Stage II - bigger, heavier, slower.

[NIK5.9]

Lookin good. As for the grille, I can almost guarantee the 5.9 grille won't fit. But the winch location looks awesome.

[rstrucks]

case of beer?

What's your flavor of choice?

Thanks Trey, you'll save me a trip to PAP.

I love how tucked back that winch is! So are you cutting the grill out to fit around it or does it just fit snug against it? (can't tell from the pics) My winch has ~1/2" gap between it and the grill and it looks like it sticks out much further than that.

Thanks. I am either going to cut up a non 5.9 grill for trail use or I'll just run w/o one. That way I can put the stock grill back in when I pull the winch for street duty. I did have to notch the plastic headlight header panel and remove some metal from the factory front crossmember so the winch could fit as close as possible. I'll post some pics up in the next day or two of the trim job.

[zjeepin]

What's your flavor of choice?

Thanks Trey, you'll save me a trip to PAP.

hmmm, hows about newcastle?

[NIK5.9]

If you want one, I actually have a platinum 5.9L grille that was damaged in the lower corner, which probably doesn't matter since it'll be cut up.

It'd look way better on your Jeep than on my garage wall.

[rstrucks]

If you want one, I actually have a platinum 5.9L grille that was damaged in the lower corner, which probably doesn't matter since it'll be cut up.

It'd look way better on your Jeep than on my garage wall.

I'd happily pay for the ride if you're willing to send it. I'll throw in some extra change for a six pack of really cheap, crappy bear too.

[Jeeptech01]

send really cheap, crappy bear too.

I try not to drink too much bear always gives me a hungover

[SirFuego]

I'll throw in some extra change for a six pack of really cheap, crappy bear too.

Six inexpensive, diarrhetic bears...That must smell awful.

[rstrucks]

Haha! What a dumbass. I mean who thinks you can get six bears for cheap?

I was just spelling it the way some people pronounce it here in the south.



I'm not even going to edit that.

[Jeeptech01]

LOL

[rstrucks]

Here are some pics of how close the winch is to the plastic header panel. When I pull the bumper for a final welding check and painting I'll snap off a pic of the notches I cut in the front crossmember.





To install the Super Duty knuckles I need to install some ball joint inner C's that will work with them. I have two options, neither of them ideal. Months ago I bought some BJ C's in preperation for this mod. They are Solid brand C's and they are new. The problem is that they are bored to a diameter of 3.125" and my axle tubes are only 3". I would need to come up with some way to make up the difference for a solid install. I had thoughr about it and even cut up some 3.125" tube with a wall thickness of .5". What I had thought was to use the sleeves to butt weld to the axle tube then install the knuckles, which would pass over the butt weld and then weld them to the 3" tube about a 1/2" inboard of the butt weld. Tough to explain. I would also gusset the hell out of the knuckle to add as much strength as possible.



The other option, and what I am 99.9% sure I'll go with, is to sleeve my 3.5" bore, used, Super Duty knuckles with a section of 3.5" .250 wall DOM. Outwardly it will look less "factory" but I'm sure it's the better way to go. I plan on driving the tube sleeves on, welding to the tubes at the end of the sleeves and four plug welds on each and then adding the C's with the standard weld to the sleeve.



This way will also not trap mud, water and other debris in the axle tube. Obviously the best option would be to remove the center section and press in new axle tubes and weld on new mounts, blah, blah, blah. No time for that.

I also don't have much real estate to work with thus the reason for the step in the sleeve. Gussets will be added to this as well.



Any of you smart engineer types have an opinion on this?

[Ramsport59]

Have a machince shop make you a sleeve to slide inside the solid c's?

Rick

[rstrucks]

I love getting new tires.





I can't wait to have these bishes mounted up and installed under my ZJ. They are 37x12.50x17 Pitbull Rocker Radials and they measure out at about 36.5". I'm really anxious to see how they do at Windrock next month. If they aren't totally obnoxious on the street I'll probably get rid of my KM2's and just run these all the time. We'll see.

[rstrucks]

Have a machince shop make you a sleeve to slide inside the solid c's?

Rick

It would only be 1/16th of and inch thick, is that what you are taking about? I had though about making some sleeves that fit the Solid C's and that would slide on the inside of the axle tube.

[Derek33]

Beautiful tires. I've been looking at getting a set of the 35's they came out with. I'm looking forward to hear how they do on the road as well as the rocks.

Build is looking good, Ryan.

Do you ever regret not eliminating the track bar with the long arm upgrade in the rear?

[rstrucks]

Beautiful tires. I've been looking at getting a set of the 35's they came out with. I'm looking forward to hear how they do on the road as well as the rocks.

Build is looking good, Ryan.

Do you ever regret not eliminating the track bar with the long arm upgrade in the rear?

Thanks man, I'll be sure to give a "road report".

As for the TB. I actually haven't really minded it too much so far. However, I do plan on re-doing the front and rear supension sometime this spring/summer. I am thinking of using all my current arms and going three link up front w/ a TB and a triangulated four link out back.

[paulkeith]

how far onto the tubes would the solid C's go? All the way to that spring perch you have shown in that pic?

The superduty route seems mechanically sound but getting to use the Solid ones would be nice. I'm also always a fan of nice clean solutions......

Do you think Solid would consider taking those back on a discount towards a custom set of 3" bored ones?


Those PBRs are

[Ramsport59]

Yes, making a 1/16th sleeve....Yes its thin, but once its on and centered, which is the only reason you need it, the welds will melt that in nice....

Rick

[rstrucks]

How far the C's slide onto the tube is the other half of the problem. I'll have to leave some room for the coil spring. I had mocked it up recently and IIRC I had about an inch of "overlap".

Actually the 1/16" spacer was my first try but the C wasn't supported enough for me to be comfortable with.

I bought the Solid knuckles from a local guy, not a dealer so I don't know if they would take 'em on trade or not. Plus shipping would add up and piss me off.

I too am a fan of clean solutions. I am also a fan of cheap ones.

[zjeepin]

Ryan, I hope you like your rockers as much as I do. my are 42's so a little different beast. I've only run them once at harlan back at thanksgiving but i fell in love.. they are sticky as as hell. You'll really like them on the road too, they are almost silent, i have no idea how they will wear cause my rigs not street legal in NC. you'll love those tires tough, good choice!

[paulkeith]

how deep is the bore in solid C's? 2"

[CrawlerReady]

I want your tires. The winch looks good too man!

Sucks about the C's, I was thinking the same thing as Ramsport, a 1/16" sleeve. After looking at your ideas though, I think I'd be more comfortable with option 2.

[slim616]

My buddy runs a set of pitbull rockers and swears by them. i have to say they do ton better then his irocs. Supposedly as you run them they will stretch a bit to give the full 37". Well this is at least what was told to my buddy by the dealer, hes had them about 6 months and they have yet to grow.

[CrawlerReady]

I think they will be my next (and last) set of tires....especially if they grow over time!

[rstrucks]

Both the Solid and the Ford C's have about a 1.75" bore depth.

I was pretty damn happy with my KM2's so I'm looking forward to running a serious off road tire.

[CrawlerReady]

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with them.