Completed Project 98 Mountaineer SAS...

[turboexplorer]

I think a 44 will be fine for my needs. The curb weight is around 4k from what I have found. But I will find a scale soon and double check. And for what a 60 costs I can buy a lot of spare 44 shafts.

I think you will be at least 4500. Mine weighed in at 4890 before my sliders where on. They are 87lbs a side so think Im right about 5K. Think the V8s weight 500lbs or so more than the V6 rigs. Bigger engine trans and that huge 4406

 

[Stang5lgt]

I think you will be at least 4500. Mine weighed in at 4890 before my sliders where on. They are 87lbs a side so think Im right about 5K. Think the V8s weight 500lbs or so more than the V6 rigs. Bigger engine trans and that huge 4406

I will have to check. Cause I am sure going solid axle shaved some weight. My sliders are about 70lbs combined. I know cause I have shipped them before. The winch and front bumper should add back the weight I lost chucking the IFS. Just one of those Lower arms and torsion bars weighs almost as much as the Dana 30. LOL The tires going to be heavier for sure.

 

[crazyflights]

Makes me wanna get back to Moab!! Dang no vacation time, I think I wil have more time when next CCR is and take whole week off to go out and offroad!!!

 

[Stang5lgt]

So how do I register this SAS build?

 

[chad551]

Now that it is done, start a thread in the reigstry section with details and pics.. I have a link in my SAS registry to my build thread. Not that mine is perfect or the correct way to do it, but take a look for some ideas.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Now that it is done, start a thread in the reigstry section with details and pics.. I have a link in my SAS registry to my build thread. Not that mine is perfect or the correct way to do it, but take a look for some ideas.

Thanks man! I love your Trac yours was one of the rigs I was checking out when I was getting ideas.

 

[chad551]

I will be back in Moab May 19-22 for the Explorer Forum run, you should come out again with a stronger track bar

 

[Glen4X4]

Looks like this truck is built well I like it!

 

[Stang5lgt]

Track bar version 2.0...

 

[Stang5lgt]

Chinaman Gulch today. Merc was flawless ran great and climbed like a beast!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks2oxSYg8G0

 

[Stang5lgt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTcedRavuGM

 

[Stang5lgt]

 

[Stang5lgt]

 

[Stang5lgt]

Best part of this trip was only rig that broke was a Chevy.

 

[turboexplorer]

Looks like it was a fun trip. That trail looks fairly mean

 

[Stang5lgt]

Looks like it was a fun trip. That trail looks fairly mean

It was a blast. We ran it 1-1-10 in 6 inches of snow in our 2002 Wrangler TJ with 33s open open with Dana 35 rear. The TJ did good we made it no problem. But last spring they had flash flood up there. We are talking 15+ inches of rain in 2 hours. So the trail did not look anything like what it did when we took the TJ up there. My wife and I kept commenting on how much the trail was different(as in harder). I was dragging axles and skids with 35s.

After running this trail with dana 30 up front I am think am going to just build it. 44 only gains I get are larger ring gear, larger tubes, and the shafts. The shafts I can buy 30 shafts that are 30 spline and just as strong as 44 shafts. And I already trussed the axle. Sticking with 30 keeps my weight down. I had one of the Jeepers offer to trade his Jeep and his dads Rubicon for the Merc and another guy pipes up and says I have dibs on the Merc if he sells it. LOL Merc just walked over stuff I don't know what it is about that thing but it just seems to be the right combo with a front locker it would be amazing.

 

[Glen4X4]

Nice vids, looks like the D30 is holding up well for you.

 

[gmanpaint]

Awesome!

The 5.0 and 4406 is a great combo. Imagine an Atlas or doubler behind that trans!

You have made us Ford guys proud sir!

 

[turboexplorer]

It was a blast. We ran it 1-1-10 in 6 inches of snow in our 2002 Wrangler TJ with 33s open open with Dana 35 rear. The TJ did good we made it no problem. But last spring they had flash flood up there. We are talking 15+ inches of rain in 2 hours. So the trail did not look anything like what it did when we took the TJ up there. My wife and I kept commenting on how much the trail was different(as in harder). I was dragging axles and skids with 35s.

After running this trail with dana 30 up front I am think am going to just build it. 44 only gains I get are larger ring gear, larger tubes, and the shafts. The shafts I can buy 30 shafts that are 30 spline and just as strong as 44 shafts. And I already trussed the axle. Sticking with 30 keeps my weight down. I had one of the Jeepers offer to trade his Jeep and his dads Rubicon for the Merc and another guy pipes up and says I have dibs on the Merc if he sells it. LOL Merc just walked over stuff I don't know what it is about that thing but it just seems to be the right combo with a front locker it would be amazing.

It looks harder than an open TJ could just walk through. Thank goodness for skid plates! I use mine a lot not being very tall.

Cool, interested to see how well it holds up in the long run. I partly always figured that it wouldn't like the weight of the V8's. But if its trussed then it shouldn't have a problem. Got to love the jeep guys willing to drop their stuff to have a built Ford!

BTW: How are you liking the 4.88's and 35's combo? Any chance you know the freeway MPH/RPM and a given speed?
Feel good on the freeway? As far as gearing as well as stability?

 

[Stang5lgt]

It looks harder than an open TJ could just walk through. Thank goodness for skid plates! I use mine a lot not being very tall.

Cool, interested to see how well it holds up in the long run. I partly always figured that it wouldn't like the weight of the V8's. But if its trussed then it shouldn't have a problem. Got to love the jeep guys willing to drop their stuff to have a built Ford!

BTW: How are you liking the 4.88's and 35's combo? Any chance you know the freeway MPH/RPM and a given speed?
Feel good on the freeway? As far as gearing as well as stability?

I wish I could go 5.13s but 4.88s feel awesome when in 4 low. As far as highway speeds the the speedo is 10-15% slow. Meaning I am not even back to stock gear ratio. I am still geared too high (I think 5.13s would be perfect). Of course having the 2 wheel drive gives me some power back. And the truck pulls 18 + mpg on the highway with 35s. Which is amazing to me. So I will stick with the 4.88s since I plan on doing 347 stroker in the long run.

And just so you guys know the Dana 30 is a beast for being such a tiny axle. They came stock in 99-04 Grand Cherokees which tip the scales at over 4k like the Explorers. The ring gear uses 10 bolts compared to Dana 35 which only has 8 bolts. With a little love these cheap to come by little axles are really tough.