration went away. I still felt it a little bit, but we'll see how bad it is on the free way in the morning.

I asked in the random thoughts section a few days ago about pinion angle verse caster and which is more important. I got the response of caster more important for driveablility. I didn't really understand this concept, because I just really wanted my vibrations gone. But ohhhh boy do I understand how much caster comes in to play now! I'm going to take my tire off tomorrw morning and the brakes and try to use a plum bob and some trig to do my best to get the most accurate reading I can for what my caster is actually at. Then I'll back the pinion angle off. Sometimes you just gotta learn from a first person perspective!

besides this I did my.valve cover gasket last week. Here in a few weeks I'm going to do the oil filter adapter o rings, rear main seal and oil pan gasket. Also I've been going round and round with my radiator and cooling system trying to get all the shit cleaned out. So far it's gotten a tad bit better, but I'm still losing that battle. And in the middle of washing stuff out I think I washed too much sediment away that was packed in the heater core and I created a pin hole leak. Cause now it smells like sweetness in the cab with the heater on and i.can hear a little drip. :/ depressing... so heater core job is coming up soon.

Please give me some feed back on what you think about the pinion angle/caster issue. I'll dive deeper into explaining the cooling system issue later

 

[SPECFab]

Rigs with 7" lift and proper caster don't have vibes so your problem lies some place else

 

[bmikes]

That doesn't help me at all... do those rigs have Clocked t cases and a steeper driveline angle than usual? How are their pinion angles? Do you have a better way or measuring the caster?

 

[ruger81]

Rigs with 7" lift and proper caster don't have vibes so your problem lies some place else

Agreed. Pull the front shaft then drive it and see.

 

[GordoSmasho]

Caster is usually measured at the knuckle. Though not the ideal, use a flat surface on the top balljoint or the flat surface on the bottom of the inner c.

-Pull the front shaft.
-Check caster. (Adjust if necessary)
Drive.
-If vibration persistes then search elsewhere. (Rear shaft)
If it is gone. Inspect front shaft. (All joints and slip).
-reinstall and check drive shaft angle and pinion angle.
-adjust castor if needed to compensate.
-test drive again.

Castor should be in the area of 5-7*.

Removing the shaft is the easiest way to track down vibrations. You can also do the same for the rear shaft.
Put the front shaft in and pull the rear. Put it in 4hi and take it for a short drive.

Good luck.

 

[SPECFab]

The clocked case only moves the front output up less than 2" you say your at 5" plus that 2" your drive line thinks its at 7" you should be good.
I would come over and show you how to fix it but we aren't friends anymore. LOL

 

[dohc91gli]

Awesome build man.

 

[bmikes]

Re: Re: Red Rocket

Awesome build man.

Thanks man I appreciate it.

So with the help of some fellow members I've managed to get my vibrations down to minimal, and discern that the residing humming/vibrations are just from my tires not being balanced. Thanks for your help Nick and Scott.

 

[stang65]

I hope to see this jeep in person soon will pry have to have you pull me out of the snow if i get to find some.

 

[NW99XJ]

Thanks man I appreciate it.

So with the help of some fellow members I've managed to get my vibrations down to minimal, and discern that the residing humming/vibrations are just from my tires not being balanced. Thanks for your help Nick and Scott.

coulda SWORN I told you to check those weeks ago.... :twak:

 

[RedJeep2.0]

:greensmokGot a few cluncks to go away to

 

[Jbh97009]

You should ride in my jeep when I have the iroks on!

Tire balancing makes a big difference, learned that on my dodge....

 

[kenny811]

Brandon, good lookin build so far man. Cant wait to see it in person.

 

[bmikes]

Thanks kenny. I might look into some new tires soon since I've had these for over 3 years now.

I finally got off my ass and wasn't lazy today. Made some light mounts and wired it up.

1st (top) is my driving leds lights
2nd is the round leds I just put on
3rd is my asshole light
4th is rock lights

Before

After

 

[ruger81]

Nice!! LEDs are awesome. But you gotta explain the "asshole light"

 

[Jbh97009]

Looks great! You do some nice work Brandon!

I assume by asshole light you mean a bright light on the back?

 

[bmikes]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

I love leds!! As for the asshole light, I forgot I haven't updated this in a while. I also made a mount that goes on my spare tire in the back. It has the same 4" round led that those front two are. They're rated for 1550 lumens. The mount bolts onto the lugs and has weather proof quick disconnects on the backside.

Yeah I call it my asshole light cause if people tailgate too close it's just a friendly reminder to back up a little... I've only got to use it once for that so far though. It was actually on my way up to the thanksgiving run.

It also doubles as a work light on the passenger side

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Brilliant! atriot:

 

[bmikes]

Couple progress pics

20' bars :/

The girl doing her thang

Pretty much got the frames done. bottom one is done, top I need to weld a few more seams. I cut all the riser pieces today, it's gonna be 3.5" tall. I just want a super low profile rack.
I'm debating if I want to do expanded metal for the floor, or just like 4 bars across

 

[Jbh97009]

I've built them both ways, just depends on usage really. Bars would be lighter, but expanded will certainly do a better job of holding (most) things in.