Sick Dog Racing Jeepspeed Build

[Larrythedog]

Started on my rear suspension. I bought some Ruff Stuff U-bolt plate and welded the lower rear shock mounts on them.

I'm using Rubicon 9/16 U-bolts over the FT 1/2 u-bolts.

Shocks will be FOAs 2 1/2" 10 stroke front and 14" rear. 2 1/2" diameter with 4" strokes FOA bumps.

I hade to build my own bump cans. The FOA cans where to short to fit all the way through the floor.

Cutting the bump hole into the body. Cleaning the frame for plating.

Rear bump/frame plating

 

[dakineJ]

Another :thumbup: on the 8.8. What valving are you running on the FOA's?

 

[Larrythedog]

Another :thumbup: on the 8.8. What valving are you running on the FOA's?

Thanks

Front
Compression Valve - Medium
Rebound Valve - Light

Rear
Compression Valve - Light/Medium
Rebound Valve - Medium

This was what FOA suggested for my application. It should be a good starting point. Im sure I'll have to play with them to get them 100% dialed in.

 

[Larrythedog]

Bump cans installed and frame plating.

Bump stop in cab.

Bump stop out side cab

I have heard horror stories about the snap rings on bump stops failing and the bumps flying out and bouncing around the cab on a big hit. So i made some positive stops in the cab.

Both stops and rear axle.

 

[Mike1331]

Thanks

Front
Compression Valve - Medium
Rebound Valve - Light

Rear
Compression Valve - Light/Medium
Rebound Valve - Medium

This was what FOA suggested for my application. It should be a good starting point. Im sure I'll have to play with them to get them 100% dialed in.

wierd, they mentioned firm compression and light rebound for me. this was a year ago though and all i mentioned was pre-runner xj. No mention of coil spring rates. I have the 6" skyjackers with a 235lb rate. What rate are your springs? Did you give them the rates prior to them recomending medium/light? I have the 18" rear units from foa at light med comp and light rebound and they feel pretty good with the 10leaf race pack from national. Hopefully yours don't leak like mine did. Where are you mounting the gas tank?

 

[dakineJ]

wierd, they mentioned firm compression and light rebound for me. this was a year ago though and all i mentioned was pre-runner xj. No mention of coil spring rates. I have the 6" skyjackers with a 235lb rate. What rate are your springs? Did you give them the rates prior to them recomending medium/light? I have the 18" rear units from foa at light med comp and light rebound and they feel pretty good with the 10leaf race pack from national. Hopefully yours don't leak like mine did. Where are you mounting the gas tank?

Were yours 2.0's or 2.5's?

 

[crazyjim]

Were yours 2.0's or 2.5's?

If you're asking because of valving it shouldn't matter. Valving is valving no matter what diameter the shock is.

 

[Mike1331]

2.5

 

[Larrythedog]

wierd, they mentioned firm compression and light rebound for me. this was a year ago though and all i mentioned was pre-runner xj. No mention of coil spring rates. I have the 6" skyjackers with a 235lb rate. What rate are your springs? Did you give them the rates prior to them recomending medium/light? I have the 18" rear units from foa at light med comp and light rebound and they feel pretty good with the 10leaf race pack from national. Hopefully yours don't leak like mine did. Where are you mounting the gas tank?

At the time I bought them I wasn't sure I was going to race yet. But told them I was building a pre-runner and this was the valving they recommended

I didn't give them spring rates but there about the same as yours.

As far as leaking they haven't yet but I haven't tested them yet. I know they (FOA) have had some leakage problems in the past but I been told they have resolved the issues.

Fuel cell will be mounted inside about the middle of where the back seat would be.

 

[Larrythedog]

Started plating the front end.
Front Passenger side.

Front Driver side.

Steering box mount

I tied the out side plating at the steering box to the inside plating by welding 1" .120" tubing through the frame rails.

Passenger side.

Driver side.

 

[silverslk]

Looks good!!! You must be working non stop in the garage at the rate you are making progress.

Keep it up. We love pics!!!!

 

[aparke4]

holy cow that is impressive

build it once and build it right!

looks good - lot of welding!!

 

[Larrythedog]

Working on the steering and track bar. I'm using 3/4" heims with 5/8" ID high misalignment bushings.

My tie rod, drag link and track bar are made out of 1 1/4 DOM .281 wall tubing. The ID was 11/16", just right for 3/4" -16 Tap.

I'm using 5/8" bolts for the all the steering. I drilled out both the spindles and the pitman arm for a straight 5/8" bore.

I tried to use the FT track bar, but it just wouldn't work with the crossover steering. I cut the bushing end off the FT bar and made my own.

Steering and track bar.

 

[silverslk]

Yet again.....NICE WORK!!!

That track bar will be a thousand times better than the full traction ones I've seen used.....uh.....fail.

 

[tcm glx]

Yet again.....NICE WORK!!!

That track bar will be a thousand times better than the full traction ones I've seen used.....uh.....fail.

X2 ..... Full Traction trac bar at race speed snap........ many many times!

 

[Larrythedog]

Driver side spindle steering gussets.

Passanger side spindle steering gussets.

 

[dakineJ]

Those are awsome,good job.Ha, I was just thinking about double shear at the knuckles today.What year is your beam/knuckles?

 

[Larrythedog]

Those are awsome,good job.Ha, I was just thinking about double shear at the knuckles today.What year is your beam/knuckles?

I'm not sure what year the beam is but the Knunkles are off 87 4WD axle.

 

[Skullver]

nice work! Any special technique welding on the outer knuckles? Never actually tried it..hmm, thanks for the idears Great looking job so far!

 

[Larrythedog]

nice work! Any special technique welding on the outer knuckles? Never actually tried it..hmm, thanks for the idears Great looking job so far!

Just pre-heated them in the kitchen oven at about 200 deg for 30 minutes. :shhh: Just dont tell my wife..............