Kevin - Alpine Spirit

[Alpine Spirit]

Vehicle: 2002 Nissan Xterra
Favorite Wheeling Spot(s): ANYWHERE!!! But I have to make trips to Moab.
Joined RONIN Wheelers: October 2006
Personal Link: www.AlpineTribe.com

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3636/dsc01081pl2.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2hFjrRZvDo

ARMOR

- Calmini Gas Skid Plate
- SAS Kit Skid
- Shrockworks Sliders
- Shrockworks Front Skid
- ARB Front Bumper
- Custom Rear Differential Skid
- Spider Guard, Front Diff
- Skid Row Rear Bumper
- Rear Tire Carrier

TIRES & WHEELS

- 37 x 13.50 Iroks
- 16" American Racing Wheels

DRIVETRAIN

- Front D44 from 88 Waggoneer
- Tom Woods Driveshafts Front & Rear
- Slip Yoke Eliminator
- Front 5.13 Yukon Gears
- ARB Front Locker
- Rear 5.14 Nismo Gears
- ARB Rear Locker
- 4:1 Tcase Gears

LIFT/SUSPENSION

- Front, Calmini 5" SAS Long Arm Kit
- 2" Body Lift
- Rear, Alcan Lift Springs 5"
- Johnny Joint Rear Shackles
- Custom Spring Over on the Rear
- 2" Fox Coil Overs
- 2" King Springs

STEERING

- Custom HD Drag Link
- Custom HD Tie Rod

MISC

- Warn XD9000 Winch
- ARB Safari Snorkel
- Custom Fog Lights... crushed
- Window vents
- Hitch built into Bumper
- Calmini Roof Rack
- Hi-Lift Rear Bumper Mount
- Axe Rack Mount
- K&N Filter
- Scepter Water Cans
- Fuel Cans
- Raingler Nets to secure Tools and Such

INTERIOR

- On Board Welder
- Wet Okole Seat Covers
- Rocking Tcase Shifter
- Rubber Floor mats
- Custom switches mounted in dash
- AA Maglight mount Front Door
- D Cell LED Flashlight
- Magnetic Head Lamps
- 15lb Powertank w/Hoses
- EZ Access Bolted Powertank Mount

ELECTRONICS

- Upgraded Battery over 1,000 CCA
- Garmin 60C GPS
- Garmin GPS Dash mount
- External GPS Antenna
- Cobra FRS Handheld Radios (2)
- Cobra C75WXST CB
- 4' Firestick Antenna
- Coolerman Aux Fuse Block

SOUND

- 40GB Ipod
- Monster Cable w/FM Transmitter

LIGHTS

- 2 130watt Lights
- 4 100watt Lights
- Fog Lights

RECOVERY GEAR

- Warn XD9000 winch
- 24000 pound tow strap(24')
- Tool Box
- D-ring shackles
- Snatch Block
- Leather Gloves
- 48" hi-lift jack
- Folding Shovel
- Full Size Axe

[Alpine Spirit]

OK I figured I would update this finally.

* Pathy Transfer case with 3.92:1 Calmini Gears
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6606/nissantcasegearspbg2.jpg
* Front ARB Locker
Yeah it makes a difference on your front axle shafts.
* Custom Spring over on the rear w/Johnny Joints
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8427/68508497fullwr8.jpg
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4859/68508496fx0.gif
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8771/68508498ww2.jpg
* Slip Yoke Eliminator
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1060/syepce2.jpg
* New HD Tom Woods Rear Drive shaft
* New Rear Shocks Rancho 9000s
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4631/rearbj4.jpg
* Synthetic Winch Line
* Scratches... Dings & more paint

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2332/1005321fd6.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8961/1005390uh4.jpg

[csutke]

lookin good

[Alpine Spirit]

Update... since I never have. LOL

Some good pics with the new meats... thanks Ryan.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/Trips/IC3-25-09/DSCF3964.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/Trips/IC3-25-09/DSCF3966.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/Trips/IC3-25-09/DSCF3967.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/Trips/IC3-25-09/DSCF3972.jpg

[S2X01]

kevin.....i love your truck.

[Chainsaw]

Ive always admired your truck, nice work.

[fusionfronty99]

how you like the johnny joint shackles?

[Alpine Spirit]

The johnny Joints work well. They let the springs swing in during flex. I just grease em every time I change the oil.

[tbecktold]

36s? Very nice!

[cameron_garrison]

looking good had the red grizzly grip faded mutch from the sun

[palermus]

Love the Illinois Gulch pics.

[CurleyMan]

Your tires just gave me wood! Thanks for sharing Kev

[johngraves2]

Supper nice kev. I really need to see it in person! Some great work done there, i didn't know how much you have actually done.

[Alpine Spirit]

Your tires just gave me wood! Thanks for sharing Kev

Dude the more I wheel these tires... the more I LOVE EM!!!!!!

36s? Very nice!

The guys at Interco are on crack and they admit it..... I call em 37s they measure 36.8" OD.... the 37s they sell measure 36.7" OD.

looking good had the red grizzly grip faded mutch from the sun

Yep it did... I did a coat of paint 2 years ago... been fine ever since.

[Alpine Spirit]

Needed to fix the dent in the rear hatch........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_RhE6FnxA
So why not get rid of it.

And since Everyone is PMing, calling, emailing... yes it is underway.... Ryan and I have been busy!! ;)

[THEONE]

Yeah buddy!!

To bad I will have to wait and see it at next years event. Have fun with it.

[tbecktold]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!:bannana:

[Alpine Spirit]

Teaser.......

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5460/32189700439085054191585.jpg

[Lewers]

Hey Kev, looking good! :)

Can't wait to see the finished product...

[NissanNut]

Wow, thats cool. Kind of a crew cab short bed look.

[williambelk587]

Looks sick Kevin. How does that conversation go with the wife?
Kevin: "Hey honey I am cutting the roof of my truck.
Tammy(Still asleep cuz its 2AM): "Ok whatever you want."

[owenb2]

My wife got pissed at me when I sawzalled the bottom part of my stock bumper off, after a tragic :rolleyes: parking lot incident.
I have always wanted to see an X chopped at the rear like that. And it looks just as cool as I'd imagined.

[palermus]

Is the Gobi going back on?

[Alpine Spirit]

Looks sick Kevin. How does that conversation go with the wife?
Kevin: "Hey honey I am cutting the roof of my truck.
Tammy(Still asleep cuz its 2AM): "Ok whatever you want."

She is stoked about it!!! :bannana:

Is the Gobi going back on?

Its actually a Calmini Rack but I may put it on the White X or I may sell it. :D

[itsme1738]

sell it?.....hhhhmmmm

[williambelk587]

She is stoked about it!!! :bannana:





Wow man she is my hero. Jolyn would castrate me if i cut anything visible on the rig. lol

[bogof]

So that was the sawzall I heard in the background when I called.

Last time I got Alex to dovetail his so this time I'll suggest something different.

Looks good. What would look really cool is if you traded me trucks.

What are you going to do to close off the back?


BTW I'm going to coin the term Xtavalanche for this kind of conversion.

[williambelk587]

BTW I'm going to coin the term Xtavalanche for this kind of conversion.

I F**king love it. That is exactly what it looks like. Only cooler cuz it is still an X.

[itsme1738]

yea im with ya on that!!!!!

[katie]

My wife got pissed at me when I sawzalled the bottom part of my stock bumper off, after a tragic :rolleyes: parking lot incident.


Jolyn would castrate me if i cut anything visible on the rig. lol

I'm a girl and I think it's freakin' awesome! :thumbsup:

[JeffW]

MUTHa-FU&%$#@!

Nice!

Any plans to cover the "Amigo" rear?

[steeze]

Super cool stuff, BTW Xtavalanche is perfect.

Nice job

[Alpine Spirit]

For the back I have some Marine Canvas and buttons coming to make a cover.

[Bill Potter]

It looks like one of those girly Honda's with big tires....Just kidding.

How much weight did that take off?

[Houdini]

Nice Ride!

[Alpine Spirit]

It looks like one of those girly Honda's with big tires....Just kidding.

How much weight did that take off?

I didnt think it would be to much but every piece that came off was alot heavier than I expected especially the glass. Maybe 175... :confused:

[Night in Armor]

Everybody wants to look like my Jeep!
:spit:

Seriously though how are you going to make up for the integrity lost in the roof?

[pathmaker1]

thats awesome man!!!!!

[soccerbrace]

U r crazy!

[Alpine Spirit]

Everybody wants to look like my Jeep!
:spit:

Seriously though how are you going to make up for the integrity lost in the roof?
Nah this is gonna look better. ;) :laughing:

We were just gonna put a cap on the back of the cut section then Ryan looked at the roof we cut off. :) He pulled the roof crossmember out of it and we put it in the cut section. We then capped the back with an L shaped piece made from plate steel. You can now jump up and down on that edge and it does not budge. :D

[Alpine Spirit]

Ryans Idea and work came out WAY Better than my idea. ;)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2360/0422091819g.jpg

Mine would have been maybe 2 bends....

[OdiN]

That's awesome dude! I like how it follows the lines of the truck.

[Night in Armor]

Nah this is gonna look better. ;) :laughing:

We were just gonna put a cap on the back of the cut section then Ryan looked at the roof we cut off. :) He pulled the roof crossmember out of it and we put it in the cut section. We then capped the back with an L shaped piece made from plate steel. You can now jump up and down on that edge and it does not budge. :D

Better my :twocents: LOL
Can't wait to see it on the trails. You going to cage the insides too?
Nice tubes in back also.

[bluex]

looking good Kev. I like the chopped top look:D

[OdiN]

Moar Pics!

[Alpine Spirit]

We will be workin on it again this week. Ended up in Nebraska last week in my free time.

[Alpine Spirit]

Still workin....

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/4324_1163616767869_1151358201_479549_1289175_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/4324_1163616367859_1151358201_479548_2606484_n.jpg

[Creek]

nice!

[Sully4x4]

:bowdown:

[the007forum]

:bowdown:

that sums it up pretty good.

[Bill Potter]

I like your redesigned anti rear-ender tire bumper...that should put a nice crinkle in the hood of the next person to test it....

[itsme1738]

thats CLEAN!!!!

[OdiN]

NICE Kev!

Remember...only 9 days :D

[Packman5280]

looks real sick, good work.

[Ryan Gee]

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1139848863329_1440636134_30353305_577292_n.jp g

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1139849303340_1440636134_30353306_1652878_n.j pg (http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1139849303340_1440636134_30353306_1652878_n.j pg)

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1138844758227_1440636134_30350797_1808868_n.j pg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1138844798228_1440636134_30350798_975175_n.jp g



We spent a day or so mending up the parts that had been cut off...
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1140039588097_1440636134_30353827_5592220_n.j pg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs011.snc1/2897_1140039628098_1440636134_30353828_6622896_n.j pg

[OdiN]

That looks bad ass!

What are you gonna do about having some black over the red sliders, bumper, etc.? Going to paint them black too?

All welded on or just tacked/mocked?

[tbecktold]

I dig it. How much less do the rear doors open?

[palermus]

The worlds first Ximberline. :D

[bogof]

No it's Xtavalance!

That exo looks real good. I was wondering how you would work around the snorkel. I need to get to work on mine now.

[OdiN]

It makes it look like it has a shorter wheelbase now....

[Eric P]

I like your redesigned anti rear-ender tire bumper...that should put a nice crinkle in the hood of the next person to test it....

It crinkled hoods just fine before this mod.

[williambelk587]

Looks great Kevin. I dig the spider web corners, nice custom touch.

[Packman5280]

Looks great Kevin. I dig the spider web corners, nice custom touch.

x2

[steeze]

Looks great Kevin. I dig the spider web corners, nice custom touch.

X3

looking forward to more pics..

[Alpine Spirit]

I like your redesigned anti rear-ender tire bumper...that should put a nice crinkle in the hood of the next person to test it....

:flamer: :flamer:

That looks bad ass!

What are you gonna do about having some black over the red sliders, bumper, etc.? Going to paint them black too?

All welded on or just tacked/mocked?

Still figuring the paint out...

Its all welded in securely now.

I dig it. How much less do the rear doors open?

About 2" less of a swing. Very manageable.

Looks great Kevin. I dig the spider web corners, nice custom touch.

Thanks :Eye:

Thanks for posting those pics Ryan! ;)

[Sully4x4]

Very nice Kev and Ryan. I think it would be sick going with that same red color.

[JeffW]

Wow!

[Alpine Spirit]

http://alpinetribe.com/Gallery/d/9864-2/542657570_pwmNU-O.jpg

http://alpinetribe.com/Gallery/d/9859-2/_MG_7027.jpg

http://alpinetribe.com/Gallery/d/8509-2/_MG_1038+_1280x768_.jpg

http://alpinetribe.com/Gallery/d/8689-2/_MG_1083+_1280x768_.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x114/HKYStormFront/goneMOAB%202009/_MG_6812.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x114/HKYStormFront/goneMOAB%202009/_MG_6764.jpg

More write up to come...

[HKYStormFront]

^^^ i finally got around to putting up the edited versions of those pics (which look a lot better) on my website, i'll be posting them in my thread later today

[soccerbrace]

Looks super swet with that red Kev! Good work!

[Ryan Gee]

His wife is sooooooo out of nail polish!

[OdiN]

And lip gloss......

[Night in Armor]

And here I was worried about your roof strength! Awesome cage bro!

[bogof]

Quick question. Do you have an estimate on how many feet of tubing you used?

[Alpine Spirit]

It was a out 6 sticks we cut up.

So 120 feet.

[toadsteer]

nice cage!!! ive herd alot about it now i see y!

[itsme1738]

120 ft......wow.....thats spendy

[Ryan Gee]

Last year a few of us did a trail called Carnage BV. Needless to say the weak link was found in a few vehicles. Kevin broke his driver side radius arm free from the axle. The mounts to this arm are welded to the cast housing on a Waggy Dana 44. Kevin got to brain storming on how to prevent this from happening again! A guy could probably encompass (Wrap) the cast area of the axle with plate and weld the radius arm mounts back on to the plated area. This would probably work just fine! However I had an extra HP44 housing from the old red pathfinder laying in a pile.

This axle was one of the units that I had narrowed to 63 in wide. What a guy does is cut 2 inches off the long side of a Ford axle, then burn the C back into place. This makes the long side the same length as a Waggy! With the short side still Ford length, the axle becomes a 63 wide unit.


There are a few things that are sweet about this modified housing:

The shaft lengths are still OEM units! So new shafts can be ordered without a custom cut unit.

The differential ends up closer to the oil pan. Thus allowing the drivers side radius arm mount to be welded to tube.

The tubes on this model of Ford axle are 1/2 inch wall. Can you say BEEF!!!!

The axle is 63 wide... Say goodbye to the wheel spacers!!!!

It is a high pinion unit.. thus lifting the drive-shaft further out of harms way.



However there are a couple downfalls!

This is a high pinion! So the crossmemeber that normally has a sway bar in it has to be removed or modified! Say goodbye to the sway-bar!

The drive-shaft is higher and will hit the cat! So say goodbye to secondary cats...

----------------------------------------------------



Kevin has lifted his rig enough to max out the caster adjusters on the Calmini arms. He decided to fix that with new adjustable upper links that we fabbed up.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0527800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0529800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0531800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0535800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Wow... that track bar mount was on there good. Finally got it all cleaned up! A little fillin' and grindin' in the morn and she will be ready to go!

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0536800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Measuring the old axle mount location to this new axle. It is a perfect fit!

There is a little cleaning up to be had still... she is going to look good!


http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0538800x600.jpg
http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/http:/http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0538800x600.jpg/

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0541800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0548800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0549800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

The heck with that thick stuff... how about 1/8 inch instead????

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0550800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Naaa... that is a jig! LOL

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0553800x600.jpg

A person can see the original outline of this piece. The jig changes how a person lays it out.. kinda nice!

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0554800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

It is not a plasma table.. however it gets the job done!

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0555800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0556800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

:crazy:

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0557800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0558800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0559800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0560800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Both sides of this inner plate are welded to the axle... This side to cast and the next pics shows the other side welded to tube.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0562800x600.jpg

The pic below shows the welds on the inside of this mount..
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0575800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Had to redo the top.. the joint needed a little more breathing room..

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0566800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Other side... went a little better the second time.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0570800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0569800x600.jpg

On the last pic below, a little extra material was left on the outside edge. May be able to tie the track bar mount onto this...
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0568800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Put a quarter on top for a size relationship.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0573800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0571800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0574800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0576800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Here is an idea of where the track bar mount will be....

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/e685d89b.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0592800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0593800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0594800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0595800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0596800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0597800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0598800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0600800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0601800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0602800x600.jpg


http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0603800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0604800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0606800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Need to rotate it forward a bit... time for bed.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0608800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0609800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Here is the mock up of the track bar mount. The shock tabs will probably go away and two plates will encompass everything from the top of the knuckle to the radius arm mount. These plates will also work as the shock mount...



http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0610800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

Crap.... I have strep throat! It is like a big "time out" setting on the couch for a couple days. This blows!

The last 4-5 pages of this thread are new... It is far from done, however the idea is there to check out..

Click here to go directly to the start of the new stuff. (http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=67154#post67154)

[palermus]

Monsterous! Thems some purdy welds.

[Caged94XJ]

Ryan this is horrible, First you didn't do enough bracing... Those brackets will fold like a Taco. Second you didn't grind off the the leftover tube on the blue arms. I say you need to scrap it and give it to me. Then I will fix it and show you how it is done under my rig.

[Alpine Spirit]

Quit Eyeballing my arms, brackets and axle...... they are mine damn it!!!! ;)

[Caged94XJ]

Kevin, I will give you a case of beer for your old housing... Deal?

[Alpine Spirit]

Kevin, I will give you a case of beer for your old housing... Deal?

You have a PM dude.:beer:

[Ryan Gee]

Ryan this is horrible, First you didn't do enough bracing... Those brackets will fold like a Taco.

Ya know... I do have some 1/2 inch plate laying around! :roflmao:

[Caged94XJ]

You would have to know how to weld 1/2 first...

[Ryan Gee]

Exactly.. I hate welding that stuff. The gloves get hot quick! :doublefinger:

[Casper]

Hey Ryan, anymore "spare HP D44's" laying around you want to get rid of? :D They seem to be non-existant here in Cali, well that or folks want a small fortune for them.

Hey, it can't hurt to ask. :bannana:

Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos

[OdiN]

Kevin, you're going to run out of things to do for the Moab trips.

[Ryan Gee]

Hey Ryan, anymore "spare HP D44's" laying around you want to get rid of?

Give a man one axle shaft... save his trip to moab.. and now he wants a free housing...

LOL, Just kidding! None that I want to get rid of. They are getting hard to find around here too.

[Casper]

Give a man one axle shaft... save his trip to moab.. and now he wants a free housing...

LOL, Just kidding! None that I want to get rid of. They are getting hard to find around here too.

Hey now, I never said for free...... I mean I was hoping for free but never actually said free .:laughing:

Cheers man, can't hurt to ask.

Se you in Moab.

Josh
&
Porthos

[Alex Topousis]

Kevin, you're going to run out of things to do for the Moab trips.

That's what I'm saying.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t280/atopousis/088d588f.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0615800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0616800x600.jpg

[Packman5280]

looks great ryan.

[Ryan Gee]

I am getting better at welding on my back under a car...

[Packman5280]

no more slag in yer crack huh? that probably hurt.

[Ryan Gee]

LMAO.. ya it will learn ya!

[Ryan Gee]

The track bar should stay put..

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0621800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0618800x600.jpg


http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0617800x600.jpg

[Caged94XJ]

Man Ryan, IDK if that track bar mount will hold. Looks weak to me. Where's the 1/2 inch plate?

[Ryan Gee]

Man Ryan, IDK if that track bar mount will hold. Looks weak to me. Where's the 1/2 inch plate?

I know... the next time Kevin pulls a dump-truck from a ditch, via that mount, it could maybe stress it a little. :moon:

[Nissanclay]

I know... the next time Kevin pulls a dump-truck from a ditch, via that mount, it could maybe stress it a little. :moon:

Yeah you might want to throw a couple of gussets on there just incase :bannana:

[Caged94XJ]

I know... the next time Kevin pulls a dump-truck from a ditch, via that mount, it could maybe stress it a little. :moon:

Yeah it sucks for Kevin... Sorry Kevin no more trips to the mines for you. Now what is he going to do with all his free time Ryan?

[Nissanclay]

Yeah it sucks for Kevin... Sorry Kevin no more trips to the mines for you. Now what is he going to do with all his free time Ryan?

More time for um.....

http://debrisblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/sheep.gif

[Nissanclay]

Holly crap thats hugh!!!!









Haha thats what the sheep said. :)

[Casper]

Bwahahahahaha :roflmao:

Thats good.

Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos
:bannana:

[Ryan Gee]

Arms got beefed up a bit...

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0622800x600.jpg


http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0623800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0625800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0626800x600.jpg

[tmorgan4]

You make me sick. :spit:
(I still need to grab those fittings from you)

[Ryan Gee]

Trackbar... where did it go?

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0630800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0627800x600.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t293/broncb2b/101_0631800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0632800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0635800x600.jpg
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0636800x600.jpg
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0637800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0638800x600.jpg

[Bobby B.]

Looks good!

Kind of surprised after all that work you didn't go high-steer.

[Ryan Gee]

High steer does not work well with the Calmini setup.

[CurleyMan]

Looks great Ryan! I don't care what Alex says about ya your an alright guy :-)

[Caged94XJ]

I saw it yesterday and man it is going to fold like taco. Good work guys... Really sick setup.

[Alpine Spirit]

Are we talkin soft shell or crunchy tacos... Makes a difference. ;)

[Caged94XJ]

Crunchy tacos, the fold is way more awesome when they break...

[O1SalsaX]

Total noob question for you..
Is it ok to have that track bar mount in single shear like that?
Or is it going to be gussetted?

[Casper]

I would think that with the hardware that Ryan is using, it should be fine. I know Kevins original track bar mount wasn't gusseted and he's been running that one for years without breaking. He broke most everything else though :eek:

One thing I really like with that track bar setup over mine is IF he does break the bolt all he has to do is slide a new one in its place, no tapping out the other half of it. Nice work Ryan, I really like that idea.

Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos

[Bill Potter]

I think that is a 5/8 grade 8 bolt....29k+ lbs shear strength.

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/fasteners/index.asp

[Ryan Gee]

No it is a 3/4 grade 8.. which has a 50100 lbs shear strength. Let see the heim is 31000 to deformation (not to break). So has anyone deformed a heim on a trackbar lately?

The problem with the "blue" trackbar, was the fact that every bump was working against the threads. The bolt is threaded into the axle, thus eventually working loose.

On this setup the threads do nothing but hold the bolt in... The original Ford setup was alot like this one only not as beefy. They worked fine for 30-40 years... hmm :)

[tmorgan4]

I hope you have a big torque wrench! :D

http://www.zerofast.com/torque.htm

[Ryan Gee]

That would be a biggun!

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0646800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0644800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0641800x600.jpg

That is a 36 inch tire... makes it look like a 33 incher!!

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0639800x600.jpg

[T-Ray]

that is pretty. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[AirborneNurse]

damn, very nice.

[Packman5280]

how did kevin get so dirty, if ryan is doing all this work?

hehehehehe, just kidding guys, looks great. speedy too.

[Alpine Spirit]

Grunt labor the last couple days. :)

it drives like a dream now. Thanks again Ryan & Allen!!!

Just need dshaft, retorque it all and then it's good to go.

[Ryan Gee]

I think Kevin has the best differential setup a man could muster! Allen is awesome at whatever he sets his mind to! Glad to have him as a good friend..

[Alpine Spirit]

LOL....nice sheep BILL!!! ;)

[J_L]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0644800x600.jpg


Well that's rather amazing.

[bogof]

So why the change in coilovers?

Extra flex, or just trying to erase all the blue?

[OregonX]

So why the change in coilovers?

Extra flex, or just trying to erase all the blue?

I was just about to ask. SAW's or WE? Is that a longer shock than what you were running before?

Looks awesome!!

[Alpine Spirit]

More flex, correct ride height for coilovers & adjustable valving with the ranchos.

Also a benefit I didnt think of was yesterday Ryan and I were out testing it we turned up the valving to full stiffness and it REALLY cuts down on the body roll (no sway bars).

[AirborneNurse]

What coils are you running?

[Ryan Gee]

250/350

[AirborneNurse]

fox?

[Nissanclay]

More flex, correct ride height for coilovers & adjustable valving with the ranchos.

Ranchos

[Chainsaw]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0641800x600.jpg

That is a 36 inch tire... makes it look like a 33 incher!!

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0639800x600.jpg

Shew! I need to work on my flex!!

[Ryan Gee]

Rancho Coilovers... (http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RS9000XL&Category_Code=RX-ACC) they are reasonably priced.

[Ryan Gee]

The other pics from the ramp...



http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0640800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0642800x600.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0643800x600.jpg

[Ryan Gee]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss55/nissansas/xo/101_0645800x600.jpg

[itsme1738]

very nice.....where is this test ramp that you use?....im guessing peoria?

[OdiN]

Yeah it looks like the 4WP ramp.

[itsme1738]

no i dont think so....but it is somewhere close

[Ryan Gee]

Nope it is out by I 70 and Tower...

[Racer Xterra]

Just curious - Are you still able to open your backdoors or does the cage get in the way?

[Alpine Spirit]

The back doors lost about 3" of swing but they are fully functional.

[T-Ray]

Kev, did you make some type of quick disconnect for the doors? I am getting an interior cage and wondering how to remove the doors quickly and easily while keeping them functional if I want them on.

[Chainsaw]

Good question Tim, been thinking about the same thing + tube doors now that I have a couple of dies.

[Casper]

Bwahahahahahaha, quick disconnect. You should ask him how long it took him to figure out what he did to not be able to start the truck the first time he took them off. :laughing:

Hinges would be easy enough to fab up, not sure if anyone has done it though. Wiring ends up being the issue. Hit Jarod up, he found a plug that worked.

Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos
:bannana:

[Ryan Gee]

Well making the tube doors quick disconnect off a proprietary hinge is not that hard.

However making the OEM door disco is not so easy. Jeeps have that nice flat side and door seem.. thus making the door removal stuff easy. We have a curved door seem and body panel. Being able to pick the door up off hinges is really hard being the panels hit each other. When our doors open they dive behind/under/over the fender...

Maybe a new set of hinges that have removable pins... Maybe! It would honestly be a two man operation being these doors are made out of lead or something...

[bogof]

I tried the quick connect thing. I got some pins, and replaced the factory pins. It is still easier to just unbolt the hinges. I just keep the doors closed while I'm unbolting it, and keep them closed when I'm putting them back on. The weight of the doors is what makes the quick connect thing tough. Somewhere in my build thread I have pictures of how I did the hinges, and the quick connect wiring.

[Alpine Spirit]

Right now im just unbolting form the door side.

For the electronics im using some trailer harnesses but I did not bother reconnecting my door locks just the windows and the key lock on the drivers door as a back up to disarm the alarm.

http://www.towadapter.com/M6101.htm

[Alpine Spirit]

Hmmm no pics with the doors off... must fix. :) :beermug::beermug:

[soccerbrace]

Your tires look small! :)

[B&C]

Man, that thing is sweet.

[Racer Xterra]

A previous post states that the valving on your Ranchos are 250/350
do you have the 12' / 14' or the 12' / 12' spring combo? Also curious to know the height from the top of your front axle to the bottom of the frame.

Any help you could offer would be appreciated....

Thanks!

[Ryan Gee]

Racer, are you modifying a calmini setup, or building from scratch?

[Racer Xterra]

Building from Scratch..... I was originally going to go w/ a coil bucket setup on full width 60 ford axles. Unfortunately I found that the inspections in UT are pretty restrictive and will fail vehicles w/ tires hanging out past the fenders. Now my axles are being cut down 4 inches and no longer have the room to fit the coil buckets, but it looks like these Ranchos would fit nicely.

[Ryan Gee]

Kev is running a 2 inch body lift and the Calmini hoops have been extended 2inches to fit in the fender normally. This is something we chose not to put in the build thread. The reason being, folks tend to copy what they see on the forums and the whole mod did not have a proven track record. Now that he has beat on his rig for a couple years I would say it worked. I may have some pics of it... I'll have to dig.

With that said.. it will give you a better idea of what you are looking at in this thread for your Dana 60 build... looking forward to the pics!

[Alpine Spirit]

Sorry been busy at work and getting stuff together for the US embassy.... we have Russians coming to goneMOAB this year.

Let me run outside......

[Alpine Spirit]

Frame to Ground... Under Drivers seat 24"
Axle to Frame... Directly above the Axle 13.75"

The Coils I can not remember... ill look around for the receipt or notes. I actually had those coil overs in a shed for over a year before the last conversion.

[Racer Xterra]

Thanks Kev & Ryan - I plan on starting a build thread as soon as I make some progress and have something that would be of interest to folks.

[soccerbrace]

Keep in mind Kev removed his bushings on his X and added the 2" pucks.