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'65 Rubicon Rig

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by timsresort, Dec 27, 2020.

  1. Feb 19, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
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    I want to spread out the load from the crossmember on to a larger section of the frame, rather than the 2 holes in the open section that was stock. This is the outer piece of angle that will weld to the crossmember.
    [​IMG]
    This is the inner piece, that will be captive inside the boxed frame.
    [​IMG]
    Here it is dummied up. I will weld nuts on the inside, as they won't be reachable.
    [​IMG]
    Welded it up, ready to paint and go in. Also cut out the frame boxing plates that will close in that section and provide strength.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Feb 20, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    The Dana 44 knuckles are finally here, delivered by Nick during his quick visit. New ball joints, drilled and tapped for high steer, re-tapered for top-down tie rod, all done by WFO in Auburn, CA.
    [​IMG]
    A quick coat of paint and ready to install.
    [​IMG]
    Torque the bottom to 80, top sleeve to 50, then top nut to 100 lbs. Then I looked at the 2" raised high steer arm I got from WFO. A really nice piece. This will keep the drag link from hitting the spring.
    [​IMG]
    That's all I got done because I spent most of the day at Partsdude HQ helping with some wiring. But I did manage to snag this, a '70-ish big-radiator grill. This will do very nicely.
    [​IMG]
     
    Snoops, ITLKSEZ, locrwln and 4 others like this.
  3. Feb 21, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
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    Aug 17, 2020
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    Nice progress.

    Jack
     
  4. Feb 21, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Thanks Jack
     
    locrwln likes this.
  5. Feb 21, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I couldn't decide whether to remove a leaf out of the Rubicon Express packs. Finally decided yes, take one out of the six pack in the fronts.
    [​IMG]
    After removing the leaf, I put the packs back in, and tightened the shackles and hangers. Now the 44 is ready to go in. These are the spring plates and 5/8" ubolts I got from WFO. Nice stuff.
    [​IMG]
    Front end in, and supported under, I will have other parts for the outers this week.
    [​IMG]
    I want to do the frame welding before the motor and trans gets in the way, so 2 more frame plates are prepped and welded in.
    [​IMG]
    This gets the boxing at least as far back as the transfer case, and really cleans things up. I can't see any reason not to drop the power pack in.
    [​IMG]
     
    Rubicloak, blalp!, 47v6 and 6 others like this.
  6. Feb 21, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    go for it. i love seeing the progress you're making.
     
    timsresort likes this.
  7. Feb 23, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Time for this to happen.
    [​IMG]
    And it's in the hole. Possibly the easiest motor install I have ever done. Elapsed time, about 4 minutes.
    [​IMG]
    This is the transmission crossmember mount that goes to the boss on the Novak adapter that was asked about earlier. I had to make a spacer to get up in there, and am using a stock T90 mount under it.
    [​IMG]
     
    Rubicloak, jeepstar, Rich M. and 6 others like this.
  8. Feb 25, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Curiosity getting the better of me, I want to see oil pressure. I installed the new oil pump, used the 40 psi spring, packed it with petroleum jelly for priming. Danny, the engine builder told me to use this, the Joe Gibbs Racing break-in oil. I said ok, and it's reasonable at Summit.
    [​IMG]
    New filter, and stuck my oil pump adapter on the Makita and spun it slow, it pumped up to about 20 psi on the gauge I have on the block port. Good, now I can move on.
    [​IMG]
    I just like this view, when I know this is probably the cleanest it will be going forward.
    [​IMG]
     
    Rubicloak, bigbendhiker, 47v6 and 5 others like this.
  9. Feb 27, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Saturday morning. Looking at the tried, true and trusted Dana 44. 4.88's, Power lock, 10" brakes, full float flanged axles, Con-fer shackles and spring plates, Rancho 2" lift springs and RS 5000 shocks, 1/2" ubolts. All great stuff and great memories.
    [​IMG]
    This little driveshaft has done its duty, and could conceivably get reused.
    [​IMG]
    Out she comes. The 44 is going to a new home under my brothers '68 CJ5.
    [​IMG]
    My favorite job. I decided to try and get it behind me today. Cutting all the crap off, while laying on a creeper, getting showered with sparks. But the payoff is a clean slate, and a cold beer.
    [​IMG]
    Think I can return this? Obviously defective.
    [​IMG]
     
    Rubicloak, 73 cj5, dozerjim and 3 others like this.
  10. Feb 28, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
    Joined:
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    Nice work. And that hoodie is definitely defective.

    Jack
     
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  11. Feb 28, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I want to spend some more time getting the frame cleaned up so I can be done with cutting and grinding. This long ago trail repair happened in the Rubicon, I want to say about 1994. There is nothing really wrong with it, but since I am here I will clean it up.
    [​IMG]
    With the repair cleaned and fixed, and the other 3 hanger areas smooth, I put the single main leaf I took out of a pack under the frame to start playing with placement. This shows full bump, which will be as far back as the rear shackle can travel.
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Mar 2, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Midweek, a few clean up items. Parts are becoming more of a problem. I have wheel bearings floating around, last heard from in Arkansas, 2 weeks ago. Yeah, I know if I paid full boat at Napa I would have them. So I do what I can. First, I found the wheel studs, pressed in the front 10. Application: '76 F150.
    [​IMG]
    Next, the spindle seals and slingers. Application: '76 K5 Blazer.
    [​IMG]
    Took the lifting plate off the intake and installed the Rochester 2G. This was running pretty good, so I didn't mess with it. The 2-5/8"' spacer I got from Speedway, and will space the dry air cleaner from a '70 CJ up enough for the linkages to miss.
    [​IMG]
    And last, the starter, nice to get it off the floor.
    [​IMG]
     
    Rubicloak, 73 cj5, locrwln and 4 others like this.
  13. Mar 3, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    what exactly are you gonna do for the back axle?
     
  14. Mar 3, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    It's being worked out as we speak. It will be a 60, but which configuration, not sure yet. Because of lead times, it is a critical path item now. Can you tell I'm in construction?
     
  15. Mar 4, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I did get the long lost wheel bearings today, but since it was such a beautiful afternoon I wanted to work outside. It was actually a pleasant 45 degrees. So I moved the body, untarped, and thought about the upcoming floor pan surgery. I want it on its side, so I am going to build a low dolly that will facilitate that. And, ahead of that, I need to lighten it up, and since this roll bar will get replaced with a cage, out it comes.
    [​IMG]
    Turned into a project, 7/16 fine thread bolts, rusted up in the wheel wells, had to cut some off. Pretty sure my dad is laughing somewhere....
     
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  16. Mar 5, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
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    Looks like it had a Kayline rear tire carrier on it at one time. Keeping that or building a frame mount tire carrier?

    Jack
     
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  17. Mar 5, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Jack, i do have the Kayline carrier, and unfortunately I don't think it will work now with a larger spare. So, yes I imagine a frame/cage mount. I also think I will rathole the original tux tail lights so they don't get crunched on a rock somewhere.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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  18. Mar 5, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Front end Friday.
    [​IMG]
    This was on the Deer Valley trail, 1998. Things I notice, my dad had just gotten back from Bonneville Speed Week, hence the salt in the fender wells. People were finding chunks of salt along the trail that day and were wondering. Also, he had already had a flat because the gravedigger spare is on the left rear.
     
  19. Mar 5, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    if you were closer, i'd absolutely take that carrier. guess i'm gonna have to make something of my own.
     
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  20. Mar 5, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
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    Sounds good on the tire carrier and I don’t blame you, those body mount carriers don’t do well with larger tires.

    Love the Deer Valley pic. Absolutely great trail.

    Jack
     
    timsresort likes this.
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