Topic: SIIA 88" on SIII 109" axles; SOA conversion. (Read 1301 times)

Daniel · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2008, 09:32:55 AM »

Thanks, Matt. The plan is to have it look like a HD roll bar, that will but up against the rear of the P/U top. Then a front hoop inside, against the bulkhead and windshield frame. Then remove the P/U cab, and install removeable cross bars to connect the two parts, making a cage which the soft top will fit over. I have a galvanised hoop set, so I will install that, and tell my fab guy to get the bars right inside of the hoops, tight fit.

I want to buy a bender, but right now; with the economy where it's at; just not economically feasible.

If you find an old donor side panel; let me know.

Daniel · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2008, 06:09:03 PM »

Well; in preparation of the rolling chassis being back to work on; I cleaned up and organized the carport. I really have to enclose this thing in, and make a garage. It's getting ridiculous how many extra parts I am stockpiling. I also inventoried the P/U top parts, so I can order any items I may need to make it complete.

Daniel · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2008, 06:13:53 PM »

Work in progress:

Daniel · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2008, 06:13:43 PM »

Well; it took long enough to find someone down here with a commercial sized sandblaster that could take these down to bare steel, all the way down. The corrosion was so bad; and if I'm going to do this right, it has to start at the very beginning. So I got a contact in the marine business who owns commercial ocean going tugs to do them. Then I brought them to a paint and body shop that specialized in 18 wheelers and frame off Mopar restorations. Two coats of high build epoxy primer. Once all my cutting and welding is done for the proper pinion angles; they'll add more epoxy primer over the welded areas, and cover it with three coats of epoxy chassis black in semi-gloss.

the colonel · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2008, 06:57:00 PM »

Gorgeous Daniel. Simply breathTaking!!!!

Daniel · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2008, 08:06:57 PM »

Hopefully I'll have all of the cutting, welding, and repositioning done within the next couple of weeks. Which would mean having the chassis sandblasted, and the chassis, axles, and all shackles painted before the first of the year. Then I can mount the new motor, trans, and t-case, and take measurements to get my custom made GBR propshafts made up.

Thanks for the props, pops!

the colonel · « **Reply #21 on:** November 04, 2008, 08:24:24 PM »

those axles brought a tear to this old colonel's eyes!

TightButWillFit · « **Reply #22 on:** November 05, 2008, 07:05:07 PM »

tom post a pic of what matt did with your diff. all the "batttle" scars

CliftonRover · « **Reply #23 on:** November 05, 2008, 07:24:16 PM »

I would have thought about widening the track on the truck by switching to different axles. what you have done so far looks great, but I worry the truck might be top heavy. I switched to disco axles so I got disc brakes and 24 spline front, your rear tiff is obviously stronger, but it still has drums. It looks good, though, maybe just some different wheels to make things more stable.

Daniel · « **Reply #24 on:** November 06, 2008, 11:06:36 AM »

I'm saving up for Timm Cooper Disc brake conversion for all four corners (Rovers North). And with 35" Boggers on NATO steel beadlocks, all the weight will be low. One reason for the pickup cab: Remove quickly, unlike hardtop, fold down windshield, and the roll cage will be only weight above the hood and waistline of the vehicle. Thanks for the kind words.

CliftonRover · « **Reply #25 on:** November 06, 2008, 01:12:01 PM »

Do you have 10 spline front axles?

Daniel · « **Reply #26 on:** November 07, 2008, 12:11:44 PM »

The 1981 SIII 109" front axle has 10 spline inners, and 24 spline outers. The Salsbury, of course is 24 spline end to end. Since it's only part time 4wd, I will leave them alone for now, with a truetrac in the front until they break. Then replace with GBR HD's when needed. The rear is getting GBR HD's, and a Detroit locker. Then I'm mounting the stock rears in the bed, for backs up's just in case I destroy one of the HD's.

Daniel · « **Reply #27 on:** November 09, 2008, 06:47:38 PM »

Today's progress:

Installed the 109" axles on the mock-up 88" chassis. I am using 109" hardware, including shackles, spring plates, and u-bolts. The lean in the photos is due to 2 springs on one rear spring pack being broken on the mock-up. The bottom of the doors are already almost at my waist. The rolling stock is only 215/85/16's (30"). Once the 35"'s and parabolics are fitted, the floors will be higher than my beltline. The Salsbury diff (D60) looks huge on such a narrow frame, (the center spring to spring is only 28.5").

Daniel · « **Reply #28 on:** November 09, 2008, 06:57:57 PM »

Frame, measured from the top flat surface;

Rear axle, measured over centerline; +1 degree, both sides.
Mid-Line, measured over transfer case crossmember; 0 degrees, both sides.
Front axle, measured over centerline; -1 degrees, both sides.

Rear axle;

Original clearance to bottom most point of diff on the 88" axle was; 9 1/2 inches. Now with Salsbury fitted, 8 1/4". Lost over an inch of ground clearance here, so will be fitting a pinion guard, Dynatrac rear diff cover, and tubular diff cover bar to protect internals.
Clearance to bottom of spring hangers; 9 1/2 inches, both sides.

Original angle of pinion flange; +1 degree. Now with Salsbury installed; + 3.5 degrees. Will need to rotate the rear axle a minimum of 2.5 degrees. Once the t-case mock-up is fitted; I might not rotate at all, as the straighter the propshaft is, the better. I am also fitting an anti-wrap bar from the center of the axle tube, to the back of the main crossmember of the frame.

Front axle;

Original clearance to bottom most point of diff on the 88" axle was; 9 1/2 inches. Now with 109" front axle; 9 1/2". No clearance lost since standard Rover housing. Tube is actually larger in diameter than the Sals/D60 tube, at almost 3 1/2" diameter.
Clearance to bottom of spring hangers; 9 3/4 inches, both sides.

Original angle of pinion flange; +3 degrees. Now with 109" axle installed; - 1 degree. Will need to rotate the front axle at leat 4 degrees, and then rotate the swivel balls, and redrill mounting holes, to correct caster angles.

I've extended the wheelbase to 92", which will help with approach and departure angles. And also make fitting driveshafts easier with the extra long pinion of the Salsbury.

The lowest point of the framerails is at 24" of ground clearance. The lowest crossmember point is 20" of ground clearance. And this is with the 30" tires, and standard swb springs.

The lowest point of the battery tray is now at 38.5 inches. So when the 35"'s and parabolics are fitted, I'll be able to go through 3.5 feet of water without touching any electrical parts.

junkyddog11 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 09, 2008, 08:04:59 PM »

Nicely done.

I will say though, although I'm pretty sure you're determined to go down this road.....there is a (for lack of a better way to descibe it) critical degree of moment that is reached between wheelbase and tire size that is compounded by lift and soft springs. Something that I did not really appreciate until I built...or shoud I say threw together pretty much the same rig that you are building as in a SWB series w/SOA and 35's. Not only does this configuration allow you to actually wheelie the thing but under heavy braking on a slight downhill you can actually roll the thing end over end.(done that) . I still have the truck. It was not at all useful offroad unless the trail didn't involve climbing or decending or any sort of angles, it would be better I suppose if you'd be driving in deep water allot....which I suppose you may be eh?

You'll be in better shape with the extended wheelbase, but still pushing it. I only mention this as I after building rigs designed to work well I can't ever figure out why bother to lift things to such a high degree when you can run 35's on a series rig with just parabolics and very minor trimming of the body....you can run 34's without doing any trimming.

Will be cool no doubt. Just some more food for thought.

Author Topic: SIIA 88" on SIII 109" axles; SOA conversion. (Read 1301 times)