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A low slung old chevy on rockwells... it can be done

Ok, and that for the most part is up to date. That may have been the fastest build thread to 10+ pages ever, but I have kept it on pirate. I will keep this up to date on here from here on out.

If anyone has any questions about any of the posts, please ask. Putting rockwells under an older chevy is a lot less of a mystery than many people think. Everyone thinks it has to be jacked to the moon and a big gay mud truck to run rockwells and 44+ tires, but I am sitting right at a 7" lift as is (my best guess). You also don't have to spend much money comparatively.

I know I cut it all up and bobbed/tubed it, but you can run rockwells and 44's under a full body rig no problem, just requires some fender trimmin.
 
I have seen your build on pirate before. But I think it was still on the 35s last I saw it. Looks awesome!!!

I really want to get that same shifter and cut the gates like you did. I may leave the gate before reverse though. You rarely need to shift fast to reverse in the dunes.
 
Deuling said:
I have seen your build on pirate before. But I think it was still on the 35s last I saw it. Looks awesome!!!

I really want to get that same shifter and cut the gates like you did. I may leave the gate before reverse though. You rarely need to shift fast to reverse in the dunes.
Click to expand...

The winters shifter is pimp. Without the gates it still clicks through the gears rather crisp. If I were doing high speed stuff I also would not have cut out the reverse gate.
 
Sometimes you forget how much work you have put into this thing until you do a quick version of your build thread :D
 
I just installed the same shifter in my '90. I like it a lot...as for the gates I may remove the one between R and 4 only. Accomplish mostly the same thing,but still have controlled upshifts.
 
tRustyK5 said:
I just installed the same shifter in my '90. I like it a lot...as for the gates I may remove the one between R and 4 only. Accomplish mostly the same thing,but still have controlled upshifts.
Click to expand...

I removed the exact same gates as what jtk26 did, and between all the gears there is still very distinct "clicks". For a trail truck/crawler, I hated having all the gates b/c mainly you are going between 1st and reverse more than anything....with all the gates in it felt like you were playing Plinko :haha:
 
Winters does offer a "rock crawler" set of gates. Reverse pattern.

0e567123_crawler640x480.jpg


Means you gotta have the tranny with the full manual reverse pattern set-up though.
 
RMVB is the way to go.... I chopped my gates out for ease down the one side too....
 
tRustyK5 said:
Winters does offer a "rock crawler" set of gates. Reverse pattern.

Means you gotta have the tranny with the full manual reverse pattern set-up though.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I would love to have RMVB, but don't right now. Both jtk26 and I (fyi...jtk26 is my brother :D) have 700r4's that are stock and with that extra 4th gear, it was just too much back and forth and clicking gates to go from 1st to R. I think even with a TH350 or 400 in stock form it wouldn't be as bad with those shifters with just 3 gears, but 4 was too much
 
tRustyK5 said:
Winters does offer a "rock crawler" set of gates. Reverse pattern.

0e567123_crawler640x480.jpg


Means you gotta have the tranny with the full manual reverse pattern set-up though.
Click to expand...
I have this, sooooo much better than the B&M quicksilver shifter I had before. Awesome build up!
 
So here is a list of 2.5 ton Rockwell myths that you might encounter while searching:

1. The u-joint style axles are the strongest.
-- In stock form the bendix style shafts are just as strong (imo) as the u joint ones, however all the stronger aftermarket shafts are obviously u joint.

2. If the ID tag on the front axle says 'Rockwell' on it then it will be the u joint style axle.
-- Not true, my tag had rockwell on it and it was the bendix style axle shafts. It more depends on the year, there was some overlap in manufacturing iirc.

3. You can't flip the front hubs in without machining.
-- Obviously I show how i did mine with counter skink bolts, however I think if I were to do it again I would flip them in and switch from spindle studs to just bolts, then grind down the heads a little and the back side of the wheel stud shoulders.

4. Running leaf springs with rockwells doesn't work.
-- John cappa wrote an article in fourwheeler mag and said that. Maybe that's because he was referencing his old jeep on 49's and crappy leafs. I think you can do leafs and have them work well if you pick the right set. I did not start wit 3/4 ton springs and they didn't handle the weight or axle wrap well at all. Now that it has 3/4 ton springs all around and wrap bars all around the leafs work better than I ever expected them to.

5. Rockwells will make you too wide.
-- My width with the 44's (that are 19.5 wide) is under 90". Most people with one tons and big tires are about that wide. Front axles hub to hub are 87".

6. Ground clearance with rockwells sucks.
-- Not true, the bull gear is only 10". The stock bowl does have lots of room and does make clearance about as good as a 14 bolt, however an aftermarket mohawk diff cover will give you better clearance than a d60. That stock bowl is nice and smooth though so I have never had qualms about keeping it.

There are others, but thats the main ones. Some of the myths are littered in this popular article linked below.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/154-0305-2-ton-rockwell-axle-install/
 
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tRustyK5 said:
Winters does offer a "rock crawler" set of gates. Reverse pattern.

0e567123_crawler640x480.jpg


Means you gotta have the tranny with the full manual reverse pattern set-up though.
Click to expand...

With the gates cut out I don't see a reason to go to reverse manual valve body. 1st to R is so smooth, and I can kick it to the right when at speed to prevent it shifting into wrong gears (for the most part).
 
So I will be attending blazer bash this year for the first time. I plan on getting in moab on tuesday, and hitting a few trails before the official runs happen. My bro and I will be camping at areaBFE. I will have my previously pic'd trailer there with a generator, so we will have some amenities... tunes, water pressure, portable shower, etc. If anyone wants to camp with us let us know. Sure beats the $75 a night at other places. :waytogo:
 
jtk26 said:
Thanks guys. I wanted something that can tackle some hardcore trails, but not destroy the bank account, and still haul 5 people.

Now that my wife is due with our 4th kid.... I need a second rig... Uh Oh. :doah:
Click to expand...

:haha:yeah when I got to the Prego wife part and saw the back seat already at capacity I just thought.... Low slung burbun on rockwells!!!:haha::thumb:

But then again I always have visions of 2 1/2 tonsa bourbon...:whistle::D
 
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