Just some junk on Rockwells build thread..

THE LITTLE GUYS

rockmafia said:
So, you want to be done to take it to the beach? Thats worse than saying you want to be done for ure, poser:flipoff2: .
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Not wanting to hijack a thread, but I had to comment on this. I met Rich, he is a really nice guy. I bought the toyota t-case from him. Great deal. But back to what I was wanting to comment on. I really don't see anything wrong with wanting to be ready for the beach or ure.Not everyone has the ability to go out of state or travel long distance to wheel.Nor do they have a custom buggy or there on place to wheel.Some of us have yota's and jeeps.So going to ure is a big deal for us. I thought this forum was for all the 4 wheelers. Not just the big dogs,or those that think they are.Just wanting to express my feelings on that remark. So on with the bashing.

AND I SEE SOMEONE IS GOING TO URE THIS WEEKEND.TO TEST A BUGGY. I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A PIECE OF CAKE FOR THAT MACHINE. JUST A THOUGHT.
 
Rockmafia is just busting my balls..it's all in good fun man.. it was good to meet you too..
 
4-15-07 update...

Saturday, I "Rob"bed some guy's house and grabbed a plasma cutter, band saw, tubing bender, notcher, and some other goodies to help me along... :huggy: Also chased the threads on all the knuckle studs.. they NEEDED it..

Today, made the front frame rails, winch mount & fairlead. The chunk will slide up between the front of the engine and the crossmember. This would be SO much easier if I built one of those sky-high rockwell rigs you see all over the place.

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Also, some bling came in on Saturday!! Gawd these are nice just to look at! Custom valved, 2.0, 14" travel.

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The "parts bedroom" is getting pretty full.. I have such an understanding wife.. :D

partsroom.jpg
 
Not much of an update, but an un-named parts vendor messed up my original order for a spare axle shaft (it was really cheap, since I was looking for the rzeppa style, not the stronger u-joint style), and sent me a long side shaft.

Because my axles are narrowed, I don't run any long sides, so when I sent it back, turns out he had sold the short side. I didn't even ask, but he sent me a u-joint short side shaft, at a fraction of the cost of what it should.

Well, what to do, except buy another u-joint to convert the rear axle over? So, a pair of the new style axle seals from the Pirate vendor that don't leak and another short side u-joint shaft are on the way. The weak link is now.. ummm, the front shafts.. With 39's-42's, that's gonna take some doing. I'd say the driver is the weak link. :D

These u-joints are HUGE!! Biggest thing I've seen this side of something with "Kenworth" on the grille...
 
pheery said:
rich, what is your address? what time do you go to work?
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I could ask you the same thing... Your junk ain't too shabby!!

RickyBobby - spool in the rear, locker in the front, full hydro - triangulated 4-link suspension pretty much mandates it, as does the lack of mounting provisions for a steering box.. :lol:

But running a spool, locker, or open really has nothing to do with your type of steering system. ;)
 
Thanks for the motivation to get all that shit installed.. :lol:

At least without tires, it'll be harder to take.. :D
 
kicker195 said:
Not wanting to hijack a thread, but I had to comment on this. I met Rich, he is a really nice guy. I bought the toyota t-case from him. Great deal. But back to what I was wanting to comment on. I really don't see anything wrong with wanting to be ready for the beach or ure.Not everyone has the ability to go out of state or travel long distance to wheel.Nor do they have a custom buggy or there on place to wheel.Some of us have yota's and jeeps.So going to ure is a big deal for us. I thought this forum was for all the 4 wheelers. Not just the big dogs,or those that think they are.Just wanting to express my feelings on that remark. So on with the bashing.
AND I SEE SOMEONE IS GOING TO URE THIS WEEKEND.TO TEST A BUGGY. I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A PIECE OF CAKE FOR THAT MACHINE. JUST A THOUGHT.
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No URE hating here...thats the only place our club goes as a group. We have members that prefer weeling stock sammis over their big stupid cabtrucks. I take my buggy down there soley for the trail riding and jumps.
 
Rich said:
I could ask you the same thing... Your junk ain't too shabby!!
RickyBobby - spool in the rear, locker in the front, full hydro - triangulated 4-link suspension pretty much mandates it, as does the lack of mounting provisions for a steering box.. :lol:
But running a spool, locker, or open really has nothing to do with your type of steering system. ;)
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Well I was thinking along the lines of hard it would be to turn it welded/spooled in the front in comparison to having a detroit in the front that aloows a little bit of turnage b4 it would lock up.

I'm just thinkin cheapo weld both dif's If I do it, but Im wondering if it will near impossible to stear with just assist.
 
A little more progress.. Much of my weekend was spent helping make the steering arms or running errands, so not alot of progress..

Managed to replace all the axle seals after figuring out how the seals come out... weird! Assembled the chunk into the axle and put it back up in place. Lucky for me, Toyota offset the OEM motor to the left, so I did too. It's a TIGHT squeeze in there, about 1/2-3/4" between the pinion flange and the crank pulley.
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finished capping the frame and supporting the "frame rail", used 1/4" plate in 3 pieces, so the new front rail isn't butt welded to the cap, it goes through it.
frontframecap.jpg

Got hi-steer? :D Though my role was minor ("cut this, turn this, bore that"), it was still really neat to play a part in the creation of such sweet parts! Yes, I was in awe, and giggling like a school girl watching all this take shape.
histeerparts.jpg
 
Good progress this weekend.. front tubework is almost complete (need shock hoops), and the engine is now part of the rig. (engine mounts complete)

Went alot different than I was planning, but it keeps the protection for the front end but has a more 'agressive' line.

Because I'm doing away with the "fender-lets", I was able to narrow the front tubework 4".. it used to run alongside the hood, now it goes under it at the corner. It sticks out slightly past the hood line, but I already warned the wife that the corner will probably get crunched. I'm very happy with how the tube splicing and narrowing came out...

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I spent alot of time getting the stinger dimensions how I wanted them (not too tall, not too short), I TOTALLY forgot to see if it interfered with the winch! Oops. I wasn't totaly pleased with the original winch mount anyway, and the new one will also have the winch down about 2" lower than before. (CoG baby!)

Had to open up the tube, and then plate it with some 1/8" plate, contour it to fit. it doesn't look like much, but it makes a big difference.

stingerwinchrelief.jpg

And, the engine mounts. The engine is offset to the left, which is why the tubes are different lengths, and the driveshaft will be running right under the right side, which is why that one is mounted so high on the engine plate.

leftenginemount.jpg
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Gotta admit, thats the first time I have ever seen greasable engine mount bolts. :flipoff2:

you expecting that much frame twist ?
 
I know they won't sieze in the sleeve, and I'll be able to get them out.. :)
 
Rich, that looks good. When can I get my 4 Runner in the other bay of the garage?
 
Benjie said:
Rich, that looks good. When can I get my 4 Runner in the other bay of the garage?
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Benjie!! Bout time you made it over here...
 
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