Build Rocklander 77-series build

[SNLC]

Hello,

I may have skipped this detail, and I apologize if it was already considered/answered.

Have you considered portal axles, or a portal axle conversion? It might come in handy with the tires.

Just curious.





Juan

Going to keep it simple and Toyota axles. I have had portals before (under a Nissan Partol) and they are certainly cool.

Cheers

 

[JuanJ]

Going to keep it simple and Toyota axles. I have had portals before (under a Nissan Partol) and they are certainly cool.

Cheers

Hello,

Good thinking.

There is a company in Australia that makes portal conversion kits for Toyota axles. They are not cheap, though.

This project reminded me of your Patrol. Cool truck.






Juan

 

[SNLC]

I really do like the narrow nose! Like A LOT however I need engine bay cubic inches! Especially if I keep it 24v with x2 batteries.

F#*king dramatic man! Haha for me trying to decide here is simply because I do really like the old school narrow nose style and look! In the end, this front clip is fairly rotten, I could use 6.5” of engine bay width, a wide nose gives many more options for an intercooler vs the narrow.

I am torn! Normally I do not screw around deciding like this, yet square block-round hole!

Only older folks should or may understand my last sentence!

Cheers

 

[FJBen]

@shellb 38s are the new 37s. There’s still time to upgrade on your build(s)

 

[SNLC]

@shellb 38s are the new 37s. There’s still time to upgrade on your build(s)

Like all modern day tires in metric or domestic; they don’t measure out to stated height with weight blah blah blah.

So ya bro, 38’s are the new 37!! I been eyeing 38x11.5r17 for this build vs the 38x13.5r17 on it right now.

Some bling bling beadlocks too!

Cheers

 

[Musafir]

I ordered leaf springs!!

I dislike poly bushings so I ordered OEM rubber to go with the aftermarket leaves.

I also ordered FROR high steer & knuckles (that’s Front Range Off-Road), I am going to wait and see before I say much else!! I also have zero idea on eta for the RuffStuff housing as well.

I think all I don’t have now (have as in not ordered) to build out axles and suspension 100% is rear shocks to match front (I have rear shocks just not 2.5’s!), wheels, tires, rear leaf spring slider and front e-locker. Rear leaf spring slider to match the front, I want to run the same setup front & rear if possible.

I have received the front leaf spring slider by the way, it allows me to not run shackles! More to come on this, a few of you may know what I am going on about!?

Cheers

why do you dislike poly bushings?

 

[SNLC]

why do you dislike poly bushings?

They just suck, they crack and wear out way to fast. Also pretty stiff compared to OEM rubber.

Cheers

 

[NM Frontier]

I really do like the narrow nose! Like A LOT however I need engine bay cubic inches! Especially if I keep it 24v with x2 batteries.



F#*king dramatic man! Haha for me trying to decide here is simply because I do really like the old school narrow nose style and look! In the end, this front clip is fairly rotten, I could use 6.5” of engine bay width, a wide nose gives many more options for an intercooler vs the narrow.

Now my opinion on this is pretty unqualified but…
I think narrow nose is the best looking hands down. If you keep it then you can stay with the JDM charm, figure a way to keep the fender flares, two tone, ect… but a wide nose would fit the more “modern” large tire rock crawler look of this build better. Larger wheel openings, no fender flares, and the hood scoop would really look good on 37s.

 

[Broski]

I love the narrow nose look, I say find a way to make it work

 

[Rigster]

Ian.

Perfection is not easy, but it is what we strive for. Going with what is easy is for quitters and the lazy.

Facts:
- you prefer the narrow nose.
- The wide nose space makes what you envision "easier"

The most important step a man can take is the NEXT one. You can have what you desire, you just have not figured out how to make it happen yet. Don't do what is easy. Take the next step. Do better.

 

[SNLC]

Ya I am probably or most likely going wide nose. Believe it or not the parts are cheaper. The whole front clip is pretty rotten. I do like the narrow nose but I also like the wide nose and there are a lot of cool parts available for the wide nose too. It solves engine bay room and room for an intercooler as well.

Here is just a sample of the rot in the front clip.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Oh ya I just got these today. Dobinsons in their lightest duty option available.

Now if RuffStuff could deliver I can start fabbing.

Cheers

 

[Tennessee Jed]

Wow, one for the books.

No nose like a narrow nose. It's more important to be beautiful than it is to be comfortable.

 

[SNLC]

Wow, one for the books.

No nose like a narrow nose. It's more important to be beautiful than it is to be comfortable.

It’s most important to have the engine which meets my needs. That engine needs to be properly cooled. I think that is the main goal above and beyond more engine bay room.

While I like the narrow nose, I also like the wide. Wide also has more options for much better headlights.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Well, I need to make a change in my plans. I don't think Ruff Stuff is going to be able to deliver my parts, in particular the axle housing.

So I am going to go to a 62-series front housing I have laying around. I think we are going to also widen it a bit and weld 80-series knuckle balls in it. Not 100% sure I will do that because high steer is still going to be an issue with 80-series kuckles. I may scab something together though to hold me over until the FROA knuckles ship. Or maybe I will keep it 62-series outers since I can then run Marlin high steer.

All my other suspension brackets and such I have bought from Barnes 4wd. All these parts were in my Ruff Stuff order, which I will be canceling tomorrow and doing a charge back on my CC. I have pretty much everything in hand to start work besides the Ruff Stuff order, I am not going to sit around and wait for them.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Scabby 62-series housing I have laying around that I was thinking about using.

However I got notified today that the FROR knuckle-high steer kit was shipping. In that exchange I may be able to acquire a Diamond front housing, that would be super good for me but if not I will proceed with this 62 housing we can use to build and keep it going. I am ready to go! I just need the front axle housings decided on and new fabrication brackets to just go for it.

In the meantime here is a truss idea for the rear. This is obviously nothing other than a scarp from the pile to see if I want to truss the top of the housing. I think I do.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I think we will have to carve out the wheel wells in particular the front for at least a few trips before going wide nose!

After that I will probably cut it up for a front clip wall hanging! I have always wanted one and here is the perfect rusty truck to make it from!

Cheers

 

[ikarus]

I vote wide nose, I know I’m probably in the minority on mud but I think wide nose looks great.

Also don’t know if you saw but Ruffstuff is apparently going through a hard time and posted a public apology on social media the other day

 

[SNLC]

I vote wide nose, I know I’m probably in the minority on mud but I think wide nose looks great.

Also don’t know if you saw but Ruffstuff is apparently going through a hard time and posted a public apology on social media the other day

Yes I saw the RS drama, see my posts in the “bad seller” RS post as well.

I did a charge back, I hate to do that but what else can I do?? I will not be ignored by a vendor after handing over thousands of my hard earned $$. If I was building a customers Cruiser and was in the same situation, well that is beyond not ok.

Meantime I have a 62 series axle housing to scab into something up front in this build or…..I am all up for a Diamond 9.5” housing l! I have used FROR parts in my builds before and for keeping things Toyota I think he-they do it best!!

Cheers

 

[ikarus]

Yes I saw the RS drama, see my posts in the “bad seller” RS post as well.

I did a charge back, I hate to do that but what else can I do?? I will not be ignored by a vendor after handing over thousands of my hard earned $$. If I was building a customers Cruiser and was in the same situation, well that is beyond not ok.

Meantime I have a 62 series axle housing to scab into something up front in this build or…..I am all up for a Diamond 9.5” housing l! I have used FROR parts in my builds before and for keeping things Toyota I think he-they do it best!!

Cheers

Ah yeah I see the conversation now. I don't check that section much. You did the right thing