***RELEASE THE KRAKEN***

[MarsFab]

I knew this would come up eventually. The main reason I went with those brackets was to get the top of the shock to acutally be above the framerail. More or less just for looks. I don't like when tall rigs like this mount the shocks just to the side of the frame. After I did the upper links mounts on the axle in the front I realized that if I had mounted the shock to the top of the axle tube like normal, when the front flexed the shock spring would hit the top of the link mount so I guess it worked out for the good.

On the rear I used the same brackets for the same reason. I wanted to have the shock higher into the fenderwell for looks. Since Paul has had the jeep back from my shop he mentioned that the rear shocks were hitting the frame when it flexed. I mounted the brackets in on the axle too far not thinking about the fact that he was doing a disc conversion and I would be able to outboard them quite a bit more. So looks like I'll be fixing that when the brakes are done. Hope that answers your question.

 

[Bluescout]

Great build!! Any reason you didn't want rear steer? I am all for big rigs but turning this thing on the trails could be interesting...

 

[altoids]

One reason was that I got rear for a good price & other was for simplicity (less things to fab, buy, figure out right now). Build was already complicated enough & time consuming. Eventually I will do rear steer thou.

 

[altoids]

Got drums off the other night:

Plasma cut rear backing plate off (alot faster than grinding or air chiseling rivets):

Got 1/4 of outside frame blasted, scaled, phosphoric acid washed, zinc primed & black epoxy applied:

more to follow...

 

[altoids]

Picked up hubs & disc yesterday from machine shop. Had them mill some from hub & disc because I didn't want too much material taken away from just one. They also bored out disc holes to 1" for new studs. (battery in phone died so I only have one pic, add more later today):

Also started two main hoops for cage last nite.

 

[altoids]

Build has a slight hold up due to M35A3 Rockwell axles w/CTIS (which are the kind I have) use some expensive ass bearings for CTISystem.
Pics of seal surface for A3 axle:

Pic of $470-$980 (depending on who you talk to) TIMKEN 395WE inner wheel bearing:

Fortunately I found a place in Europe that hasn't heard about the insane mark up yet. So while I'm waiting 10-12 days for them to arrive I started on cage.
A pillar piece:

First main hoop:

JD2 model 32 Ttube bender & HF notcher I came up with:

Studs I used for F700/F550 4isc conversion:

more to follow...

 

[altoids]

Still waiting on bearings. So in the mean time did more cage work (little time consuming climbing in & out to line up tube):

more to follow...

 

[muddyjeeps27360]

Thats Bad Ass!

 

[altoids]

Thats Bad Ass!

Thanks

 

[burrellsjeep]

 

[Clubbs]

Build has a slight hold up due to M35A3 Rockwell axles w/CTIS (which are the kind I have) use some expensive ass bearings for CTISystem.
Pics of seal surface for A3 axle:
[.

What?? What is the CTIS please elaborate, I want to avoid this $800 bearing when I do my rock's brakes. Nice build by the way.

Dave

 

[altoids]

What?? What is the CTIS please elaborate, I want to avoid this $800 bearing when I do my rock's brakes. Nice build by the way.
Dave

CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System). Bearing race has grooves milled inside (for air to pass by to go thru hub & out hollow stud to tire) of it where it rides on the spindle. Crappy system any way. The front axle can be changed over easily, just bolt up A2 type spindle. The rear can't be changed so your best bet would be to get A2 style axles, without CTIS. Also, as long as your not running the CTIS you could use A2 outer bearings. It's the inner bearing that costs out the ying yang.

 

[bottomland4x4]

i am a little confused also, were the bearings bad? i have yet( knock on wood) to have to replace any bearing on any rockwell i have ever used. thats pulling and a lot of mudding?

 

[altoids]

i am a little confused also, were the bearings bad? i have yet( knock on wood) to have to replace any bearing on any rockwell i have ever used. thats pulling and a lot of mudding?

The outers were in pretty good shape (looked about brand new) but the inner bearings race & rollers were pitted pretty bad (I'll take pics later). I guess military got a little slack on them. It's all good thou Eric, I found some in Europe @ a decent price (ordered 4 TIMKEN no longer makes them). Just gotta buy some A2 spindles (regular style Rocks) & change the front out to use A2 bearings (alot cheaper).

 

[altoids]

Still no bearings. So I did more cage work. Probably gonna X out the passenger area hoop just like the front:

Added tie in for rear coil tower hoops (gonna add another one that's more vertical this weekend):

more to follow...

 

[altoids]

Got rear legs off second hoop bent & installed. Gotta brace some more & gusset:

Bearings & seals finally arrived from Europe. Still in foil package with Ronex grease:

more to come...

 

[altoids]

Got second hoops X brace in. Had to mount it differently thou (still tied into frame thou):

more to follow...

 

[bottomland4x4]

looking good!

 

[altoids]

looking good!

Thanks Eric.

 

[altoids]

Got X bracing installed over head & second A pillar bar in (gotta fold windshield down to finish welding along with two hard to reach spots on frame):

All that's left for cage is X out rear legs & some gussets MudPro's making for me.
more to follow..

 

[altoids]

Cage is complete now except for gussets (MudPro's making them):

Start putting bearings in & disc brakes on Monday (gonna try to make DPG this coming weekend, spectator only thou).
more to follow...

 

[gmentavlos]

The cage looks really good!

 

[altoids]

The cage looks really good!

Thanks. Yeah, I think it's pretty good for my first one (of course my opinion doesn't count).

 

[TheGriz]

Any specific reason you didn't run the "X"s out to the corners?

 

[76gmc]

dude this is without a doubt the coolest thing ive ever seen!! i seriously cant wait to see this thing finished, i been following this thread for the last few months..