First off this product was not installed in the SAR_Sammy that you have all seen on this board. We own 3 Sammy’s; they are (Not that it is important) what we call the big one, (Pictured on the right, The one you guys have all seen) A ¼ Elliptical version (Pictured on the left) with shackle reversal and narrowed front leafs, 4.15 X-Fer case, 5:83’s locked front & rear (A respectable Sammy in it’s own right), and a simple SPOA (Pictured in the middle) with 5:12’s, and the same narrowed shackle reversal.

Last weekend while playing on a local rock pile I came down on the unprotected X-Fer Case and blew out all 3 of the X-Fer case mounts. As well as tore the OEM Mounts right through the middle. Common problem with most low geared Sammy’s. Well using pieces of chain and cinch straps I got it home. Later that evening I searched the Internet to see what Sellers had to offer. I knew I was already going to have to replace the rubber mounts and at about $18 bucks apiece this would enter into the equation of which product to purchase. I decided on the Trail Tough product. Next day placed the order and 2 days later it arrived along with the new mounts.

I had already removed the X-Fer case and pulled out the OEM torn arms. I started to examine just how this mounts to the X-Fer case.

In this picture you can see just how the Mighty Kong compares to the OEM mounts. If you look very closely you can see the torn and twisted sections of both the OEM mounts.

As shown you can see just how well built the Mighty Kong is as compared to the wimpy OEM X-Fer case mounts.



This is just another shot differant angle

The mighty Kong went in fairly easy. The only real hang ups were in getting the intermediate shaft nuts and bolts in as the new X-Fer Case mounts were now in the way. Other then that it was pretty straight forward with no modifications done for fitting.

After the installation (Only took about 45 mins) one can see that it hangs down very little from the frame rails.

Now that it is in I am off back to the Rock Pile that cost me this project. I’ll report back in a couple of days to let you know how it all works out.


Mike
SAR_Sammy
El Dorado County Search & Rescue
CalRocs Medical Director
Cal4Wheel Event Medical Director
Top Truck Challenge Medical Director

Just curious what feature is going to keep you from tearing rubber mounts? Tying both sides together may help a little but if you tore all of them last time I really don't see how you won't tear all three this time given the exat same force pushing upward on that mount.

I have had mine in now for about a month and have had no problems with it and I am running the centered rear toyota axles. No ripping and trearing yet?

Actually they still will tear. The issue is that as the rubber mounts age they become rigid. Hence when stretched they tear apart. When new or fairly new they just stretch and come back together. Spoke with several people and no one suggested the hard mount style as doing that puts too much strain on the X-Fer case and frame rail mounts. This causes damage in other areas. All suggested just replacing the rubber mounts every couple of years. This is workable and not a problem.

Mike
SAR_Sammy

just wonderin, what local rock pile did you do this on?

I went through 3 sets of stock T-case arms before getting a set of Mild to Wild's arms. In about 4 years I haven't had a single problem with them, but I was tearing the rubber mounts about every other time I'd go 'wheeling. This was a common way for me to drive home form the trail:

http://www.off-road.com/~beasley/mounttorn.jpg
http://www.off-road.com/~beasley/mountfix.jpg

I've been using Rocky Road's polyurethane mounts for a couple years now, and they've completely solved the problem of the t-case tearing loose from the 6.1 t-case's torque. However, I still wouldn't want the weight of the whole truck coming down on those mounts. Even if they did hold, the wimpy frame mount tabs would bend and/or tear. Heck mine are bent just from the torque alone. That's why I haven't gone with Bill Forrest's bucket or Trail Tough's Mighty Kong.

I think the optimal t-case mount and protection is a set of beefed t-case mounts like many of the aftermarket companies sell, and a good ultra-strong belly pan skidplate like Porter's Hardcore 4x4 skidplate which unfortunately is no longer made anymore. I had the Con-Ferr/Petroworks/Calmini skidplate with those goofy J-bolts for quite a while and kept sliding the skidplate and wrecking the J-bolts. With the Hardcore 4x4 skidplate I have no reservations against sliding or slamming the belly of my Zuk over rocks and other crap. The bucket-type t-case mounts wouldn't hold up to that kind of abuse due to the fact that the frame mounts aren't designed for much more than a little torque from the t-case.

since someone mentioned it............. anyone know the URL for mild to wild's web site?:D

Originally posted by zukiman
With the Hardcore 4x4 skidplate I have no reservations against sliding or slamming the belly of my Zuk over rocks and other crap. The bucket-type t-case mounts wouldn't hold up to that kind of abuse due to the fact that the frame mounts aren't designed for much more than a little torque from the t-case.


I don't know about Brent but I didn’t make the bucket to go onto a point and shoot vehicle, rather a samurai to crawl 99.9% of the time. I like to think of it more as the bucket is going to a certain driving style. I did not make it to totally replace the belly type skid plates. I wanted strong arms 1st and then a “defector” if you would for the t-case. So no, I don’t expect the frame mounts to handle a samurai dropping all of it’s weight down on them, But your $1200 t-case will still be good:D Light weight, very strong and more ground clearance than a belly type, this is why I have a bucket.

why not a bit of reinforcing on the frame rails and mounts, or makin new mounts ? What about this brace i saw somewhere here on POR that slipped over the tcase output and bolted right to the t-case ?

I think Zukiman covered it..............:D

I have been running the 5.8:1 t-case since Moab, this year.. and Rick Roger's (Mild to Wild) long and short arms for more than 2 years. No problems to report with the t-case or the arms.. but I do carry a set of new bushings and replace them every few months (on the trail, of course).. but, I think if them as fuses.. and I have not broken any other peripheral stuff except axles and springs and lockers and birfields and... But, the t-case holds tight and, though it moves around a bit, it holds together quite well and I have yet to "S" my long arm.

The only issue I am concerned of is the long-side mount removing itself from the case (again). That happened about 5 years ago with a 4:1 case. I was gettin' it. But, Lincoln Welding in Sac did a great job welding it back up and I have not had an issue since. The welds are significantly more beefy than the case, itself.

Tom

no offense to brent but thats a piss poor copy of yours bill. after dave but your bucket on his site brent seemed to have his new bucket to.:rolleyes:


:p :p :p :p :p :p