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- #121
Goodbye Sweet 55
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I also ran into a Land Rover club out wheeling once, their dress code was polo shirts, dockers pleated shorts, socks and sandals.
Nice. I have done some reading on those and it seems they pretty much leak oil the whole time. The only time they don't is when there is non left to leak. I do like the look of a sweet rover though.
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- #124
Man, I'd fit right in!!! 
I'd always heard that you needed 2, one to work one and one to drive. I've got a neighbor that has three! One's in the garage, one is outside on jack stands, and one is a driver... but it sure is a cool looking rig.
I have always like the look of the Defender 90's, but I would end up putting a different motor, different axles, and redo the electric... So I will keep the 40 instead. As a general rule most of the cruiser folks I have met are very accepting of everyone who just likes to wheel and make stuff, regardless of brand. We have had some righteous wheeling trips with splinter cell groups of everything from cruisers, jeeps, sammies, etc. The mentality was more important than the badge. Doesn't mean that a lot of good natured ribbing didn't go on, just a genuine great time.
Very little is more rewarding than a labor of love, and you have to love that 55 because there is a LOT of labor going to be involved. Thats why it is a passion choice and not a business decision.
Very little is more rewarding than a labor of love, and you have to love that 55 because there is a LOT of labor going to be involved. Thats why it is a passion choice and not a business decision.
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- #126
Kira went with me today to pick up some Genuine Toyota parts and found something she couldn't live without.
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- #128
Still not sure what will become of the 55. Thinking about scrapping it and getting a minitruck or maybe a 60...or maybe an 80... but, after spending hours on Craigslist, I always come back to the idea of getting the 55 going.
So, today, I figured I'd spend a little time cutting off rust and if there was enough left, I'd try to save it.
Started with the rear wheel well and rear flare (both infested with rust).
So, today, I figured I'd spend a little time cutting off rust and if there was enough left, I'd try to save it.
Started with the rear wheel well and rear flare (both infested with rust).
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- #129
If I get the time this afternoon, I hope to finish removing the flare and maybe start tacking it up in a few spots.
Good work. Maybe the rust removal could be an opportunity to enlarge the wheel wells? Bigger tires with less lift=lower CG.
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- #131
Yeah, I remember Justin saying that they removed the flares on the WarPig in order to fit 37's. I still think 35's will be as big as I go, but like you mentioned, keeping the CG low and cutting seems like a good idea. I've heard there can be some major pucker factor on 55's with a SOA setup. ??? Still more research top do and much rust to remove.
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Keeping stock height with 35's would be so sweet. Love the low lift/ big tire look. Less money too. Time to go yank a 14 bolt and some 63" Chevy springs? Dana 50 super duty front axle, modify a Rusty's long arm kit to fit it, coilovers or cherokee springs, and you've got a roller!
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- #133
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- #134
Cheby 350 and 35's...14 bolt won't be overkill?
Thinking about freeing up some workspace in the garage by getting ride of the stock axles..... unless I might be able to use them???????? Even though I want wider axles, disc breaks, lockers,.........
I guess I can see why you want the wider axles but with narrower ones you can fit more places. I want to build a rig for carnage canyon with minimal to no winching, and with wider axels I would have to winch once for sure if not 2 times. There is a spot you can squeeze through with narrower axles but if you have the wide ones you have to winch over the top. Ask Trevor about it. He changed to wider axles and now has to winch 2 times and the first time he went with stock ones he only had to winch once. It's give and take but I was also told I could get some heavy duty axles custom made so they are narrow. I would like to hear what Luke has to say as he has been around this stuff for quite some time.
Don't they make a disc conversion for your axles, or maybe you can make one for a 40 work? I would think that you could stuff some longfields, gears, and a locker in there. Maybe weld some trusses on? It won't be wider, but with some cutting and maybe custom flares, you could be stuffing those 35's
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- #137
Most of the 55 crowd will try to widen their stance once a 55 is lifted. Lots of stories of roll overs and pucker factor, especially after a SOA (not sure that's the way I'm going).
Don't they make a disc conversion for your axles, or maybe you can make one for a 40 work? I would think that you could stuff some longfields, gears, and a locker in there. Maybe weld some trusses on? It won't be wider, but with some cutting and maybe custom flares, you could be stuffing those 35's
Yeah they make disc conversion kits ( I think you use Buick brakes from the 70's
) and you can certainly toughen them up and lock them.But, I was just wondering if it was worth it to throw that type of money at those old axles when newer, bigger, tougher axles might be a better use of said money. ???
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- #138
FWIW, Pighead runs supped up stock axles pushed by his supped up 2F.
From his build info: "4x4 Labs Hi steer, Mini knuckles. vented FJ60 rotors, V6 4Runner calipers, Ruff-Stuff spring plates and U-bolts, Detroit rear locker, ARB front locker, front 30-spline Long's, Rear Poly's, 4.88s (125:1 crawl ratio), SOA and traction bar by FC fabrications, RS 9000s, 37x14.5x15 Toyo M/Ts on black Rockcrushers with 2" backspace, Poser's rear disc brakes,"
So.....???????
From his build info: "4x4 Labs Hi steer, Mini knuckles. vented FJ60 rotors, V6 4Runner calipers, Ruff-Stuff spring plates and U-bolts, Detroit rear locker, ARB front locker, front 30-spline Long's, Rear Poly's, 4.88s (125:1 crawl ratio), SOA and traction bar by FC fabrications, RS 9000s, 37x14.5x15 Toyo M/Ts on black Rockcrushers with 2" backspace, Poser's rear disc brakes,"
So.....???????
Well he doesn't look like he is gonna role over. And with the 55 crowd you can tell them both they are just scared.
I am sure Justin's is about as good as it gets so take a look at his if you already haven't. I would guess he has bigger wider axles on that beast.