CaptainMorgan_SOS's Official Build Thread (finally)

[Alpine Spirit]

Looking good... the rear axle will need to move back some.

 

[Cruecible]

I can't wait to see your rig in person. I may or may not drool on it

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Looking good... the rear axle will need to move back some.

Thanks! Steve was saying the same thing because of the clearance issue with the back doors. Now, the question is, how much will it have to be moved back? We are still thinking we will use the stock leaf spring hangers but just cut them off, move them back and then weld them back to the frame.

 

[SASXA]

I moved my axle back 3" from stock with 37's and I stuff them perfectly.

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

3 inches is a little farther than I though about moving it but it is not out of the question. At this point nothing is out of the question (as long as it isn't too expensive). I'd like to do a 4 link rear and swap the gas tank and add coilovers, but that is way out of the budget for right now.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I like your taste though.

 

[SKAVYNGR]

Pretty cool concept! I'm not sure if you saw the photo I put up in the forum of a SECGEN having something like this, except it took the whole entire right side.


-Jonny

 

[SASXA]

3" actually isn't a lot, I think I have pics of when I put the 14 bolt in the rear on my build thread, I'll look through it and post 1 or 2. Don't think I have any of the tire stuffed in the wheel well though, just full droop.
First cut

Second Cut

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Thanks for the visual! If that is 3" then, it is not as drastic as I thought.

Now, is there any reason why one could not completely remove all of the metal starting from the bottom of the taillight down? What exactly is that vent for?

 

[Lewers]

Now, is there any reason why one could not completely remove all of the metal starting from the bottom of the taillight down? What exactly is that vent for?

That vent is to release air from the cabin area when doors are shut... I've seen plenty on guys completely remove that section as mentioned.

 

[Roadwarrior]

That is a competition cut for the rear, I know a lot of people just cut it (I am thinking of doing it when I have a bumper commissioned)

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Finally got all of my CB stuff together and finished up the front bumper. Updated first page.

Also, Steeevo and I were discussing gearing a while back. With 37s I know it can work well with 5.571s but he also brought up maybe going with 5.857s, any thoughts? Does anyone know of a gearing calculator that could help out? I want to have it to where it would be good for crawling and be decent on the highway. I mean, I do have to drive all the way out to Moab and back

 

[KChurch86]

Finally got all of my CB stuff together and finished up the front bumper. Updated first page.

Also, Steeevo and I were discussing gearing a while back. With 37s I know it can work well with 5.571s but he also brought up maybe going with 5.857s, any thoughts? Does anyone know of a gearing calculator that could help out? I want to have it to where it would be good for crawling and be decent on the highway. I mean, I do have to drive all the way out to Moab and back

About the most comprehensive gear ratio calculator I've found:

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Looking at that just hurt my head :tears2: haha

 

[KChurch86]

Looking at that just hurt my head :tears2: haha

Lol, yeah it's a bit much. But hey, even I figured it out, and I don't know s*** about gearing, haha. Hardest thing for me to find was the gear ratios for my auto 4 speed transmission.

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Lol, yeah it's a bit much. But hey, even I figured it out, and I don't know s*** about gearing, haha. Hardest thing for me to find was the gear ratios for my auto 4 speed transmission.

Thats what I am trying to look up tight now.

Edit 1: Nevermind, found it: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=653

Edit 2: Got it! So 5.571s put it DIRECTLY back to stock ratios running 37s. Now if I went to 5.857s, @ 65mph, stock/5.571s put me at 2923 RPMs and 5.857s would put me at 3065. But, the crawl would be a little better... hmmmmm...

Thanks for the link Church!!

 

[Casper]

Haven't looked at the calculator yet, but I've never seen one that takes into account more weight of the vehicle, more rolling resistance of the tires and such. With all that taken into account I would go for the higher 5.8 gears. Wish I had/could of gone with that with mine.

Just one mans opinion.

Cheers,
Josh

Sent from something, somewhere.

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Ah... that is definitely not something I thought about... well, poop. I'll hit up Steve and see about doing the higher gear ratio then.

Edit: Ok, so he is going to go ahead and order the 5.8 gears. I did get some unfortunate news though... the axle has been delayed by Diamond (should have been there a couple weeks ago) so that sucks.

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

So it looks like I am going to be going with a set of black steel wheels instead.

I really liked the look of the aluminum ones, but after some much needed advise from some of the guys who run the rocks out here, and from steeevo, I am going away from them in fear that I would scrape them up and bend up the bead on the wheels if I went aluminum. Aaaaand they had a 4.5" backspacing, which was too much, so they wouldn't fit anyways, so there is that too... So the steelies are about $300 cheaper for the set and should be coming in shortly.

Also, it is looking like the 5.8 gears aren't in stock at the moment, so boo on that. But steevo is still looking around to see if he can get them from another source.

Tear down has just started (axle was delayed a few weeks), so it should be ready and rolling here pretty soon.

I will be picking the X up on the 22nd and then driving it 780 miles back to NM. So I guess I will get to test out its road manners Until then, not much to update unless I get some pics sent over.

 

[NMTerras]

So it looks like I am going to be going with a set of black steel wheels instead.

I really liked the look of the aluminum ones, but after some much needed advise from some of the guys who run the rocks out here, and from steeevo, I am going away from them in fear that I would scrape them up and bend up the bead on the wheels if I went aluminum. Aaaaand they had a 4.5" backspacing, which was too much, so they wouldn't fit anyways, so there is that too... So the steelies are about $300 cheaper for the set and should be coming in shortly.

Also, it is looking like the 5.8 gears aren't in stock at the moment, so boo on that. But steevo is still looking around to see if he can get them from another source.

Tear down has just started (axle was delayed a few weeks), so it should be ready and rolling here pretty soon.

I will be picking the X up on the 22nd and then driving it 780 miles back to NM. So I guess I will get to test out its road manners Until then, not much to update unless I get some pics sent over.

1) Steevo should be sending you pics. Cruel of him not to...
2) will your route home take you through Albuquerque?

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

I am sure he will when he gets a chance. Tear down really just started yesterday and they are working like mad men to get it done on time. they had a prior engagement out at KOH so they were gone all of last week. But that was already known before the build started. The axle delay really killed the timeline. They could have had most of it, if not all of it done before KOH if the axle would have come in when it was scheduled.

I need to drop some parts off to Crucible one of these days, so I thought about going through Albuquerque, but that turns my 780 mile trip into a 950 mile trip so it doesn't look like I will. I have a brand new baby boy at home (born February 8th) I need to get back to so I am going to try to make this trip as short as possible.

 

[NMTerras]

^^^Congrats! Double congrats on pulling off a project like this with a baby on the way/arriving!
Looking forward to seeing this.

 

[Xterrafauss]

Congrats on the kiddo!

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Thanks! We are actually just about to leave for his first Dr. visit here in a minute. He was doing so well this morning until we put him in the carseat...

 

[Cruecible]

That's because the ride to the doctor won't be in his dad's Xterra!

 

[SteeevO]

Hey guys, I didn't realize there was a thread on the build already! I started a new one earlier with the first very early pics. Dave, feel.free to copy the pics over to this thread and I can update this one from now on.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Hey guys, I didn't realize there was a thread on the build already! I started a new one earlier with the first very early pics. Dave, feel.free to copy the pics over to this thread and I can update this one from now on.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

I think it's deserving of its own build thread. I know it's your prototype. Continue on with both and of it becomes too much we will merge them.

Sent from space and stuff

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Hey guys, I didn't realize there was a thread on the build already! I started a new one earlier with the first very early pics. Dave, feel.free to copy the pics over to this thread and I can update this one from now on.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

That's just fine. I am sure people will be interested in how this is getting done so I think it's best that the swap has it's own thread that way they don't have to weed through all of the stuff on this one; especially if there are questions. I'll just update the first page of this thread with the pics as they become available. Looks like Kenny has been hard at it! I saw a torque converter in the back of that truck bed and almost wondered if a tranny swap was going on too

 

[Alpine Spirit]

Both threads will make it easier to find info on a unique product.

 

[SteeevO]

That's just fine. I am sure people will be interested in how this is getting done so I think it's best that the swap has it's own thread that way they don't have to weed through all of the stuff on this one; especially if there are questions. I'll just update the first page of this thread with the pics as they become available. Looks like Kenny has been hard at it! I saw a torque converter in the back of that truck bed and almost wondered if a tranny swap was going on too

The torque converter isn't from your rig lol

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

 

[SteeevO]

Ok cool, well leave it as is.
Brackets on the housing and frame will be worked on today. Stay tuned!

Sent while mobile, typos likely.

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Front page updated with SteeevO and Kenny's work. There is still some stuff I want to finish up before GONE. I need to install the compressor, hook up the air locker, re-plumb the snorkel, replace distributor cap and rotor, replace driver's side valve cover gasket, and install intake manifold spacer. I am also going to be dropping it off this weekend to get a rear bumper/tire carrier made.

And I'll be wheeling it every single chance I get in order to get things dialed in and fine tuned.

 

[Jack Stilts]

Just finally read through your thread. I had no idea you were going beast mode with this thing. Holy crap. Those tires...could eat me.

And I really, really love the color accents / combination you're rocking. Awesome X!

 

[Prime]

Dude. Truck came out...well...there's no other way to say it....but....

I hate you.

lulz.

But seriously though,

Explain the rectangular openings on the wings of your RLC bumper, please.

Looks like for marker lights. Which I must have. Not factory ones based on the angles, but I need to know so that I can get them when I order my RLC!

 

[Jack Stilts]

Also, to piggyback Jay's RLC question - yours looks different than mine does. One of the things I was going to have James do the next time I see him is (hopefully) add more to the "wings" of the bumper. Mine don't come all the way to the edge of the wheel well like yours do.

Ah, c'est la vie. Can't complain about a hand-built bumper. Each one is going to be unique.

 

[Prime]

Also, to piggyback Jay's RLC question - yours looks different than mine does. One of the things I was going to have James do the next time I see him is (hopefully) add more to the "wings" of the bumper. Mine don't come all the way to the edge of the wheel well like yours do.

Ah, c'est la vie. Can't complain about a hand-built bumper. Each one is going to be unique.

Brian, did you take into account that his wheel wells have been cut open larger than ours for the 37" meats? If that much has been cut away, the edge of the bumper might damn well come to the edge of the wheel well.

 

[Jack Stilts]

Brian, did you take into account that his wheel wells have been cut open larger than ours for the 37" meats? If that much has been cut away, the edge of the bumper might damn well come to the edge of the wheel well.

I swear, every time I see tires referred to as "meats," I just laugh. And yes, I think I took that into account...I think...

Edit - okay, so there's way more of his fender missing than I initially thought. Nothing to see here. Carry on.

/threadjack.

 

[Xterrafauss]

Who has the drool mop?

 

[Roadwarrior]

That being said.. I am looking at trimming my fenders to this location.. I think it would look good with any size tire... but 37s fill it "best"



*until someone crams more in there..

 

[CaptainMorgan_SOS]

Just finally read through your thread. I had no idea you were going beast mode with this thing. Holy crap. Those tires...could eat me.

And I really, really love the color accents / combination you're rocking. Awesome X!

Thanks man. I initially had no intention to do this. I was going to go with a SL and skids and then pick up an old Chvy pickup to turn into a street cruiser, but after playing around in the rocks here, I decided to shift all attention to making this thing able to cruise through the rocks. The colors have changed a bit over the last year, but I am really liking how everything is coming together now.

Dude. Truck came out...well...there's no other way to say it....but....

I hate you.

lulz.

But seriously though,

Explain the rectangular openings on the wings of your RLC bumper, please.

Looks like for marker lights. Which I must have. Not factory ones based on the angles, but I need to know so that I can get them when I order my RLC!

I just went out and took a pic. The openings were made to fit the stock side marker lights. I need to adjust the mounting tabs a bit, but this will do for now.

Also, to piggyback Jay's RLC question - yours looks different than mine does. One of the things I was going to have James do the next time I see him is (hopefully) add more to the "wings" of the bumper. Mine don't come all the way to the edge of the wheel well like yours do.

Ah, c'est la vie. Can't complain about a hand-built bumper. Each one is going to be unique.

I had a few things done differently. I had the hoop made thicker, and lean back farther, the holes in the bumper are made to fit the stock side marker lights and stock fogs and there is a 2" receiver hitch up front as well. seeing yours was one of the main reasons I went with an RLC. now, only if I could snag one of those sweet RTTs...