Is this possible?

RedneckTj

New Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Location
Pilot Mtn, NC
I have been talking with a buddy about rockwells and I m pretty I would like to throw a set of those up under my jeep. So my question is, is it possible to put rockwells up under a 97 tj? what kind of rockwell should I be looking for? how much trouble and will it be? just a rookie at all of this so I ll take all the help I can get. thanks!!!
 
It is very possible. You will want to snag either a front rear setup or two fronts if you want to do 4 wheel stear. It is a ton of work and will most likely not be street legal when you are finished. It will require you to rebuild driveshafts, suspension, and brakes. Basically just like any other axle swap but much bigger. Don't forget that you will need tires and rims to match the new axles.
 
sweet! i would like to keep it street legal. so if i get a front and a rear its not abviously just gonna bolt up to it i m gonna have to weld new spring purhes and etc. right? how would my little inline 6 handle those big axles? what about the tranny? what else would i be looking at dropping money into?
 
Im not sure if you know but there are no brakes on the axles you have to use a drive shaft brake. this can make stopping interesting, because you have to wait for all of the slop in the drive trian to catch up. Rockwell are heavy and getting part at the local auto stor might be a issue if you brake somthing. your I6 is fine. you trans will be ok depending on tires.
 
Seems like Overtons has several disc kits available. Depending on *YOU*, there are cheaper ways to get it done... Our "pal" Aaron871 put a set under his M-715 using shop tools (grinder, welder, engine hoist, etc.) and used off-the-shelf parts to fab pinion brakes. The jury is split on if that's a good idea, but it's doable and has been done without any issues...
 
dude no offense here but if your asking how much welding is required to put 'wells under your junk then i think you might be out of your league. you should be asking questions like what springs should i run, what type of suspension setup should i have, will all the unsprung weight be hard on parts. read up a little more before you make that kind of decison
 
I say go for it. Take lots of pics of the build and show off your work. Oh, and the search button is on the top of page if you missed it.
 
There is lots of welding and fabrication involved. You will need to fabricate all new suspension mounts, both frame end and axle end. Your stock short arms are not up to this task. You will probably need to build a fully customized suspension to handle the weight. Heavier duty arms, mounts, and good joints. Then you will need to build up a brakeing system. I am not so sure pinion brakes will get you past saftey inspection. I hear that people are doing disk brake setups with heavy ford disk parts. Then you will need new rims and tires to fit around the axle and keep the pumpkin off of the ground, and of course all new driveshafts. For a TJ this is pretty involved. I would buy an older jeep and start with that. You are basically going to be able to get a jeep and the axles for what you can sell the TJ for, and you cut off almost everything attached to the frame to do a swap like this. Chances are that with the larger tires you are going to want to stretch the wheelbase. You will also need to customize all the stearing. Then you just pay for the rest of the upgrades. Keep on searching, and there are people around that are more than willing to get dirty helping out. I think that Scarface is doing this swap right now on a tj. Looks like he striped everything and is starting from ground 0.
 
RedneckTj said:
DUDE why the hell do you think I m asking all these questions! I have been asking those questions and i have been reading up on them.

http://www.jpmagazine.com/projectbuild/154_0401_home/

so why dont you give a little info instead being an Ahole.
the only way to learn something is to do something back off.
i d rather buy build it instead of buying crap that u just bolt on.
Click to expand...


The biggest thing is........once you meet several of these guys, you'll understand. They don't want anyone on the trail thats a danger to themselves or others with Booty fab

The danger most fear is that providing enough info to encourage folks to attempt doing such a swap with only a minor education in application might mean that it puts someone on the trail that might be in a dangerous rig.

Don't take it personally. It's not meant to be a slam....they are just looking out for everyone's well-being...including your own.
 
and metto was not being an Ahole. u just need to calm down. he said it may be out of your league if you are asking that many questions and i totally agree with him. if you are asking how much welding is involved and spring perch questions then there would probly be to much work to do.
a good place to start info search would be Pirate4x4.com.
just search rockwells and grab a beer and sit down and read read read.
if you don't like reading then take a torch, welder and go at it.

tyler

ps. its fine to ask questions, but try and SEARCH before you ask dumb questions...
 
how is any question dumb if your trying to gain info from it. sometimes its better to get more than one persons info on a subject and what do you think these forums are for? for people like me that are rook's at this and want to learn.
 
jeepeater2003 said:
a good place to start info search would be Pirate4x4.com.
just search rockwells and grab a beer and sit down and read read read...
Click to expand...


"a beer" ..better make it atleast a sixer. there is SO much info on doing this swap on a Tj on pirate...

a few:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419773 (Dust Puppy's)

http://www.midnights.net/ (CJLagos/convertiyota/etc. =search for them on pirate)

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422140 (scarface, see link above)

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368668 (JJSBADYJ.. i know its not a TJ but a damn bad-ass ride)



http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335237&highlight=wlsmoku (a junkyard TJ with rockwells, see below)
DSC_0140.JPG
 
Dude this is really a HUGE JOB. Keep reading, reading, ask questions, ask questions, read some more, maybe get a book on off road suspension. Dont forget the extra tools, dollies, engine hoist (I've heard those Rockwell are around 700lbs each), shop press, plasma cutter would be nice, drill press would be nice, good bandsaw would be nice, and countless other things that you will discover during the process. People like the Rockwells because they're a lot cheaper than the D60's and I would imagine you wouldn't have to worry about anything breaking. Don't forget about being nickel and dimed to death.... New bearings in axles, lockers, brake overhaul, brake lines, various brackets, nuts and bolts, seals, Making Heim joints, welding rods, a beefy steering system, zillions of trips to the parts store and waiting for ordered parts, ect, ect.... A buddy of buddy got to go the the Top Truck Challenge, he ran an old CJ with rockwells. I'll hit him up and see if he has anything lying around you might could use/advice..
 
man that really is a lot of work way out of my league but its fun to dream. i m still gonna keep reading on it though. thanks for the input fella's.
 
Did not want to bust your bubble but it takes a lot of Fabricating Experince to put Rocks on a TJ. not to mention about 10,000 worth of parts and at least 100 manhours. (if building axles.) get someone to help you that has done it before or that knows what they are doing and it should make it a lot easier. I just help put some on a Chevy 1 ton and it took a while to say the least. That was with a 20 year master fabricator Thanks JOHN
 
My .02 :) .

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