theesotericone's Trails and BS Thread

[jkeith.w]

If I can find a used axle housing laying around I'll cut one off of that. If not I'll make a new one from scratch.

The other side will get re-enforced with 1/4" plate on all sides. The way this failure occurred I'm pretty sure plate on the sides would prevent it but I'll also plate the back just to be sure.

I can send you one after I prototype a reinforcement on my spare axle (cutting it off to prep for 4-link)

I'd encourage you to stay 3-link, though - with the proper links and a reinforced mount, I think you'll be golden - why add binding into the mix by running the driver's upper link?

 

[Wedgy]

Wow, kind of like CSI find the cause of all the carnage. What it all comes down to....blame it on the box. LOL
That 2nd box created some huge forces and will continue to find the weakest link. Your rig is already bad ass, it it's slowly getting even more bad ass !
You can probably straighten that shock with it extended and in a vice as long as you don't pry it on the seals. I saw a guy straighten a rifle barrel that afterwards was able to shoot Minute Of Pie Plate, good enough for a ranch truck gun. My barrel vice has oak on the jaws so it doesn't gouge the barrel.
Or could send it back to King ?
BTW I was up around South & North Lakes hiking and checking out the fall colors. You are luck to be so close to all that good stuff !

 

[theesotericone]

I can send you one after I prototype a reinforcement on my spare axle (cutting it off to prep for 4-link)

I'd encourage you to stay 3-link, though - with the proper links and a reinforced mount, I think you'll be golden - why add binding into the mix by running the driver's upper link?

Currently the drivers upper link is the only one I have. lol

Seeing what can happen to a single link is my biggest reason for going against the grain and running both of them. I have plenty of articulation with them both in,

I ordered up your lower re-enforcement mount the other day. That'll save the lowers. If you design the uppers I'll probably grab them too if I'm not already done with mine. I'm trying to get the rig back on the road next weekend so the time frame may not work out on this one. If the benders get the lowers to you sooner then expected send those things next day air and I'll kick you the funds for the extra shipping. We've got a run coming up on the 25th that I'd be stoked to have them on for.

BTW I was up around South & North Lakes hiking and checking out the fall colors. You are luck to be so close to all that good stuff !

Part luck and part planning. I was lucky in the regard I came here 14 years ago on a road trip. I planned to live here from the first day I spent in Bishop. It took 3 more years to make that a reality. I don't think I'd be happier anywhere else in the US. Next time you come up shoot me a pm and I'll try and stop by to say hi.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Currently the drivers upper link is the only one I have. lol

Seeing what can happen to a single link is my biggest reason for going against the grain and running both of them. I have plenty of articulation with them both in,

And I can tell you that with FROR Uppers you will never have a problem with binging or bending. :frog: Not the links anyway.

 

[theesotericone]

Well, I just decided to do something really awesome or really stupid. I'll know more after a few hard trails.

Lots of you guys have probably heard of Lotus Axles by now. I didn't get them. lol

Instead, RCV Performance finally released there 3rd Gen CV's. Yep, RCV is making CV's for our rigs. Unlike Lotus, RCV has re-designed the both the outer and the inner joint. They use 350M at the joints and 4340 for the axle. They have a 28 degree range of motion. They also have a lifetime warranty. Basically they are as close to unbreakable as you can get.

Yesterday I ordered them. It's to be seen how the stub shaft will hold up but at least I won't be replacing CV's anymore. lol

 

[Road Bull]

Well, I just decided to do something really awesome or really stupid. I'll know more after a few hard trails.

Lots of you guys have probably heard of Lotus Axles by now. I didn't get them. lol

Instead, RCV Performance finally released there 3rd Gen CV's. Yep, RCV is making CV's for our rigs. Unlike Lotus, RCV has re-designed the both the outer and the inner joint. They use 350M at the joints and 4340 for the axle. They have a 28 degree range of motion. They also have a lifetime warranty. Basically they are as close to unbreakable as you can get.

Yesterday I ordered them. It's to be seen how the stub shaft will hold up but at least I won't be replacing CV's anymore. lol

Man.. You are beefing EVERYTHING up. Holy cow. Hopefully this will live up to your R&D out in the field. Every time you break something new, it makes me nervous. I realize you have a ton more torque with your gearing, but your page and downed parts list has me side glancing all my parts now. LOL. I am waiting to add some TC LCA cam tab gussets and TC spindle gussets to the mix when they land to beef up the front end a bit. I am digging your stout rear lower links.

 

[theesotericone]

Man.. You are beefing EVERYTHING up. Holy cow. Hopefully this will live up to your R&D out in the field. Every time you break something new, it makes me nervous. I realize you have a ton more torque with your gearing, but your page and downed parts list has me side glancing all my parts now. LOL. I am waiting to add some TC LCA cam tab gussets and TC spindle gussets to the mix when they land to beef up the front end a bit. I am digging your stout rear lower links.

Build it. Beat it. Break it. Repeat.

Part of that repeat is using better components to try and avoid the same breaks in the future. The beat it part is what you need to focus on. How hard are you willing and wanting to push your rig? That's different for everyone.

I like to push hard. Always have. Some of the stuff we've run in IFS rigs isn't exactly "recreational" wheeling. It's hard. That makes things break. I plan to continue to push hard till I either get bored with it or go broke, Broke is the more likely of the two. lol

 

[theesotericone]

So these just arrived. I should be able to get them installed Friday night.

 

[theesotericone]

RCV CV's are in. They are an inch longer then stock so that should keep the both joints firmly in the cage at droop. We'll see how this affect the stub shaft but I did talk to RCV today and they are willing to make a chromoly stub shaft for our 7.5 diff. [MENTION=121903]Black798[/MENTION] is already on board with the idea and may have a spare stub shaft to send them. We'll see how it plays out.

I also replaced my battery. I guess 200 yards of winching was more than it could take. Claw Hammer is like the gift that keeps on giving. I'm pretty sure that's the last of the damage from that run though.

RCV CV on top and a NAPA on the bottom.

Odyssey AGM.

I'm still trying to rally a run this weekend. If anyone with a built rig wants to hit up Rubicon, Niagra Rim, or Defense Mine let me know.

 

[JZiggy]

A chromoly stub shaft is an interesting idea. Would you also need to upgrade the intermediate shaft inside the ADD tube?

 

[theesotericone]

A chromoly stub shaft is an interesting idea. Would you also need to upgrade the intermediate shaft inside the ADD tube?

Most likely. All the documented failures from guys running Lotus CV's so far have been the stub shaft though. I decided to be the guinea pig in my group to see what else I break. The stub shaft is everyone's guess. I'm hoping I don't break anything but I'm sure I will.

I'll wheel it hard for a few months and see what gives. If RCV is willing to produce a stub shaft I'm sure they'd be a able to make the intermediate shaft as well. That would leave the R&P as the weak link. Basically, it's a rabbit hole that I'll eventually find the bottom of.

 

[JZiggy]

Most likely. All the documented failures from guys running Lotus CV's so far have been the stub shaft though. I decided to be the guinea pig in my group to see what else I break. The stub shaft is everyone's guess. I'm hoping I don't break anything but I'm sure I will.

I'll wheel it hard for a few months and see what gives. If RCV is willing to produce a stub shaft I'm sure they'd be a able to make the intermediate shaft as well. That would leave the R&P as the weak link. Basically, it's a rabbit hole that I'll eventually find the bottom of.

The question is do you keep going or leave an easy-to-replace part as a fuse? R&P or carrier would be my last choice.

If you need an extra stub shaft for your project let me know. I've got a front ADD 4.10 diff with one that I've been trying to offload for a year LOL.

 

[theesotericone]

The question is do you keep going or leave an easy-to-replace part as a fuse? R&P or carrier would be my last choice.

If you need an extra stub shaft for your project let me know. I've got a front ADD 4.10 diff with one that I've been trying to offload for a year LOL.

I used to like the fuse idea. It's why I never got Lotus CV's. I also don't like Lotus's one year warranty or the fact they left the inner joint stock. I've broken inner joints.

I have been waiting for RCV to get these in production. They have and I jumped on it fast. They completely redesigned both inboard and outboard joints. They also carry a lifetime warranty.

Since I have an ARB up front I'm not worried about breaking the carrier. I'm also really curious to see what I do break. I've talked with multiple guys that wheel hard. The stock CV is breaking from bind most of the time. The RCV's have a much, much greater range of motion. They won't bind.

Does that mean something else will break? I honestly don't know. Hence the whole guinea pig idea. I'll keep wheeling hard and I'll know pretty quick whether I just moved my fuse to a much worse place.

In the meantime, pop out that stub shaft. I'll take it off your hands. Having a spare would be really handy for me. Just let me know what you want for it and consider it a done deal.

 

[snow junky]

Are there any numbers how how much stronger those rcv axles are then oe? Any plans on a Dana 60 sas ?

 

[theesotericone]

Are there any numbers how how much stronger those rcv axles are then oe? Any plans on a Dana 60 sas ?

I'm sure RCV has tested them to failure but I don't have that info. A lifetime warranty was good enough for me. They're 300M and 4340 so a lot would be my guess. lol

If I was SASing I never would have gone to the lengths I have to bullet proof the IFS front end. I will do a SA rig but that's a few years out.

 

[AssBurns]

Damn dude, you are making me jealous! I need to hurry up and do LT, so i can order some RCV axles. Thinking about it, I could always get RCV's now, then just have them make me new 3.5" longer shafts when the time comes. Hmmm. Something to think about.

I got until next summer to make that decision anyways. I already spent enough on the BeerRunner this year. We'll see how many of those NAPA CV's warranties I can go through before they start telling me to kick rocks. I just bought another NAPA today after returning the two other broken TrakMotiv CV's last week. Hopefully these last a little longer than the other ones did. Not sure how I made it through Dusy without a broken CV. Must've been wheeling smarter hahaha

 

[theesotericone]

Damn dude, you are making me jealous! I need to hurry up and do LT, so i can order some RCV axles. Thinking about it, I could always get RCV's now, then just have them make me new 3.5" longer shafts when the time comes. Hmmm. Something to think about.

I got until next summer to make that decision anyways. I already spent enough on the BeerRunner this year. We'll see how many of those NAPA CV's warranties I can go through before they start telling me to kick rocks. I just bought another NAPA today after returning the two other broken TrakMotiv CV's last week. Hopefully these last a little longer than the other ones did. Not sure how I made it through Dusy without a broken CV. Must've been wheeling smarter hahaha

I've got 4 Napa CV's that have your name on them. I'll see if I can dig up a receipt.

I'm also done putting money into the rig for the year. Just need to get the PBRs under it tomorrow and start cutting. The only local sheet metal I can find is 16 Gauge so I'll have a look at that tomorrow and see if it will work. Worse case I do the cutting and have a little extra air conditioning for a few weeks. Either way, I'm cutting tomorrow.

Mind linking the tubbing write up you did? I'm going to try like hell not to rotate my battery for now but we'll see once I get the coilovers out and flex the thing.

In other news I FINALLY got those Front Range upper links I ordered a month ago. I tried calling them 3 times. Never heard back at all. Finally, on Monday, I filed a Paypal claim against them. Guess what showed up yesterday? Those guys have just been added to my fvck you list. Talk about shitty costumer service. I'll install BOTH of those in tomorrow as well.

 

[theesotericone]

Well this just happened:

Pit Bull Rockers Radials in 35x12.5 r17. Holy crap they are huge. Mounted and aired up to 34 PSI they are exactly 35" tall. Pit Bull specs say they are 35.25 tall but they must be getting that at 80 PSI.

Balance wise they are not great. Each tire took at least 12 oz with the worse one taking a full pound. The tread depth is 22/32 so that plays a part. For reference my 295/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers all took less then a few ounces to balance.

I've got a lot of tubbing in my future. Including cutting back both front and rear bumpers and my sliders. I'll start that soon.

 

[theesotericone]

Then of course this had to start happening.

These tires are true 35's so there will be a lot of cutting. I got it in the garage tonight and jacked it up, removed the coils and cycled the suspension. Then I stuffed the passenger side tire. I had to cut back my Savage bumper by 1 1/2". Then I cut the body at the same line.

I thought I was under where I ran the wires for my mono amp but I wasn't. Cut the ground in half with the grinder. Nothing that I can't deal with later but it kinda sucked. lol

Tomorrow it's on to the drivers side. Then I need to learn how to weld. I borrowed a buddies 110v Lincoln. I've never welded anything before but how hard can it be? I'll let you know.

 

[AssBurns]

Then of course this had to start happening.

These tires are true 35's so there will be a lot of cutting. I got it in the garage tonight and jacked it up, removed the coils and cycled the suspension. Then I stuffed the passenger side tire. I had to cut back my Savage bumper by 1 1/2". Then I cut the body at the same line.

I thought I was under where I ran the wires for my mono amp but I wasn't. Cut the ground in half with the grinder. Nothing that I can't deal with later but it kinda sucked. lol

Tomorrow it's on to the drivers side. Then I need to learn how to weld. I borrowed a buddies 110v Lincoln. I've never welded anything before but how hard can it be? I'll let you know.

Damn those are huge!! I bet those are bigger than brand new MT/R's. I just ordered another two this morning, so I'll measure the actually height at the same PSI. You measure front or rear?

As for the tubbing write up, check my build thread or the 35's thread. I don't remember where I posted it up. Probably on both though.