Gert's New Legs

[ScaldedDog]

Great!! I have a similar setup, with the rear axle moved back 5" on custom drilled Alcan's, and 4WU 3-link in front with 14" coilovers. 111" It really does work well, but I'm jonesing to link the back.

Mark

 

[Gerty]

Nice yeah I'm at 106 right now which I believe stock is 103, and I can for sure get 2" from the rear, probably 3. Meaning I'll need to push the front 3 to 4 which is basically the only reason I'm going with full hydro steering because my pitman won't work with that much stretch and I definitely don't wanna relocate a steering box. We will have very, very similar setups and I'm glad to hear how yours is working as-is.

 

[Gerty]

Got a few very tedious things out of the way in preparation. Hate this kinda stuff but so much better in the end. To clear the future coilover towers, I cleaned up both sides of the engine bay, most notably electrical. I pulled out probably 10 lbs of wire and simplified with a cheapie switch pod (Auxbeam). This also entailed installing positive and negative busbars, removing the single ARB compressor from the engine bay and going to a dual setup located in my toolbox (thanks to a great friend), and relocating the battery from the engine bay to behind the cab in my toolbox as well (forgot to take a pic, let me know if you want one).

Again, tedious, unsexy, but necessary work.

Otherwise, I have my new rear third temporarily mounted in the rear housing so that I could measure for rear shafts and take advantage of Branik's sale this weekend. Also got my 250w (still blows my mind) gear oil from Maxima Racing, and new rear leaf mounts from MotoBuilt, but still waiting on my 4WU front partial link kit to arrive. Gonna start the rear this coming weekend.

 

[rushthezeppelin]

I wish I had that kind of free room in my engine bay >< A 3rd gen pre-drive by wire so it has the separate cruise control module and a clutch master cylinder is literally the most crowded 3rd gen engine bay you can have. Auxbeam seems like a great choice too. Solid way to cleanup wiring without spending a ton.

 

[Gerty]

Yeah thanks man. Pain in the rear but SO much better.

 

[J Kimmel]

Glad you finally got your 3rds I look forward to seeing your progress!

 

[Gerty]

Yeah for sure, thanks man. More to come. I was looking at my rear axle tonight and I have mild concerns that it bowed on me when i was welding the backbone on. I can't tell for sure though. Did everything as I should have (didn't concentrate welds, moved around areas, blanketed, allowed to cool, had is strapped down, etc.). That thing took me 4 hours to weld it on. We'll see - the axle shafts (5 weeks lead time) and how well they slide in will obviously be the tell tale sign. Anyway, more to come after this coming Sunday when I start on the rear. Gonna be a slow process with intermittent postings. My December is so clogged already.

 

[Brucker]

Have you thought of buying/building an alignment jig? A precision ground rod and a couple machined aluminum pucks would do it. Mark Williams (local in Louisville) or places like summit racing sell kits too.

 

[Gerty]

I haven't investigated enough to know for sure (only looked down the tubes once at the end of the night) but yes, it's already crossed my mind. I appreciate the suggestions and I just emailed Mark Williams. Thanks for that!

 

[Gerty]

Got the rear started today, and can optimistically get it "done" with about a half day more of work. All I need to do to get it rolling is move the front leaf mounts about 2" forward (we moved it 4.5" rearward from where it was which resulted in laughable shackle angles).

After I get those mounts moved, I just need axle shafts, breather, and brake lines to get it truly done.

But I've included a few pics from today. Ignore all of the goofy shackle stuff - none of it is staying. We were just doing a LOT of experimenting. Thank you very much for your help today @Notyourmomslx450. I'm already super happy with the extended wheelbase, slightly lower stance, and for sure wider footprint (the difference from the front width in one of the pics is crazy - a total of 9" wider).

Otherwise I got my branik ujoints (friggin beefiest u joints I've ever held in my hand) and front stub shafts today. Rear shafts are still on order, same with my 4WU stuff (need to call Brian tomorrow and see what's up - been about a month).

 

[J Kimmel]

Looks great what width did you settle on and are you using the same front and rear?

 

[Gerty]

Yeah it's something like 69.5 front 69.25 WMS rear, so very close (and not on purpose - wanted them to be the same, i might cheat the Cs and bearing cups slightly because im picky ). My rear that I took out was 60.5 WMS and I think my front that I'm taking out is narrower at like 59.5 or something like that (based purely off memory).

 

[Gerty]

Rear axle is as far along as it can be until I get the axle shafts. Friggin Branik only recently confirmed my order. I ordered over the phone on the 27th and was quoted 5 weeks but after a few calls and emails, they finally just confirmed it on Wednesday but are now quoting me 7-8 weeks. Oh well, not critical path yet but I can at least get my rear driveshaft ordered now that I have the axle exactly where I want it. Also, Brian of 4WU said his laser cutter screwed up his order so he's going to ship what I ordered except for the link axle mounts. Yet another "is what it is". My issues with not getting product in a timely fashion for this project are just funny at this point.

But shackle angles are now better than they ever were after having moved the front leaf frame brackets 2 inches forward. Now sitting at 111" wheelbase of my 112" goal meaning I got 5 friggin inches out of the rear alone, which im so stoked about. Belly is also 1" lower and rear ride height is also quite a bit lower. Given how much stretch I was able to get out of the rear than i was expecting, I am now waffling back and forth on whether or not to go full hydro in the front. Really the only reason I was going to was because I thought I was going to have to move that front axle at least 3"forward to get to my desired wheelbase, but now I'm barely needing 1". Not going full hydro sacrifices 50-degree steering though, but saves me a ton of time and money as im already running hydro assist, and provides for a better shot at Cruise Moab in April. We'll see. I will indeed eventually go full hydro but maybe a little later.

I've posted a few pics including the product I received from Branik (ujoints and stub shafts), and a couple of the truck with the rear being done. Can't remember if I stated before, but I'm going to hack the bed up as well to clear tires and make it a little different (never liked it to begin with). I don't have anything for the rear fully welded - I'm going to burn everything in later when I know it's all (front included) is exactly where I want it, and is correct.

The remainder of this month is pure hell for me so I am unlikely to post any progress updates for probably about a month.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

Nice. Glad the 2” more forward worked out for the better.

 

[Gerty]

Got my 4WU stuff finally. Brian does some beautiful work. These coilover towers are friggin massive. I think I've also decided I'm going to run ORIs instead of coilovers but looking for any dissenting opinions.

 

[justin4045]

Nice! I wish I would have gone ORI's vs coilovers. Pretty sure the ORI's have bump stops, work as limit straps and somewhat of sway bars all in one. By the time you add all these to the cost of the less expensive coilovers you'll be at or under the ORI cost, plus save a ton space and fab time.

 

[Gerty]

Yep, agreed Justin. Still blows my mind that the ORIs can avoid all of that but we'll see! Pretty stoked to get these things installed and on dirt. Received them last week. I've started the front, got the axle and leafs out, half done cutting out what I need. I need to get the rear shafts before I move back to finishing the rear but in any case, the front is critical path. Next major purchase (and one of the last major purchases aside from front shafts) is steering system but I need to get the front located first.

 

[justin4045]

beautiful! I can test them on my 40 this weekend to make sure they work if you want! haha
Your rig is going to be SO awesome!

 

[Gerty]

Only if you'll also make sure my thirds work as well . Thanks Justin, very much looking forward to seeing how this build performs. Exercising some patience here!

 

[Gerty]

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. Been sick as a dog. Got the rear nearly complete and ready for paint (gonna wait and paint everything all at once at the end). Only things left to do to the rear are shock mounts and brake line tee. Got the rear shafts from Branik in, brake lines run, got the anti wrap done (aside from welding in one of the two heims), diff skid on (that thing was a pain). The anti wrap also took WAY too long. Had to fab a "post" coming off the frame for the forward mount (looks like a friggin missile). I want to get the rear bolted back up under the truck, on its own weight, and tires on if nothing else for safety and stability before I start on the front, which will be very soon. Just need to get the gas tank back in and I can bolt the rear in.

Talking back and forth with Poly Performance for the full hydro kit (I really like a couple guys there - they've taken care of me before), so that should be soon on order as generally my last major purchase.