[xj4life]

Came across a phrase awhile back on Reddit..."No zero days". Do something every day, no matter how big/small, that moves you closer to accompllishing your goal. So that's what I try and do. It's all work that has to get done eventually so even the smallest task is positive progress.

 

[xj4life]

Baby steps.... bracket to keep the trans cooler lines from flopping around. Was actually kind of fun to make, trying to figure out bend angles to make it parallel to the lines.

 

[xj4life]

Few weeks ago I finished the wiring for the cooling fans. Everything seems to work like it's supposed to so that was nice 😁

 

[Mihlfeldl2005]

I used these to stop the line from flopping around. Work pretty well and with a couple of P clamps the whole setup stays pretty rigid.

EVIL ENERGY 6AN Hose Separator Clamp,3/8 Fuel Line Mounting Clamp,Fuel Hose Divider for Oil Gas Water Brake Line,4Pcs Aluminum Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083VXG78P/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_134JCCEYTHE21H4M588A?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Plato2k5]

I don't think you'll have issues with overheating with those fans! Progress forward is good progress, no matter how small.

 

[xj4life]

I'm a little worried about cooling. I didn't have a XJ radiator when I designed the chassis, so I took a guess. I guessed wrong and a stock XJ radiator wouldn't fit. What would fit, what's in there, has less surface area but is thicker. So to me that's more cooling volume. I can't remember for sure but it's something like 20%-30% more, and I'm sure it's more efficient than a stock unit. Fans are 9" and cover a majority of the radiator. So I think I'll be good but we'll see.

 

[Plato2k5]

I'm sure you'll be fine. Looks like you have good quality fans so I'm sure they actually flow what they are rated for. Are you going to be running a hood??

 

[xj4life]

I was hoping to run a XJ hood skin but things didnt work out so it will have a hood but will just be a sheet of metal. Thought about adding vents to help with cooling.

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

^^^^ Can you cut up an XJ hood to work? I vote yes for vents, I know I want to add some to my junk.

 

[xj4life]

^^^^ Can you cut up an XJ hood to work? I vote yes for vents, I know I want to add some to my junk.

Possibly. If I do that I want it to look as seamless as I can make it. So if I get to that point and I feel like I can pull that off I might try.

I had planned on using a XJ hood and a narrowed header panel/grill. Still plan on doing the header/grill but not to the point of figuring out how to make it happen.

 

[Plato2k5]

I could always cut you an XJ grill out of sheet steel? Then just attach it to the tube..... easy...peasy.... I thought about doing that to my YJ, but was able to get the stock grill to work out by cutting it up. But thats steel and not plastic like an XJ. Just an idea.

 

[xj4life]

I'm going to try really hard to use factory pieces as I think it looks better (if done right). But my back up plan is to do just that, designing my own grill. I've tried to do it just based on guessing dimension and it never looks right. But maybe if I had some factory pieces to take actual measurements off of I bet I could pull it off.

 

[xj4life]

I'm getting ready to try and figure out where to locate the hydro ram on my front axle (2005+ D60). Anyone have do's/don'ts to share? My only goal at the moment is to keep it as high as possible so its not getting hit or hung up on rocks. Anything else I should consider? Do I want the ram and tie rods as close to being inline as I can with the wheels pointed straight? Any thoughts on off setting the ram to the passenger side instead of centered on the axle?


My first thought was something like this

But also like the idea of mounting it off of the truss like this. But not sure if its possible on a standard 60.

 

[whiterhino]

As high as possible to be in line, or just below your high steer arms. I say below so you can do double shear. DO double shear!
As close to center as reasonably possible to keep your tie rod linkage symmetrical.
Don't make it a duck bill sticking out. If it gets bent, you are hosed. (literally LOL)
Triangulate your mounting so that if it gets bumped, it has a chance of staying in place.

 

[xj4life]

As high as possible to be in line, or just below your high steer arms. I say below so you can do double shear. DO double shear!
As close to center as reasonably possible to keep your tie rod linkage symmetrical.
Don't make it a duck bill sticking out. If it gets bent, you are hosed. (literally LOL)
Triangulate your mounting so that if it gets bumped, it has a chance of staying in place.

Appreciate the words of wisdom. Yup, double shear for sure. Going to make my own set of weld on high steer arms. Mount will definitely be a stout unit and thinking off some bolt on armor to give the hose fittings a little protection.

 

[xj4life]

Welders at work gave me this. I think I'll put it in the buggy right where the passenger can see 🤣

 

[greygoose]

That's funny !

 

[xj4life]

Think I've come up with a ram mount. Hope to have a design for the high steer arms soon.

 

[Plato2k5]

I built mine off the truss. Thick plate that welds to the top of the truss and the bottom is welded to DOM that spans knuckle to knuckle. I bought Crane knuckles and used their histeer arms.

I used DOM tubing. Drilled out the arm and welded it in. Adjusted the height with how much stick out I wanted. I'd love to do it again as I have the mill now where I can drill the hole on an angle. I had to make small miss alignment spacers as it would bind at around 98% lock. Nice thing about having the DOM is when the hole wears out, just grind/cut and weld in a new piece.

Used Wide open design truss and ram mount:

Late Ford Dana 60 Front Truss (Call to Order)

Front truss kit for Ford Dana 60 axles Built using 1/4" thick steel Cut and contoured to fit tightly to the differential housing Extends the majority of the long side tube giving excellent support 38.625" Long 6.75" High 2.5" Depth Made in USA CALL (615) 962-9135 TO ORDER

www.wideopendesign.com

Steering Ram Mount Kit

Complete Kit to Mount a Steering Cylinder Fits Dana 60, 14 Bolt, and Dana 80 Steering Axles

www.wideopendesign.com

 

[whiterhino]

@xj4life, @Plato2k5's set up is far better. Your mount is a seat for your ram. His mount is also a truss for his front axle which will help him take forward impact. If you are going to do any rock crawling, you WILL bash into rocks. I'll have to look for some pics of mine or you can look at my YJ or Buggy build threads.