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2007 Build at a Glance

willyswanter

1/2 ton status
- In Memoriam -
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 24, 2000
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Location
Bakersfield, CA
Most probably know my truck as the overgrown trail plugger but in case you don't, heres a pic:

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And also as some of you know I've been collecting MB U419 axles. I started with a pair for my truck then just kept going... Ended up with a total of 17 fronts and 2 rears and sold all but 1 rear and 3 fronts. One of the fronts will be spare parts and the rear will be spare portal parts and the other two fronts are going in the truck.

Just some info on the 419's. They look like the 406/416's that we have seen on here from a distance. But they use U1300L style portal boxes and axle shafts but use the older 406/416 housings. So they are not quite U1300 bling but they are just as strong axle wise, the housing may only be rated at 4.25 tons intead of 6 or something but hey whatever, who's counting. These yoke style axles instead of the trunion style of the 406/416. I like 'em. They come from SEE tractors that the military uses.

So anyway, I was waiting on a time to swap them into my truck but never really had a chance and the 60/14 were working ok at the moment. Well then I had to try and keep up with JR at the hammers through the whoopdy doo's and ended up like this:

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One of the 9/16" bolts in a JJ broke and caused another JJ to break in half and rotate the axle up taking out both front coilovers and driveshaft.

So, guess thats my reason to swap axles eh? Anyway, I have an event on July 20th and a real important one Aug. 23rd. So thats my deadline.

Still with me? Ok, here we go with the build. As with all mog axles you need pinion conversions to run them with regular driveshafts. These cost quite a bit of money but being the crafty guy I am I turned on DIY Network and DVR'd the pinion conversion shows and got started.

Took the end 3.5" of the stock mog driveshaft and lopped it off. Turned it down to 2.375" OD and put a groove in it for welding purposes. Also took a piece of 4.75" round bar and machined it into a companion flange for a flange yoke.

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They plop together with a .002" interference fit and then get welded. Pollished surface finish on the splined section since this is where the pinion seals will ride.

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Next I took the torque tubes from the mog and cut off the last 9". This holds the existing pinion seal and outer pinion bearing race. So this has to be reused. I then turned a bore into the end of it for a .007" interference fit pinion seal. Actually, two pinion seals, I hate pinion leaks, or any leaks, and wanted dual seals and yes I copied the dual seal idea from the Sammi build in the mog section. So that will be 3 total pinion seals on each axle. The seals are from a 1946 Ford 2.5 ton truck. I spent 3 hours going through catalogs until I found them, perfect dimensions in everyway and rated at 3500 fpm so there good to go! Cost $36 a piece though...

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Mog pinions, one on the left has some issues, it was left in the rain by the US Govt. Everything is good except the outer bearing, it's just a spare anyway. You can see the start of my pinion conversion on the right:

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Driveshaft mocked in there to check it out:

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Splined section welded to the flange:

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And then bolted with 6 1/2" bolts:

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I am using the stock mog driveshaft bits due to their shear size and fully captured u-joint caps, I dig'em.
 
Next was 8 lug conversions... Basically my plan was/is to make an adapter plate out of steel that will attach to the stock mog 6 lug hub and convert it to 8 lug. It will weld on then the studs will press through both pieces to help hold it all together, it's also all hub centric so it should never be a problem.

Here are the rotors, late model Chevy 2500HD rear rotors:

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Here is the start of one of the steel adapters, they are widdled from 1" plate. The pockets are where the stud heads will recess. I broke my 3/4" endmill so I only got one done, replacements will be here Thursday.

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I will be using stock H1 8 bolt rims on these to keep the track width the same as the 60 I had with my re-centered H1's before.

Next step was replacing one of the axle shafts. A u-joint broke and took out the ears on the stub shaft. I could just replace the stub shaft but that requires work. I just replaced the entire portal with another with the shafts all attached:

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The black box is the new one.

Just a note on steering. I am using the same parts that X-Rated used on his U1300's. He was kind enough to offer his steering arms for sale on here and I snatched up two sets for my front/queer steer. Should work very nicely. Will be using the same 2.5"x10" double ended ram that I currently have.

Well time to make some real progress. I plasma'd all the brackets off the front axle and flap disc'd it smooth:

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Then I pulled my heavily used and abused 79 Ford 60:

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The old girl has been through hell under that truck and I commend her for her service. Just gotta figure out what to do with her.

Shot of the broken JJ from the axle flipping adventure:

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Look Ma, no axe hole:

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U419 in place:

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Got oil pan clearance? Cause I don't:

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I have to chop and channel the oil pan to clear the pinion and move the pickup to the pass. side about 1.5". Not to bad, I have a spare engine and pan to do the work on out of the truck then just have to swap the pans. I will go dry sump soon as these next trips are over and I have some money again.

Picking up steel this week after work and should get the front linked up by Sunday including the new coilovers thrown in. I could have rebuilt the old 2.5x18 sways but the new ones are nickel coated and look all shiny and stuff so I bought them.
 
Todays progress. Spent 1/2 the day getting my old 4 link crossmembers out. I definately did not plan on them coming out when I installed them lol. They were bolted and welded in and took 4 hours to remove both of them... Mainly due to the tight spaces but anyway, an empty frame rail!

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New 1/4" steel plates welded to the frame to plug up all the holes and give me a clean slate to work on, not to mention the added strength...

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Welds...

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Sorry, no tig, my machine blows the main breaker to my house... Another reason I can't wait to move into my new shop with it's 400a service.

Lower links axle end. Upper link mounts aren't fabbed yet though:

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New crossmembers and link mounts, of course they still need to be gusseted and finish welded:

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Tomorrow the truck should be sitting on the front axle with brakes and driveshaft being the only thing left... Then doing the rear next weekend!
 
Ok got the upper link mounts fabbed, what a pain. The diff seperates in the middle to access the gears so making mounts tends to be tricky. The 2 mounts will be tied together with a piece of 1/4" plate between them that the ram will mount to. The ram will bolt to the plate then the plate will bolt to the two mounts. It looks odd and boxy now but once the steering stuff is in it will look good, I think.

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More welds, no stacked tacks here:

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Back side will be boxed in just hasn't happened yet:

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Side shot, this is 2" above ride height so the axle will move 2" closer to the frame at ride height:

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Overall shot:

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Had to articulate it to see where the bumps will hit the axle under articulation since I'm working on my shock mounts/bump pads at the moment...

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More tomorrow after work!
 
Can I just say that you're insane for wheeling a sixpack ... but it works ... and, umm, :bow: to your welding. :eek:

-- A
 
Your work always leaves me totaly jealous:bow::bow:

Great job man.:D
 
Is that bad boy going to make it to Blazer Bash this year. I'd love to see it in person! Looking good! :waytogo:
 
You sir, are my hero.... :bow:

One day I'll do a linked Mog rig....
 
Here's "mud" in yer eye!








Had to say it. Looks great man!
 
Awesome build up, I'm jealous...
 
Awesome as always man. Its nuts youve built that whole rig in a driveway like that.
 
Good looking work there, Jason. Thanks for posting up and showing us that we aren't doing anyhting spectacular to our rigs by installing the new leaf springs and shackle flips that are "trick" in our little worlds.
 
So are you having a 419 only in the front? I know you have more then one. Or just for now to get to Blazerfest? Hope to see you there w/ the beast.
 
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