Wow what a build thread ,...I really need to learn how to use this Lincoln welder hahaha

 

Gots me some new parts today....

 

build looking good, what do you do in aerospace? I have been in it for 35 years and know how it can make you.......particular about stuff.

 

Well, more like what DID I do, haha....after 25 years, I got burnt out, you know how it is, extremely high stress...and decided to try something different. My career started with a small company that built fiber optic lasers and I/O equipment, then moved to a company that built solar panel arrays for spacecraft and satellites, then worked for a company building solid state data recorders, and got to work on everything from Hubble retrofits, to the shuttle, the ISS, most of the Mars rovers and orbiters, and the imaging boxes for Google.

I was in the manufacturing end. Loved it, and worked for a great company, but just had enough craziness...decided to switch gears, did my own thing for a bit, buying and selling on ebay, and decided to take my love of welding stuff for my jeep to the next level. Now working as a welder/fabricator at a trash and recycling processing facility. Went from working in some of the cleanest places on the planet, to the absolute dirtiest...LMAO!

 

So, I took this Friday (today), and next Monday off, in hopes of making up for lost time, due to some OT at work. Wouldn't you know it? Frickin' rain.

Well, when life hands you lemons, you grab a double barrel and shoot life in the face, LOL

Decided to switch gears a tad, and move from doing the stiffeners, to working the front axle. Needed to be pressure washed, so I figured, hey, I'm gonna get wet anywho, perfect rainy day project.

Pulled the front axle from the backyard, to the driveway. Got the pressure washer. Put in some gas, grabbed the starting fluid (hasn't been used in a bit) and went to town. Also filled a 2 gallon bucket with a purple power mix, and used the soap fitting for the washer...soaked it down, changed the tip on the wand, used some high pressure, then repeated...then I used the SUPER high pressure tip to get the crud that just wouldn't come off...it also took off my diff cover paint, but I am actually happy about this...just gonna paint it black with the rest of the axle when it's done anyways, until I can get some better diff covers...some pics:


Ready, steady, go


Before


After


Moved into the garage and put on jackstands for surgery




Started trimming the offending bits off, for the OTK trackbar bracket...also ditched the other upper control arm mount on the axle side...3 link goodness FTW!!!












Ground down and cleaned up




New TB bracket mocked in






Tomorrow is a new day...but it's supposed to rain again, so I can start in on the wear items on the axle if so...if not, I'll be doing what I can to get the rest of it to the point where I'm actually READY for the front axle, LMAO

 

Looking good Roni. keep up the good fab work.

 

Nice job, man. The build is looking good. You're getting me amped to build new axles but that'll be a while.

 

How are u gonna loosen up the big 36mm nuts now that the axle is out. Lol

 

You going to be running Frank's 1 ton steering?

 

Thanks! I'm getting amped as well...
You doubt my abilities? LMAO

Milwaukee impact FTW, son


Yeah, his OTK setup. Have had it for more than a year and a half... Dug out my 7/8" drill bit I bought for drilling out the knuckles/pitman today as a matter of fact, LOL...glad I bought that bit too, as the hole for the crush sleeve on the 3 link is the same size!

 

Nice. I DDd that steering for over two years. Drug it through the Rubicon twice, spent a weekend in and out of slick rock, two days in Voss Ca and several side trails off of north south road, many trips to cow mountain through the waterfalls and concrete slabs, one day at prairie city and several local spots. SOLID setup. One thing I do recommend though is taper everything. Don't use the inserts.

 

Just so happens I got the kit with the inserts...what's the problem with them? I can get a reamer if need be, I guess.

Anywho, got some more work done today...lost a couple of hours, due to helping out my old man do some yard work at my G-Maw's house, but that's life, right?

First thing I did was remove the upper CA bushing...was dreading it. Had it out in 10 minutes, LMAO...ready for the krawler joint to go in now


Weather was holding up, so I shifted gears again...went back to working on the mounts for the 3 link...

Brought this bad boy home from work to make drilling the rails for the 3 link brackets easier...worked like a charm


Got the holes drilled, then drilled the outer holes to 7/8" for the crush sleeves for the bracket...you can see one is drilled out here, with the sleeve in place


Got the chop saw out and cut the crush sleeves


general disarray...


Both outer holes drilled with crush sleeves in place


Sleeves welded in


Brackets on, with all hardware...everything fit like a glove








Need to do the passenger side next. Hopefully tomorrow, weather permitting...and still need to weld the brackets to the rails, it was just too windy today (AGAIN)...got cleaned up today, and right afterwards, started to rain...I'm learning not to set goals, that just disappoints. Just go out, do work, and be happy progress was made, haha!!!

 

Will get you some pics and an explanation tomorrow. Driving home from Sac. Right now. Nice progress BTW

 

Thanks, on both counts

 

The inserts wear out quickly. After driving over a few good rocks you will notice some slop in your steering. So you tighten down your TREs. It gets worse over time. You eventually run out threads for your castle nuts. At that point you either pay $45 for new insert or stack washers. I stacked washers. Jeep hasn't been on the road since. Got a Ruff Stuff setup waiting to go in. Defiantly go with the reamer.