Build Building a Tow Rig

[D'Animal]

Snag, hell! Sounds like an opportunity for an upgrade, hehe.

I just do not know how it will behave with a locker while pulling a goose neck trailer. On the dry stuff it should be OK but as soon as I hit some snow or Ice I heard lockers are the debil.

 

[DWitcher]

Ran into a bit of a snag.

I tried to install 4:11's in the rear. I could not get the backlash even close. I had 2 - 0.100" shims as well as a .035" shim on the left. I had one .065" shim on the right. The backlash was still 3/8".

Since I thought I was in over my head I took it to my local 4x4 shop. They could not see anything I did wrong. After a few phone calls I found that a 1990 2wd Dodge Dana 70 with stock 3:03 is an Uber rare housing. Not valuable, just oddball.

The pinion is offset in the housing. The only way to to install 4:11's is to install a specific built Detroit Locker.

I had the option of finding a Dana 70 U rear end or install the Detroit. I already had new brakes, wheel cylinders, drums turned, etc on this one. I opted for the Detroit.

The correct driveshafts should be in middle of next week.

They are "cleaning up" my wiring while waiting on parts.

I ran into this about 3 months ago when trying to convert a 90 D70 from 3.08 to a 3.54 set from a 94. I think the pinion is .375" offset. What about using a factory style posi in the rear?

 

[D'Animal]

I can't get it in a 4:11 gear ratio.

I have the same 1990 Dana 70 as you that I took from the 2wd Cummins Powered Donor Truck.

What about using a factory style posi in the rear?

 

[DWitcher]

Well the Detroit should'nt be too bad. Maybe carry a spare axle.

 

[D'Animal]

They axles are done and the driveshafts are in. It runs great. Aligning the front end today. I have 3" of tow in.

I'm really tired of hot wiring it so wiring is next.

 

[D'Animal]

How do you remove the ABS stuff? Do you just hardline the brake lines and eliminate the "box" bolted into the frame?

 

[DWitcher]

Thats what I've always done. Last one I did was a 98 GMC. Removed the ABS controller and installed unions in the brake lines. Obviously I had an ABS light screaming at me all the time but you won't have to worry about that. Look at installing a 2 lb residual valve inline to the front brakes if the brake pedal seems low after bleeding all the air from the brake system. They can be bought cheap from Summit Racing.

 

[D'Animal]

It is far from done but I drove it around yesterday.

I will bolt the seat in correctly before I do that again.

 

[DWitcher]

Any more pic's?

 

[D'Animal]

I'll get some today.

It is at the local 4x4 shop so the wiring can be done correctly.

 

[D'Animal]

The basic rough in wiring was done. Now it's up to me for the rest.

Well we mounted some 37's on it and it just did not look right. Did not have the right stance to it.

Mounted a set of 35's and they did look correct.

Loaded it up and it is back at my shop.


Wife likes it!

 

[D'Animal]

Load Range "E" Rated Procomp Tires and some fancy smanshy 17" wheels.


Not my first choice but they were take-off's from another guys rig and the price was really good. Quite a bit less than black wagon spoke steel wheels and 35" BFG's in a load range "E".

 

[D'Animal]

A few more pics.

 

[D'Animal]

Front View.

 

[D'Animal]

It is getting a flatbed. Once I get it mounted I will be replacing the rear blocks and level out the rig. I have a crazy built front bumper and an 8274 to mount on the front. After the added weight, the front should settle down about 1" or maybe 1.5 inches.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Sweet...

 

[Tapage]

Looking pertty good .. !

No intercooler for this cummins . ?

 

[D'Animal]

Looking pertty good .. !

No intercooler for this cummins . ?

Not Yet.

I am working on getting one from a fellow mudder in the very near future.

They are a pretty big system. I want to do a some-what final assembly to make sure I have the room and the needed clearance.

 

[D'Animal]

I worked on this tonight and none of the flippin holes lined up on the inner fender skirts and the hood alignment is way out of whack.

I did get the headlights installed as well as the block heater plugged in.

 

[DWitcher]

Hells yeah! Looks bitchin! I still have parts if ya need. Those wheels don't look so bad. I don't think you would have liked the 37's for towing as far as gearing's concerned.