Rockwell axle Q

[-Bluegill-]

How much lift does it take to clear Rockwells on an FSJ? Looks like I can get a set much cheaper than a D60 & 14B. Already SOA/shackle flipped, how much more do I need for decent flex on 44" or so?

[Aaron871]

Originally Posted by -Bluegill-

How much lift does it take to clear Rockwells on an FSJ? Looks like I can get a set much cheaper than a D60 & 14B. Already SOA/shackle flipped, how much more do I need for decent flex on 44" or so?

Spring over the front and shackel reverse the rear. That will get them under there but you'll only have about 3" of up travel until the front axle hits the oil pan. From there add whatever lift/ cutting you want to clear the tires of your choice.

hang on and I'll see if I can get a pic of my old 715.....

[Aaron871]

There are a bunch of pic's here of my old 715. Spring over front, shackel reversal rear, with 1.5" lift shackels front and rear. Narrowed rockwells (removes 7.25 inches of housing), hubs out, 44 tsl's. LOTS of trimming here.....

http://jeepgod.net/jack%20hammer%208Mar08.html

This thing had little room to flex, common in most leaf sprung rockwell rigs.

[elbastardo]

One thing to consider about rocks is the turning radius IIRC its about the same as a closed knuckle 60 front. Another axle you might want to think about is the portals IIRC there turning radius is 48 or so. Looking foward to the outcome

[cmelo]

This may be of some help.. Hot Dog Suspension Part 1 - Project Build - Jp Magazine

[wickedwagon767]

The Hot Dog link is a good one. JP used 4" lift skyjacker springs and limited the uptravel. Do something similar and cut the fenders. The sheer size of the aired down 44's alone will give you alot of movement underneath without having to actually flex the suspension

[-Bluegill-]

Thanks for the all the info fellas. I have the TT's Fab SOA & flip ver 1.0 on my Chero, here's a couple profile pics with it on stock springs, no body lift, chopped widetrack flares, and 36" Iroks (taken right after bolting on the Iroks):





With the tight switchback turns on many of the trails I run, turning radius is a concern - maybe a pair of steering axles would work better, setup for rear steer. Looks like my current setup + 4" springs would work. I'd be happy with 42" tires, but a D60/14B combo is getting to be more expensive than a set of Rockwells.

[jeeping1974]

Originally Posted by -Bluegill-

but a D60/14B combo is getting to be more expensive than a set of Rockwells.

Around here in the northeast a set of CVCU axles (60/14 combo, 4.56, locked) is going for about $1,500+. a 14 bolt is about $200 and down, SRW D60 front is $800+ easy. There is a local guy selling a set of rockwells for $1000. I thought about getting them before getting my 60/14 combo then figured it would cost me too much to get them in and set up the steering and everything else. Don't get me wrong, my 60/14 is going to cost me some $$$ but I know that I have more options with them than I do with rockwells.

At least with a 60/14 combo, you can always upgrade as you go along and know that there are people out there that are willing to buy what your taking out to upgrade.

[wickedwagon767]

Originally Posted by jeeping1974

At least with a 60/14 combo, you can always upgrade as you go along and know that there are people out there that are willing to buy what your taking out to upgrade.

aye

[Aaron871]

The steering radius is terrible.... but to rear steer it, you will have to inboard the rear springs. And then it will still rub the frame with a little flex in a turn.

With a 125" wheelbase you almost HAVE to have the rear steer to be able to manuver......

[AlsChopShop]

Originally Posted by -Bluegill-

With the tight switchback turns on many of the trails I run, turning radius is a concern - maybe a pair of steering axles would work better, setup for rear steer.

or finally toss the quadrajunk for a twinsticked t-case, throw a line lock on the back and just do front digs.

Al

[Desert Beast]

Originally Posted by AlsChopShop

or finally toss the quadrajunk for a twinsticked t-case, throw a line lock on the back and just do front digs.

Al

thats what i do and it works great.
im welded front and rear, and yes, turning radius does suck. but the traction more than makes up for it. i now have 2 OEM lockers waiting to go in which should help make it better.

that and some alloy axle shafts. ive already broke 2 stock shafts.

[Aaron871]

ARB just sent out the 1st batch of rockwell lockers.....

that and some alloy axle shafts. ive already broke 2 stock shafts.

I broke a few front shafts (in the rear) and went to cromo's.... mine took unbelievable abuse before breaking. Did you experience the same, or did yours break when you didn't expect it?

[Desert Beast]

they just let go. they were in the front.
im convinced that a stock rockwell shaft is not as strong as a 35spline d60 shaft. (due to age/brittleness/metalurgy from 40 years ago, who knows)
not to say that they're weak, i gave mine hell before they finally let go, but they let go on some wussy stuff. i would expect them to break on some full throttle landings off of the rocks, not some little crawling stuff (which is where i had both breakages)
but the new alloys should solve that.

[Aaron871]

Originally Posted by Desert Beast

they just let go. they were in the front.
im convinced that a stock rockwell shaft is not as strong as a 35spline d60 shaft. (due to age/brittleness/metalurgy from 40 years ago, who knows)
not to say that they're weak, i gave mine hell before they finally let go, but they let go on some wussy stuff. i would expect them to break on some full throttle landings off of the rocks, not some little crawling stuff (which is where i had both breakages)
but the new alloys should solve that.

I've bounced my alloys really hard full throttle and I can't phase them.....

[-Bluegill-]

Originally Posted by Aaron871

I've bounced my alloys really hard full throttle and I can't phase them.....

I can attest to that now. But the 4.3 Chebbie doesn't push 'em as hard as a built AMC V8.

You have an awesome buggy Aaron - hope your head is doing okay & you use bigger bolts on the control arm mounts next time.