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

[THK Matt]

thats some pretty looking laser cut brackets

[CTENG in KS]

Yeah...they are the first new run of laser cut stuff from Ballistic.  They used to use plasma or something and have switched.  They are VERY clean.  I am pretty happy with the quality.

[THK Matt]

yeah i remember seeing stuff from them that looked plasma.... kinda cheap if you ask me..... but the new stuff should be way better.
keep up the good work man.

[CTENG in KS]

Well I have been neglecting the truck due to the heat and a motorcycle distraction, but I found a new place and will be moving in two months.  The truck must be driveable to get on the trailer and make the trip.  I will have a slightly larger garage and an large unfinished basement so more working room and better tool storage area.  Also the place is virtually soundproof.  They built em sturdy back in the 40's.

So I accomplished todays mission of mounting the first lower link.  I can measure off that mount to square the other side with the front axle mounts, then square the rear axle off the lower link mounts.  Tomorrows mission, mount the second bracket.

[THK Matt]

awesome work AJ, its taking shape..... hows the wheel base?

stay the same or you shorten it?

[CTENG in KS]

Longer by about 4 inches.

[DTB]

yeah i remember seeing stuff from them that looked plasma.... kinda cheap if you ask me..... but the new stuff should be way better.
keep up the good work man.

I heard that trail gear is cutting all the brackets for ballistic fab....anyone else heard this? A spokesman for Ballistic told that to another member on here



looking good aj

[CTENG in KS]

I don't know about that.  I was under the impression they had their own equipment in-house.  That is something I would be interested to get some more info on as it might influence my continuing to purchase from Ballistic.

[DTB]

I don't know about that.  I was under the impression they had their own equipment in-house.  That is something I would be interested to get some more info on as it might influence my continuing to purchase from Ballistic.

PM maxwe001 and ask him..or better yet call up ballistic

dont get me wrong...i aint saying its a bad product...

I just like to know where my stuff comes from and who made it because im weird

[BUBBA]

im weird

im voting that as understatement of the year     

[Tice]

I know Jeff has all kinds of cool stuff at his shop.  I don't see him having T.G. cutting stuff for him. Maybe he cuts stuff for them.

[DTB]

I know Jeff has all kinds of cool stuff at his shop.  I don't see him having T.G. cutting stuff for him. Maybe he cuts stuff for them.

I couldnt really see it either...its very possible my source may be

sorry for the threadjack AJ

[CTENG in KS]

Its OK, I thought the guy on the phone told me it was taking a little longer for my brackets cause they were setting up their new laser cutter.  I really think they are cutting these in-house.  It would make more sense if they are supplying cutting TO trail gear.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice build thread just spent like 2 hours of my life reading it.

[CTENG in KS]

Well, thanks...it has gone in many directions and is in no way what I expected to end up with when I bought it.  Hell, it prob still isn't the way it will end up.

[CTENG in KS]

I have come to a disappointing realization.  I don't like the Ballistic joints.  At all.  I don't like the size, the design, the dimensions.  I especially don't like the way the bushings went together.  I am scrapping the joints.  What a freakin wast of $90.  I don't know if it is all cartridge joints or what, but I am gonna switch back to std heim style joints.

That is all, back to your regularly scheduled program.

[CTENG in KS]

Tha springs are in!  Time for the panhard bar.   

[joey0712]

Lookin sweet man what are those coil springs off of?

[CTENG in KS]

XJ front coils

[Rocksurfer]

[CTENG in KS]

Yes, much like that.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks good I have heard a lot of people not likeing those ballsic joints..

[CTENG in KS]

Yeah, I switched the Ballistic joints out for a set of 1 inch heims (QA).  I like the QA's MUCH better.  I am running them with high misalignment spacers and it looks like I am gonna need wheel spacers and bump-stops to control the flexiness.

[joey0712]

Ok so the springs are just stock springs.... Sorry im tryin to link my truck up this winter I like how yours looks ill pry do pretty much what u have done

[Hyena]

the welded on studs breaks off at the weld.  i broke one of the early styles, looks like i am going to have to reinforce the new ones they sent me.   the rear is coming out pretty good.  keep it up.

[CTENG in KS]

I imagine you are talking about the ballistic joints?

If you want to switch, I got the one inch QA heim with the misalignment joints and they are the EXACT same width at the bolt as the Ballistic joints.  All you would need to do is oversize your holes to 3/4 inch and get new bolts.  The shank is 1 inch by 14 tpi...

[Hyena]

its tempting but i'll stick with these for awhile.  thanks though.   i can make them stronger pretty easily.

[CTENG in KS]

OK we made it, the truck is in her new home and so am I.  No more room in the garage, but I got a basement to store all the extra stuff so that frees up more space to move around.  Since I also started a new job that pays about double the old job, I have made a decision.  I am pulling the truck apart, chopping the top, and dropping some weight.  I am also gonna buy a new trailer cause it will end up a bit wider to clear the springs in the rear.  The wood is getting the heave-ho and the cell is gonna mount a bit higher.  Basically I am redoing everything I just finished.  Meh, I didn't really like it anyway.  Call it a learning experience.

I wante to bump this in case anyone hadn't seen my Free ad who might be interested.  I am offering my bobbed hardtop to anyone who would like to pick it up or have it picked up.  Also the grey rear seats for the runner are up for grabs, I just need them out of my way.  Thanks!

[NorCalToy]

why chop it?

[CTENG in KS]

The entire rear area is completely worthless.  With the suspension seats in there and the top on, I cannot get to anything stored in the back.  No one can sit back there cause you can't climb past the front seats.

The hole thing has turned out to be heavy and completely impractical.  At this point I want it to be open, easily accessible and useable.  Plus lighter wouldn't hurt my tow rig any.