Project Southern X-Posure V2.0

[RSWORDS]

Mock up for the location

 

[RSWORDS]

They're $1500+ over here, for stock old junk

Just for you. $650 complete his to hub with calipers and all Dana 60.

jhama78 was awesome enough to allow the guy to drop it at his house this week. Wife kid and made the trip across the bay to get it and some spare yota parts from him.

New Duramax did pretty damn good on milage. First real trip I've taken without a trailer.

On the way back we stopped at our semi-local speedway amd hung out for some races with some friends.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I've said it before, but I'm not kidding that I could make a living just buying axles out east and selling them out west. Then buy up rust free trucks that won't pass smog out west and bring them east.

What's the plan for the 60, keep leafs?

 

[RSWORDS]

I've said it before, but I'm not kidding that I could make a living just buying axles out east and selling them out west. Then buy up rust free trucks that won't pass smog out west and bring them east.

What's the plan for the 60, keep leafs?

Slowly build it. Probably stay on leafs. I gotta brush up on my "built yota" vs Dana 60 research.

Thinking some 35 spline stub shafts, crossover and send it.

It will get swapped when it gets swapped. I also picked up two spare 3rd members from jhama78 to hold me over.

 

[RSWORDS]

Got the t-case out. Really need to run this thing. The anti-corrosion fluid hasnt been running strong enough to keep the rust at bay.

Hopefully ORD ships my doubler this week.

Its been "next week" for three weeks. I understand, I'm dealing with the same thing in my industry but I still am anxious

 

[RSWORDS]

Doubler showed up and got it and the 203 mated. Disassembled tye 205 and dropped it at my machinist to get tye input bearing pocked opened up for the large bearing.

Also been making progress on the fuel cell. She's a heavy girl.

 

[RSWORDS]

Fuel cell is done.

 

[RTH]

Fuel cell looks nice 1/4" seems to be pretty dang beefy but probably made welding it up quite a bit easier than using thinner stuff. If you don't mind, what are the specs on that green welder your using? Air cooled or liquid cooled torch?

 

[YotaAtieToo]

That's the beauty of aluminum, you can go way thick and it's still pretty light

Although 1/4" is probably on the overkill side, it should be about indestructible

 

[RSWORDS]

Ok update time. Got the canvas guy at the shop to put a top on to keep sun and weather off the kiddo. It's gonna get a bow in the center to keep it tight

 

[RSWORDS]

Then started on the doubler mount. Need to make the passenger side lower to clear the driveshaft.

 

[RSWORDS]

It's work on the truck time again now that summer is over and I have some weekend time back.

Ripped both axles out this afternoon and started putting the tons in.

Gonna run 5.38s welded rear and some auto locker in the front. Probably what ever I find used cheap.

Side note. Built yota axles for sale

 

[RSWORDS]

60 is in the front.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Back to rear shackle?

I thought you liked front shackle over rear. Or maybe I'm thinking of so one else.

 

[RSWORDS]

Back to rear shackle?

I thought you liked front shackle over rear. Or maybe I'm thinking of so one else.

I really did. I'm sure I'm gonna hate myself for just taking the easy way.

I did bend alot of main leafs too. I drive by braile...

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I really did. I'm sure I'm gonna hate myself for just taking the easy way.

I did bend alot of main leafs too. I drive by braile...

Double, or at least rear mil wrapped is pretty much a must. I used bds yj leafs and beat them pretty good. Never bent them from hitting stuff. Only a weird situation where I backed off a ledge, but my buddy bent his the same way with rear shackle.

 

[RSWORDS]

Double, or at least rear mil wrapped is pretty much a must. I used bds yj leafs and beat them pretty good. Never bent them from hitting stuff. Only a weird situation where I backed off a ledge, but my buddy bent his the same way with rear shackle.

I know. And I LOVED my front shackles

But

Not putting that much effort into this truck anymore. Anything bought or I stalled on it will be usable on my next tube build.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I know. And I LOVED my front shackles

But

Not putting that much effort into this truck anymore. Anything bought or I stalled on it will be usable on my next tube build.

I get it, I picked up that 81 recently and really thought about swapping it to front shackle, but figured I'd just run it. If I put any effort into it, it will get links and the air shocks I have stashed.

 

[RSWORDS]

I get it, I picked up that 81 recently and really thought about swapping it to front shackle, but figured I'd just run it. If I put any effort into it, it will get links and the air shocks I have stashed.

Yep. I'm gonna build the 60 up and put money into all the stuff I can pull out when it's time to put it in the buggy

 

[RSWORDS]

Been doing some random plucking along. Got the mount for the doubler mostly together, need to figure out a skid. Ordered some 2" ID structural pipe to extend my front shaft and picked up some decent shocks for the front



Also just hit order on my front brake kit for the Dana 60 from @Lugnut4x4 . I used his kit on my 14 bolt for the blazer build and loved it so it was an easy call.

 

[RSWORDS]

Got the fuel cell mounts in, need to figure out a hold down amd I'm gonna make some supports under it.

Also added a few more bars. Trying to f8gure out what other bars I need to keep anyone in the back safe. While I won't have a rider for "extreme" obstacles I fully understand and have participated in the "I rolled on the easy stuff"

 

[RSWORDS]

Adding tubes and trying to figure out skins.

Also realized I got high pinion dana 60gears instead of low. So ordered a new set

 

[RSWORDS]

Little bit everyday.

Got my gears in amd pulled the front axle and dropped off at a buddies to get regeared. Mounted the transmission cooler and got the fuel pump assembly put together amd installed. Now I just need to figure out how to vent the tank. Any ideas?

 

[RSWORDS]

The last few weeks have been a blur between work and prepping for a trip. Not many pictures but I'll dump some here. Got the axle in, doubler finished, steering done and driveshafts made.....

spent Friday morning running new brake lines and tossed her on the trailer to head to Good Evening Ranch with about a 100 yard test drive. she looks nice sitting on big boy running gear.

no wheeling pics because about 30 min into the maiden trip the transmission tail housing decided it was done.

I'm pretty sure I messed up my dimensions on the front driveshaft at 10pm the night before and made it too long.

I caught a rock pretty hard right on the pumpkin of the front diff shoving it into the case and breaking the tail housing.

Hopped in With some friends and enjoyed the weekend regardless.

 

[chaplinfj60]

that freaking sucks....

 

[RSWORDS]

So its been almost a year (again) haven't touched this thing and we are going again in April so time to get back on it. Ordered some spring slider from LII for the front springs and gonna figure out a better doubler mount and driveshaft. Also going to cut the floor and try to tuck the driveline up a bit

 

[RSWORDS]

Update time. Installed the spring sliders. I had horrible U-Joint angles at full droop, the sliders gave me about 3 degrees back and flex just as good if not better.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I've been curious about those. They kinda blew up a few years ago, then died off. Heard mixed things about them.

I'd be worried about bending the sides in where those are mounted and binding the leaf. Most likely they'll be fine though.

 

[RSWORDS]

They are so beef I imagine you'd destroy a shackle way before you'd hurt one.

My main reason was helping with driveshaft angle.

 

[McBastard79]

Rob, let us know how those sliders work out for you. I’ve been interested in them as well.

Think they’d hold up decently under a full size rig?

Thanks for the updates on this build