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'65 Rubicon Rig

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by timsresort, Dec 27, 2020.

  1. Jan 8, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2020
    Messages:
    21
    Gotcha. I don’t need one right now, but didn’t know of another one in the area. Can’t wait to see the final work.

    Jack
     
  2. Jan 8, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Messages:
    1,587
    Focussing on the front end. This 44 I bought from a friend several years ago, the price was right, and it had 5.38's, a Detroit, disc brakes, 5 on 5-1/2. He had shortened this Chevy spring over, 3" tube 44 for his Commando, and ran it for a few years before moving up to a Dana 60. I was going to put it in my 3B, but after a mock up, realized the 61" wms was a hair too wide. So I used all the inners (and outers) for the 3B, built a narrower 58" housing, and kept this housing for the future because it came with 2 sets of axle shafts. So here it is, in all its glory, not much to look at but 61" wms is going to be perfect for this jeep.
    [​IMG]
    I tacked some WFO perches on it in preparation for getting it under the jeep. They are set at 27-1/2" center to center. And I tell you what, the cut and reweld was done by a pro.
    [​IMG]
    This housing has the ubolt arch for the spring over. And i need to cut off the shock mounts, they are on the wrong side.
    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ, officer_friendly and locrwln like this.
  3. Jan 9, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Messages:
    1,587
    Today, I want to get the 44 cleaned up and do a little welding. First I cut off the old shock mounts and cleaned the tubes.
    [​IMG]
    Next was double checking my caster angle, pinion angle, spring centers, then final welded the perches.
    [​IMG]
    Pulled the cover, thoroughly washed out the inside, checked the inner axle seals, they look ok, so I am ready to build this housing.
    [​IMG]
    Last summer I dummied up some 37's at 61" wms to see what it looked like. I think it will be fine, although I'm a little worried about the front curve of the fender clearance.
    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ and Downs like this.
  4. Jan 11, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Messages:
    1,587
    First step to getting this thing under the jeep is to get out the hot wrench. Out with the old.
    [​IMG]
    This is the setup. Rubicon Express 1445 reverse eye SOA YJ springs, WFO spring plates, 4" shackles, and perches.
    [​IMG]
    I disassembled one pack to get just the main leaf for set up and travel purposes, then pounded in some fresh bushings, 9/16" at the hanger, 1/2" at the shackle.
    [​IMG]
    Lots of nice parts from WFO, bushings, sleeves, shackles, hardware.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Jan 11, 2021
    Jay's WWII Jeeps

    Jay's WWII Jeeps Member

    Napa CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2018
    Messages:
    188
    Tim
    Are you doing shackle reversal in the front?
    Jay
     
  6. Jan 11, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    1,587
    That is the plan, and to go through the frame with the shackle, to keep the SOA as low as possible.
     
  7. Jan 11, 2021
    Jay's WWII Jeeps

    Jay's WWII Jeeps Member

    Napa CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2018
    Messages:
    188
    Are you using the WFO bracket?
     
  8. Jan 12, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    1,587
    Jay, no, I didn't see the benefit of that bracket. So I am using this hanger from Ruffstuff. I like it because of the cantilever, adds a little reach out for the longer spring.
    [​IMG]
     
    locrwln likes this.
  9. Jan 12, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    1,587
    With the front hanger clamped up front, my thought is to figure out the travel of the leaf to locate the shackle bushing. I pushed the leaf up with a jack to find its furthest rearward travel.
    [​IMG]
    I put a shim in between the frame and the leaf to give a little wiggle factor, and here is where the shackle will hang.
    [​IMG]
    This is the sleeve I will insert here. Standard YJ 2.5" leaf bushings.
    [​IMG]
    A 2" hole saw made quick work of the holes. I dummied the sleeves, bushings, shackles, leaves. Looks good, ready to weld.
    [​IMG]
     
    vtxtasy, melvinm, locrwln and 2 others like this.
  10. Jan 13, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2020
    Messages:
    21
    We put those springs on my buddies YJ when they first came out. Great springs and they held up great.

    Jack
     
  11. Jan 13, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Jan 22, 2014
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    1,587
    Jack, yes, they have a great track record with my 3B and many guys I know. And the price is right.
     
    locrwln likes this.
  12. Jan 13, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    After drilling both sides, I swapped the single leaf for full pack, (although I think I am going to take a leaf out eventually).
    [​IMG]
    Both sides will need some beefing around the bushing, I think I will box the frame at least past the transmission crossmember.
    [​IMG]
     
    melvinm, ITLKSEZ and Rich M. like this.
  13. Jan 13, 2021
    Jay's WWII Jeeps

    Jay's WWII Jeeps Member

    Napa CA
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    Mar 14, 2018
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    Tim
    Does this keep the axle in the stock location? What is the center to center between the pivot and shackle mount on the frame?
    Thanks
    Jay
     
  14. Jan 13, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Jay, the axle centerline stays the same, for spring purposes. The axles will move 1" outward on the center pins, for a WB of 83"-ish. The frame mounting points are 21-3/4" off stock centerline, or 43-1/2" center to center. The leaf can go an additional 2" back on the shackle when it flattens.
     
  15. Jan 14, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Jan 22, 2014
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    Few little projects today. First, nice day in our non-winter to open the garage and make some fumes. Cut off the front shock mounts, these will be way too short.
    [​IMG]
    Made a frame plate for the right side, and welded the right spring sleeve.
    [​IMG]
    Welded the left sleeve, and made an inner plate to beef up around this area where the steering box used to be.
    [​IMG]
    Welded the front hangers, but will need to remove the winch and steering box to get to the inner welds. Ah well, the box has to come out anyway.
    [​IMG]
     
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  16. Jan 15, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Jan 22, 2014
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    Got sidetracked today with a call from the machine shop, "come and get it". Don't have to tell me twice, so I ran down after work and got it. I am extremely happy, on time and on budget, can't beat that. Now, I have some work to do, and maybe I have rounded the turn, and can start assembling something for a change.
    [​IMG]
     
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  17. Jan 16, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    This photo shows a few things. First, you can see the caster angle of about 3.5 degrees, the pinion angle of about 10 degrees, the axle sitting 1" forward on the center pin, and the spring plate with offset hole will accommodate this little stretch. Also you can see the thick tube wall of the Chevy 44. The Waggy 44 is smaller in diameter, with lighter tubing. I'm ready to put this housing on the operating table tomorrow.
    [​IMG]
    Here is the line up: Detroit locker, D44 30 spline, Motive 5.38 ring and pinion, set up kit with bearings etc., new 26 spline pinion yoke, and the 30 spline stocker axles that were shortened by Moser.
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Jan 17, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I got the table cleaned off, housing up there, on the stands. First, I opened all the parts, spread them out, and since this is an empty housing, with no gears to compare to, I will have to take a few steps to get to my starting point. I like to measure and mark all the shims.
    [​IMG]
    First step, get the pinion in, and since I have nothing to compare to, I will have to estimate the pinion depth shims (under the inner race), and the preload shims (on the shaft inside the outer bearing. My rule of thumb is to stack .035 on the depth shims and .060 on the preload, torque it in there, if it's still a little loose, subtract .010 for preload, and call that the starting point. But... I notice that I don't have an inner pinion oil slinger, that goes under the inner bearing. So I'm kind of shot down for today. $2.75 holding up the show.
    [​IMG]
    I can mount the ring gear onto the Detroit, and work out the starting shim packs for the carrier, so I bolt up the ring gear, with a little blue loctite.
    [​IMG]
    Trying to torque a ring gear with no one around to hold it made me go outside to my pipe vise. Worked out pretty well.
    [​IMG]
    A must, in my book, for set up, are set up bearings. I made these years ago for Dana 44 out of used bearings, and are invaluable. Being able to slide them on and off is the only way.
    [​IMG]
    To find the starting packs for the carrier, I put the set up bearings on the carrier, bolted up the caps loosely, and pry the carrier back and forth to determine the overall shim pack. I won't know how much on each side until I put the pinion in, after I get the slinger.
    [​IMG]
     
  19. Jan 17, 2021
    locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Carson City, NV
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2020
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    21
    Nice work. Too bad about the slinger. I’ve done gears a couple of times and it’s always a chore. But getting better each time.

    Jack
     
  20. Jan 17, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    1,587
    Thanks Jack. Yeah, I just didn't think of it. I normally have all the stuff that came out of the housing, but that all went into my 3B. If I did this more often, I would be better, I still have to rely on notes. Oh well, got to watch some football.
     
    locrwln likes this.
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