Tirespeed.com

Updates for April

Dean — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:09:13 +0000

I’ve been working on the buggy, and work has been very busy so the updates have been slow. As of now, I’ve got the seat in the correct spot, the brake pedal mounted and the orbital valve with steering column and removable steering wheel. The radiator mounts have been made, and all of the links are tacked in place.

Following are some pictures, just so my friends know I’m actually working on this.

Engine mounts are attached

Dean — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:53:40 +0000

The engine hoist is now not a required piece of the chassis! We fabricated some plate steel and tube engine mounts. The plates are 5/16″ and the tubing is .188 wall 1.75″ tube.

The transfer case mount is 1.75″ .120 wall tubing with a 5/16″ plate for attachment to the transfer case. As you can see, all of the mounts have rubber bushings. I still have to attach some gussets and finish weld them.

Fitting the drivetrain in the chassis

Dean — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:37:53 +0000

I got the transmission back from the rebuilder and assembled my small block chevy to that rebuilt TH400, and then bolted up the Atlas 4-speed transfer case. I picked the entire drivetrain up (with the help of my wife) and set it in place. I may move it forward about three inches yet, but it’s pretty close.

The new Atlas 4-speed transfer is here

Dean — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:17:16 +0000

It’s a lousy picture but at least it is here. This is a brand new Atlas 4-speed transfer case. It has a 2.7:1 front reduction box, and behind that a 2:1 transfer case. You can go slow (2:1), slower (2.7:1) or really slow (5.44:1). Also this transfer case allows you to select only the front axle or only the rear axle in addition to the normal four-wheel drive mode.

The new chassis mocked up at ride height

Dean — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:23:18 +0000

So here is approximate ride height, maybe a little lower, but we’ll see how all the parts fit. The next week is full of wait. I’m waiting on the new transfer case and the transmission to be rebuilt.

Rock crawler chassis is in the garage!

Dean — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:24:33 +0000

It’s here! Over 1,900 miles in three days, but it is now home! It’s still on the trailer because I am too tired to get it off the trailer tonight.

Out with the old (most of the jeep is gone)

Dean — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:41:10 +0000

Today my old jeep body, frame, and roll cage left on a trailer bound for Kansas. The new will be the Jim’s Garage chassis which should be here at the end of January. Look at how empty the garage looks!

Teardown time!

Dean — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:48:40 +0000

I’ve finally decided that I’ve gone as far as I can with the full body and original Jeep frame. I started disassembling the Jeep so I can start building a tube chassis onto which I’ll put the same drivetrain, suspension and axles. First I pulled the hood and fenders, then removed all of the wiring and the dash.

Pretty good street rod look going in the picture below

Then we pulled the body tub off .

Then I pulled the transfer case, transmission and engine.

And this is what someone needs to buy, along with the tub and roll cage. A one of a kind Jeep frame, complete with all four-link brackets attached. Engine mounts for SB Chevy, and a custom exhaust from manifolds to the back of the jeep.

GoPro HD Hero2 Camera

Dean — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:17:41 +0000

I’ve had great success with my GoPro HD Camera over the past year. We’ve shot plenty of footage and you know what will be better? Getting a new GoPro HD Hero2 camera! Follow the link below to get your own GoPro HD Hero2 camera.

GoPro HD Cameras

Trip to the Cliffs, Nov 19th, 2011 – Part 2

Dean — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:19:06 +0000

Last post was the pictures, and this is one is for the videos. I had forgotten my gopro camera on this trip, so everything you see was shot from cell phones. Not the greatest quality but it did work. I made a video of each rig that was on the trip, just pieced together clips from the day. I think the two funniest parts are Scott moving a tree off the trail (by ramming it with his jeep) and half way through my video, I put my jeep on its side. The back-story is that we had watched a side-by-side (UTV) run up and down the hill and he flopped it on its side at least once. I didn’t want to be outdone.