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Tom's Bulldozer is getting some updates #1737940
01/24/15 09:39 PM
01/24/15 09:39 PM
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Norwich CT USA
Defbob Offline OP
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Through the past 8 months, Tom and I have realized that the YJ based SOA front suspension on his '58 Willys Wagon is not up to the task. We have decided on a few ways to improve the durability of the front suspension and increase the vehicles offroad performance.

The old 63" wide axles are being swapped out for some full width axles and the front suspension is being converted to a 3-link with coilovers. The axles gears are being exchanged to 4.88's from the 4.10's in preparation for future 42" Pitbull Rockers.

Since Tom drives like his rig like a bulldozer and hitting trees has bent both his front leaf springs, a beefy 3-link will take care of that issue. Most link suspension use 2"OD 1/4" wall tubing for the links and 1.75"OD 1/8" wall tubing for the track bar. Tom's will use 2.25"OD 3/8" wall tubing for the links and 2"OD 1/4" wall tubing for the track bar. He is not bending these

The only differences out back are the gear change, axle width, and the TMR shave kit to smooth out the bottom of the axle.

I have accumulated all of the parts and have begun preparing the axles for the swap. Tom is handling the gear/locker installs and brakes, while I handle the welding and suspension end.

I just welding on the first part of the front axle today, an Artec truss.

8406876-1-24-15-01.JPG (123 downloads)
Last edited by moparts; 01/26/15 02:51 PM.
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1737941
01/24/15 11:10 PM
01/24/15 11:10 PM
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79powerwagon Offline
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Jeepers!

(No pun intended)

How the heck do you keep the tubes straight when welding THAT much steel onto them???

This whole project is darn cool!

Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: 79powerwagon] #1737942
01/25/15 01:36 AM
01/25/15 01:36 AM
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DusterDave Offline
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That truss looks like a piece of the George Washington Bridge!


Gone to the dark side with an LS3 powered '57 Chevy 210
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: DusterDave] #1737943
01/25/15 11:04 AM
01/25/15 11:04 AM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Quote:

That truss looks like a piece of the George Washington Bridge!





Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: 79powerwagon] #1737944
01/25/15 11:05 AM
01/25/15 11:05 AM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Quote:

Jeepers!

(No pun intended)

How the heck do you keep the tubes straight when welding THAT much steel onto them???

This whole project is darn cool!




The tubes are .500" wall, they don't warp

Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1737945
01/25/15 01:35 PM
01/25/15 01:35 PM
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DusterDave Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

Jeepers!

(No pun intended)

How the heck do you keep the tubes straight when welding THAT much steel onto them???

This whole project is darn cool!




The tubes are .500" wall, they don't warp



Gotta love front Dana 60's, especially kingpin versions like yours!
Is it safe to assume you're going to add high steering to it?


Gone to the dark side with an LS3 powered '57 Chevy 210
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: DusterDave] #1737946
01/25/15 03:29 PM
01/25/15 03:29 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Only high steer for the drag link. There will be tie rods in the stock location in order to keep them out of the way of the panhard bar.

8407490-1-24-15-02.JPG (66 downloads)
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1737947
01/25/15 05:32 PM
01/25/15 05:32 PM
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DusterDave Offline
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Quote:

Only high steer for the drag link. There will be tie rods in the stock location in order to keep them out of the way of the panhard bar.



I'll be watching this conversion closely. I recently acquired a KP D60, and was thinking about doing away with the leafs up front and installing it with a 3 link & coil-overs.


Gone to the dark side with an LS3 powered '57 Chevy 210
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: DusterDave] #1811679
04/25/15 05:04 PM
04/25/15 05:04 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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The 3-link has been done. Here are the step by step pictures, aside from the painting portion.

I made Tom remove his old axle, which is actually the front axle to my M37. You can see how bad the front springs were beaten up.

4-21-2015-01.JPG4-21-2015-03.JPG
Last edited by Defbob; 04/25/15 05:04 PM.
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811683
04/25/15 05:06 PM
04/25/15 05:06 PM
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Here is the empty spot and the new axle getting ready to go into position

4-21-2015-06.JPG4-21-2015-04.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811686
04/25/15 05:08 PM
04/25/15 05:08 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Upper frame link tack welding in place and heims in place. Axle positioned.

4-22-2015-02.JPG4-22-2015-03.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811689
04/25/15 05:09 PM
04/25/15 05:09 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Nice front shot of the Artec Dodge D60 truss. Mock up arms made with roll cage tubing.

4-22-2015-04.JPG4-22-2015-05.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811693
04/25/15 05:11 PM
04/25/15 05:11 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Actual arms made with 2.25" 3/8" wall DOM. Fat and stumpy.

4-22-2015-06.JPG4-23-2015-01.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811699
04/25/15 05:13 PM
04/25/15 05:13 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Frame panhard bar bracket tack welded in place. And the Artec Dodge truss mounted panhard bar bracket tack welded to the truss.

4-23-2015-02.JPG4-23-2015-03.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811705
04/25/15 05:14 PM
04/25/15 05:14 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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panhard bar is made. Now I could check the flex and look for binding.

4-23-2015-05.JPG4-23-2015-06.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811706
04/25/15 05:15 PM
04/25/15 05:15 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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everything is welded and painted and in for final assembly.

4-25-2015-01.JPG4-25-2015-02.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811708
04/25/15 05:16 PM
04/25/15 05:16 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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Back on all four wheels and brakes bled

4-25-2015-03.JPG4-25-2015-04.JPG
Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1811709
04/25/15 05:16 PM
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Defbob Offline OP
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The rear axle swap will be next week.

Re: Tom's Tastykake is getting some updates [Re: Defbob] #1812007
04/26/15 12:02 AM
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Very nice work







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