The Evolution of Shelby [Archive]

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 03:55 PM

http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/powdercoating/powdercoating$513134229.jpg
Bought in November 06'-Completely stock
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Jamesspics001.jpg

2 days later-Fist mod K & N FIPK

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/AwholeBunchofpictures029.jpg

Next was a Gibson exhaust

http://www.gibsonperformance.com/products.asp?pid=14297&make=30&model=901#901

Then I got this POS
http://www.airaidsales.com/prod.asp?ProductID=321&Product=2004+NISSAN+XTERRA+AIRAID+Throttle+Body+Sp acer

Next, I put on the AC 2" BL

Stock height here
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Xterra2BL022.jpg

After BL-I also removed all mud flaps and step rails at this time
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Xterra2BL041.jpg

Next day, I put some 33" tires on
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Xterra2BL046.jpg

Next, I bought Calmini's 3" SL with Bilstien shocks

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSCN1436.jpg

Next came a Shrock bumper and IPF lights

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/xterrastuff068-1.jpg

Then SLR steering with SLR steering stabilizer
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/xterrastuff052.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/xterrastuff053.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/xterrastuff054.jpg

Then I Herculined it

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/xterrastuff066-1.jpg

Then I snorkeled it
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/xterrastuff100.jpg

Custom sliders

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Picture008.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Picture009.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Picture012.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Picture013.jpg
They wrap really closely to the body too.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/233587470-S.jpg
They are 2"x3" box tubing and .120 DOM steel x 1.75" with center supports
Day one in sunny San Diego
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/Jamesspics007.jpg
Early 2008
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_00444sized1.jpg

Awaiting installation-new seats,herculining, stereo-Blah blah blah

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 03:57 PM

Just ordered these puppies......

http://expeditionimports.zoovy.com/product/43301B/2_3_Point_Harness_Belts_Retractable_BoltIn_Corbeau __43301B.html

http://www.racing-seats-usa.com/racing-seats-car-brackets.html

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 03:59 PM

Some Herculiner and stereo teaser pics:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564238-1.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564240.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564243.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564245.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564247.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564283.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564285.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564286.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564289.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564291.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564293.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564296.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564297.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1210564299.jpg

and a teaser of my new headlights.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1213040545.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:00 PM

Alright, so the stock headlights were damaged and I came up with this alternative:

They are Hella Black Magics

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02982.jpg

That is a close up of them. They are black when the light is off.

This is before they were fully fastened but it is a better look at how they look on Shelby

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1213040690.jpg

Really dark in Woody's garage

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02983.jpg

stereo pics

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02980.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02981.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02969.jpg

Seat pics

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02975.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02974.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:01 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_2294.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02971.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC02972.jpg

No pics of the dual battery set up yet

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:03 PM

Flex pics on an my buddy Micheal's RTI ramp.

Thanks Kevin!

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/dscf0669ei9-1.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:04 PM

Alright so I finally got my sliders P-coated was waiting to paint them fro another mod which will still come later. Here are the pics of that. Designed them myself
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC08660.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC08665.jpg

Anyway, here are pics of the dual battery set up. Dual Optima Yellow Tops with a Nissan Quest 125 amp alternator. O/T gauge wire all the way around, and an HMS power connector. I just got the battery tie down powdercoated. That is a 500AMP fuse that you see there.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC08664.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC08667.jpg

Added some speakers and these are the crossovers. It is the only place that I could mount them. I am happy with the location, but the install was a real PITA
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC08662.jpg

Fire extinguisher bracket mounted to A-pillar.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC08661.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:07 PM

I saw it, I bought it, I modded it.

This is what it looked like stock.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductBrowse?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2007480&productId=2007480&catalogId=10101&N=111%2B10201%2B600001243&rlid=group_listing

This is what it looks like now
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5154.jpg

First I added the stickers (Thanks Todd!)

Next, I added an interior light. it is an LED strip
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5164.jpg

Then I cut a hole in the storage compartment and put a grommet in there with a drain. And I ran that hose out. I drilled some holes and attached a small butterfly valve, and it drains throught the tranny tunnel. I turned it into a cooler so I can just throw ice straight in there and it will drain itself.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5160.jpg

Next I drilled holes so that the cigarette lighters were still usable.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5158.jpg I had to make a custom washer for it to work. What a PITA

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5163.jpgI ran all of the wiring to these plugs. Those plugs are for floppy disk drives actually. I had to find dimmer wires, switched powers and I still need to find an interior headlight hot. Any suggestions?

Next, I bought this plexiglass. You cannot see through it right now, but I actually put 5 LED's and that's why I need that headlight hot wire!
I cut the two 2 1/16 holes with a hole saw, and finished off the edges. It was my first work with Plexiglass. I superglued the hinges to the plexiglass, and screwed the other side in.
The hinges work well. I still need to file one side down for a snug fit.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5157.jpg

The gauges are Sunpro ST series Tranny temp, and T-case temp gauges.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_5156.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:08 PM

Haha! Thanks for the pics bro!

Alright, so here is a better view of what the console looks like all lit up.

Here it is lit up! I tapped the gauges into the dimmer switch for the stereo and the LED's come on when the headlights are on. Both are on switched power.
See the 3 triangulare blue LED's on my amps?
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/James001-1.jpg

Well I put the blue LED's in that same configuration in the console.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/James003-1.jpg

and I have the 2 red LED's in there too...

The gauges are not hooked up yet, so that will happen when I do the tranny and T-case oil change.

But anyway here is the DVD player and the inclinometer. The inclinometer is tapped into the dimmer switch as well and mounted on the center trim piece.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:09 PM

Forgot thsi pic.....Made a plug and mounted the inclinometer to the center trim piece.

Thank you! Here is the pther pic I forgot:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/James004-1.jpg

Tapping the tranny pan for the gauge right now.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:10 PM

Starting the exoskeleton. Starting with the rear bumper:

Starting with rear bumper

We lifted the entire truck on one corner. Here are some pics:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1235796688.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1235796690.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1235796692.jpg

Look how close it comes to the hatch! I gained a few degress of departure angle for sure.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1235796693.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:11 PM

A little more progress:

Alright so I got the rear winch fairlead in place. Now, it is back to the drawing board.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1237089398.jpg

I am going to slow this project down a tad because I could not pass on a full floating D60 with 5.38 gears.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:12 PM

http://www.concept-customs.com/Vehicle_Application/Nissan/Xterra/Photos/Fan Shroud 1.JPG
http://www.concept-customs.com/Vehicle_Application/Nissan/Xterra/Photos/Fan Shroud 2.JPG
http://www.concept-customs.com/Vehicle_Application/Nissan/Xterra/Photos/Fan Shroud 3.JPG

Concept-Customs built the Shroud, and he had an awesome idea for the wiring, so I let him do the wiring. I installed it, and it works like a charm! No more overheating! Woohoo!

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:13 PM

Thanks Jason!

Picked up my freshly shaved axles from BA engineering-Front and rear Dana 60's

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1245087554.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1245087492.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:14 PM

Alright, I have a custom mod for the interior coming up. As far as I know, it has never been done like this but it is almost done. I am adding a few things to it in the mean time.

yesterday I ordered this inverter-

http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/model.cfm?txtSeriesID=320&EID=14605&txtModelID=3610

and I got this the other day too-

http://aeroparts.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32

They will both mount to this product being built by concept customs.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:16 PM

Alright here is the latest Mod-

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_0594.jpg

Please do not copy:)

I am currently rusting it.

Houdini

02-28-2011, 04:16 PM

Shelby is hot! Nice write up! Lots of good work on your rig. I like it a lot.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:16 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_0606.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_0605.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_0604.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_0603.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/IMG_0602.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:18 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1253545537.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1253545542.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1253545540.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:19 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1254187214.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1254187218.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1254187221.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1254187233.jpg

Pretty soon, it will be all powdercoated and purty. A little bit of welding, a little bit of grinding, and a little bit of $aving, and a new compressor and sexiness will abound. 2 new trim pieces coming too.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:21 PM

Alright, you guys wanted some updated pics, so here it is! Here are some better, more detailed pics of the rusted hatch:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/10-18-200928.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/10-18-200927.jpg

I think you guys might be starting to like that look now. I bought $40 worth of new emblems, and recently(not pictured), I painted my rear hatch handle and the little plastic turd on the gas door.

Also, there are highly anticipated pictures or the acclaimed cargo rack. It is at powdercoating today so here are the finished UNpainted pics.

Huge thanks to Concept-Customs for the time and effort on this never-ending project.

sweet nose-ITCHING ( I promise) pic, athough I do still pick and flick, and occasionally pick and chew if the current food could use a little salt.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/10-18-200925.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/10-18-200922.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/10-18-200923.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/10-18-200924.jpg

Sorry about the last pic, I cannot rotate it bc there is something wrong with Photobucket at the moment.

Anyway, That is a 3Dcell maglight, this maglight holder that had to be modified, a steel fire extinguisher holder that was welded on there, a Kidde fire extinguisher with a gauge, a Tripp-lite 750 inverter, and a VIAIR 480P. We mounted the Viair with 4 nuts welded on the back and washers with wingnuts so that it could be quick mounted and dismounted for portable operation.

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:22 PM

Alright, here are the new plastic pieces with the seatbelt rectractor hole cut, trim installled, and the quick disconnect military terminal for my harness.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009189.jpg

Here are a fe pics of the final product outside of the vehicle. It cost me $157 to have it powdercoated and beadblasted.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-12-2009164.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-12-2009158.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-12-2009159.jpg

I used thumbscrews to mount the compressor so it is easily removed and portable
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-12-2009155.jpg

Part way into installation:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009192.jpg

fat ass:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009194.jpg

basket mounted. I have since put a trim piece around the little cut out for the rear dome light. I also put a few touch lights on there and a DVD unit, and 2 Phoenix gold titanium amps up there.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009198.jpg

Looking backwards: I have put a little Nissan emblem on there and the 2 touch lights since.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009199.jpg

Compressor mounted. It is a Viair 480P. It is originally intended for Low riders vato:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009209.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009210.jpg

The inverter and fire extinguisher. Look at the concentration in my eyes guys.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009211.jpg

With the cover in place:
sexual chocolate? I believe so
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009215.jpg

Maglite in place. I had to have some alteration shop modify the mount.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/11-13-2009218.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:24 PM

OK, well my Christmas present to myself was these tires. My other tires were SOOOOO bad. My alignment is still really off, but here they are

35/12.5/15 BFG MT

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1292954152.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1292954153.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1292954149.jpg

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 04:25 PM

So, my buddy who was storing my Dana 60's got a jeep, and I had to take them back into my possession. This means that I have 2 dana 60s in my apt. lol 1 at the foot of my bed, and the other is hangin out in my living room :).

Luckily, I just so happen to be getting back on my feet again at the same time. I have decided that my sidework money is my play money now. With that said, I pulled a few parts (disc brake conversion brackets) and rear differential covers and took them to Rocky mountain memorials. They do gravestones. They sandblasted all of those parts for $25 bucks and they did an incredible job. Next, I took them to Excalibur powdercoaters and they are going to powdercoat them in a dark hammered gray

http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/powdercoating/powdercoating$513134229.jpg

From there, I am going to rust the skull in the middle, and do my gas tank lid at the same time. Will post up when I am done :)

Also, I picked up 4 of these:

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/fpr/RDS6095-1/image/4/ Felpro D-60 diff cover gaskets

S2X01

02-28-2011, 06:36 PM

BOOYAH!!

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 06:42 PM

BOOYAH!!

That's right mofo!

Sully4x4

02-28-2011, 06:54 PM

Nice write up James! It didn't seem like your alignment was that far off when you were driving around on Saturday. Oh and when I did my ball joints yesterday, my cv boot looks like yours now XD

soccerbrace

02-28-2011, 07:00 PM

Haha, yeah messing with that camber bolt helped a lot but I still am not at ease with it haha.

Sully4x4

02-28-2011, 11:44 PM

Just tac weld it like you said =)

soccerbrace

03-12-2011, 10:56 AM

Ben's shave job-It looks a lot better in person
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01701.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01700.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01699.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01698.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01698.jpg

Rusted the gas lid:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01696.jpg

Good pic of the back

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01697-1.jpg

Fresh from the powdercoaters

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01687.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01688.jpg

And now, with a fresh coat of rust on the skulls :)

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/DSC01694.jpg

WhidbeyD21

03-13-2011, 01:06 AM

Pretty sweet ride. A lot of good work. I really need to get to work on mine but never have time. The last "mod" I did was hanging a plastic skull from my mirror. I've had scraps from a flooring job riding in the back since September if that gives you an idea of how much free time I have during the day.

I guess I can just live vicariously through you guys for now.:o

soccerbrace

03-14-2011, 12:42 PM

Lol, thanks dude for the props! :) I still live vicariously through others because my income leaves something to be desired. I'm makin it happen though!

soccerbrace

06-02-2011, 12:39 PM

Alright, so Eric and I got a crapload of stuff cryo'ed. Next-grind the welds of the inner C Then these will go on:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/CHC20inner20C.jpg

Alex Topousis

06-02-2011, 08:32 PM

Can I have your old c's?

soccerbrace

06-03-2011, 10:14 PM

Can I have your old c's?

Yeah, you still far far away? I need someone to weld to cast and I heard you are the bestest

5280HIGH

06-04-2011, 04:21 AM

I did the rusted look. I've seen/done it in the car world yours is the first X I've seen. Not gonna lie wish I did it first haha looks sick dude.

Alex Topousis

06-04-2011, 10:21 AM

Yeah, you still far far away? I need someone to weld to cast and I heard you are the bestest

Yeah I'm up in Montana again

tmorgan4

06-04-2011, 05:35 PM

Yeah, you still far far away? I need someone to weld to cast and I heard you are the bestest

What are you needing welded?

soccerbrace

06-05-2011, 08:06 PM

Tyler, I am going with a special steering setup. I am wanting to weld a bracket on the back side of the pumpkin. This will hold a double sided full hydro ram. The other side will be welded to a straight (tie rod if you will that is between both high steer arms. The ram will float, and the entire steering system will only have 2 pivot points.

Confused...but it sounds like the tie rod will be on the front of the axle and the ram on the back (acting as another tie rod)? Can you explain any better?

Alex Topousis

06-05-2011, 08:35 PM

It is going to be hard to put the ram behind the pumpkin with our oilpan

soccerbrace

06-06-2011, 11:46 AM

It is going to be hard to put the ram behind the pumpkin with our oilpan

I'm moving the front axle WAY up

Alex Topousis

06-06-2011, 07:37 PM

That's what I'm saying, I moved mine around 8" forward and the oil pan is right there. It might work with a low pinion axle. I am at 115" wheel base which is a couple inches too long with 40s IMO. Not criticizing just trying to help

Houdini

06-07-2011, 05:10 AM

Alright, so Eric and I got a crapload of stuff cryo'ed. Next-grind the welds of the inner C Then these will go on:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/CHC20inner20C.jpg

Nice! Got the same C's on my front. What knuckles are you going to run?

Interested in seeing this steering system come together. As previously stated....not a lot of room behind the axle for that ram and the hose fitting on the top of it behind the axle. you'll probably want/need to limit up travel quite a bit to keep from killing those fittings.

soccerbrace

06-07-2011, 10:44 AM

Nice! Got the same C's on my front. What knuckles are you going to run?

Interested in seeing this steering system come together. As previously stated....not a lot of room behind the axle for that ram and the hose fitting on the top of it behind the axle. you'll probably want/need to limit up travel quite a bit to keep from killing those fittings.

Houdini, I might run the same Crane knuckles, not sure yet though. Was gonna go the Deddenbear route, but I have heard/ seen some bad carnage with them, so it might not happen any more.

Alex-not taking it as criticism buddy :)

Bill-Imagine one straight DOM tube between the hi-steer arms so that arm only pivots on the arms. Weld a bracket on the P- side of that "tie rod" that accepts one end of a double ended ram. The other end of the double ended ram mounts to the stationary pumpkin. Instead of on the pumpkin, I might bend a bracket at an angle in the back of the pumpkin to mount that bracket on. Here is a pic of my inspiration:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/mainphpg2_viewcore-1.jpg

Bill Potter

06-07-2011, 11:11 AM

Houdini

06-07-2011, 12:32 PM

soccerbrace

06-07-2011, 02:38 PM

Got it...

But why?

Seems like a complicated solution to a non existent problem....why not just set it up like 99% of the other full hydro's people have built over the years?

Or use a single ended ram?

If you mean like this:

http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/8950340+w750+st0/129_0611_11_z+hydraulic_steering_tech+double_ended _ram_mount.jpg

Then I guess I could use the same argument about complicated, you have added a truss for the axle, and had to purchase some possibly manufacturer specific clamps for the ram, and have 2 tie rods instead of one.

Now that I observe it a little closer, the ram does not mount behind the pumpkin really.

soccerbrace

06-07-2011, 02:46 PM

neat set-up, but if that tie rod fails/breaks won't that ram be sure to get some good damage...not to mention the hydro lines? also...how does that work? you turn the wheel...one side in...one side out. no difference in over all length thus not turning the wheel. am i thinking about this wrong? would you set it up to both extend at one and/or both sides go in at once?

check out reid racing knuckles. i've been impressed with mine and they work well with the crane Cs.

? on the first line question. I think that you might notice it if the TR fails/breaks and I cannot see any more damage than the traditional style? + I might make a truss for the axle and cut an oval in it where the ram travels kind of like a drive shaft safety loop of sorts for steering that would also include structural strenght of the axle.

and the other questions-I'm not sure honestly. I mean it worked for that guy lol.

Bill Potter

06-07-2011, 03:07 PM

To each his own...there are many ways of mounting the ram similar to that. Myself I would trust the truss that is welded to steel much more then welding a ram to the cast diff.

The really nice thing about a straight setup is the ram is not pushing on anything sideways. It is the most effective in that configuration.

The original picture you posted has some major disadvantages....

1. it places side forces on items that are really not designed for it (tie rod, joints,ect).
2. As Houdini pointed out, the ram they used is a special ram that gets longer and shorter, (it's not a standard double ended ram) it acts just like a single ended ram but now has 2 seals? that could fail.
3. Single ended rams (and the ram in your original picture) require a big fluid reservoir. When it's collapsed it has a very small fluid volume inside it, when its extended it has a very large fluid volume inside it. You need a reservoir that can handle this. Normal double ended rams don't have this issue.

The only trail failure I have seen with a double ended ram is a jeep that bent the rod inside the ram by hitting it on a rock. Most setups will have some pretty good protection for it.

(in fact the more that I look at it the more I think your original picture may not be a double ended ram, it could be a single ended ram with a long fixed side, or a double ended ram that only has one side attached and the other is free floating?, seems like some pretty weird engineering)

soccerbrace

06-07-2011, 03:34 PM

To each his own...there are many ways of mounting the ram similar to that. Myself I would trust the truss that is welded to steel much more then welding a ram to the cast diff.
understandably so. I was thinking about welding gusseted brackets with a few weld on nuts on either side of the pumpkin, and running some 3/8" -1/2" plate across, and mounting the one side of the ram there . This would eliminate the whole ripping off the cast thing. That actually scared me too. The original photo is a spidertrax so it is just welded to formed plate steel. The downside to that though is the fact that when you are at full lock in either direction, you still have to have enough space for the ram to even exist since the TR will come closer to the pumpkin.

The really nice thing about a straight setup is the ram is not pushing on anything sideways. It is the most effective in that configuration.

The original picture you posted has some major disadvantages....

1. it places side forces on items that are really not designed for it (tie rod, joints,ect).
2. As Houdini pointed out, the ram they used is a special ram that gets longer and shorter, (it's not a standard double ended ram) it acts just like a single ended ram but now has 2 seals that could fail.
3. Single ended rams (and more so with the double ended ram you posted) require a big fluid reservoir. When it's collapsed it has a very small fluid volume inside it, when its extended it has a very large fluid volume inside it. You need a reservoir that can handle this. Normal double ended rams don't have this issue.

The only trail failure I have seen with a double ended ram is a jeep that bent the rod inside the ram by hitting it on a rock. Most setups will have some pretty good protection for it.

Very good points :) P.S.- I am not arguing here, just looking for answers ;) How often do rams' seals fail? I plan on going with a PSC or Howe set-up.

soccerbrace

06-07-2011, 04:02 PM

(in fact the more that I look at it the more I think your original picture may not be a double ended ram, it could be a single ended ram with a long fixed side, or a double ended ram that only has one side attached and the other is free floating?, seems like some pretty weird engineering)

That makes sense. That is exactly how it is. Why he did that instead of a single acting ram is beyond me since that other half will just be floating. That makes more sense to me now because I have seen the other pics. Here they are:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/1305852426.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/mainphpg2_viewcore-2.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/soccerbrace/mainphpg2_viewcore-3.jpg

You are right Bill, that's how it is. I do not know why he chose that ram?

Houdini

06-07-2011, 04:59 PM

cool you found those pictures. i knew it had to be fixed to something....otherwise i would have no idea how it would turn the wheels if it was a standard ram. and the pictures show it was just in mock-up form. it probably was going to get additional mounting hardware (only 2 screws on the mount) and they might have ended up using single ended ram once all complete.

fwiw...do make sure the ram is securely mounted. this past weekend my buddy ben's ram shifted sideways in the mount after a little air time and a hard passenger side landing. that mount is going to take a lot of the lateral stress since the shaft aint moving.

soccerbrace

06-07-2011, 10:43 PM