Mighty short cruiser

[Gib009]

Hi guys thought its about time to update this thread. Finally finished uni for the semester and found myself some time for the old girl.

Went on a trip to the powerlines today. It was a really enjoyable trip, i taken my dad out for the first time and he had a ball. Broke a rear tail light again by almost flipping it backwards on a hill but thats all part of the fun!

Here are some pics

Sway bar flex

Fenceline

 

[Gib009]

I have also got a few plans while on a break.
1) Fit marine compass i got on the dash somewhere (where should i put it without interference???)
2) Cut off shock towers and replace with ford f150 towers so i can use all of the available travel from the bilsteins.
3) Flip front and rear springs to extend wheelbase and extend driveshafts to suit
4) Remove extensions of the bumpstops they are more trouble than they are worth.
5) Sway bar disconnects
5) Cut guards
6) Finish that damn front bar


And if funds stretch im going to get a tough dog steering dampener, a pyro gauge and get it tuned. Also some form on onboard air of some sort.

 

[Clint79]

Nice updates mate its should be getting nice and wet up there now, might have to join the convoy next time you hit the hills ,pic no 5 looks like u need a lokka i put a ratchet lokka in mine same as in my old 75 front it helped me heaps with the mundaring, best price for the lokka i could get in perth was $740 and found a 4wd mob in S.A $550 to my door

 

[Gib009]

True mate i could really do with one at least at the front. Should double my offroad performance. Ill see how the finances are during uni break at the moment its looking good

 

[Z()LTAN]

good list mate. Good luck with it

 

[Gib009]

Thanks zoltan

Thought id show a few progress pics of the RUF i have been doing



I used old 2inch lifted 60series rear main and wrap springs mixed with the standard pack up front. Here are some flex pics... (I couldnt find anywhere to reach max flex but this is the best i could do.. cant wait for ramp day)

This is the shackle angle. I have lost some approach angle which isnt good but hopefully the extra travel will make up for it. Ive also seen somewhere on mud a bolt on shackle reversal which could help.

All i need to do now is cut off the old shock towers and weld the new ones in. And sort out something for the rear for it to keep up... Im thinking wacky shackles, longer 75series mains or im even toying with the idea of a bolt on 3/4elliptical setup.


I did actually take the rear apart last week to flip the springs but the extension was too much without serious wheelarch modifications. Especially since the wheels flex backwards into the guards. So i just straightened up the pack by using a BFH on the spring clips which made the last modification to the rear springs much neater.



So no wheelbase extension at this stage but at least its progressing somehow.

 

[Gib009]

Oh i should also mention i removed the bump stop extensions- the tyres tuck into the guards much better now. And i have a tough dog steering damper on its way

 

[lulo]

Nice Flex...

The Front Bumper???

 

[Gib009]

Thanks... Its coming!

 

[Gib009]

Check out the snip of me in the advert for the up and coming foxtel show, YOUR4x4. From the looks of it i think its the same boys from 4WDTV. It starts monday night on AURORA channel 183 6pm Perth time, 8pm Eastern time.

Your 4x4 - Aurora Community Channel

 

[Clint79]

yea man nice jump ill be watching should be a good show

 

[NTFJ45]

Cool , air time on air time !!

 

[Gib009]

Hah thanks guys.

Air time on air time i like it!

 

[Gib009]

Started the shock towers today. Got the old mounts off, smoothed down and repainted. I think im going to bolt them on instead of weld them.

This is the old mount, I only needed to another few inches but its that few inches that will make everything work

Ill tell you one thing, i wouldnt want to strip a whole chassis

Mocking

These are the new towers cut to shape

And i should also mention i flipped my front driveshaft.. It is skinnier at this end and doesnt foul on the crossmember at full flex

 

[boogie74]

Hey Graham,

Nice work on your rig mate. You have some good skills.
I've PM'd you.

Cheers,

Gav.

 

[Hulsty]

Before you weld on the shock towers, check the clearance between the top of the tower and tyre at full flex, when I eventually do this it looks like they may hit.

 

[Gib009]

Hey Graham,

Nice work on your rig mate. You have some good skills.
I've PM'd you.

Cheers,

Gav.

Thanks Gav. Ill check once im home mate

Before you weld on the shock towers, check the clearance between the top of the tower and tyre at full flex, when I eventually do this it looks like they may hit.

Thanks for the warning hulsty i will check

 

[azz419]

Hey

Just been reading through this thread. I wanted to say you've done well! It's looking great now, very mean off-road machine. Half your luck that you have a good "testing" ground. If you ever having a road-trip down south from Perth give me a shout, I can show you some fun spots around here (Bridgetown). Had a bit of fun last week in the mud and hills. My old girl needs alot of work mind you. Anyway good work!

Azz

 

[lulo]

And i should also mention i flipped my front driveshaft.. It is skinnier at this end and doesnt foul on the crossmember at full flex

Maybe to solve this problem you can use the driveshaft with double cardan, understand what I mean?

(sorry my english is so bad )




​

 

[Gib009]

Thanks lulo but i have flipped it already and it doesnt rub/