[101btp]

ok Ive done small suspension lifts and ive decided im going to go straight to big lifting

here is about the end size I want

http://youtu.be/cxMvq8mopeQ

I havent really been able to find any blue prints but building up the frame first I thought it would be neat to just run the tube frame into the stock one and adding support plates on the stock frame but that would be way heavy,... so I thought I will just go with a solid tube frame using somewhere around 1 5/8" wide by 1/4" thick but we carry 2" by 1/4" on hand at work so im not sure witch is better

second I think 2 1/2 ton rock wells will be a good choice to run tractor tires? o and defiantly hydraulic steering

third transmission and transfer case im stumped here ive never built to this size scale and it's in the grey area of what to use I don't know if a c6 would be heave enough or the np 205 can with stand the power as well or just to get a custom case made I know it depends on what you're doing with it but im just making it a straight mud runner and the engine will be in the normal place maybe drooped down some but not heavily

fourth suspension Im not sure if I can just run one set of coil overs all around and build a 4 link set up only two places I know of so far to go to, to get shocks of that size are king, fox, and voodo and im still not sure what to do

fifth and final engine to run with? mine has a 351w block that I would like to turn into a stroker engine but the 460 build up would have more torque but more weight so suggestions are highly welcome

here are some of my resource sites and threads

helpful on rockwell building:
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=784718

rear radiator setup:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=603541&highlight=radiator

shocks:
http://voodoooffroad.com/pricing.html
http://www.kingshocks.com/products/purerace/monster-pure-race/


large truck suspension in general:
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2007/monstertech.htm

hydraulic conversion:
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techar...c_steering_system_conversion_guide/index.html
http://pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-Hydro_Steering/index2.html


rockwell parts:
http://www.easternsurplus.net/5ton_spares.html


:beer

 

[Rockford514]

Keep us posted

Have a look around here http://www.tgwforums.com/

 

[101btp]

alright I will defiantly check out the site tonight

this is the site I think I will be buying my coil overs from they seem like a reasonable price
http://www.redbarncustoms.net/4_LINK_SHOCKS___PARTS.html

Titled BIG SHOCKS:
COMPLETE SET OF SHOCKS & SPRINGS SHIPPED TO YOUR DOOR $1565.50

engine base choices so far but if you have better ideas feel free to post I messaged both sellers and rated engines up to 650hp one thing ive been warned tho is to make sure they have hd engine bearings because of ford using weak bearings and with stroker engines they go quick[engines will be naturally aspirated but will be running some nitrous]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120615390785?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370498453532?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[edit: the 545 stroker is sounding pretty good also]

I will be measuring the frame to see what size tube it can handle but the tube thickness will be 3/16" thick installed like on {THIS 1991 RED & WHITE CHEVY EXTENDED CAB}
http://www.redbarncustoms.net/
[edit: frame is 3/16 by 2" by 7" and I think I will be going with tube that's 1 1/2" by 1/4 inch for my "suspension lift"


that's about all the things that I can think of for today?

 

[Rockford514]

[edit: frame is 3/16 by 2" by 7" and I think I will be going with tube that's 1 1/2" by 1/4 inch for my "suspension lift"

most guys run 2x3x3/16" with a cradle for the link bars

 

[101btp]

well I was thinking if I went with stuff that was thicker but smaller in diameter vs. tube with bigger diameter but thinner wall they would be about the same but using smaller tube might help with clearance issues

 

[LarryP]

Any info or advice Rockford gives you should be of the highest value and taken Like its Gold. You know he build these trucks for a living..

 

[RichG]

Pics?

 

[101btp]

Any info or advice Rockford gives you should be of the highest value and taken Like its Gold. You know he build these trucks for a living..

I did not know he did them for a living but with the amount of info and pics he was posting I figured that he was very intelligent about this subject


im not sure where to post pictures photo bucket wont up load them for me

[at least I got an avatar picture]

 

[Rockford514]

Some frame pics

one of mine

 

[101btp]

Thanks a lot rockford those will be really helpful I did notice you use a lot of tube steel that's one thing we have a lot to chose on our side of the road I work for a dumpster/semi truck bed fabricating place, how dose the tube steel hold up? and one more question about youre rear cooler do you use ss exhaust or alumanized and how has it been holing up?

what thickness steel do you use for your stands for you're vehicle im gonna need to make a set?

 

[stpaulies]

looks way to heavy to me.. your gonna need a 7.3L desiel before you get even close to the power/torque that your happy with. If i were going to approach this build i would buys a 90-97 F250/350 with a 7.3L and use the entire train. it would be the cheapest/easiest way to go. and there is more than enough room for it all.

Why all the tube? this is adding a ton of weight and i really dont think it is needed to get what you want. looking at it from a different view. using 2.5 ton toploaders you wouldnt need to worry about drivelines and you wouldnt need all that lift either, you could save the suspention for drop travel instead. hell i have seen 53" rubber under a 79 bronco with only 4" lift and 2" body. but his suspention droped like 20".


just some ideas... i think youll have a very hard time pushing this tank around the way you are going unless you have a ton of power. And when i say a hard time i mean, "you will always be sad and wish you just had that little more umpfff.


Another crasy idea that just might work, and i have seen this on one rig in my life. Its the idea of using Sissor action just like on a Genie sissor lift/man lift http://www.forklifttrainingbase.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/forklift_9.jpg

GL man , i always like to see big muuders =)

 

[Blown460]

You'll be just fine with a well built big block. While I'm a fan of diesels in general, I'm not too keen on them when it comes to mud rigs. They don't weigh much more than a dressed big block but what's a 200 hundred pounds anyway when you're building for Rocks and ag tires? The torque advantage of the diesel is undeniable but the real problem is that diesels can't produce the high rpm often needed in the mud.

 

[101btp]

well I figure a 545 big block with all forged internals and hardened bearings should defiantly be stock 650 hp along with running nitrous, and with having all forged internals it will be open to forced induction not saying I will be putting it in this year but maybe next

and the last picture that rockford posted I think might be what I will be going with

 

[Blown460]

Some of those ebay big blocks look awfully good.

 

[Smok3y]

You don't need a big block or a diesel, it's all about gearing. An atlas 4:1, 2.5 rockwells, and a stock 351 will do the job. I know many many many guys who run stock chevy 350's and have no issues with big rubber (ie: 49"+) running 2.5 tons a low geared xfer case

 

[101btp]

Some of those ebay big blocks look awfully good.

that would be the average price that you would pay around here I dont see the issue

sorry smok3y 351 is going in my bronco II this week because I gotta order a new flex plate from summit and another thing I thought they ran a 3 : 1 ratio?

[and what's the benefit of welding the spider gears I seen that you've done that on one of you're mudders RockFord I just don't have enough of an understanding on rockwell's yet]

 

[Rockford514]

welded spiders = CHEAP spool

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii212/Rockford514/*******%20PIRATESHIP%202wd/002-35.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii212/Rockford514/*******%20PIRATESHIP%202wd/012-20.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii212/Rockford514/*******%20PIRATESHIP%202wd/014-19.jpg

 

[Rockford514]

Like posted above > What type of mud running are you planing on ?? Mud with deap water ?? If so you need a tall truck,and with a tall truck you need a cradle to drop the link bars down. Guys have found that 10-12* is about the most angle you want on the link bars. So to clear a 60" tire your going to need 18-20" of cradle drop.

 

[Rockford514]

some Florida mud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFxA_Zo9pdQ

 

[Smok3y]

that would be the average price that you would pay around here I dont see the issue

sorry smok3y 351 is going in my bronco II this week because I gotta order a new flex plate from summit and another thing I thought they ran a 3 : 1 ratio?

Hey you don't have to use a 351, just letting you know that you don't need a big block or a shit ton of power to make a big mudder. If you have the $$$ for a 500-cubic inch motor, by all means go for it. All the more entertaining for us.

And the gear ratios I thought were only 5:1, but they go way lower than that. I just checked and they go as low as 11.70:1 in the 4 speed units.

RATIOS:
Low Range: 2.0:1 or 3.0:1 or 3.8:1 or 4.3:1 or 5.0:1

RATIOS:
Low Range: (2.0:1, 2.72:1, & 5.44:1) or (2.72:1, 3.0:1, & 8:16:1) or (2.72:1, 3.8:1, & 10.34:1) or (2.72:1, 4.3:1, & 11.70:1)

Atlas Transfer Cases

[and what's the benefit of welding the spider gears I seen that you've done that on one of you're mudders RockFord I just don't have enough of an understanding on rockwell's yet]

You ever hear the term "Lincoln Locker"? Just as rockford stated, it's a cheap way to make a spool/locker out of your stock gears. Lockers for 2.5 tons get to be expensive. Also, just make sure that if it's your first time welding gears that you take a look over Rockfords threads and check out how he did it. His ended up turning out great. A Little overkill, but probably indestructible.