Laredo Build (I Know It's Not an RBV But I Know A Few People Are Going To Follow

[LittleBigFoot]

No, the Aw4 Is for the 4.0L I6.

Rear hangers are going to be a bitch

Here's some shots of what there is to work with:

I either need to loose the hitch or think of something genius. There's no place to mount a leaf spring hanger, especially with enough room to clear the leaf spring bolt...

 

[oatmealman]

I'd say coil it but you already but you already bought so much shit for leaf springs.The rad arms rear was a great idea.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Who says the hitch has to be removeable...........?

 

[PaleBlue90]

Why not just build square shafts?

square ones also put more stress on other things and are uber heavy

 

[PaleBlue90]

i kno its expensive but why not use a stock t-case and get a klune-v? thats what my rangeicon is getting (stock case and a klune)

http://www.klunev.com/

 

[metalmacguyver]

I think you answered your question before you even a$ked it.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

PLAN:

I'm going to weld the hangers to some 3" square tube, and bolt the tube to the chassis. (That keeps me from having to mount them under the frame, opposed to on the outside)

For the leaf spring bolts, I'm going to drill out enough room through the hitch that I can clear the bolt, therefore I can leave the hitch on and access the bolts.



I'm definatly looking into the klune-V. That would be an awesome addition. Cost is my only concern. It would be nice to buy the tranny, buy the klune, and maybe an after market Tcase, because I could run what ever spline count i desire.

Now it's time to research what my crawl ratio COULD be with different set ups and transfer case/underdrive/ pinion gear combos. Sweeeeeeet.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I was playing around with a crawl ratio calculator and here's what I came up with:

With an Aisin Warner AW4, NP231, and a Klune-V David 4:1 under drive, and 5.13s, i'd have an insaine crawl ratio.

Under drive high and tcase high: 14.36:1
Under drive high and tcase low: 38.93:1
Underdrive low and tcase high: 57.46:1
Under drive low and tcase low: 155.71:1


Sick as all hell is all I have to say.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Sickness.

 

[Toreadorranger]

i kno its expensive but why not use a stock t-case and get a klune-v? thats what my rangeicon is getting (stock case and a klune)

http://www.klunev.com/

You know klune doesnt make a setup that fits the ranger right? Ive been emailing them for like two years now trying to get them to make one.

 

[fordwheelinman]

you could always use a hanger style like rangers use, but weld a nut to the inside and thread the bolt in from the outside, eliminating the need to get to it or the nut. you just have to make the bolt short enough so that it wont hit the frame. Its not quite as much welding, but requires a little more thought.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

you could always use a hanger style like rangers use, but weld a nut to the inside and thread the bolt in from the outside, eliminating the need to get to it or the nut. you just have to make the bolt short enough so that it wont hit the frame. Its not quite as much welding, but requires a little more thought.

Hmmmm. I like yer thinking. I'll have to look and see if I got what it takes to give it a shot.


My next concern:

The chassis is narrower in the back then the front. The leaf springs would be angled outward a tiny bit. I'm not sure tho, it might be my eyes playing tricks on me.

Are there many cons to running crooked leafs on a trail rig?

I might have to fab a x member and weld the hangers to it to keep the right width... hmmm

 

[LittleBigFoot]

You know klune doesnt make a setup that fits the ranger right? Ive been emailing them for like two years now trying to get them to make one.

The sight says they can fab up what ever spline count is needed. With that in mind, couldn't it be modified to work with ranger shtuff...

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm going to cut out the bumper reinforcement and weld the hanger to the chassis and the rear bumper. For the leaf spring bolt I'm just going to drill out the hitch so I can at least get a socket in there.

Awesome.

 

[crawlin91]

Sick lookin ranger. I like what you have done with that jeep too. Either one a good choice for running over all of these subaru-driving phucks in Denver.
Oh, and lemme know if ya ever need another gear head to lend a hand.