Crawlercreations 60-9 front axle and $$$$$$ build

[BroncoCrawler]

I assume you ran the 3 link Calculator on the front? What numbers did you end up (with those link lengths) with and how do they correlate to the driveability?

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[crawlercreations]

I assume you ran the 3 link Calculator on the front? What numbers did you end up (with those link lengths) with and how do they correlate to the driveability?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Sorry I missed this. I did run the calculator. I don't remember the numbers I came up with but I shot for fairly neutral. I ended up with a touch of over steer and it feels like a touch of over steer. It is really soft and flexy currently. I think once I nail down my suspension tuning it'll be decent on the street but I'm not sure it'll ever be a highway cruiser. I am thinking I'll replace the frame track bar bracket to get it flatter and it'll be better still. Lots changing still so I haven't started dialing things in yet.

[crawlercreations]

A small update. The rear axle is built and ready to start installing. The axle and frame brackets are all in hand so I can just set the axle where I want, do some small bracket modifications as needed, and weld it all up.

Built axle

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Got this very welcome notification today as well

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[Strike2]

Very nice work! Looking forward to seeing the mounting updates

[Jesus_man]

More goodies!

[crawlercreations]

The last big piece of the puzzle just came in!

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[Jesus_man]

Das nice!

[crawlercreations]

Next year's project was procured today. 1995 roller 351w. Truck had 124k miles on it but this was, obviously, a rebuilt put in fairly recently. Will make a nice builder. Nothing . Might stroke it to a 393 but we'll see if it's been bored already and what the condition is internally before I pull that trigger. Aluminum heads and decent power. Shooting for around 400 to keep it torque happy.

Anyone got a 351w Gt40 lower laying around?

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[Kinder]

Cast iron or aluminum on the 351 GT40 lower?

[crawlercreations]

Cast iron or aluminum on the 351 GT40 lower?

Prefer aluminum, of course, but I'd entertain cast.

Although if I end up building the engine anything like the axles, suspension and transfer case I'll end up with some high end aftermarket piece.

[Justin]

You might keep an eye out on ncorral.net. I got my complete edelbrock intake for less than the gt40 I takes fo for.

[crawlercreations]

Phase 2 has been started. Ran into an issue with the new atlas not fitting my np435. I have the 6 cylinder adapter so it won't work with the atlas. Always sucks running into those unexpected and expensive issues. $400 later and I'll have a new adapter on Tuesday from Wildhorses. Will be working on it all weekend and some next week. Hopefully that adapter comes on Tuesday so I can stab the atlas and get some driveshafts made.

Rear is gone.

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New cut. I will add some .125 metal to fill in between the door opening and new fender flare line. A little more strength and it will look factoryish.

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My new front suspension came today. I've had the rear for a month or so now. 8 month wait on these unless you watch for them close enough. I got scammed on the first set I bought but, luckily, I used PayPal and just got my money back on them. 14" up front and 16" out back.

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[Eck]

Looking good Jason. I like that you are keeping the body “look” mostly stock or at least recognizable as a Bronco even though you are using it as a crawler.


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[crawlercreations]

Looking good Jason. I like that you are keeping the body “look” mostly stock or at least recognizable as a Bronco even though you are using it as a crawler.


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Thanks. That's been an important goal to me during the whole build. I've gotten compliments about my "clean bronco" still. I went wheeling with a buddy and met some of his friends that heard about my bronco. I showed them a picture and they all gasped that I actually wheel it. Makes me proud.

[Rox Crusher]

I can’t wait to see it finished and in action

[Strike2]

WOW those are some impressive parts on and already "built rig" not to mention the folding money!! I'm really interested in hearing a review on the ORI, Most of my buddy's tried convincing me into getting some but yet to hear first hand from someone local how they like them.

[Jesus_man]

I've heard nothing but good things about ORI's. And while I know they are more $$ that a coilover, I don't know how much.

[crawlercreations]

I've heard nothing but good things about ORI's. And while I know they are more $$ that a coilover, I don't know how much.

By the time you factor in bump stops, coil springs and limit straps on top of the coilover they're close to same cost as ORIs. I paid $1700 per pair of Oris. Still a bit, especially since I already bought coilovers, springs, limit straps and bumps for it, but from my limited experience with them it should be worth it. Oris have internal bump stops that are actually really good and they don't need limit straps. Plus they control sway almost as well as a sway bar so you can eliminate the need for those as well.

I'll post up how I like them once I get to drive it and crawl it.

[crawlercreations]

I made some progress today. The atlas adapter has definitely set me back as it isn't scheduled to be delivered until Thursday. If it arrives when ups normally arrives it won't show until 4:30 in the afternoon so I won't be able to get driveshafts until Friday at the soonest. I was hoping for a shake down run next weekend so it'll be close. It gives me time to do really clean and nice work on the small details. I've got a lot of bracing to add to things but I'm really happy with the numbers I came up with on the 4 link calculator. Hopefully it translates well to crawling.

Clean slate

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Frame mounts

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Axle mounts

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New wheelbase

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[Jesus_man]

Are you around 100" now?

[crawlercreations]

Are you around 100" now?

102" +/- 1".

[crawlercreations]

Made some decent progress today. I went quicker with the front end because I had a friend helping. I'm solo now so it's slower. I've got to move my ori mounts a little tomorrow to make sure the tires don't rub them during articulation and build all the gussets and reinforcements for everything. I'll build the links and start burning everything in permanent too. Monday will be atlas install and final welding and painting on everything else along with axle install. Order my driveshafts Tuesday and start on all the details that take forever. Hoping to drive it by Thursday. We'll see! I know it's a big list.

Almost full droop.

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Full tuck

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[crawlercreations]

Doesn't look like much progress today but it feels like more progress. Rear axle is fully built and painted. Just need to assemble it. Frame mounts for the links and Oris are fully welded and painted. Just need to build some links and install the rear axle. I ended up changing my ori mounts up top to inboard them a little in order to clear the tires on full tuck. The new mount is beefy and attractive. I'll add something to it to make it look more finished but it's plenty strong as is. Tomorrow should be rear axle build and install and atlas install. Tuesday is order driveshafts and start on all the little details. Still a lot to do but it's coming along nicely.

New upper mounts

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Rear axle all pretty

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Frame link mounts

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A little nice welding

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[crawlercreations]

I'm tired but I've made my main goal deadline. The atlas is installed and the rear axle is as well. Got it supported at it's ride height and measured for driveshafts. I'll call around tomorrow to see who can get me the driveshafts I want. It flexes really well and everything clears so far. I still have to cut the driver's side wheel well and finish up all the odds and ends.

When advanced adapters "recommends" a body lift to install an atlas they are not kidding. I had to cut a bit of the body to clear it and it still rubs in a couple places. I'll be working on that too..

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102" wheelbase

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Overall I'm loving it. I can't wait to get it done and get it out to play.

[crawlercreations]

Obligatory flex shots...

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[landshark]

Very nice... you weren't kidding add the $$$$$$$ build to the title :)

[Strike2]

Man you got alot done this weekend its looking awesome!
What type of fuel tank are you running and we’re is it located? And I have to ask what’s up with the pet rock

[crawlercreations]

Man you got alot done this weekend its looking awesome!
What type of fuel tank are you running and we’re is it located? And I have to ask what’s up with the pet rock

I'll be installing an rci rock crawler fuel cell, eventually. I ordered it 2 months ago and it was supposed to ship this week but I've heard no updates. In the meantime I've got a brand new rci cell to install. The non rock crawler cells are junk and will crack and leak so the one I have will be temporary.

The rock was once used to keep a battery from arcing against my cage... I won't be needing it again but I've not pulled it out yet.

[Jesus_man]

That looks like a real beast!! I'm sure you are salivating to get it out!!

How exposed is your Atlas? Do your link brackets protect it pretty well?

[crawlercreations]

That looks like a real beast!! I'm sure you are salivating to get it out!!

How exposed is your Atlas? Do your link brackets protect it pretty well?

It is hanging just about level with the link brackets. I'm planning on building a skid plate that covers between all the links and protects the atlas and gives me a flat belly.