NPR 4wd conversion and camper build thread.
- Thread starter javajoe79
- Start date
Cool thanks for sharing that. I'd love to see some pictures of how you tackle the steering when you get there. Also after reading through it looks as though you kept the f350 axels but switched to srw? I'm wanting to convert mine to 4x4 but hope to use it as a dump truck too (nothing too heavy mostly brush, rock, dirt). My dump trailer has 2 7,000 lbs axels combined at 14,000. Something around that weight. Anyway I'm trying to make up my mind on axels. I was going to run the f350 axels with the dual rear but after reading through your thread maybe that's not enough axel for me? Do you have any ideas which axels you might upgrade to if yours don't prove strong enough for your needs? Thanks for the help.
If you are looking to replace a pair of 7K axles, you will need something like an S110 or an S135. Depending on the year, they are rated up to 16,000 pounds GAWR. Think F550 or F650, not F350.
You can get a Detroit True-Trac or No-Spin, I forget which, but no lunch box lockers or air lockers (ARB), that I am aware of.
They will be baby 10 lug, so you will need adapters on the rear to make it match a front 3/4 ton or 1 ton axle.
You can get a Detroit True-Trac or No-Spin, I forget which, but no lunch box lockers or air lockers (ARB), that I am aware of.
They will be baby 10 lug, so you will need adapters on the rear to make it match a front 3/4 ton or 1 ton axle.
javajoe79
Fabricator
I haven't considered axle upgrades. I don't think I'll ever be over the weight that is doable with what I have. My camper box is small and light and I'm keeping most things as light as possible. Shooting for 15k lbs or less. That's also less weight than the hummer tires are good for.
javajoe79
Fabricator
I've been working on the steering linkage to convert the Isuzu's front to back steering into side to side steering for the Dana 60. The following pics are what I came up with.
I cut up and turned down part of the Isuzu linkage and mated it to some 1.5" x .250" wall DOM with a 7/8" x 18 bung welded in to accept a 1 ton Chevy tie rod end.
Next I made a similar linkage for the axle end of the system. Same materials and tie rods.
I cut up and turned down part of the Isuzu linkage and mated it to some 1.5" x .250" wall DOM with a 7/8" x 18 bung welded in to accept a 1 ton Chevy tie rod end.
Next I made a similar linkage for the axle end of the system. Same materials and tie rods.
javajoe79
Fabricator
Yeah you're correct. I am not using all the travel in the steering box but I could change that by making a different bellcrank with a different ratio. It wasn't too difficult to make. I did put the truck on the ground and steered it with no power assist and it wasn't terrible considering the lack of assist.
I'm not worried about all that really. I plan on putting it all through it's paces pretty hard before I mount the camper. If I break or wear stuff out too fast, I can ugrade or modify. I am pretty sure this is exactly what they did with the Rebelzilla truck. They have had their truck out and tested it so at this point I feel the suersteer pivot is strong enough. This time around, I bought the cheapest tie rod ends from rockauto. They were only $6 each. How is that even possible? They are huge. If they seem to wear fast or break when I beat on them, I will buy the higher quality offerings for around $30 each. Once I redo the crossover tierod, all the parts will be the same 1 ton chevy tie rod ends so my necessary spares will be minimal. The tubing is probably overkill but I didn't want to risk bending them so hopefully I break tie rod ends if anything. When I put the bend in the drag link I tried to do it first with the 20 ton press alone and it wouldn't bend it so I had to heat it up with the torch. Seems like that should be plenty strong and I think it's a common size tubing for these parts on rock crawlers. The supersteer pivot seems very well made. The shaft is very thick and rides on adjustable, tapered roller bearings. My only concern with it is that the housing is aluminum. I am going to make a plate to bolt in over it and sandwich it with the frame but if I break it, I will machine one from steel. Supersteer actually gave me the drawings. Pretty cool of them.
But yeah, this was the best I could come up with, using the axle I have. I feel pretty good about it. If I break it, I will enjoy the challenge of making it better.
Thanks! Up next is finalizing the engine mounts then having a look at front caster and redoing the bracing and attachment points for the front springs. They did quite a bit of what seemed to be hasty welding and bracing on this truck before I got it. I am going to make the rear spring shackle mounts bolt to the frame instead of leaving them welded. The fronts I will just redo the braces as they attach to a separate structure from the frame and I'm not worried about welding to that.
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