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Meet Rex

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56K views 151 replies 60 participants last post by  Extremneon  
#1 · (Edited)
TnT Customs out of Cheyenne has been building my Jeep, (they named Rex). Three goals: a) drive highway speeds and handle well, b) Rock Crawl, c) be able to go fast on two track (off)roads.

Here is a "tour of Rex"

First meet the real Rex. My kids gave him to me. I don't know exactly where he picked up the stick.
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Next notice the Aluminum front winch bumper with the hoop. That is a Warn 9500XP in there.
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The suspension is TnT's Y-Link in the front and a three link in the rear. It has about a 4" lift. Notice that there isn't a bunch of mounts hanging down.
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The Front and Rear Shock systems are Off Road Evolutions Double throw downs. TnT modified them to get the ride height lower, and to tune in the ride. These things are really good. Very smooth ride. Holds the road well too. Alos notice the PSC hydro assist pump.
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Inside of this rear aluminum winch bumper is a warn winch and ORE's cantilever double throw down system. Lots of stuff to fit into that little space.
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#107 ·
Mini-T-Rex

One of the guys who works on Rex up at TnT built me a mini T-Rex RC Rig. He did a nice job. Here is the build thread link.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/1-9-scale-rigs/433030-rmks-mini-t-rex-w-y-link-arms.html

He made it as much as a replica of big Rex as he could: Y-Link suspension, PS Fenders, Cage, SS TSL/SX's, Trail Ready Beadlocks, The dinosaurs. :) It will be fun to wheel. I'll bring it to Moab. :)

Here are a few pics:
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The rig in the background is one of mine TnT is currently building. It'll be a lot like Rex when finished.
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#110 · (Edited)
Rex got new trail doors. These are molded plastic, made by Strike Force Zebra. They seem well made, fit well. They also have storage space inside the doors.

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#117 · (Edited)
Here are two JKs in a stacker trailer. This is my "destination" trailer. We'll use this one for cross country trips or multiday trips where we go from a base camp. In order to get Rex to fit beneath the upper shelf and between the wheel wells I had to put him on small front tires.

Jeep one.


Then Rex.


 
#127 · (Edited)
Rex is getting a D80. Here are some pictures of it from today. You can see the suspension components

The links for the 3 link hanging down:

The Dynatrac d-80 axle. TnT will truss it tomorrow and attach it.

The shocks and coils from the lever suspension

And, Allen (Alasha), The exhaust is now chopped. You can also see the other parts of the EVO lever to the right.


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#134 ·
Update on Rex.

The D-80 is on hold for a bit. Im going to take out the EVO Lever and put in a different rear suspension. The lever with Rex's setup was going to take a lot of work. Since it takes a lot of work, then, the reasoning goes, why stop there? Why not continue down the JKuggy path? So we are stepping back and thinking about what to do. The d-60 is back under Rex.

Part of the thinking is driven by the fact Rex's frame is getting soft. TNT has welded and gusseted the frame a couple times to repair cracks. Rexy has 44+k miles on him. No more than 15k are on road. Lots of hardcore miles, and the wear is showing on the frame.

The parts on Rex are all good so that's a plus. :thinking:

After Rocktoberfest Rex will be in the shop a few months---taking to the next stage. Maybe by Winter on the Rocks the next iteration will be ready.


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#137 ·
LeftHandRubi said:
Part of the thinking is driven by the fact Rex's frame is getting soft. TNT has welded and gusseted the frame a couple times to repair cracks. Rexy has 44+k miles on him. No more than 15k are on road. Lots of hardcore miles, and the wear is showing on the frame.

The parts on Rex are all good so that's a plus. :thinking:

After Rocktoberfest Rex will be in the shop a few months---taking to the next stage. Maybe by Winter on the Rocks the next iteration will be ready.
Click to expand...
Bye bye frame? :grinpimp:
 
#136 · (Edited)
Yeah. Addictions. Addictions. Actually the jeeps take the place of a cabin, boats, and other expensive habits. My family, lucky for me, love the jeeps. Plus I am lucky to have TnT work on my jeep. Bob loves seeing what I do with Rex.

The Gekko and Dozer don't break easily. My new rig (001. The '08 JKU) won't either. Rex will get modified and be tough too. All the lessons learned from Rex and from the experiences of others on JKO all save a lot of money--my builds (with the exception of Rex) are more of a one time investment.

I love big ledges/climbs, "impossible" trails, and going very fast offroad. That is my addiction. I am lefthandrubi and I have a problem....





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#139 ·
Lol ya I'm the same way. I've been in the rock crawling/desert scene since i was a baby so its not even really an addiction for me, its my lifestyle. I spent the first 18 Thanksgivings of my life in the sand dunes lol, those were the days. Now I'm bringing up my kids to be the same way. My daughter loves the desert, Jeeps, and motorcycles, she is getting her first quad this xmas, i can't wait! Lol



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#142 ·
Rubiconquered said:
Lol ya I'm the same way. I've been in the rock crawling/desert scene since i was a baby so its not even really an addiction for me, its my lifestyle. I spent the first 18 Thanksgivings of my life in the sand dunes lol, those were the days. Now I'm bringing up my kids to be the same way. My daughter loves the desert, Jeeps, and motorcycles, she is getting her first quad this xmas, i can't wait! Lol



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Click to expand...
I like the people I meet. I love being out in the back country. I love doing both scenic and bad ass trails. Its such a great way to get away mentally. The problems to overcome on the trail are "here and now" with immediate feedback on problem solving. SO unlike my work where it can takes months or years to see the end results.

Enjoy you kids taking them out. That is one of the truly great pleasures in life.
 
#143 ·
I thought I would take advantage of the angle on this picture and show some of the features of Rex. Normally when he is on his side he isn't this much in the open. :)

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#145 ·
Is the engine skid aluminum too or is it steel? I ask because I'm also running the TNT aluminum belly system and while the t-case and fuel tank skids are holding up fine (grooved and scratched but no real damage) my engine skid is getting pretty dented up and starting to rub on my exhaust. I was contemplating replacing it with the steel one. Thoughts?
 
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