To Cabo and Barrio Fabworks...

[Rocketman]

Brad and Gil...

Doing the D44 build thing and need some advice. Was considering the JKS short shock mounts for better clearance. I don't weld or torch. Before taking the new ones to someone to weld on, I'd like to save some work and cost/time and cut the old ones off. Is the best way to torch off what you can and then grind off the remains? Is there a better way to clean up the old mounting points? (plasma cutter?) I'm having the housing blasted so it will be all nice and shiny. I'd like to get off the old mounts before getting it cleaned, or should I just wait?

 

[Gil BullyKatz]

Angle grinder...

all you need...

cut/grind welds-pound off old mounds-grind clean...

Do a little more cutting/grinding and you can reuse them.

see here:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=899877&highlight=shock+mounts

 

[Roxtar]

What he said :lecture:

 

[HaleYes]

The ol' cut off wheel on the angle grinder did wonders on my 8.8.

Hale

 

[Rocketman]

Hmmm, just cutoff wheels then. OK. I have a box of wheels, a respirator and my trusty 4" Harbor Freight special.

My concern was grinding into the axle tube and leaving flat spots. Suppose if I keep it moving it should prevent that??

Not concerned with modding the old mount as the mounting bolt is shot anyway. I'm even tempted to try JKS's new upper crossover mount. Should allow for a Hell of a lot more droop. Better shock options too.

 

[87manche]

when I cut the mounts off the D35 I just used a cut off wheel to slice the welds, then beat them the rest of the way off with a 10 lb hammer.
then flap wheeled it all nice and smooth.
I did get into the tube with one of the cuts, but dane just fill welded it and we ground that smooth too.

 

[seanR]

trusty 4" Harbor Freight special.

Plan on buying another, they do not have much of a duty cycle....

 

[87manche]

Plan on buying another, they do not have much of a duty cycle....

mine lasted a year. it died trying to cut off 8.8 mounts the other day.

 

[Rocketman]

Re: To Cabo and Barrio Fabworks... and anyone else now!!!

The project has begun. The grinder I have works pretty well. Doesn't overheat or get too hot yet. I rest it though after a couple minutes cutting. Got one side off tonight and will wait for daylight tomorrow before doing the other.

Grinding off the welds is no 15 minute job is it? Takes some work to get them down without damaging the axle tube by going too deep. I'll work it down as close as possible with the grinder and then use a flapwheel disk to take it the rest of the way.

NEXT QUESTION:

Getting out the carrier by the methods I've seen is a pain without a carrier spreader, but I sure as hell aint buying one. The bearings aren't budging. I don't want to fawk em up cause they look new and are in great shape. Nice new Timkens. Any tricks I need to know? Do I need to use the big honkin pry bars on each side of the carrier or is there another trick?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Re: To Cabo and Barrio Fabworks... and anyone else now!!!

Getting out the carrier by the methods I've seen is a pain without a carrier spreader, but I sure as hell aint buying one. The bearings aren't budging. I don't want to fawk em up cause they look new and are in great shape. Nice new Timkens. Any tricks I need to know? Do I need to use the big honkin pry bars on each side of the carrier or is there another trick?

box end of a wrench on one of the ring gear bolts, turn it until the wrench is up against the carrier. then use a pipe wrench or something on the pinion to turn the ring gear until it pops out. this method has always worked the best for me

 

[87manche]

Re: To Cabo and Barrio Fabworks... and anyone else now!!!

box end of a wrench on one of the ring gear bolts, turn it until the wrench is up against the carrier. then use a pipe wrench or something on the pinion to turn the ring gear until it pops out. this method has always worked the best for me

x2.
Just make sure that the carrier is coming out straight, if it get's sideways it's a PITA to get out.

 

[Rocketman]

Wrench routine on a ring bolt didn't work for me. A small towel did though. Ran it in, turned the pinion with a pipe wrench and voila, fawker popped right out.

Much better working in daylight I must say. Cut off both the stock shock mounts and cleaned them up with a 24 grit to 120 grit flap wheel. Looks like they were never there. Hopefully the sand/bead blaster will make the rest look like the shiny spots I made.

I'm going to photo-document the whole process including all tools used so it can be added to the FAQ. I have a guy who's selling me EL-D/Crown Vic rear caliper's & brackets so I may use those instead of waiting for Dan at Ruffstuff with his XJ 44 bolt on. I was looking forward to doing that though. I'm not going to have the funds to do the regear and the locker before TRJC Safari so I have time to wait to decide. If I can sell some of my woodworking tools, (my last obsession) that would free up some funds.

Still trying to decide on a Detroit or an ARB... I know what REV will say but I don't wheel that much to warrant that much money, better or not. It's beginning to look more like the Motor City will win the contest though. I monitor eBay every day though so that may help decide things too if a deal rears its head. Anyone have or dealt with the OX? At least the Cover is very cool!!

 

[Rev Den]

I don't wheel that much

That is the BEST reason for an ARB.

I don;t know about you....but I have noticed in the winter we get snow. Much better on road manners with an ARB, and instant traction when its on.

Spend a few bucks...after all...you live in the land of Ikea and 800K homes.


Rev

 

[Rocketman]

Spend a few bucks...after all...you live in the land of Ikea and 800K homes.


Rev

You saw that too huh?? I got a kick outa that one.

 

[Roxtar]

OXs are great but won't save you anything, $-wise, over an ARB.
I've never had problems with the handling of a Detroit for the rear.
Then again, I'm spooled in back so considering the source might be wise. :dunno:

 

[Rocketman]

It's looking more and more like Detroit as I have a line on a new one on eBay for less than $500.

NEXT ??

Are there special considerations when welding the shock mounts to the axle tube? (preheating and such) Can just about any welding shop do the job or should I look up a specialist in auto welding? I's be willing to drive up to Gil if he could do it for me. Tell me what flavor beer to bring.

I think I'm going to be taking the axle out to Brian at JCR to do my axle build. Hard to pass up the price of $175. That's still cheaper than $500 in town even with gas prices to/from Kalamazoo. Nice day trip for the family too. Head over to that side of the lake...

 

[Roxtar]

It's looking more and more like Detroit as I have a line on a new one on eBay for less than $500.

NEXT ??

Are there special considerations when welding the shock mounts to the axle tube? (preheating and such) Can just about any welding shop do the job or should I look up a specialist in auto welding? I's be willing to drive up to Gil if he could do it for me. Tell me what flavor beer to bring.

I think I'm going to be taking the axle out to Brian at JCR to do my axle build. Hard to pass up the price of $175. That's still cheaper than $500 in town even with gas prices to/from Kalamazoo. Nice day trip for the family too. Head over to that side of the lake...

Nothing special, just mig or stick it together.

 

[Rocketman]

Thanks Brad