cause for a litte celebration (video links added)

[cybrfire]

Got to do a little test driving today. Few things still need to be done and I'm not convinced that the steering issues are all straightened out yet. I may end up having to go to a larger cylinder. It steers OK if your moving or in gravel or dirt. It is a little twitchy too. 2 turns lock to lock is a little freaky at speed.

Here's some photos.

Specs for some of you that aren't familiar with the build,

5" of lift on a 76 blazer frame, fully boxed.
44 x 18.5 x 16.5 TSL's on beadlocked wheels with the wire rod on the inside bead.
HP60, 14BFF, SM465,203,205.

Engine, trans and t cases are all solid mounted as well as the cage.

52's on all four corners with a drop away shackle in the rear.

Rear mounted radiator flowing through 2" aluminum tubing. Custom outside the frame headers, 3" dual exhaust and its a little loud. On boad air.

Mods to finish, On board welder and a full belly skid plate and who knows maybe rear steer.



If somebody wants to post some videos I have a couple really short ones.

 

[muddybuddy]

looks sweet as always

 

[ryan22re]

Any worries on the solid mounted drivetrain?

 

[cybrfire]

No, not really. The frame is boxed, Cage is solid mounted and there is very little if any frame flex left. Once you start making the frame rigid, in my opinion its all or nothing.

 

[79k20350]

Does it shake like a bastard being solid mounted?

All in all that thing looks mean! Thats got a great stance... Absolutley love it!

 

[cybrfire]

Does it shake like a bastard being solid mounted?

All in all that thing looks mean! Thats got a great stance... Absolutley love it!

Actually not as bad as I thought it would be. All in all it rides and runs pretty smooth. When you snap the throttle it definiely transmits some torque to the frame for a brief instant. Total there are 4 crossmembers to soak it up so shouldn't be a problem.

I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out. Really good visibility front and rear. I haven't posted any decent pictures of it yet but there is a lower rear window in the back of the cab that gives excellent view of the rear axle and a portion of the rear driveshaft.

Departure angle could use some work but it'll do for now.

Thanks for the comps.

 

[muddermilitia]

Very cool. Got any close up pics of your drop away shackle?

 

[tRustyK5]

Looks awesome!!!

Rene

 

[Drey]

Looks Great Kert, Did those beads pop in after you put them on the truck?

 

[mikey_d05]

Looks good, I'll have to come down for a real ride sometime instead of pushin it outta the shop with the forklift.


As a side note, how's it cool? I'm still nervous about mine...especially without the mile of aluminum tube you've got under that thing.

 

[cybrfire]

Very cool. Got any close up pics of your drop away shackle?

Nothing close up. That is one of the things that needs finishing. I need to make a limiter. The drop away can go overcenter and lock up the suspension completely.

Drey, Actually no they didn't but lets not go there!

Thanks Rene.

MikeyDo5, Your gona love the seat of the pants dyno results with that 500 you stuck in yours. AWESOME!

As for cooling it stays very cool. I'm running a thermostat restrictor now and I believe this winter I'll have to switch it out for a thermostat and a different sending unit for the fans. Warmest its been so far is 180. I'd like it to warm up a bit more yet. Sending unit come on at 180 and shuts off at 160. Wasn't sure what to expect with the cooling so I got the lower temp one of the two choices to stay ahead of the heat.

 

[Citizen Rider]

Kert, the stance is awesome!

 

[mikey_d05]

Kert's sending me the vids so I can upload 'em and post 'em.

Here's the first one: http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/mjdannenberg/?action=view&current=MOV03102.flv

 

[mikey_d05]

second vid: http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/mjdannenberg/?action=view&current=MOV03094.flv

 

[sunnyc123abc]

What is the advantage to solid mounting the drivetrain?

 

[mikey_d05]

third vid: http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/mjdannenberg/?action=view&current=MOV03095.flv

 

[cybrfire]

You beat me too it.

 

[mikey_d05]

Looks like it hauls ass man, now I wanna let Terry rip into mine before it even runs.

 

[cybrfire]

What is the advantage to solid mounting the drivetrain?

All depends on your build really. The way my block and trans and tcases are mounted, it lends itself to making the frame more rigid. It also allows you to cheat a few things like exhaust clearances for engine movement and things like that. It also can make it easier to mount things. The engine has a few inch set back. With it being solid mounted and all built in crossmembers you'd never know the diference. Lots of small advantages including putting more torque to the ground.

 

[cybrfire]

Looks like it hauls ass man, now I wanna let Terry rip into mine before it even runs.

We really didn't do much to this one Mikey. Cam, intake carb, headers and a good timing chain. Terry basically just cleaned things up really good and reassembled.

Wait till you see the next build!