‘94 4x4 Swap/Build

[Snoranger]

Ordered a Smittybilt awning for camping. I also ordered the walls to go with it but haven’t gotten them yet. I’m really against the whole “overlander” look because everyone with a Jeep in my area goes hog on it but I’m also tired of trying to bungee a tarp between two trucks and still getting wet.

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Pretty neat little unit. It all folds up into an aluminum extrusion inside the bag. Setting it up alone can be a little tricky but I’ve only done it once so far and have some ideas of a better way. Looking forward to trying it on an overnight trip towards the end of the month.

I got one of them a little over a year ago and found a few dozen times to use it. It’s really nice to have it ready to go whenever you need it.
I set mine up at work one day… another guy at work ordered one the next day.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I almost bought a Slumberjack unit... then I went with a free standing easy-up style canopy with walls. It's cool but not nearly as portable as what you have.

 

[Curious Hound]

I would prefer to do a RTT on an off-road trailer. I just can’t afford it yet. If I go to a park somewhere, like, say Badlands in Indiana, I want the truck free to go wheeling without having to fold up the tent and carry it along all day. But I like the RTT concept.

if only I could get full sponsorship from Alucab

 

[DRanger024]

RTT is WAY out of my price range. I wouldn’t mind having one though. It can be a bugger putting the topper on and taking it off myself. My wife doesn’t have much arm strength left so she’s not able to help.
The awning can be folded up in less than 5 minutes and the amount of stuff I carry while truck camping can be stashed in the cab or under the truck at night. I fit pretty well in the bed with a twin air mattress.

 

[Snoranger]

I would prefer to do a RTT on an off-road trailer. I just can’t afford it yet. If I go to a park somewhere, like, say Badlands in Indiana, I want the truck free to go wheeling without having to fold up the tent and carry it along all day. But I like the RTT concept.

if only I could get full sponsorship from Alucab

The RTT on a trailer is definitely a better option then on the truck because you can have a base camp. It leaves the truck free for use.
On the truck works for me because I pretty much only use it when I take my SxS on a weekend riding trip. I park in a camp site and go riding for the weekend. Then I load up the trailer, close the RTT, and head home. I never have to take down my base camp.
RTTs have gotten ridiculously expensive since Covid hit. I picked up my Smittybilt Overlander XL for $700 before Covid, now they’re $1200+. I can sell this one, used, for way more than I paid for it new.

 

[DRanger024]

Some may not agree with it but the truck is changing again.

 

[Josh B]

Does that root killer go in the pan?
Just joking
I've never seen one with the (is that the pumkin?) so far from center

 

[Curious Hound]

Does that root killer go in the pan?
Just joking
I've never seen one with the (is that the pumkin?) so far from center

Has to be for the shaft to miss the oil pan

 

[DRanger024]

Looks like every other HP D30 I've ever seen.

The root killer is for septic systems.

 

[Josh B]

Has to be for the shaft to miss the oil pan

That's what the AD in AD/HD is really good for. Attention Deficit doesn't really mean you don't pay attention, it means I look right at it and don't see it. I really looked close and didn't see it. Today I was on a highway somewhere and something rolled through my mind and I realized what I had seen was totally a front differential. My apologies sir.
I may well could use some of that weed killer in mine, as little use as it gets. Maybe I can fix that soon

I do like how your garage is set up, I've seen it before I believe. And I think you have done an awesome job on your differential there

 

[DRanger024]

That's what the AD in AD/HD is really good for. Attention Deficit doesn't really mean you don't pay attention, it means I look right at it and don't see it. I really looked close and didn't see it. Today I was on a highway somewhere and something rolled through my mind and I realized what I had seen was totally a front differential. My apologies sir.
I may well could use some of that weed killer in mine, as little use as it gets. Maybe I can fix that soon

I do like how your garage is set up, I've seen it before I believe. And I think you have done an awesome job on your differential there

It’s all good! I do the same thing all the time. I was really prepared to get flamed for pulling a D35 for a D30 but I just can bring myself to invest in making the TTB do what I want. At least this way, I’m on track to put bigger axles in if needed.

 

[DRanger024]

It rolled out of the garage into the other garage today. It’ll sit there until spring now. Supposed to get some cold weather for the next week or so, so I’m pretty happy the axle is ready to go in.

 

[DRanger024]

Picked up a set of 63” leaf springs from a ‘96 C1500 today. $100 out the door and I didn’t have to cut them out myself. I have a few different thickness zero rate leaves here to be able to get the rear up level after the SAS. Currently I have a Ranger/Tacoma bastard pack with the stock block and an 0.75” zero rate and it’s STIFF. I think there are currently 6 leaves in my pack. The 63 swap should be a huge improvement.

 

[DRanger024]

Well todays progress probably doesn’t seem like a lot but I had a couple setbacks. Mostly missing tools . I’m not a tidy mechanic but I still know where my $hit is!

cut the stock radius arm ends off.

Slid the axle under the truck to check lower arm length. Ended up trimming 1.25” off the end. This is where I quit the first day.

Day two started with getting ready to set the radius arms up. Fitting up the adjustable xj uppers to make my new radius arms.

Dropped some home made plumb bobs to square the axle up.

My welder and project manager.

Driver side radius arm in, passenger going in.

Springs in. Need to pull the axle back about a half inch.

Sitting on its own weight. Still need to figure out a track bar bracket. Daughter was pretty pumped “her” truck maxed out the Jack. We’ll have to try with the engine hoist when the track bar is in.

 

[DRanger024]

Progress was good today. The truck is done, and test driven. Took a total of 23 hours and a case of Busch Light to get er done

This is what I came up with for a track bar mount. It’s the mount that rough country sends with their adjustable xj track bar but I hacked it up to fit. Had to make a new rib for the back side. Seems pretty strong.

switched back to a stock pitman arm. I didn’t get a pic but my steering and track bar angles are nearly perfect. Got lucky on clearing the lower coil mount. This is at full stuff.

Track bar does come in contact with the cross member with the passenger side at full stuff. I’ll have to trim the corner off of it.

view from behind the drivers side door. I will eventually make a new trans crossmember that will tie the frame rails together a little better.

some driveway flex. The track bar hitting the crossmember forced the rear to flex harder than the front. TTB watching the D30 do what it couldn’t.

These are 190 lb. Deaver EB springs. The passenger wheel should be stuffed.