thats it I'm going Rockwells

[Fullsizexj]

No more talking about it, I am gonna do it
Picked up a donor XJ for the drivetrain and electrical and front clip which I plan to narrow
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1437317-P1010178.jpg
2 front steering rockwells for front and rear steer
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1437320-P1010179.jpg
started building the tube frame for it
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1437322-P1010182.jpg
from the front
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1437321-P1010181.jpg
and 2 PRP bucket seats
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1437323-P1010183.jpg

[willyb]

This should be sweet... Keep us posted!!

Will.

[offroadman83]

Hell yes---------- :skull1:

[Fullsizexj]

This is gonna be a fun buildup, no more trying to work around existing sheetmetal :yelclap:

[BrettM]

what XJ sheet metal are you keeping? narrowed hood? cut fenders? narrowed windshield frame? door skins?

[Fullsizexj]

gonna keep the nose, hood, cowl, and to 3-4" of the top of the fenders and narrow the nose and keep the cowl full width since it is gonna be a 2 seater

[FitchVA]

:cheers: :guitar: sounds like we're gonna have an insanely cool thread to keep track of for a bit

[Ludakris]

wow, your wife lets you work on the deck?


nice work, like the rockwells.. I am picturing this to be along the lines of farmer matt's CAT?

[woody431]

What size tires you planning on?

[JeepFreak21]

What size tires you planning on?

33s.
Billy

[Fullsizexj]

probably 44" swampers, nope won't be like Matts

[4ward]

Ahh, but the most important question- which big block are you running? :laugh3: I'd like to hear your ideas at weroc this weekend.

[Fullsizexj]

look me up, I will be there working recovery so you should be able to spot my XJ easy

[4ward]

I'm working recovery too. I'll be there for the meeting on friday.

[FarmerMatt]

I'm working recovery too. I'll be there for the meeting on friday.

It's a date! You 2 love birds play nice now.:kissyou:

[Fullsizexj]

now if we could get Matt there we could put him in the middle, I will be at Fridays meeting also

[NXJ]

Really nice project !! Its almost exatcly what I have in mind for a other rig, thanks for the inspiration. And keep it coming !

Here is a idea for the backhalf, i really like the sleek lines going on here: Sexy !

http://www.stinkyfab.com/images/projects/wayne/wayne037.jpg


Good Luck ! And remember to keep the XJ-lines sleek !

[Joe]

Wow Richard your still at it :repair:. This project should be interesting keep us posted on the progress. By the way how is everything going over in the far east coast?

[Fullsizexj]

got an update, ordered a bunch of goodies from Dan at Blue Torch Fab that came in yesterday
got the triangulated batwing link mount from him
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1440809-P1010197.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1440810-P1010195.jpg
and the Rockwell Axle link mounts as well
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1440811-P1010198.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1440809-P1010196.jpg
along with the tube insets for the 1.5 x .25 and 1.75 x .25 Dom control arms in left and right hand thread along with jamnuts and mis alignment bushings, the rod ends should be here next week
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1440814-P1010199.jpg

[olivedrabcj7]

careful with those damn BTF brackets. i bought a few of their laser cut maltese cross gussets a couple years ago and they were so weak from having all that metal cut out of them that i l iterally bent one in half with my hands.

[Fullsizexj]

These ones have the beef where it is needed so I am not worried about it

[Lucas]

holy pimptastic, batman.

[Fullsizexj]

todays update, went and picked up a dana 300 today for the project, also ordered the adapter from Novak to mount it to the AW4 and also ordered a twinstick conversion from Currie along with the twinstick boot

[BrettM]

todays update, went and picked up a dana 300 today for the project, also ordered the adapter from Novak to mount it to the AW4 and also ordered a twinstick conversion from Currie along with the twinstick boot
the adapter is just a spacer, right?

[Fullsizexj]

yup that ia correct

[KINGSIZE]

Guess you'll be playin with the guys over on the :piratefla board a bit more huh.....lol....Ill give you a call soon Richard...looks like i may be out in WV in the near future for a family reunion :wave:

Robert

[Fullsizexj]

when ya coming, definately give me a call when you get here, I will pm ya my cell number also

[xjj33p3r]

Are you going to do any upgrading to the aw4?

[Fullsizexj]

at this point I have a complete stock running setup, I plan to install it first and get everything working, I also have another complete block and most of the parts for a stroker but will not do it until I have the stock drivetrain and computer stuff working, reason is by doing it this way if there is a problem then I know it is wiring at this point, if I do everything at once then I have to figure out 3 differnt things at the same time to diagnose a problem, I probably wont do any upgrades to the AW4, when you start changing things on them you usually sacrifice something else in them and they are fairly good unitts for 4 wheelin in stock form to start with, why mess with it

[BrettM]

Are you going to do any upgrading to the aw4?
like what? the only thing they really need beyond factory is a good cooler.

[outlander]

like what? the only thing they really need beyond factory is a good cooler.
even for 44's?

[BrettM]

a tranny doesn't care or "know" what's going on downstream of it. it really only matters what you're feeding it from the motor, and unless you've got 400+ hp and torque the AW4 will be fine.

[xjj33p3r]

Well, I just had the valve body redone on mine. It now allows for faster fluid flow, and my mechanic added some extra clutch packs to make for firm shifting. And yea I've got a cooler in mine.

[Fullsizexj]

well got the drivetrain pulled from the donor and rented a shop for now until I get around to building one on my property. I have it laid out for basic mockup while I wait for some goodies to arrive
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1446061-P1010224.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1446062-P1010225.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1446063-P1010226.jpg

[Beej]

Gawd I love this thread...
:drool:

[MudDawg]

Lookin' good Richard...yah gonna lose those heavy drums??

[Fullsizexj]

yup sure am, gonna do pinion brakes instead way lighter

[Joe]

Looking good Richard. What are your plans for this rig? Competition or just for fun?

[Fullsizexj]

basicly for fun but I would not mind trying comp for the fun of it

[Ramsey]

this has better pictures than most of the den

[Fullsizexj]

managed to get the motor mounts fabed up and installed today, and started mocking up the lower links mount also, tomorrow I plan to get the crossmember for the trans built and installed and posibly install the front lower mount for the links, knock it out an item at a time I guess

[Led]

you suck

[Capt. Nemo]

Jackstands on the list somewhere? Cinder blocks = scary :laugh3:

[Fullsizexj]

considering it is only 8" off the ground and is carring absolutly no weight whatsoever at the moment and was for measuring purposes only, I am not worried about it I have 4 sets of heavyduty jackstands sitting down at the shop already.

[Fullsizexj]

narrowed the front clip for my project today took 15" out of it which is exactly 4 grill slots
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1447932-P1010233.jpg

[cyrus]

lookin good Richard. keep the pics coming

[Fullsizexj]

gotten a little further along on the project
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1452678-P1010241.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1452679-P1010242.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1452680-P1010243.jpg

[trainwrexj]

where are those rear uca's going to mount?

[NXJ]

Rude ! :worship: Did you get inspiration from me, or did you have the lines figured in your head ? What are you planning on doing with the sides ?

[Fullsizexj]

where are those rear uca's going to mount?
they are gonna be cut down. they are like 5' long right now since I had to pick up the tube when I went to Harlen Counties grand opening and had to be able to get it in the truck to bring home. It will mount right about where it touches the frame or a couple inches forward of there.

[Fullsizexj]

Rude ! :worship: Did you get inspiration from me, or did you have the lines figured in your head ? What are you planning on doing with the sides ?
I still have alot of triangulation to do but am waiting till I get the upper cage built and have the seats mounted and a fuel cell mocked into place along with a rear mounted radiator, for the sides I will be using lexan and leaving the front and rear wheel well sections clear for better visability

[Lucas]

oooooooh. I get it now. Are you going to be opening up the shop for other people's cages and stuff now, or are you sticking to retail? Need a test jeep ?:laugh3:

[Fullsizexj]

I may dabble in a little more than retail sooner or later, right now I am concentraiting on my project

[FitchVA]

sweeeeeeeet buidup so far. can't wait to see the progress along the way

[Lucas]

what are you doing with the old rig?

[Fullsizexj]

I gave it to my 7 year old

[Lucas]

I gave it to my 7 year old

HaHa. That kid's eyes were as big as dinner plates after he shot off that potato cannon. I can't imagine how excited he would be if you gave him the keys to the XJ. I think his head would explode! party1:

[Fullsizexj]

he wasn't the only one having fun with that cannon, gotta build me one of them

[KINGSIZE]

Wish i had time to fab a trailer queen up.......hell i cant ever get time to swap my axles under my pos.......both have been sitting on the side of the house for 4 months now....arghhhhh!


Looking good Richard! :thumbup:

[ArcticXJ]

Why's it have to be a trailer queen? :D

[Fullsizexj]

updated pics, got the main upper section done today, will be doing thetriangulation this weekend sometime if I get a lift install done in time
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1455288-P1010245.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1455289-P1010246.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1455290-P1010247.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1455291-P1010248.jpg

[Puma297]

looks good, why not narrow the front a little more?

[Fullsizexj]

I already took 15" out of it, it is alot narrower than it looks and I want the engine to stay under the hood and anymore than that some parts of it would hang out

[Paul S]

Looks good Richard, I really like that front shot of the narrow.

Paul

[red91]

do we need to order more parts to help you complete that ?


NICE.

:thumbup:

[Fullsizexj]

well now there is a heck of an idea, I like that one

[AJsArmor]

That made a big difference. Like you were telling me, it looked long without the top part of the cage on. Now it's definitely in proportion. What size fuel cell you using?

[Fullsizexj]

It does look alot shorter with the top cage work on, I have not relly decided on the fuel cell but am thinking around a 16 gallon

[rokjeep]

update??????

[Fullsizexj]

been busy with some customer fab stuff so I have not put as much time into it lately but have been working on the dashboard on and off, My plan is to mount all the electronics in it to stay dry
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1460970-P1010287.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1460972-P1010288.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1460973-P1010289.jpg
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1460975-P1010290.jpg

[Lucas]

an entire day and noone has commented? Damn, you're gonna have to start busting out pics of some more heavy duty fab.

Dash looks great though. What's planned for gauges? I take it you ditched the heating?

[xjj33p3r]

Any updates? And why is this not in Advanced Tech anymore?

[BrettM]

Any updates? And why is this not in Advanced Tech anymore?

I agree, definitely Advaced Fabrication and Engineering. Apparently some people think that if you just post pictures of your Advanced Fabrication you have not actually contributed knowledge and insight on the subject. CRASH's sticky regarding the purpose of that section:

Welcome to the new fabrication area of . This forum, for the moment, is open to members, only. We are developing this forum and tailoring it to the needs and desires of the membership. As such, we are going to use an adaptive management approach in moving threads around for a while. Some current and past threads will be copied from ModTech to sort of "seed" this forum.

I think we can all agree that a fabrication forum is sorely needed, as there is a definate dichotomy of postings in ModTech. My personal goal for this forum is to help push the boundaries of XJ modification. We have a very knowledgable and capable group of fabricators on this forum, and I'm hoping they will share their design ideas here.

As for ModTech, I want it to remain a good forum for answering questions regarding bolt-on products, etc. I hope the knowledgable among us will continue to freqent Modtech and help as time and desire allow.

CRASH

[xjj33p3r]

I agree, definitely Advaced Fabrication and Engineering. Apparently some people think that if you just post pictures of your Advanced Fabrication you have not actually contributed knowledge and insight on the subject. CRASH's sticky regarding the purpose of that section:
I guess that makes sense. Thanks

[Fullsizexj]

I have been really busy with customer stuff lately so I have not had much time to work on it, I should have some more in the next week or so, I guess it is just not advanced enough for them so they moved it

[OT]

It's finally taken on an Adv Fab aura.
I wouldn't complain if it ended back up in the Adv Fab forum.

[rock rash]

Any updates?

[Bent]

Are you planning on keeping the blinkers up front functional? With the narrowed front clip, obviously the blinkers are going to require special bulbs, will the stock marker bulbs work for the corner lenses? Somewhere there's a thread covering modified blinker bearings to get around the need for custom bulbs. IIRC the bearings provide for a much smaller profile than that of the AA conversion.








:shhh: Bump




:photo:Anything to update?


EDIT: Ok, maybe the coffee is just a little bit strong this morning.

[Mr.OverKill]

just currious as to weather or not you will be installing some type of bumpers on there? or will it be the minimum skids and recovery equipment?

i like the subtle bump thing

[Fullsizexj]

I have been really busy finishing off some customer stuff lately, finally got to the point that I was gonna get back on it this week and in rolls an Explorer that rolled, he chopped off the top and now I an doing a cage for it. I did manage to get the front suspension pretty much done, it is actually sitting on its front end all by itself now, I will get some pics tomorrow evening when I go over there to work on the customers rig for a while. Also picked up the brake pedel assymbly yesterday and 2 Wilwood master cylinders so now I can start figuring out the gas and brake pedel stuff, The radiator came in but the hose connections were backwards so back it goes and another will arrive next week. I will be hooking up all the lights eventually, but that is a secondary thing, I would rather get it running and rolling first.

[Joe]

From the pictures I've seen it's looking good Richard.

:sunshine:

[Fullsizexj]

here is a couple pics, hard to get a decent one with the floresent lights
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1475491-P1010305.JPG
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1475492-P1010307.JPG

[OT]

Holy approach angle!
Any shots of the frame and axle mounts for the links?
Close-ups, man we need close-ups!

[Fullsizexj]

It looks like alot of approach angle but once I put the nose winch tray and stinger on it won't be qiute as extreem but the tires will still be the first thing to touch anything. I won't be over to the shop for a few days as I have another project I have to finish off for a customer 1st so some more pics will have to wait

[MudDawg]

The brakes look sweet too...good job!

[Fullsizexj]

I was gonna do pinion brakes until I started reading up on it and realized that every time you hit the brakes with them, all the momentom from the tires is forced on the axleshafts and ring and pinion, sounds like alot of fatigue on parts for no reason so I went with disk brakes on every wheel instead.

[BrettM]

I've heard of 2.5t rockwell shafts breaking, but has anyone broke a R&P? you gonna pony up for the 2" 47 spline shafts? :D

[Fullsizexj]

not unless the stock ones are a problem, them new ones are pretty dang steep in price right now, mayby someday they will come down in price :rattle:

[Captain Ron]

Keep at it, it's looking like it's coming together nicely.

Frigging axles are massive. :D

--ron

[0313]

Arent the steering components on a rockwell on the rear side of the axle?

[Fullsizexj]

yup, but one of the nice features of a Rockwell is you can swap the knuckles from side to side to flip the tierod to the front or you can flip the chunk around 180 and get a centered driveshaft and you can leave it alone and turn the whole axle assembly around and run it as a drivers side drop. They are really versatle for setting up for many different configurations that way

[DirtyMJ]

Who's disk brake sertup is that? Or did you get all fancy and make your own?


Sorry if it was previously stated.



Oh, and that thing is badass.

[Fullsizexj]

The hub adapters are made by usa 6x6 and the rest is wilwood

[MudDawg]

I have seen RW's break shafts....on a couple of FS trucks with bigblocks,doublers and Terra Tires or massive V-tread tractor tires.


But these are HUGE and HEAVY vehicles...most failures happen when they jump (literally) into deep mud holes with the skinny pedal on the mat. Or when they are hooked up in a tug-o-war on pavement.

[Dirk Pitt]

I have seen RW's break shafts....on a couple of FS trucks with bigblocks,doublers and Terra Tires or massive V-tread tractor tires.


But these are HUGE and HEAVY vehicles...most failures happen when they jump (literally) into deep mud holes with the skinny pedal on the mat. Or when they are hooked up in a tug-o-war on pavement.

www.pirate4x4.com search username "Dan Dibble"

[xjj33p3r]

www.pirate4x4.com search username "Dan Dibble"
His breaks are spectacular. I heard he's upgrading to 47 spline shafts

[Fullsizexj]

Yup, he is loads of fun to watch, there are several vids of him flating around pirate. I beleive he has already done the upgrade

[myjeepsbigger]

Yup, he is loads of fun to watch, there are several vids of him flating around pirate. I beleive he has already done the upgrade


No doubt! If you haven't already, you guys need to check out Dan's "lateral traction" video from his Summertown post.

See Post #27, bottom video (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429330&page=2)

[MudDawg]

Damn....maybe he oughta be called Deadly Dan :laugh3: He can flail right along with any mudslinger I know of. Killer Vid. Yup I bet he can break a brick inna rubber room.

[TheManch]

that guy drives like he's playing a video game!!!!!


Mike

[StuckXJ]

BUMP
Anything updates...

[Goatman]

BUMP
Anything updates...

He doesn't wheel, he just posts pictures...... :D

:wave:

[Fullsizexj]

no updates, been thumbing through my picture collection instead :geek:
been busy working on leveling some ground in the back to build a shop of my own instead of renting one

[Fullsizexj]

had some time this morning so I started building rims for my project, ordered 17" Trailready beadlocks without the centers and then had Stazworks make some custom pressed center for me, got 2 all welded up and painted today and the other 2 are tacked and I will finish them in the morning


http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1490957-P1010035.JPG
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1490958-P1010036.JPG
http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1490959-P1010037.JPG

[JnJ]

Can you make those pictures bigger? :)

[Fullsizexj]

sorry about that, gonna have to break down and get a new camera, this one won't let me set the settings anymore and when it does it looses them, and thats when it will actually let me take a picture which anymore is less than 1/2 the time

[XJEEPER]

He doesn't wheel, he just posts 1:1 scale pictures...... :D

:wave:


Fixed
:)

[ChicksDigWagons]

sorry about that, gonna have to break down and get a new camera, this one won't let me set the settings anymore and when it does it looses them, and thats when it will actually let me take a picture which anymore is less than 1/2 the time

Just take them full size and then resize them for upload. That way you have a high resolution archive for yourself, and you don't blast the rest of the world away when you post them :-)

[TheRipper]

Seen this post and had to register.It looks cool.If you need any info on rocks here is a decent link for you http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313836

Dan has broke some shafts and also twisted some from TRD before he went with Randy's 2" shafts front and back.There are lot's of guys down here running high hp rig's and not breaking them though.A bunch of the guys down here run the 47" claws with them but I just don't like them tires.Rear steer is where most break there shaft's.Keep up the pic's I will come back to see the build for sure..http://www.austink5.net/phpBB/images/smiles/thumb.gif

[Fullsizexj]

Hey Ripper, I have had that thread bookmarked ever since you started it, tons of good info in there just gotta wade through it a while to find some of it

[Mr.OverKill]

any updates?

[rock rash]

man, seeing this up with new posts got my hopes up!

[Mr.OverKill]

man, seeing this up with new posts got my hopes up!

( in hagrids voice ) sorry bout that.....

but inquireing minds want to know!!

[Ramsey]

that we do, but damn you none the less

[Fullsizexj]

I have the rear linked up and shocks on now, it is actuall sitting on the axles now, no more blocks under the frame anymore. Yesterday I got the rear toploader redrilled and ready to flip around and the detroit installed, I plan to finish cleaning out the housing this weekend so I can drop it back in and then take the knuckles off so I can get them all cleaned up, I have one spindle that has some bad bearing damage so I am gonna see about getting a new one for that and then I should be ready for rims and tires to go on

[87manche]

PICS!!!!

[LilRedRover]

I need to drive down and see this badboy richard... when you get a chance put some pictures on jeepinwv

[rock rash]

PICS!!!!
yes! please!

[foxwar71]

whats up with this build?!?!?!!!?!
i want more, and i know im not alone

[Fullsizexj]

It is on hold right now while I finish building my new garage, I have it sitting on wheels now but still need to adjust the length of the rear arms, I made some long ones so I could move it so the wheel base is not right yet
http://www.fullsizexjgear.com/Rockwell%20project/P1010039.jpg

[steelmen]

SICK XJ . . . i think :confused1

[rocklandxjer]

talk about wheelbase... lol looks awesome

[cassio]

dont u feel thats too long?

[tealcherokee]

It is on hold right now while I finish building my new garage, I have it sitting on wheels now but still need to adjust the length of the rear arms, I made some long ones so I could move it so the wheel base is not right yet

[rocklandxjer]

i still think itll be a bit long, but with that comes great approach angle and departure angles as well as vertical stability. i think it looks awesome dont get me wrong, just long

[Fullsizexj]

The actual tube frame is the same length as a TJ

[rocklandxjer]

heh, its amazing how perspective can skew the perception of distance.

i guess if its the same length as a wrangler, then the wheelbase like that is probably just a bit over that of an xj, so after a little shortening of the rear, that should be one sick XJ. have fun with that thing!!!

[ArcticXJ]

Killer. Looks like a 4wd sandrail.

[BrettM]

i think it looks weird mostly because the front axle is so far forward. whatever though, it will make for good weight distribution.

[ArcticXJ]

I agree that the wheelbase/chassis length ratio is a little skewed, but I'm assuming he'll end up shortening it one way or another. Either before-hand, or after a few high centering incidents.

I still dig the rest though.

[tealcherokee]

its not at ride height either, lifting it will shorten it up some as well

[Fullsizexj]

The length of the control arms will be shortened on the rear and it is sitting at full stuff, I plan to raise the rear upper shock mounts also to even it out so that I will have equal up travel on both ends, the front axle looks way forward but I still need to add a front winch mount and small stinger which will change the look of the axle placement also, the whole engine has been moved back 14" from what a stock cherokee would be to even out the weight distribution. When I built the box tube frame I went off the topside measurements and angles of the Cherokee unibody rails in order to keep the necessary mounting posistions of the 4.0 and AW4 trans, it looks odd because I used 2" x 3" 3/16" wall tube.

[tealcherokee]

more pics more pics!!!

:D