Tonka turning crawler!

[6.72:1]

This is how the F550 calipers fit into the military wheels:

(They fit great, but the stupid air spigot hits the top of them everytime I rotate a tire.)

[6.72:1]

I have been working on my bed a bit too:



The things I see in Alabama:

(This kid was standing on the bumper holding on the the tailgate. I caught him jumping into the back of the bed.)

[6.72:1]

Meanwhile, in the waiting for parts, I have been painting things and undercoating things here and there:

[6.72:1]

I also beefed up my shackles in the rear a little bit. I went from 3/8ths of an inch to 5/8ths of an inch.

I know they look like a shackle and a half, but that is because they are!

I had to make them a bit taller because I want to be as level with the front as possible!

Hopefully, the boomerang shackles I am going to order tomorrow will not make the front end too much taller!

[6.72:1]

Here are some photographs of the massive shackles:

(The angle will be better when I put my bed back on.)

[6.72:1]

I am thinking about hacking the front cabin mounts to strengthen the frame and then adding beefier cabin mounts.

What do you folks think I should do to strengthen the frame up front around the cabin mounts?

[toybuilt]

I haven't ever had a problem with mine, I've cut some of them off and there still holdin just fine. You truck is commin along awesomely, looks sweet! 

[locktup]

you plan on running links w/ those rockwells?

I can see major axle wrap in the rear w/ that heavy axle under those little springs.

Those axles just wont work.
I can be there in a few days  to take them off your hands.
I could leave my 60s in trade and you could give me some cash back for gas money for the trip home  . Those axles would look SWEET under my new project  .

Link the rear if nothing else. Looks good 
When you get it finish you should to bring it to the Hammer for the Tin Benders Jambo.

Jason 

[locktup]

What about building a torque arm for the rear? If you ever need any info on a four link set up I am more than willing to help out.

Thanks
Jason

[6.72:1]

You guys are the greatest help. I will have to think out my anti-axle-roll bar, but I have a few update photographs!

[toybuilt]

A friend of mine has a 4runner with 2.5 ton rockwells and 49" Iroks. He has 5 leaf chevy 63" springs and of what I know he doesn't have any axle rap.

[iNfErNaL]

Damn!!!,this things turning out pretty cool,I like it    ...What size tires are you gonna run?.

[rockscrambler]

sweet! 

[6.72:1]

Well, I broke the air spigot off getting the dang truck on the trailer (the air spigot hits the F550 caliper when it rotates with the wheels flipped in!).

Oh, and I got a trailer for this behemoth!

Here is the flat tire and some of the trailer:





I also put my bed back on since I had some complaints with the "Tonka" for taking it off:



I think it looks pretty gnarly with the bed on and with the bed modifications I have made.

[6.72:1]

The trailer is not the prettiest thing, but it holds the weight well.

The only problem is now...I don't have anything to tote this much weight around....

[6.72:1]

I got my torch tanks filled and immediately did some cleaning up in a few places:

[6.72:1]

Of course, I have to grind some things smooth, but since grinding is my favorite thing to do, I am putting that off until next weekend....



Here are my "boomerang shackles" or as the unreconstructed southerner likes to call them: "'Naner shacklins."





The angle on the driver side is a bit off from the passenger and I believe a little more clearance from the oil-pan couldn't hurt, so I don't think I am going to run these boomerang shackles, but for now they will do....

[DTB]

the grating looks like it is bending under the rear driver tire?

[6.72:1]

Here is the 1" body lift on the bed:

[6.72:1]

Here are a few other random photographs for you folks:

[6.72:1]

[DTB]

I think I have a west-coaster on my hands!

just a good ol missouri boy here

[alwayzbroken]

Leave the bed on. Bob it up but leave it on.

[6.72:1]

Leave the bed on. Bob it up but leave it on.

I was leaning towards this, but it is still up in the air!

[locktup]

Well, shoot. Should I make some "eighties-style monster truck" track bars?

Shamb on here had a cool idea for some lower links as well as others, but would lowers still allow movement/axle wrapping as well?

Yes just lowers can still allowe the axle to rotate up

[locktup]

Run what you brung and see what happens  .

[Chad_Romine]

I just did some searching on adapters to fit a 205 to the toyota tranny or 205/sm420/465 to 7m

Here is a link to show you what the sm420/465 and the nv4500 look like. http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/trans_to_transfer_adapters.htm

As you can see they show the 700r4 and the th400 also.
Iv seen alot of 700r4s blow up in street rigs but iv yet to see one break on the trail. I wouldnt put one in my rig but thats just my personal choice.

My brother n law has beat the crap out of his rig and the tranny seems to be the last thing to break. Iv never heard of anybody breaking a sm420. Gears may go out over many years but never a full awn break.

The sm465 seems to shift a little smoother and also is readily available at the junkyards.

[6.72:1]

Here are a couple of the items that stopped by the house:

[DTB]

sweet. make sure u take your time welding that on

[6.72:1]

There is packaging everywhere!




Oh, and an old man too:




Also, other goos stuff: