Build Rocklander 77-series build

[SNLC]

You’re crazy and I love it! Single or Double cab?

Single, double is to rich for me.

I am going to bob the bed a lot and not exceed probably 117-118” wheelbase. So it’s going to be a pretty swb 79-series.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Time to change the thread title!

After I smash this body to the point the doors don’t open anymore.

I am going to run the 77-series body as long as I can handle it. First big gravel road drive may ruin it for me though, so much dust is going to come in this thing via all the holes in it.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I decided to set the front axle diff pinion so that it points at the front tcase output and plan to run a DC front shaft. That turned out to be 4.5*^.

About to tack weld this perch on in a minute. The other side takes a bunch of customization because it sits on the diff pumpkin. I will deal with that side after I get this one set.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I am not welding knuckle balls in the axle housing just yet, first I am going to setup the other leaf perch on the diff side.

However there is no reason to not start to set caster. I have the pinion set and this side leaf perch tack welded on pretty solid. I also have tightened the ubolts on this side. The weight is on the axle and leaves as well and the axle is at approximate ride height.

So setting caster to 5*>

Long level squared up to the frame and leaves. Again weight on it and at ride height with the pinion angle set. All it takes to tap the knuckle ball forward or backwards in the housing is a brass punch and 2lb sledge. Wood block taps it inward to square it up as well.

5*> will be my target for final caster.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

So now it is out and back up on the fab bench. Earlier in the build thread you can see we had it (and the rear) up on the bench for mock up. However, without weight on the chassis, everything at ride height ect ect ect it was all simply a guess. The front axle initial setup was matched to the stock front axle in terms of pinion angle and leaf perches. That’s fine and all since we needed some where to start but now I have my numbers that I feel real comfortable with.

For the front axle that is pinion set at 4.5*^ and caster at 5*>. I have the LHS (easy side) configured for these target numbers. So now I make the difficult (pumpkin RHS side) on the bench to match the LHS.

I have also already figured out my numbers more or less for rear axle too and I need to adjust the pinion roughly 7*^!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I guess I will have to change this to HDJ79 at some point but for now this works!

We got our RHS leaf perch built, double checked pinion angle, set caster both sides and did a flex test.

Tomorrow we work on flex test with steering and tires. After that is configure shocks and weld everything up.

Cheers

 

[Guyute]

I guess I will have to change this to HDJ79 at some point but for now this works!

View attachment 4138912


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Gotta say... I'm personally (selfishly) very sad about your 79 body swap plan. Seeing that you were building a 77 was like in school when the cool, popular, jock kid accidentally bought and wore the same coat as me. Repeated in my head.... "oh. F&%K YEAH... I'm cool too! Yup! Are we in a gang together now?" Yup"

I'll still enjoy watching the build, you wheeling a 77 then progressing to the 79 and all. But. I'll be over here in the skater-punk-outcast corner watching enthusiastically with disfavor and PTSD.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I knew this would be a problem.

I am trying to decide how I want to deal with that, there is definitely a few ways we can remedy this issue.

Cheers

 

[matzell]

Bump stop and let it go? How much up travel till it touches?

 

[SNLC]

Bump stop and let it go? How much up travel till it touches?

Well it’s already touching, that being the leaf spring and the sector shaft on the steering box.

There could be more up travel before the tire is stuffed into the fender. The picture above there is about 2-3” of up travel to take advantage of.

I decided we are going to weld up the housing for leaf perches & knuckle balls. After that we will go back to the suspension. We may adjust the steering box location.

As far as the big tires scrubbing the leaves at full lock, that is a non issue.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Flex test!!!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Yup, that is going to work for this build!!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Terrain Tamer aluminum rad, OEM fan clutch with 20k fluid, 1HZ shroud.

12mm OEM big inlet/outlet fuel filters.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

New wheels and tires!

Cheers