Tonka turning crawler!

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Here is one more:

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Alright, onwards to my spring setup...


For the rear, I will be utilizing the 63" chevy spring with the main leaf
cut all the way down to basically serve as a 1" lift puck.All leaf clamps have been removed.

For the front, I am planning on using the Toyota rears up front with a cut down main leaf (only six inches of main leaf on either side of the center pin). All leaf clamps have been removed.


Both sets of springs have been taken down to the metal and primed. I thought I did a great job of cleaning them up.

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Here is a closer photograph of the main leaf on the 63" chevy springs:

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Here is a closer photograph of the main leaf on the Toyota rears I am using for the front:

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Here are the hubs I worked on today:

I got the studs in and the lugnuts on. I got a good coating on the hubs.

I even got the bearing races driven into place.





I even went and bought some hardware to fill in the holes where the Rockwell drums used to be.

Now, I know that I will have a hub bolt in the event that I lose one on the trail!





Here is a frontal of the hub, or I guess it would be from the side, but anyway, here is the other side of the hub (the flange side):

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Here is a scale photograph to show the sheer magnitude of the hub!:

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This lets us all see how large the bearings are:














And last, but not least, my 1979 Mercedes-Benz 240D, 3-speed auto 2.4L diesel non-turbo:


SLOW!

[IronClad]

i can tell you right now unless you add a bunch of leaves to those packs  AND run traction bars  you will kink the piss  out of them your first run out.  or probably even break them

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Do you believe so? I am unsure as to what else to run at the moment.


What do you suggest?

[6.72:1]

What do you think about flat black primer for the truck?

I had to try it out on the Benz to get an idea of how it would look before I went puttin' on my truck....

[IronClad]

add about 7 leaves to the front pack and add probably 4 to the rear pack and run anti wrap bars.

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That's a lot of leaves!


What should I take those leaves out of to add to my existing packs?

[kneedownnate]

I now wanna go to six flags for some unknown reason 

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HA!

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I know, I am slowly, but surely moving. I am determined!

[6.72:1]

I now wanna go to six flags for some unknown reason 

So, you are saying the ride quality will be like that of a roller coaster?

[IronClad]

That's a lot of leaves!


What should I take those leaves out of to add to my existing packs?

since you are using rears up front  just  get a few more packs and build from there. 
as for the chevies  go find  some 3/4 ton ones and pretty much add all of them to yer packs.   
the way these axles wrap is totally different than normal pinion axles..  the torque is placed WAYYY higher and will wrap MAJORLY  and just absolutely distroy those springs unless there is a limiting factor

[kneedownnate]

So, you are saying the ride quality will be like that of a roller coaster?

look at the coke can!

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Oh, Ha

look at the coke can!

Oh, HA!

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Hey IronClad,


Do you think it would help if I built an axle truss and ran the two uppers of a four-link instead of adding leaves?


I really don't want to add leaves because I have wanted to be flexy for such a long time!

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I also want to be as low as possible because I don't want there to be any flopping of any kind with this first gen!

[BLACKDOG]

Hey IronClad,


Do you think it would help if I built an axle truss and ran the two uppers of a four-link instead of adding leaves?


I really don't want to add leaves because I have wanted to be flexy for such a long time!

Pete, with the weight that you're running, I don't think you're going to have many issues with being flexy   Better to put too many leaves in, and take them out later, then put to little in, and break out on the trail.

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Pete, with the weight that you're running, I don't think you're going to have many issues with being flexy   Better to put too many leaves in, and take them out later, then put to little in, and break out on the trail.

I suppose you guys are right. I will see what I can do.

[IronClad]

with how much those axles weigh  you will have 0 problems with flex..  Hell i run a 9 leaf front pack with halfton axles and i get mad ammount of flex.  besides  those 3 leaf  front packs will not support the truck  especially with that new engine

[pyrotec220]

Dang man that is lookin sweet. I know i havent had that much time either to work on my truck due to school, work and sports.  school is out in three weeks and when i get out i plan on goin crazy and doin a ton of crap.  right now i am ready to move over the motor. i have to get you some pics of what it looks like now.  hey how much lift do you think you are going to have with that setup?  U have to run some huge tires!  You should try to find a diesel motor to put in that toyota, then it would be insane. i think i am either gonna paint by truck silver and black two tone or copper.  i gotta go but i will be back in the future. good luck

Dan

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Hey Dan!

Thanks for stopping by! Definitely go with the copper.

As far as lift on my truck, I am anticipating about three inches of lift, but that is about it.


I want to be flexy, but at the same time, I don't want to break either, so I am going to have to beef my springs up a little bit!

[83crawler]

pete i was crusin through your build and i dont know i you bought tires yet but dont get them off ebay go to govliquidation.com it like ebay but for military equipment buy you could gey tires like the ones you wanted for next to nothing but i think its to late.   and are you running lockrings for the wheels and if so dont kill you self airing them up. we have had guy guys get killed by those things. out

[83crawler]

forgot to say nice build and ill keep an eye on it and maby throw you some more ideas if they come my way

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Whoa. I did not know that about the Lockrings! That is damn scary! I checked the tires when I got them and they are at 15 pounds. I am afraid to air them up now!

The tires you see above are just temporary anyway. I haven't yet decided what I am going to use.

I appreciate the help!

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Yes, please throw all ideas and inspiration for the "Yoat on Rocks" project!

Thanks Ryan!