[LeftHandRubi]

Will you be at jeep camp again in '12? Im hoping I make it, and hopefully I will be in my JKU, instead of riding shotgun again!

Thanks! I will be at Jeep camp with both rigs. I look forward to seeing you again. We changed configuration on my front drive shaft, so I ought not to be breaking it again!

Tremendous build! Don't know how I missed this until just now.

Thank you!

 

[TEXASKEV]

Dang! Congrats on the JP shoot

 

[LeftHandRubi]

Grooving the TSL/SX's

I was out snow bashing with a bunch of CO guys. They asked me why my TSL/SX's weren't grooved for better traction and flex. Huh? says I. So they explained that I should cut rubber off the tires to make more "teeth" and to reduce stiffness over rocks. I looked up tire groovers. Bought one. Used it. Took about an hour to do all four. The ride is a lot quieter and they worked well on the trail.

Before (ignore that it is flat, that was just an oops on a trail)

After:

 

[20JK10]

Great job being featured in JP!

 

[LeftHandRubi]

Great job being featured in JP!

Thx! TnT really gets the credit though.

Right now TnT is doing a couple builds for my buddies. Both of them have two doors. One of them, is getting a build so that as Greg, the owner, says, "it will out climb Rex". Should be fun to see.

 

[Nukeman]

Will definitely be fun to see. I gotta get down to TnT to check out the builds!

 

[ScaleJK4x4]

Amazing. Epic for sure!

 

[LeftHandRubi]

New steering gear

After taco'ing the tie rod and drag link at Rock Junction, we decided to make the steering more "robust".

Here are some pics of the y-arms

We put in 1350 cv in the drive line too.

Also Rex was supposed to get a Torq axle. However, it seems that Torq can't deliver. I've twisted three D-60 axle shafts so far, no huge deal but irritating. I put stickies on Rex for the serious rock crawling events, so having a more robust axle is key. I'll put the SX's back on for street and normal trail use, but the stickies do made a huge difference on rocks--but they are harder on parts. Goal is still to be able to drive on the street as well as trails.

We are in the midst of planning mods to make Rex the ultimate trail jeep (go fast and still crawl extremely well). If you all have 'out of the box' suggestions as to what we be really cool, i'd like to hear them.

 

[ALASHA]

Also Rex was supposed to get a Torq axle. However, it seems that Torq can't deliver.

What happened? Were they going to do tone rings?

If you really want to go over board, give Tube Works a call...

I've twisted three D-60 axle shafts so far, no huge deal but irritating

Try to get a set in 300M??

We are in the midst of planning mods to make Rex the ultimate trail jeep (go fast and still crawl extremely well). If you all have 'out of the box' suggestions as to what we be really cool, i'd like to hear them.

Too many to list here...

 

[LeftHandRubi]

What happened? Were they going to do tone rings?

If you really want to go over board, give Tube Works a call...



Try to get a set in 300M??



Too many to list here...

Hi Allan, Yeah, Torq had ownership troubles from what I heard....the partners couldn't agree on what's what. They were supposed to build 9" crate axle with tone rings and stuff.

Got a call into Tubeworks. I thought about M-300, up from 4340's. I'm thinking D-80 with rear steer. We are thinking about moving the gas tank (like TnT has been doing on the last few 2 dr JKs), and lifting him a bit more. We've got to figure out a better spot for the gas tank. Also to do the rear steer, The DTD will have to get turned around. Also have to be able to lock down the rear steer so it can go on the road.

Rex does really good overall, but this year I have beat he crap out of him. We talked about cutting him down--dovetail, and shortening him slightly. My family objected big time.

So what other ideas? List 'em.

Pat

 

[ALASHA]

Hi Allan, Yeah, Torq had ownership troubles from what I heard....the partners couldn't agree on what's what. They were supposed to build 9" crate axle with tone rings and stuff.

That sucks. I thought they were going to build 14 bolt crate axles, not 9".

Got a call into Tubeworks. I thought about M-300, up from 4340's. I'm thinking D-80 with rear steer. We are thinking about moving the gas tank (like TnT has been doing on the last few 2 dr JKs), and lifting him a bit more. We've got to figure out a better spot for the gas tank. Also to do the rear steer, The DTD will have to get turned around. Also have to be able to lock down the rear steer so it can go on the road.

If you dont mind, let me know what Tubeworks says. Would love to hear what a company that makes 20K axles comes up with.

I would try out 300M before switching axles just because of the $$ involved.

You dont need rear steer. Its cool but it adds more vulnerabilities and detracts from a go fast type of rig. Just add individual hand brakes if you dont have that already.

 

[LeftHandRubi]

That sucks. I thought they were going to build 14 bolt crate axles, not 9".


If you dont mind, let me know what Tubeworks says. Would love to hear what a company that makes 20K axles comes up with.

I would try out 300M before switching axles just because of the $$ involved.

You dont need rear steer. Its cool but it adds more vulnerabilities and detracts from a go fast type of rig. Just add individual hand brakes if you dont have that already.

Yeah it does suck. I thought they would have a nice product. They talked about 14B shaved down. In any case--they couldn't deliver. Too bad. We had a nice order for them.

Rex does pretty well one most obstacles, however I have had in places (like 21 road, st. George, and montrose) where having the rear moved a couple inches to the right of left would have made a huge difference in tight obstacles. So we'll see. We still have to figure it all out. You are right about compromising the "go-fast" part. We'll see.

I'll let you know about tubeworks.

 

[LeftHandRubi]

Putting Trail Ready Double Beadlocks wheels with TSL/SX rubber.

I've been having burping problems with the SX's below 11psi. I love the SX's because they are so tough. However that thick sidewall leads to burping with a heavy rig like Rex at low psi.

The inner piece pins the tire walls on both sides.

The ring of the beadlock is sealed with an O ring. The metal ring slides between the inner lock and the wheel.

 

[ALASHA]

Still confused on how this will actually "pinch" the tire on both the inner and outer bead?

 

[LeftHandRubi]

Still confused on how this will actually "pinch" the tire on both the inner and outer bead?

This inner ring goes around the wheel and inside the tire:

It pinches the inner bead as it is pressed and locked by a metal insert, and the ring bolts down to hold the whole thing together.

You can see the metal insert (below the ring) and the ring itself in this pic.

The whole set up reminds me of Stauns in that it is an internal "fitting" that holds the inner bead in place. Of course in this case the internal "fitting" is a piece of plastic pipe, and it is held together with the metal rings on the on the outer rim.

 

[ALASHA]

Still confused. :bawling:

On a traditional double beadlock like a hummer wheel, the wheel itself is actually two pieces. The PVC insert goes in the tire and as you tighten the bolts, the two pieces come closer together sandwiching the tire bead to the PVC insert.

Here I see the PVC insert but cant figure out what will apply pressure to each bead to push it against the insert.

 

[LeftHandRubi]

Still confused. :bawling:

On a traditional double beadlock like a hummer wheel, the wheel itself is actually two pieces. The PVC insert goes in the tire and as you tighten the bolts, the two pieces come closer together sandwiching the tire bead to the PVC insert.

Here I see the PVC insert but cant figure out what will apply pressure to each bead to push it against the insert.

That grey thing in your pic is the same piece as the shiny metal thing in my pic. I should have taken it off the wheel. Looks very similar in shape.

 

[Torq Axle]

Hi Allan, Yeah, Torq had ownership troubles from what I heard....the partners couldn't agree on what's what. They were supposed to build 9" crate axle with tone rings and stuff.

Got a call into Tubeworks. I thought about M-300, up from 4340's.

Pat

Pat sorry to have let you down on the build of your axle. The partnership "divorce" at Torq was very untimely on many levels. I would have loved to see a Super-14 on the T-Rex. It's an impressive truck! Jayson (Tubeworks) builds fantastic stuff and will take great care of you. As far as far as the Super-14 line goes I have moved my company into a new shop and have resumed building axles. I am always happy to help with axle tech support if needed.

Best,

-Jim

 

[LeftHandRubi]

Jim. Thx for message. Those things happen. I wish you the best. Pat

 

[LeftHandRubi]

In response to a question from a jeep brother:

Here are some pics of the inside of the b pillar. The top half is removable. The lower half is pretty much factory with the exception it has a mount that bolts to the cage.

The top half was cut off and mounts to the lower hall with a pin. The top bolts to the cage. It is finished with sheet metal, 16g. Then painted.

With the seat in normal position.

The mount to the cage for the lower half. This is looking down.

The flange to top of cage

The pillar installed and removed.