rockwells

[4x4mike2004]

I am working on getting a couple sets of rockwell axles mostly fronts. I would like to run hydraulic steering in both ends. I am thinking of using a 3 or 4 link coil suspension to hang them. Would it be worth it to keep leaf springs out back or use a multi link setup? I am not too sure on tire size but I will probably try to acquire a set of military michalin tires (i think they are somewhere around 40+ inches). Any input or sugestions would be apriciated thanks.

[projectnitemare]

I'm in the process of designing a front and rear triangulated 4 link for Rockwells. The big problem with leaf springs and Rockwells is the axle wrap due to the super deep gears. The wheel hop problems is mostly in the front so if you want to use a leaf pack the rear would be the best place to stick them. I've seen mixed feelings about the military tires. You can't argue about the price but those who have been using them on lighter trucks don't seem to like them. You can run almost zero air pressure and still get very little conformity around rocks and such. There are a few ways to place them under the truck, just depends on your budget and what you want to do with it.

Matt

[littleme13]

the michelins are 52s and suck if you ask me. there a ok street tire but thats about it. we have them on the 6x6 trucks i drive and are horiable off road. they dont self clean so they arent good for the mud and sand they arnt too bad as long as you air them way down. the goodyears are a little better but not by much imo. like matt said they are a great price and the rocks need a really tall tire so peoplebuy them up.

just my .02

tony

[4x4mike2004]

Some of the michalins go down to 46 in tires. What about grooving the tires? I found a set of 46 in goodyears (the same ones as on hummers).

[projectnitemare]

Pretty much all the military surplus tires are going to be rock hard/stiff. They are for large transport truck and such. You can do ok with them depending on the terrain but none of them will out perform a light truck tire. All of those tires are going to be a 20in rim that is also something to think about. Where as if you choose a light truck tire you can choose from any variety of tire and wheel sizes. The best thing about these tires are going to be the price, usually less than half of other tires. There are good and bad with the surplus tires. Personally I'm going with Iroks or Boggers just because I know and like how they perform.

Matt

[littleme13]

the goodyears arnt much better but some people swear they are great(moslty cuz they are off hummers). the 46in goodyears arent like the hummer tires there a different tread i belive i could be wrong and if you have a pic of one in specific post a pic and ill be able to tell ya. but im pretty sure there is only 3 tires the military uses. other then the old wierd looking ones i cant remeber the name of. and the hummers are the only ones with that tread pattern and they are only a 37.

[4x4mike2004]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj106/4x4mike2oo4/Goodyeartire.jpg

This should be the pic of the 48 in goodyear. usa6x6 has them for sale on their website. I would like to run swampers but dont have the cash to do it right now so i am going to sacrifice some performance and use the military tires for now.

[projectnitemare]

You also have to think about wheels. Most all of these surplus tires are for a 20in rim. The cheapest 20in steel beadlock rim I have found is around $300 a piece. Price wise it is really almost even. Pay more for wheels or more for tires. If you can find a really good deal on either don't pass it up.

Matt

[predator]

those tires look like they would do ok, stay away from hummer tires, i got a set and ran them on my 3/4 ton, why? because they were 36'' (not 37") and dirt cheap, how do they perform? like shit....not worth it


no on the rockwells, i say that if you are taking the time, energy and money to put rockwells underneath your truck then it should be 4-linked. ya might as well do it right the first time vs spending money and doing it cheaply only to get sick of it 6 months later and tear it all apart, spend more money and do it again with a 4-link. just my 2 cents worth, after inflation its probaly worth a 1/4 cent.....



do it once! do it right!!

[littleme13]

i havent seen those tires yet but that doesnt mean the military doesnt use them. im gonna have to check our tires i think they are different then those and im pretty sure they are 37s but hell who knows. ill do a little diggin and see what i can find

[littleme13]

just found a pic of the hummer tires i was talkin about look about half way down the page there the 37x12.5R16.5 Goodyear
Wrangler tires these are what most our hummers run. i knew i wasnt goin crazy:dunno:.


http://www.alfaheaven.com/Military%20Section/Accessories/Tires.html

[4x4mike2004]

the tire pictured is a 48, I never knew they made them that big either. I might just get a set of stock military rims and tires off a 2 1/2 ton truck, and use those for now. Not the best they would give me a better idea of where everything goes. It will probably take some time to fine tune the suspension and the sterering. I didnt metion it before but i would like to run front and rear hydraulic steering too.

[projectnitemare]

The stock duce and a half wheels are split rim and really junk. You will need to look around, there are a few options. Order wheels to what you need (around $300 a piece). If you can fab, pic up a set of new or used steel wheels/beadlocks, cut out the center and weld in a new center with the Rockwell pattern (about half the price). It will take a lot of tuning and R&D to get the suspension setup. I have a little advantage becuase I've done this before and have the engineering software to do that kind of work without ever turing a wrench. Hydraulic steering is the way to go on these. Beef everything up, 1/4in plate to make the steering brackets and mounts. You have to overbuild with these axles because the will find the weak spots with the rest of the truck.

Matt

[4x4mike2004]

I wasnt planning on using the stock rims for anything exept pulling in and out of thwe garage. Once i get enough for a set of swampers i will get a good set of beadlock wheels. For the suspension I was thinking of something similar in design to rustys XJ long arm kits.

Although I just found out I will be going overseas with the army early january, so the truck will be sent to my buddies shop for the build. Thanks for the input and suggestions.

[littleme13]

whats your mos??? good luck with that i just found out i might not be very far behind you which sucks i was hopeing to start my turbo ranger project but who knows

[projectnitemare]

A off the shelf kit won't work but you might be able to get some ideas. The jeep stuff are all technially 5 link, 4 and a track bar. Look over on Pirate if you need some ideas. I can't remember the name but a guy has a wrangler with rocks and did a pretty nice job with it....it's red. Get yourself familiar with how to build a link suspension and from there you can do it yourself. Really if you don't get familiar with how it works the truck won't perform. You need to figure height, suspension travel, articulation ability, where it will bind, and so on. The shock company will be able to take some of the headache out if you know the weight and details about the suspension. It's a lot of work to get it right; do your homework and it will help it be the only time you have to build it.

Matt

[Punisher]

I am working on getting a couple sets of rockwell axles mostly fronts. I would like to run hydraulic steering in both ends. I am thinking of using a 3 or 4 link coil suspension to hang them. Would it be worth it to keep leaf springs out back or use a multi link setup? I am not too sure on tire size but I will probably try to acquire a set of military michalin tires (i think they are somewhere around 40+ inches). Any input or sugestions would be apriciated thanks.



I have rocks, 4wheel steering, 44's and 4link with coils, ...what do you need to know?


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q266/chasesain/IMG_1198.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q266/chasesain/IMG_1192.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q266/chasesain/IMG_1190.jpg

[JFA_Spyderman]

Hey, he's back!

Say Punisher, we have all been missing your build thread when we switched boards. Any chance of starting another one?

[Punisher]

Hey, he's back!

Say Punisher, we have all been missing your build thread when we switched boards. Any chance of starting another one?



Sure no problem, I have just been busy, heck I didnt even know the board had changed, I even had to re-register:sad:

[4x4mike2004]

my mos is 92Y supply specialist.

The big question is about how to set up the 4 link. Mostly placement, angle, and length of the arms. Punisher do you have any pics of the suspension?

[Punisher]

my mos is 92Y supply specialist.

The big question is about how to set up the 4 link. Mostly placement, angle, and length of the arms. Punisher do you have any pics of the suspension?

You can see my build here.. http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7691

However I do not have any really detailed or great shots of the fourlink, but I can get you some, but it will probably be a day or two before getting them and posting, give me a couple days and I can get better ones and then I will also tell you where I am going to redo a couple things.

[4x4mike2004]

Thanks for the link punisher. Anything that helps os apriciated. Were tyhere any issues with driveshaft angles with the rear being off set? I am also thinking about using one of those 3 speed atlas t-cases.

[Toreadorranger]

Thanks for the link punisher. Anything that helps os apriciated. Were tyhere any issues with driveshaft angles with the rear being off set? I am also thinking about using one of those 3 speed atlas t-cases.

4 speed? 3 speed is stak.

[Punisher]

Thanks for the link punisher. Anything that helps os apriciated. Were tyhere any issues with driveshaft angles with the rear being off set? I am also thinking about using one of those 3 speed atlas t-cases.



No problem with the rear shaft because I spun the chunck aroiund and redrilled and tapped the housing, but I think it would have been ok without it.

I did have really close driveshaft issues on the front, the big military driveshaft was rubbing one of the bolts for the fourlink joints, so I had to turn it around and take off half of the head, and then I also had to adjust my four link just a hair, to move the front axle over a hair to clear the ratchet shifter bracket on the tranny arm because at full compression flex it was rubbing that too, uhm yeah she's pretty tight, but thats the way I like it....
:hottubfun:

[Punisher]

Hmm, now that I look back at it finished, I am pretty sure that Ford did not design the BroncoII to have a 351, C6, 205 and a 203 and rockwells with 44"s. But what the heck, it might have just been one of those concept things that never made production...

[4x4mike2004]

Yea they come out with some really cool concepts, but it seems the suit and tie wearers dont apriciate things like that. They must not like mud chuncks flying around when they drive. haha