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You piss your pants again???
Thats a pretty good deal, fuel injected 460, Dana 60 w/ locker all for 3k. Of course you have to wonder why the tranny and t-case are not in it....
It's time to have the WTF am I doing conversation, so let's have it. Please read below and comment. I am not looking to get into a Ford vs Chevy drivetrain debate, just trying to figure out my next steps and think some stuff through. When I built the Klogger I made a booze cruising, very low budget, people transportation device. I would not call it an off road rig. For the past 5 years I have wheeled it with only about $1000 in it (truck was free, cab wad free, lift was $150, FI engine was $300, Tires $400, I have put some other stuff in it, but pretty low budget, recently I have put a manual in and a doubler, but for a good 4 years I only had about $1000 in it). I think it has served it's purpose, We all had fun, it transported people and I learned a lot about off roading, etc... Now I have quite a few higher dollar parts that I have not installed and am debating weather to polish the tird further. Here is what the Klogger currently has:
* Good running 351 V8 with Ford Fuel injection (new timing chain, water pump, 140 amp alternator upgrade, upgraded saginaw power steering pump)
* NP 435 with new clutch, hydraulic clutch setup
* Offroad Design 203/205 Doubler (4:1)
* Twin Traction Beam Front Axle - Best axle ever
* Sterling 10.25 rear, good brakes, 3.55 gears
* Roll Cage, not the world's best, but better than nothing
I have the following parts I was going to put in it:
* Dana 60 - have 35 spline outers, wheel flanges, drop in locker, 5.13 gears, hydro assist steering, essentially when built an axle worth close to $2000
* 5.13 gears for the Sterling
* New rear leaf springs
* Chevy 52" leaf springs for the front
* 42" TSL's on Trail Ready bead locks
My plans were to put all this together and have a locked front and rear full size on 42" tires. This would be the easiest route, but I am debating weather to move forward on this plan for the following reasons:
* A stock F-150 reg cab weighs 3900 lbs, a crew cab tips in at about 6000 lbs, say the difference in a 150 and 250 frame is 1000 lbs and the other 1000 lbs is the body. I essentially would have a locked full size tipping in at 5000 lbs, or a ton more than a jeep. This makes hill climbs suck, breaks more axles, etc...
* It's a f'in full size crew cab, even with great axles, gears, tires, etc.... I would be pumping a bunch of good parts and money into a vehicle that will never be the most capable off road rig.
So my options:
Option 1 - Remove the crew cab body, scrap the cage and build a new one:
ADVANTAGES
*About 1000 lbs less weight
*Easy to do, most everything would just bolt up since the truck was originally a reg cab
*Not as large as the crew cab
DISADVANTAGES
*Still on the heavy side compared to Jeeps
*Still wheeling Full width
Option 1.5 - Full size Bronco Body, not really an option to me because it would still be full size/huge and weigh 5000 lbs.
Option 2 - Ford Explorer with V8
*V8 already installed, so no bastardization there, it bolts up to my existing NP435 and doubler
*Narrower than a full size
DISADVANTAGES
*The things weight 4000 lbs, Holy crap an explorer weighs more than an F-150
*Would have to cut the ass end of the explorer off and still wheeling a pretty big vehicle
*Running Explorer buy in price is $1000
Option 3 - Ford Bronco II
ADVANTAGES
* Weighs only 3300 lbs, just a little more than a CJ, about equal to a cherokee
*Narrow body, yet a 32" wide frame. A F-150 has a 33" wide frame, somehow a small bronco ii has only an inch narrower frame, this way things like a NP205 will fit, this is not the case for early Bronco's
*If you outboard the spring hangers, it fits current F-150 axle width's for purches
*Cheap, there is one with no motor or trans on the list for $200
DISADVANTAGE
*Fitting a 302 in one of these is hard, Fitting a 351 sucks and requires 3" of body lift or a lot of work
*Owning a Bronco II
Option 4 - Jeep-dom - Lets just say other narrow rigs, Jeeps, Scouts, etc...
ADVANTAGE
*Narrow
*Light Weight
*I hate Jeeps, so when I ram something I will not be sad
DISADVANTAGE
*Motor mounts, wiring, etc... a lot of work
*Owning a jeep
*High entry price, somehow people still want $2000 for a rusted pile of dog crap
Option 5 - The Unicorn - Find someone who has a buggy set up for a Ford engine and axles, but with no engine, trans or axles, and rape them on the price
ADVANTAGE
*Light weight
*Most capable
DISADVANTAGE
*Like finding a unicorn, and once you did, it would probablt be expensive.
Define "good running".:flipoff2:
You sure an extra two doors and some sheet metal adds 2100 lbs?
To use everyone else's example...JB's rig can't weigh much less and his does great.Quote:
I essentially would have a locked full size tipping in at 5000 lbs, or a ton more than a jeep. This makes hill climbs suck, breaks more axles, etc...
Do you have an alternative rig in mind? Or are you just figuring whether to proceed with the Klogger or start looking for an alternative?
edit: guess I didn't read the next post.:laughing:
The primary reason I started taking apart the cruiser was I went back to school and didn't have any money. The reason I took it further and it is the way it is now is I got tired of all the janky stuff I had done before. If this is where you are starting over may be a good idea. You've got a lot of good parts laying around and would just need a good chassis.
Good running - it started every time this weekend, when I pushed the go pedal, it went. The idle was ridiculously high, but I am pretty sure I can fix that.
JB's rig is the exception to the rule, and even so he frequently breaks axle shafts, etc... Additionally it will always be wide and heavy, therefore at somewhat of a disadvantage.
I am not saying I will not stick with the Klogger, just thinking it is time to evaluate it before moving forward. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I have a Ford doubler and a ford (driver's drop) Dana 60, this means I am pretty well locked into a blue oval for motor/drivetrain. If I had a SBC and chevy t-case I think my options would be a lot more, since chevy drivetrain swaps are more common.
I would search for that unicorn 4-seater chassis with room for a cooler in the back.
All of that glass and sheet metal just seems to get in the way! All of your passengers can take the rain and cold just fine, who needs a roof and doors.
Super light weight, great visability, will go anywhere - less chance of breaking, room for a future kiddo and safe for them too...
I believe Garrett is doing this same thing (also with Ford crap...). He got wise - even with a capabale narrow EB
Whats not safe about seatbelts that dont work and doors that randomly fly open at high speed?Quote:
Originally Posted by redcagepatrol
I was thinking of questioning your putting of good drivetrain components in that thing. If you put them in a smaller rig, it would be more capable than mine is. You'll have 42s, you could run whatever Davido runs.
I think I'd like to see the explorer done. I would not swap the doubler in, you know what that thing weighs. Sell it to some stupid fullsize guy and find a used Atlas or Stak. I see them come up pretty often for things that aren't a jeep. This way you are not bastardizing anything to do with engine/transmission. You can also keep booze wheeling the klogger until you are almost done and need to steal the rear axle, as that's the only part you would need from it (or find another sterling). I bet the explorer will lighten up quite a bit when you chunk the doors, lift gate, and anything that sticks up above the dash (yes, chop the whole roof and windshield off)
Formula for Explorer build.
- Buy explorer
- Remove doors, hatch, windshield, roof. Gut AC (keep compressor for OBA), heater, all other junk that isn't needed. If it has weight and isn't needed, pull it.
- Build cage
- Swap transfer case
- Swap axles
- Add driveshafts
- Install 42s
- Add other stuff
- Kick Ass
Oh, leaf springs don't belong on serious trail vehicles, especially with the badassness of 42s.
1. Buy Lurch
2. Install Ford parts
3. ???
4. Wife profits from life insurance money when Fred kills you.
:D
I like the idea of building a different rig on the side and then getting rid of Klogger (if you want). That way you're not down for the time it takes to build it. You're thinking in the right direction of not building that platform up anymore though. I think either buggy like Scott said or find a cheap stripped down rig and buy a wiring harness. I only paid $200 for my body/frame and it might have been worth that. Freddo has a cool green Scout too.
There's a scout (800 I think) for sale on the side of 2818 near the Hall. Havent stopped to check the price.
I third that - keep wheeling that while you build mystery rig. I bet you beat Krebs!:flipoff2:Quote:
Originally Posted by davido
the ford 203 is the same as the chevy 203 in reguard to the adapter patern(doubler side), so you could do a chevy motor/tranny/first transfer case and still us the ord adapter to the ford transfer to be able the use the ford 60
It must have been that u turn trail, I've been thinking about the same thing lately.
I say explorer
http://www.explorerforum.com/photopo...park_small.jpg
By no means am I suggesting you continue along the fullsize route, but I have only broken 2 shafts in 6+ years, both in weird situations, both used stock 30spliners. I still run stock 86 Bronco driveshafts too.
I hear that H3's are pretty capable
Get back in the box!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot Pocket
Good points by all, especially Sharpe. I agree with Scott, if a unicorn buggy popped up I would be all in, but I just do not see that happenning a lot.
A cheap V8 explorer would be a good deal since there would be less wiring voodoo, but I am still not pleased with it's weight. I could lessen that somewhat, but not entirely. If a Bronco II was not such a complete bastard to swap a V8 into, it would be a good deal.
I do not know what to do...
FIFY :gigem:Quote:
Originally Posted by KrazyKarl02
Kinda. . . Garrett is swapping the drivetrain from the Bronco into the new two seater buggy to have something to play with while he is putting the 40"s, stak, and 609s into the EB. Then he is gonna sell it.Quote:
Originally Posted by redcagepatrol
Karl, you need to go something like that. Just find a good tube chassis like garrett did. He payed around the 1.5K mark for the two seater with ford drivetrain mounts and 3/4 link parts.
Leave the floor(what's left of it) and firewall and tube the rest out. This way you can still wheel and use your current cage seats till you figure out what design you like.
Bronco two's are homosexual and 4dr explorers aren't far behind that.
A 2dr explorer or explorer sport trac would be alright.
Keep it below 5k lbs and I think you will be fine with current axle/DriveTrain/tire package.
Are you on crack? 2DR explorers and sporttracs are thuper:rainbow: There are some decent looking B2s on the pirate ford board.Quote:
Originally Posted by stx4wheeler
Quote:
Originally Posted by stx4wheeler
2DR explorers never came with V8's, not sure if there is a reason for this?
Keep with your plan as is, 4door and 60 swap, cut the roof out for the most part and make a canvas cover, remover the glass and gut the doors, finish out the cage. I think it is a kickass setup just needs some tweeking to make it right.
As much as I hate this idea here is a 97 exploded for $450
http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/2133453200.html
It's a 4.0 though...Quote:
Originally Posted by stx4wheeler
Quote:
Option 2 - Ford Explorer with V8
*V8 already installed, so no bastardization there, it bolts up to my existing NP435 and doubler
Correct, I called on it last night.... :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by mudtoy67
<Friday Night>
Karl: Hello Klogger
Klogger: Hey, why am I in the Garage, why aremy wheels off?
Karl: Do not worry, here pose for the patented TTB Pictures
Klogger: ahh,what the, really? A plasma cutter? Ouch that burns...
Thanks to Tommy, Mike, and Robbie. Now to install the STB (single traction beam) axle.
not cool karl, you have turned against everything you love. Next your going to be telling us your NOT gay!
What are the 60 plans? linked or radius arms?
Ok, bring the comments on about links, radius arms, 3 links, inverted Ellen Degeneres torsion suspension.
Ultimately this thing is never going to be a super vehicle, so I decided to go the quicker/easier route. Here are the plans with status:
*Ford High Pinion Dana 60 STB Axle
*5.13:1 gears
*Lock Right Locker
*35 spline chromo outers
*1 chromo inner shaft on the long side (it was damaged, so had to get a new one)
*Spicer joints
*Rebuilt kingpins, spindles, etc...
*Wheel flanges (not hubs)
*Mad 4X4 high steer (heims, etc...
*Leaf Sprung - Stock F-350 rear hangers, kustom front, Chevy 52's for springs w/ full length add-a-leaf to control wrap
*SOLID Dif cover
Sounds clean and simple. Screw links on this thing, it is the klogger after all. I have to say though I am a bit surprised that you did away with the TTB before you grenaded it though.
BTW if you go searching for any 52"s and want to make some money I am in need of a set. Let me know what the picknpull wants and i'll pay ya extra to pull them.
Good luck on the build. Keep the pics coming.
I support that plan - good option for the Klogger
Springs are $80 a set a pick n pull, go knock yourself out.Quote:
Originally Posted by 85cj7
Quote:
Originally Posted by KrazyKarl02
Pulling springs sucks!!
I predict with the awesomeness of 42" TSLs, you will need an anti-wrap bar.