Is that a steering box brace on the bottom of the box? I need one of those too

 

Yes it's the Ironman clone one sold on ebay. Last I checked it is 90 bucks.

so before ordering shafts I learned that national gear, USA standard and motive were all in bed with this funky monkey grip name also kicking around. Ten factory also appeard to be tied but maybe not as tight. My research also hinted towards none making chromoly shafts themselves.
so I ordered the cheapest I could find. Monkey grip shafts from ebay.
This is the box that showed up at my door

No markings on the shafts to indicate where they were imported from was kinda surprised to see them in a ten box. What are the spacer washer things. They do appear to be spicer ujoints.

 

I think the washers are the outer dust shield. I am thinking they fit the stub shaft

 

I think they do fit the stub shafts but not sure they're needed.
tonight locked down track bar length 35" .
it can raise at axle end about 1.5" and has to lower at frame about the same.

I burned it in.

That 2.5" square tube will be turned into brackets.

Bolted Wheels on to lock toe in. Set it a fuz toed in..

Calipers arent on so no idea if these aluminum wheels fit over wj Calipers

Drivers wheel does rub the tie rod end but would self clearance


Jks 1/4" spacers, not sure welding them is needed so ill think on that and save that for last.
these are 2000 hub bearings.

Ohh I drilled rotors to 5/8 not 9/16. The original holes I think are 5/8 drill but slid right through only taking off rust.

I love unibits

I sharpie marked the 11/16 step and just touched it then had to finish with a 5/8 bit since steps arent as thicj as rotor.

Can't forget to make 1/4" caliper spacers

Found limit straps in the mailbox, who could resist. Lol

 

My experience with aluminum wheels on the WJ calipers is that they just barely fit the Akebono calipers and not the others. My steel wheels made it just fine

 

Looks like I'm working today. Trying to think if there's anything I need to buy other than a damn tire to finish this project

New Calipers and rotors would be nice instead of old rusty stuff

 

I buffed my calipers down with sanding discs and scotchbrite and then painted them

 

Not a ton of progress today but have a axle side bracket and started cutting up pizza box to fab frame side..

Pictured the track bar is 1.5degree steeper than drag link also contacts oil pan 1/2" before shock bottoms.

Thought I might get away with not redoing frame side hitting oil pan isn't huge but the 1.5deg out is to me but probly would drive fine.

Frame side bracket is on the bench no holes drilled and is about 3" wild so I can punch a hole exactly matched to drag link angle.



Starting to look correct. I can't tell they don't match with out the tool thing. What's it called lol.




Also scrunched up a tire and balance beads. Have some grinder work to do on the wheel since I ran it for a few miles with tire half off the rim.

Morning photo's



only got about 1/2" longer on frame end.

This end was where i finger is


Ended up having to change a hydraulic line at work.

Just getting back to this and a final loose assembly checking clearances. Track bar now just clears oil pan and might slightly contact diff cover.
Lowered track bar more than I thought at frame side.

Sharpie mark is where frame bracket will get cut off. This clears axle by about 1/2\" at full stuff. Hoping to get 3 holes one lower and my higher than track bar pictured position. Ive found i screw my self for changes down the rd if i dont have options. May also burn everything to the frame and do a crossmember from bracket to other frame rail. This is lowered quute abit im thinking something to keep leverage on this bracket under control.

coilovers definitely made this easier to set up with room to grow the track bar length to match drag link.

 

Went out with Scott in the sand


that's it for progress.
Ohhh I did mount the tire.


Trail pump was able to seat bead

 

Got your tire eh? Several places like that along the Columbia in WA. Sand is always lots of fun. The wind erases the evidence

 

How far from Lewiston?
yup I have 4 tires now

 

I used to live in Walla Walla area. . Ust to go to Moses Lake now and then. Some nice little dunes there. Big party spot too. More dunes outside of Kennewick, but not as large an area. YOu know those little painted turtles you can buy in the store? Almost ran over one about 12" across at Moses lake. Wasn't hiding in his shell either. Pretty fast for a turtle

 

Lol that's crazy. There's not many turtles here in Southern idaho. Do you sturgeon fish?

I worked till 8 so wasn't able to get much done. Did get caliper spacers whittled out and found I want longer caliper mounting bolts.



Tired of my virtually no progress updates yet. I might go for a test ride tomorrow if i get brakes bled. Curious how much different its going to ride and drive. Axle should stay more centered through travel now. If i get off in time maybe bolt limit straps in.

 

It should steer better. Those turtles are a pond turtle and are also found in Idaho. Tried to find another, Chemys marmorata. Real shy. Had them behind my place in OR. Believe it or not they can actually jump a little.

 

I've spent some time working in both Carolinas and Florida's swamp saw turtles there but lots more gators being from Idaho I was compelled to rope one.
I did get it roped, a short tuggle war and the thing won the battle.
I remember the viscous ants most. We were building on dry islands seems this is where the ants wanted to be to.