Anyone Try Rockwells Yet?

[Mutineer]

I have a set of Rockwell 2 1/2 Ton axles from a previous project and I am considering doing the swap for Mutineer....

Anyone done this swap yet? I am really excited about making this work, I am in the beginning stages of planning right now, so let's hear suggestions!

Duece-and-a-half Mutineer.....

Daniel

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

that would be one sick mountineer if it would work.

 

[Mutineer]

I'm running into a few problems:

Weight of Rocks
cost of coilovers (the only way to do this in my opinion)

I dont see why I could not do this, but it will take ALOT of planning and fabrication (Hurt me - Hurt me...lol)

Daniel

 

[Rick]

Sounds like a great project. Go for it!!

Not sure what you mean by weight of rocks though...

 

[slravene]

yea im not sure as to what you mean by the wieght of them either....

 

[Rick]

Ahhh... duh. It finally occured to me... Weight of the Rockwells. Well... you will have to build a beefy suspension system to handle that weight and reinforce the frame with doubler, plates where you mount your shock hoops and box the frame where your links attach to the frame. That should do it.

My mind was on weight of rocks, as in rocks on the trail

 

[Lefy]

I think he means that rockwell are heavy
I'm pretty sure they are like 600 pounds or so and from what i've read on pirate4x4.com to get a good amount of ground clearance, and have the rig be geared right you end up with atleast 40 inch tires
i think the gearing in them is like 6.5 to 1 or deeper maybe even 7.46 to 1 or something crazy like that
cool though
i'dd say do it but be prepared for quite a build up.

 

[CodePoet]

I have considered it...there are some explorers out there with rocks but they have a custom frame. My whole thing is to keep the truck as low as possible, the centersections of rocks make that really hard. When i was thinking abot this my plan was to exend front end, and move the radiator to the rear, i'd then make a special cross member. This would allow room for the center section while keeping the overall lift as low as possible. Of course you'd have to thinkabout the drive shaft etc. It woudl all depend on how much the centersection would move up and down as the suspension cycles. You can of course just lift it enough if your doing a custom suspension...i'm just one of those guys who want to keep my trail rig as low as possible. You would hav eto runa pretty darn big tire on the rocks too as you know since the have a 6.72 ratio from the factory.

Hell if ya got the time and fabrication skills DOOOOO EEEETTTTT!!!!

 

[Explorer#2]

i remember about two months ago some one posted pics of explorers on rockwells i cant remember where they are or who posted them. they were cool as hell

 

[Mutineer]

Rocks are geared 6.72 to 1.(at least mine are)

And yeah, I meant beefing up the frame and such for the added weight of the axles.

I reeeeeally want to do it, but I am weighing the pros and cons right now.

I would be going with a 46 inch tall Michelin X.

I got to get together an estimation of the cost in both time and money.

KEEP 'EM COMING, YALL!

Daniel

 

[CodePoet]

Nice thing about the rocks is that they put SOOO much weight down low, lowering your COG! You can lighten them up alot by removing the drums but they are just heavy axles no matter what.

 

[Mutineer]

What the plans are so far:

remove glass, unneeded electronics, interior plastic and seats
build full cage
replace tank with fuel cell in center of "bed" area
move radiator to the rear
4 link front and rear
44 or 46 inch tires
BW4401 (from f-150) transfer case
upgrades to the existing 4r70w Tranny
driveline brakes
hydraulic assist steering
tubular bumpers
winches (FT & RR)

already got:

dual optima red-top batteries
dual electric fans
5.0 (upgraded quite a bit)

nothing else that really helps this project...

all the tools I need I have except a tube bender, which I can get access to easily.

Daniel

 

[BuzzisCrazy2]

If you've already got 'em I say go for it. The 2.5's are Very heavy and shaft size isn't that much more than a Dana 60 & 70, but will be fine for 44's-46's and low horsepower.

There are alternatives to coilovers........

http://www.knight-stalker-ent.com/index2.html

I run the stage 2 14" travel

 

[unclemeat]

Hey isn't there an active thread about somebody doing rockwells on their X?

Also the TV show TRUCKS has a project "Seargent Rock" truck which is using rockwells on a old Dodge truck. It is not a comprehnsive guide, but Stacey has shown how to fabricate the suspension, reinforce and lengthen the frame.

 

[Mutineer]

Hey isn't there an active thread about somebody doing rockwells on their X?

Also the TV show TRUCKS has a project "Seargent Rock" truck which is using rockwells on a old Dodge truck. It is not a comprehnsive guide, but Stacey has shown how to fabricate the suspension, reinforce and lengthen the frame.

I saw the show, Good info!

I did the swap on my 96 Dodge ram and loved it, but looks like I may need to retire it so the axles will be coming available, and I know just where to put them!

I think I really want to do this. I iwll put the foremost effort on planning and designing right now, and start building when I get it all planned out.

Where is that thread at? I'll search for it, but if you know where it is lemme know.

Thanks!

Daniel

 

[Jefe]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150408

 

['97 V8]

man thats gonna be one sick mounty. oh any idea on the backspacing of your rims yet?

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

will the 5.0 give enough power to turn the rocks? Or are you going to drop in a 350 while doing the sas?

 

[Mutineer]

will the 5.0 give enough power to turn the rocks? Or are you going to drop in a 350 while doing the sas?

350?! Uh... NO!

I think not...lol I know what you meant.

If anything it would be a 351W or a 460....

but THIS 302 can handle it. : )

Besides the extensive mods I've done on the engine, the weight of the truck will be reduced by about 40%, as well as the axles getting a shave, and gearing in those Rocks being 6.72 to 1...

No Problem!

Daniel

 

[BuzzisCrazy2]

will the 5.0 give enough power to turn the rocks? Or are you going to drop in a 350 while doing the sas?

350 ??........... :thumbdwn: :frustrate
Wrong Board man !!