Time For a New Look!

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by csmith24

Should be sweet. You still plan on daily driving it? With your attention to detail I think it may work.

Thanks, ya I might buzz up to town every once in awhile but not as a D/D anymore. Picked up a nice little 2wd 4cyl pickup w/ a 5spd to make the 100mile a day drive to work and back a little cheaper, miss the dodge big time though!

Originally Posted by ffdustyw

Just something to think about but you may want to upgrade the rear shafts if you go any bigger than 44" tires. I don't run as much rocky terrain but I have already busted two rear shafts with mine. I know Clinta has also bust several shafts. My frontend has held up because of the selectable locker and I run with it open 90% of the time. I would suggest staying away from welding the front. Do you have a tow rig? Another thing to think about. I would also replace the front axle seals before assembling. Even if they said they are new I would change them and check. Mine leaked something fierce the first time I put it together. Mine went out again this past summer. They leak pretty bad.

Really!? the rear shafts are that weak? Guess I should pick a few spears up ASAP cause Im gonna run 44's. The front has U-Joint shafts that he bought, but Im not sure if their upgraded shafts or just replacments for the bendix style(which are there for spears also). Personaly Ive never really like the idea of a welded diff, not to say that it cant work great and hold up but Id rather spool it or save the cash for a locker, in my case most likely a spool seeings how a detroit is more than an ARB for my D60. As for a tow rig thats no problem Ive got a couple options to pick from we'll just have to see what comes up. And ya Ill deffinently be picking up some seals and maybe a couple different spear bearings. Thanks for the heads up dusty, any advise/tips on these rockwells will help a ton.

[mudskipper4x4]

Whatcha planning on using to tow that thing when you go wheeling once you put the rocks in it?

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by mudskipper4x4

Whatcha planning on using to tow that thing when you go wheeling once you put the rocks in it?

A truck I would like to pick up a 1st gen dodge CTD, but my old boss(he doesnt know what hes got) has a Clean well running 90s 4x4 chevy ext cab longbed dually w/ an injected 454, 4spd, not sure what t-case is in it, but I can pick that up for under $1000.-(cant pass it up) and I figure either use it for a bit or sell/trade it off for a dodge CTD, which Id much rather do! And on top of that Ive got a some cash stode away in the "towrig jar" and I can sell the little pickup im drivin now for a decent amount if I have to.

[dixietilldeath]

your trucks lookin pretty badass so far

[superswamper_800]

Thanks, be a long time comming but its finally startin to take shape.
As for an update, Still havent picked up the axles yet, I had planed on pullin my axles last thursday and picking up the rockwells today but works been keeping me hella busy these past few days but thats a good thing, Im gonna need the cash.
Was able to get off work a little earlyer tonight and manage to get the rig set on jack stands and a couple rounds inbetween down pours of rain and just before dark, but will have them out tomorrow and on their way mon or tues.
I cant wait till Ive got a garage/shop big enough for this thing, gettin a little burned out on sloshin around in the mud not to mention it gets a little skechy when your jacking up a rig that big up that high with wet blocks and soft groundfun shit! Thats why I didnt rush to pull them tonight, gonna let it settle overnight if nothin changes(which I know it wont)Ill start in the morrning.

[Toy Junkie]

what skinny tires look like michelins were you on? what size were they?

[superswamper_800]

XLs^^

Picked up the Rocks today. They look/feel pretty good, got a couple little issues but all in all pretty good.
One last pictures with the furd(turd) axles under it.

old

new

Looks like all the parts are there too and then some.
Hubs/spindles/driveflanges/rear shafts/spear front bendix style shafts

new stock front 16 spline u-joint shafts(Gotta love them U-Js)

Wheel bearings look to be half decent, may just need a good soakin and repacked. Spindle nuts are good, need new lock washers. Got the boot rings but no boots(thats one of the little things)a phone call should take care of it though. Random hardware and a set of balls out of one of the bendix shafts.

And to finish it off....a pinion brake kit f/r with willwood rotors from paytooyee here on pirate. Still need to pickup some toyota calipers for em.

Think thats about it. Next-tare down, clean, shave the diffs, regrease, reassemble, paint, start buildin!

[slickrock209]

Bitchin

[ffdustyw]

So you got two sets of front shafts in the deal? I checked out Patooyee's stuff looks pretty nice. Now the spending of the big $$$$ starts.
I would suggest taking a permanent marker and draw a line down the side of the rear shafts so you can check for twisting occasionally after a hard run. Also when you order new boots go ahead and order a couple spare sets of ring's. They are cheap. I keep a couple spare sets laying around. Have them add a couple spare axles seals to the order. Nice to keep spares of those as well. They are cheap too.

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by slickrock209

Bitchin

Yup, now the fun begins! No more pussy footin around!

Originally Posted by ffdustyw

So you got two sets of front shafts in the deal? I checked out Patooyee's stuff looks pretty nice. Now the spending of the big $$$$ starts.
I would suggest taking a permanent marker and draw a line down the side of the rear shafts so you can check for twisting occasionally after a hard run. Also when you order new boots go ahead and order a couple spare sets of ring's. They are cheap. I keep a couple spare sets laying around. Have them add a couple spare axles seals to the order. Nice to keep spares of those as well. They are cheap too.

Ya 2 sets of front shafts! Ones in the axle are stock U-joint style and the one on the shop floor are the original Bendix shafts which are in good shape.

[kyky777]

Hey Bud let me know if you need any help with them rocks or any parts for them. I have been inside them a time or 2. Lookin good!

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by kyky777

Hey Bud let me know if you need any help with them rocks or any parts for them. I have been inside them a time or 2. Lookin good!

Hell ya, thanks! I know Ill have some question soon. What kinda parts you got left over from your build?

[kyky777]

I have almost everything except a housing and knuckels.

[clinta]

I have a pair of rear shafts for an axle I am going to scrap if you are interested Make reasonable offer.

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by kyky777

I have almost everything except a housing and knuckels.

Nice the list of parts is growing. You have any driveline ends?

Originally Posted by clinta

I have a pair of rear shafts for an axle I am going to scrap if you are interested Make reasonable offer.

How much would shipping be to CA?


As for updates, Ive just been taring down and clean the axles for the past couple days inbetween work. Been trying to work out a few detail with the front axle too, I cant get the spindles to seat all the way in the knuckles with the new u-joint shafts(even w/o the spacers) but with the original Bendix shafts in, the spindles seat the way they should? Do I need a different set of spindles?
With Bendix shafts in.


With U-Joint shafts in.

The spacers

[clinta]

I will check next week.I would think less than $100

[ford381stroker]

The axle tube retainers and seals are different for the various styles of axle shafts. You will need to purchase u-joint style retainers and seals. I did this same swap on my first set of Rockwell axles several years ago. Chuck's Trucks sells them. I have some I would sell - I am pulling them out of mine because of the 2" stuff going in.

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by ford381stroker

The axle tube retainers and seals are different for the various styles of axle shafts. You will need to purchase u-joint style retainers and seals. I did this same swap on my first set of Rockwell axles several years ago. Chuck's Trucks sells them. I have some I would sell - I am pulling them out of mine because of the 2" stuff going in.

How much would you let em go for? + shipping to CA

[Tinker]

Get some of these.

[superswamper_800]

Nice

[superswamper_800]

Been awhile sence the last update! Been hella busy with work but I cant complain about, fells good! Anyways I just about got the rear axle 100% swaped in, just waitin on a few parts that will be here this week to wrap it up, along with a trip to the dismantlers for a few other parts and a trip tomorrow to go pickup some old stock split rims with some old 44" non-directionals for rollers. Here ya go!
Had some left over 3 x 3 x 3/16 wall square tube for the spring perches, cut it in half and put the rockwell notch in it, fancyed it up a bit and plated the ends, should be plenty stout. 1/2" rise off axle tube.



Next was some 3" square blocks, had to do it. Picked up some new 3 x 3 x 1/4 wall square tube for those and plated the ends with 1/4 too. For the spring pins I drilled and taped a hole for some hysteer studs I had layin around, then weld the inside for insurance.




Reassembaled the axle and got it all put together as much as I can untill my U-bolt and wheel studs show up and I get my tires

After thats its a trac-bar(got the parts), drivelines(pickin up some flanges), mount the shocks, and pick up some brake calipers. Ill put new seals and bearings in them as needed at the end of the build. Next.....linkin out the front finally!! Either goin triangulated 4 link or a similar setup to Dustys.

[ffdustyw]

Looks good! I welded the blocks in the rear of mine. If you tie a traction bar into it you will never have an issue. You run some arced springs so the traction bar may not work as well. My rear springs are pretty flat. Can't wait to see this thing.

[superswamper_800]

Originally Posted by ffdustyw

Looks good! I welded the blocks in the rear of mine. If you tie a traction bar into it you will never have an issue. You run some arced springs so the traction bar may not work as well. My rear springs are pretty flat. Can't wait to see this thing.

Right on thanks. Ya I was gonna ask you about your traction bar and how its workin out but it doesnt sound like it would work very well for me, Ive got a few others to choose from though.

[slickrock209]

Looking good!

[Elwenil]

Do you have the manuals for those axles?