"Half an inch off" (budget) rockwell build

Eddyj · Dec 2, 2015

The last time I took my jeep out. I followed 3 rockwell rigs around witc. All CSC buggies ( Jerod yankeys white one, poison ivy, and a blue one) and they all walked every obstacle. At the time I was on the fence about building a LP 60 or rocks. According to the all mighty Internet, rocks are too heavy junk. However, I watched them walk up obsticles that one tons where struggling on or breaking. So that's when I decided to try rocks.
Pros:
The gearing is perfect.
Brakes work awesome.
I mowhawked them for $50 each.
I have spare shafts. If I break them more than twice I'll do oversons. (Which cost about the same as 60 shafts)
Rear steer is stupid easy.
Driveshafts are protected

Cons:
Turning radius sucks
May may be heavier than a trussed 60. Not sure.
Hard to get low unless your building a tube chassis.

Overall I love them.

I'm not sure what the budget comment was in regards to. Up untl the tube rework I don't think you could build a "bouncer" any cheaper. Besides aproximitly $1300 in used coilovers and springs. Which was the cheapest I could do coilovers. I guess you could do regular springs and white shocks but I wanted coilovers. I don't see how to do it any cheaper.

Edit: I just noticed the title says "budget rockwell" not "budget bouncer" like I tought it said. But my comment still is valid. I believe

red94yj · Dec 2, 2015

Wasn't calling you out or saying anything bad about it being budget. I was just looking at your list of parts and prices and really didn't know you could build something like this for the money. The rig has turned out great and flat out works. Again it looks great. Maybe I'll see you on the trails soon.

If I would have been thinking about 5 years ago, I would have started a buggy build and left my yj alone.

jakec69 · Dec 2, 2015

freakin sweet build man! I liked the way the red yj looked too.

Eddyj · Dec 13, 2015

Traded my megacab in on new truck. I bought a enclosed trailer this summer for my business for a Very good price. I measured it and decided to see if the buggy fit. If I suck down the front and rear it fits in with less than 1 inch clearance through the door. I couldn't believe it. So now I need to find another trailer for work. :****:

Eddyj · Dec 17, 2015

Flexin

poolman · Dec 17, 2015

Nice looking buggy!

Eddyj · Dec 17, 2015

skipnrocks · Dec 18, 2015

Optical illusion or does the rear coil rub the tire?

Eddyj · Dec 18, 2015

By about half an inch.

Beerj · Dec 18, 2015

Eddyj said:
By about half an inch.

So is that the half an inch that needs to come off? Lol. Lookin good.

Eddyj · Dec 18, 2015

Everything on the whole damn buggy hits by a half an inch. skully

bad80cj · Dec 18, 2015

Eddyj said:
Everything on the whole damn buggy hits by a half an inch.

Sounds like we build the same way. lol

Rokcrler · Dec 19, 2015

Good to meet you Ed... Buggy does well!

Eddyj on Sumtingwong at Stony Lonesome 19 Dec 15

Eddyj · Dec 20, 2015

Thanks for the video Kel.

https://youtu.be/FKUzAMAELt8

It amazes me how everything looks so easy in videos.

Eddyj · Dec 20, 2015

Friday I put a new water pump on. Should take An hour. Ended up fighting air in the lines for 3 hours.I then loaded up trailer and had enough time to mount lights or a winch before I froze to death in my barn with no doors. I went with the winch.
I was going to do that mount where you can run the cable straight down to the axle, but after trying to blow through 1/2 plate with my 30 amp plasma, it turned into a drain hole for mud and water.
$299 SAMs 10000 pound winch for the cheapest bouncer in the world. With optional 3 year warranty!

Eddyj · Dec 20, 2015

Only pic I took all day. :dunno:

Eddyj · Dec 20, 2015

Tech: How to use a coat hanger to fix a broken 2.5 ton rockwell (kind of)

So I was at Stoney and hit two hills and noticed a clunk-ca-chunk sound from the front axle. My hubs are flipped in so there is only like 1/8 clearence on the bolts and studs. They were rubbing bad. The hub bearings had some slop in them. So we pull it apart and the bearings are in decent shape, but everything is pushed in toward the axle about 1/8 inch. So after knocking the race out of the hub, I decided the easiest "fix" was to shim the race. After finding a coat hanger in the truck and then losing it. I'm not even joking we lost the coat hanger and looked for it for 15mins. I found an old gallon paint can with a metal handle. We cut it and formed a circle so it had a little tension like a snap ring. Put it in behind the race as a spacer. Knocked the race in, Tightened bearings, and rode the rest of the day.
Sorry no pics. I'll take some pics if I ever pull it apart.

Eddyj · Dec 20, 2015

Pic from Stoney lonesome

nhl_bullitt · Dec 23, 2015

What have you done with your exhaust beyond the headers?

Eddyj · Dec 23, 2015

The headers that are on it will not work. I bought them early in the build on the 50% table at summit. I have a second set with center dumps on both sides. I will try to use those. I plan on mounting a muffler under the propane tanks. I don't know if I will run true duel or combine them into one to the rear. Either way It will be under driver side. My father wined about the open headers the whole day.
I personally have enough redneck in me that I could live with open headers but I will do an exaust to the rear eventually.
So to answer your question: nothing. skully