PDA

View Full Version : D60 Build


Gasman
September 17th, 2010, 22:34
Not anything earth shattering but figured I'd throw it up so here goes.

Started with this. Semi float 60 with 35 spline alloy shafts and disc brakes. This all started because I got a smoking deal that I couldn't pass up. Dude built it, wheeled it 3 times then decided he wanted to go to 40's and a 14 bolt. It's all brand new, I don't think the brake pads are even worn in! The semi float is fine for my intended usage and the bolt battern and WMS was perfect for my set up.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_0960.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_0968.jpg


35 spline shafts compared to the stock D44 shafts.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_0966.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_0965.jpg

Housing needs a hair cut. This lip is no good.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1076.jpg

After about 30 minutes with a sawzall and grinder, I gained about 3/8" of clearance back and no more huge lip. If my measurements are correct, it now only hangs down 3/8-1/2" more than my 44. This is the most I can take off without losing the bottom bolt hole, which I don't want to deal with now. If clearance is an issue, I'll deal with it later.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1078.jpg

The tubes were welded to the housing already but I wanted to truss it. Took the easy route and called TNT, they built a custom truss for me. Those guys are awsome, had it at my door less than a week after ordering it. Welding it on was fun. 1-1.5" of weld at a time with about 10 mins of cooling in between welds. Lots of beer consumption and a long night but did not warp the housing.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1087.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1090.jpg

Got the gears and spool ready to go. Props to Andrew from LetzRoll Offroad, awesome pricing and customer service. Highly recommend giving him a call if you are in the market for gears/lockers/axles. Paid on a Fri, all the parts showed up on Monday! No more lockers for me, just wanted to go with a simple, cheap, and effective spool. I really would have liked to have gone to 5.38 but regearing the front HI-9 isn't cheap so 5:13 it is.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1086.jpg

I wanted to stretch the WB a bit, for several reasons including avoiding shortening my DS. The 60 pinion snout is a wee bit longer! Looking around for offset spring perches, I came across these from RuffStuff. Exactly what I needed and I don't have to buy Ubolts. Pushes the axle back 1-3" but keeps the retainer plate in the stock location. So no problem with my antiwrap leaf, bumpstops, etc. Eventually I want to push the axle back more but this will work for now.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1096.jpg

I just got it back from having the gears installed so will work on getting it slung under the rig. Just need to set the pinion angle, burn in the perches, plumb new brake lines, and should be ready to rock.

More to come....

POSJ
September 17th, 2010, 22:37
I envy that set-up lol, congrats. What kind of deal did you get on the 60?

AZXJ
September 18th, 2010, 01:54
Nice write up Matt! is the truss in preporation for some rear links ?

themud
September 18th, 2010, 15:12
Nice write up Matt! is the truss in preporation for some rear links ?

My guess is no having seen him wheel its about keeping the rear housing straight even with 3" tubes it still can be bent..

Hey matty you think your going to make it up the optional line at the end of CD1 now???:banghead:
hehehehe

themud

ps those ruffstuff brackets look mighty nice as I have moved mine back 2" already via longer springs with those spring mounts and brackets I can push it back another 2 or 3" inches and put my wheelbase at 107 to 108 which should help with the falls nicely but Itll have to go just a bit higher to help clear the belly as I can't flatten it out anymore but rotating the tcase(cause ahhh the seat is in the way)....
love the build look forward to the trails..

Gasman
September 19th, 2010, 11:17
I envy that set-up lol, congrats. What kind of deal did you get on the 60?

$500 for the complete housing, brakes, shafts. I'll post up the total $ when it's done but should be in it for less than $1k with the sale of my D44.

Gasman
September 19th, 2010, 11:30
My guess is no having seen him wheel its about keeping the rear housing straight even with 3" tubes it still can be bent..


What are you trying to say? :D

But you know me too well so you are right. I have no link plans now but I added the truss for strength and future link potential. I figured it's just easier to put the thing on now and be done with it.

Can't wait to get this thing back together and hit the trails!

KRAKER
September 29th, 2010, 22:10
Updates?

YEAGS
September 29th, 2010, 22:32
$500 for the complete housing, brakes, shafts. I'll post up the total $ when it's done but should be in it for less than $1k with the sale of my D44.

Hey Gasman. ***k you on the smokin deal! that thing is perdy. I am really jealous. Props on getting your gears from Andrew, I picked my axels and air shocks up from him and have been hanging around his shop following "Crew Chief" around the past few weeks learning more tips on welding cast to mild steel. Great guys!

Keep us updated!

Gasman
September 30th, 2010, 18:58
Updates?

About the same as you saw it last weekend. :D But I guess that doesn't do anyone else any good so here's some filler while I'm waiting for parts:

I got this used for a great price or so I thought:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1079.jpg

I went through the trouble of shaving it to match the housing but when I went to put on after the gears were in, it hits the ring gear before it seats on the housing. WTF? It's definately for a 60 and came off of one so the only thing I can figure is that there's some slight differences in housings. Anyone need a shaved 60 cover for cheap?

So after a few four letter words I ordered up the RuffStuff cover. This thing is pure beef. 3/8 thick plate, very nicely welded, and milled flat after welding. I checked this time to make sure it fit with the gears before I shaved, no problem. So I shaved to match the housing.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1114.jpg

Did some mockup of brakeline routing, got my ebrake cables ready (have to remove the springs on the end to work with the El Dorado calipers), etc.

OddBallXJ
October 24th, 2010, 08:47
3 weeks and no updates? :) Hurry up. Wheeling weather is here!

Gasman
October 24th, 2010, 15:20
Always fun when you run into parts issues.... My spring perches were made incorrectly and I'm awaiting replacements RuffStuff. They should hopefully be here this week. Don't worry, I'll let you know when it's ready :D

Gasman
November 9th, 2010, 17:36
Well, finally got the replacement perches and went to town. It's done and under the rig. Took it for a spin last night with no issues. Need to work on the brakes a bit. They stop fine (I can lock them up), but the pedal travel is a bit much for my tastes. Going to rebleed them to make sure but think I'll be upgrading the master to a larger bore to get my pedal back to feeling right. Need to adjust the ebrake too, I figured out after I put it all together that there's a special adjustment procedure for the caddy calipers.

Axle is pushed back 2". No driveshaft mods necessary, but had to make a shock mount cross bar and reroute the exhaust. I like the spool already. No more clunking, popping, and shifting roughness that existed with the Detroit.

Going to drive it back and forth to work a few times to make sure nothing falls off and get a few easy miles on the gears before the abuse begins :D

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1156.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1158.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/gasmanxj/IMG_1161.jpg

OddBallXJ
November 9th, 2010, 17:47
Looks good!!!

POSJ
November 9th, 2010, 18:54
Better than good...

KRAKER
November 9th, 2010, 22:11
Very nice.

AZXJ
November 9th, 2010, 23:46
Nice work Matt!

Gasman
November 10th, 2010, 09:47
Thanks guys. For inquiring minds, my out of pocket cost for this project is currently at $1059. That includes the initial cost of the axle and all of the stuff to get it under the rig, minus the $$ from the sale of my D44. I still have a few things leftover to sell so the cost should dip below $1k when the dust settles. Not too shabby!

Ground clearance is 10.5" with 36" Swampers at 10 psi (which is just what happened to be in them after sitting for 6 months). My front shaved 9" is at 10.75". I only lost about .5" of clearance over the 44 so I can live with that.

OddBallXJ
November 10th, 2010, 10:52
Ground clearance is over-rated............ :D

wrongwayaz
November 12th, 2010, 14:53
i know what you meen john...lol