A.J.'s Runner - "Please Stand-by"...Product Review

[unclejpl4x4]

lol   that looks funny

for some $$$ you could of got the   gas filled/shock bump stops

[DTB]

lol   that looks funny

agreed it does look kinda funny. u shoulda just used some steel stock square with a plate on top

[CTENG in KS]

It doesn't look funny...it looks just fine!

[DTB]

It doesn't look funny...it looks just fine!

maybe it just needs some paint! 

[6.72:1]

Interesting!

[FatAzzRunner]

I gotta tell you from EXPERIENCE, those tubes will NOT hold up under stress.  Ask me how I know  I have had nothing but troubles with mine and even after fixing them, they still bent.  I ended up bracing mine with some flat stock from Lowes and it made ALL the difference in the world.  I will go snap a pic of them and show you what I mean.

Hold on....................................................

[FatAzzRunner]

Here it is. 

I know they are a bit of a different thing than yours but I "THINK" along the same idea.

I bent mine 3 times, had to heat em up and beat them back straight.

Finally, I bought flat bar stock stuff from Lowes and just welded a piece from the bottom of the drop down tube to the frame.  I have had the entire weight of the rig sitting on the front drivers side tire and did not bend it at that point. I know mine are notched tube to fit around with the frame but still its a long piece of tube that is subject to bending.

I would buy some flat stock and run a piece from the top of your tubing down at an angle to the top edge of the spring plates.  I think it would hold up MUCH better..............................Just my opinion.

[CTENG in KS]

What type of wall thickness are you using....mine are bout 1/8 inch...a brace is pretty easy to throw onthere though.

[FatAzzRunner]

On the way you did yours, I dont think wall thickness will make ANY difference whatsoever.

There is an unbelievable amount of force placed on bumpstops when you get to wheelin hard enough.  You will eventually get flexed out enough that you crush those bumpstops pretty hard and if your moving and if the tube doesnt line up PERFECTLY with the upper part on the frame, they will bend.

I also use those exact bumpstops in the rear and have gone through 3 SETS in the front.  The rear I have been through 2 sets.

I finally bought some super beefy ones that had a weld on plate on the bottom and they work awsome.

[CTENG in KS]

These are kinda just something to get on there so I can wheel it...I want to go with those timbren deals later on, but right now I gotta keep the wheel outta the firewall and the draglink off the springs.  I have a lot more work to do.  I JUST WANT TO WHEEL!

[DTB]

  I JUST WANT TO WHEEL!

[CTENG in KS]

DTB....arggggggg...:frustrated:

[CTENG in KS]

I started on the other side...going a little different route.  Made a strike plate first.  THis should allow me to keep the tube as short as possible to prevent it collapsing.

[CTENG in KS]

Since I am back in Wichita it was back to werk...
Put together the bumpstop for the other side, added one gusset, think I might add a second as well.
And no more cruddy mating surfaces...this is going back together for the last time the right way.

[CTENG in KS]

As Bazzi has so wisely pointed out, my trackbar mount at the horsecollar is ripe for destroying itself and requires a brace.
Of course I have painted myself into a corner as far as room to werk in the area so this little contraption requires compound angles and some creativity.  You will have to keep watchng to see how it turns out.

[DTB]

Of course I have painted myself into a corner

u got alot of paint on the floor too. Landlord ain't gonna be happy 

[CTENG in KS]

That is either paint...OR BLOOD!

[CTENG in KS]

It ain't pretty, but it'll do the job.

[CTENG in KS]

Here is the mess that I made of the crossmember...NOT GOOD.

[CTENG in KS]

I decided I wanted to stay away from the crossmember so I ran the brace stra8 off the bracket, thus countering the moment on the crossmember and taking the load out at the frame rail. It had to go around the exhaust, but it is pretty sturdy.

[rednk1980]

this might be stupid but i thought you weren't supposed to weld verticle on the frame it creates weakpoints

[CTENG in KS]

It can be a stress concentration point, but I am not really worried about it here.

[blackdiamond]

...weld verticle on the frame it creates weakpoints...

[CTENG in KS]

When you have lateral frame loads like at the steering box you can create points where too much bending stress gets concentrated at a verticle weld.  It is referred to structurally as a "hard point" and can result in cracking over time due to metal fatigue.  The best way to mitigate hardpoints is to cut fish mouth (diamond shapes) into your frame braces to spread the weld out along the frame.

In this instance I kept the brace close to the lower horizontal flange of the frame and much of the load will be a front to back shear into the frame so I am not particularly worried about creating hard points.

[4runnin_87]

just finished reading the build...and man i have to say good job!!!cant wait to see the wheelin pics....finish up

[CTENG in KS]

I done got her running on saturday so she needs some adjustments and I need to run around and check my suspension bolts and such, then:

ROAD TEST!

[4runnin_87]

oh yea cant wait to see the pics!!!

[CTENG in KS]

I took her out for the arond the complex circuit...here is what I got.
Started it with jumper pack cause battery hasn't been charged up since...well...a long time
Pull it out of the garage and let it set and settle.
Runs amazing when I first start it.  Nice and quiet.
starts to warm up and it gets a bit noisier. clackety clak...may just be valves.
I take it around the buildings and she runs fine, but when I get back to the garage she is pretty noisy.
I go to turn into the garage and she stalls out.  Had to sit and charge battery off my car to get it to start.

I am thinking most of these symptoms are those of a battery beyond redemption, anyone else smell anything else going on?
I am gonna go grab a new battery tomorrow.

[FATTshack]

run it with a good batt and see what she does.

describe the noise

[CTENG in KS]

I'll have to get back to you on the new battery thing.  The noise sounds very much like blueys valves.  Only other possibility is that the battery is so worn that I am getting weak spark and the fuel isn't fully burning...could cause detonation.