Cynicalriders "J0hnny5 is ALIVE!" 01 build thread.

IMO there is no wheeling maneuver that is more satisfying than intentionally driving a slider into a rock to pivot the truck around it, right @EatSleepTacos?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzwxp_79_vs

 

@TMFF I think I need to order those misalignments from you soon. I thought by getting rid of my hose clamp style clamps this would fix this but it seems to keep happening.



Though maybe it's a combo of the boots not having enough travel and these shocks? Never happened on my 5100's with the boot slide mod but I also never mobbed the truck the way I do now either.

My go to combo on anything I rebuilt was using OEM outers, and SDHQ inners with the boot slide mod.

https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/sdhq-built-direct-replacement-cv-boot-kits?variant=12249935740963

But now I am not so sure. Tearing the boot at the end has become a pretty common occurrence lately though.

 

Do you think you're rubbing the boot on the coil - is that why the misalignments (to move the coil away from the boot just a touch)?

I wonder if you're drooping too much (over-stretching the boot), and perhaps limit straps are in order. Edit: I don't know if you really can over-stretch the boot at full droop, so this could be totally dumb.

 

Less rubbing, more slamming like in this other failure:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

You can even see the chunk of bare metal on the coilover. But that was when i still had the hose style clamps on there. I assumed when I switched back to the standard clamp this issue would be resolved. And I mean I guess anything is possible? When I do the boot slide mod it's stretching the boot about a half inch, and being fastened to the shaft while the other side of the boot goes to the cup for the tulip. The cup stays in one spot as the shaft moves in and out. Maybe I just eliminate the boot slide mod?

I remember when I had Tyler build these shocks I asked him for the most travel the truck was capable of. I ended up taking full droop and full compression measurements to the point where the CV's would bind. After I gave him my measurements IIRC he gave me what their standard first gen setup was because the measurements were close to that already. He always told me that if I ran limit straps it would negate the "top out protection" built into the shocks and he did not recommend it.

 

Oh wow, I couldn't see that chunk in the last photo - that's crazy. Wonder why you're running into that and others (well, me, hahaha) aren't. The rest of this probably doesn't apply given your situation, but since it's the internets, I'll say it anyway .

I wonder what Tyler was talking about when he mentioned "top out protection" built into the shocks - when I took mine apart, there doesn't seem to be any "protection" there. All the parts are solid metal. Regardless, I put the straps on to protect the shock tower (see this post where I diagram out the forces), after Mike @Digiratus blew his up (he and I believe, from having the shock itself act as the droop limiter).

Insides of my shock (a rear, but the front internals were mostly the same): (more photos of the internals)


Here's the internals of the front coilover, all on the shaft:

 

This is apparently an issue with 1st gens and 2.5 CO's. I thought only with fox's, but I guess ADS as well.
You are the only other person I've seen talk about it online.

for me it's not the boot that hits, but the shaft itself. Not sure where in the travel it contact, but you can see where it does on the shaft of my CV's. I believe it actually popped off the clamp on passenger side CV on my new RCV's. They have their boot stretched out on the shaft a bit more than stock.



I called accutune (where I got my CO's from) and talked to Ryan about it. He said that they have seen this before and that both they and fox are aware it's an issue. Long story short, there isn't a solution to fix it. Fox did have a redesign on the lower coil perch in 2020, but the problem is still there. And from my understanding, the misalignments already put the coilover as far forward as possible in the lower mount. I also have the Solo LCA's so you would think that would give you more clearance between the CV and the CO with it putting the LBJ further forward.

I've wheeled my truck like this for quite some time now and haven't broken anything because of the contact, so I guess that's what I'll continue to do since there's nothing I can do about it.

If I were you, I'd get rid of the boot slide mod and see if that helps with it at all.

 

Yeah basically there is supposed to be a spring that when the shocks reach full droop (with force) it compresses another 1/4", pushing back on the piston (I think?). It has been discussed in here a couple times a long time ago when I first got the shocks. And the other theory is that this spring when I am at full droop is always robbing me of around 1/2" of travel at the wheel in slow droop situations because that spring has enough force to keep the shaft from being fully drooped out unless it's got some force going against it that's more than the weight of the tire statically hanging.

Yeah unfortunately all my spare CV's have been rebuilt with the boot slide mod incorporated, but when I swap this one I will rebuild this one without the boot slide mod. Worth a shot to get the misalignments to get more space either way since it won't negatively hurt anything either. Might as well service those spherical bearings while I am there anyway.

We definitely aren't the only ones who dealt with it though, seen other threads discuss similar issues but mostly revolving around using the wrong type of clamps.

 

Meanwhile, I thought I was about to pivot and just ended up driving right over it.

 

You def would have not had ANY grip up front if it wasn't for that LT there haha

 

That's for sure, that front driver tire was barely kissing as I came over that rock. Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't turtle.

 

The extra travel really has me wanting LT, but I know short term the NWF box is a better investment in capability.

 

I really want that too, I even have my stock t case laying around that I can steal the planetary gears from. I just need to make it a priority. I was going to work on brakes as my next big project but bypassing ABS has got me back to a pedal and performance that I'm comfortable with, so I should focus on the second t case.

 

That NWF box is a nice piece of kit

 

Yeah for me it's funds, once this toy is sold then I can have some fun monies again. NWF case and a Sta-cyc for the kid is my priority for the money. I think it's really the next step to make wheeling shit like Beaver Creek we ran even remotely fun lol.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Speaking of using the truck, took my boy out again last weekend and met up with @Rockbaron1, @Chux and @HuneyBear69

Did some solo exploring trying to find a new river spot. Trails kept getting too tight, and then got myself buried and had to winch out.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I really wish it wasn't so buggy with those horse flies that bite because it could have been a teachable moment for the kid. Instead I just self recovered and moved on.

Weather was iffy that day so when we got to the spot we had it to ourselves:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Everyone else rolled in and we spent the time just chilling enjoying some of the last days of summer.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Very much looking forward to more trips like this where all the kids can hang out.

Also refreshing some shit on the bike. Busted my headlight when I ran into a couple trees at Durty Dabbers so got this new one. Came defective as the outer DRL's were lighting up.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Based on the wiring I guessed the shared ground was loose somewhere inside the heatshrink. This is how I found it....

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Like wut.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Don't you just love fixing manufacturers shit builds?

Looks good tho.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

Alright, these are sweet. Hadn't heard of them before.

https://stacyc.com/collections/stacyc-bikes/products/12edrive

 

Especially when you can match Dad's bike.

 

When you get the new misalignments, you should do some measurements and compare against the ones that are in there.
I would like to know if mine are the same as either of them.

 

Bringing my list back to keep track for my sanity.

Not on the major list that I just want to write down so I can remember to do it:

Wash truck
Rotate tires
Check suspension components for wear

 

Been ignoring the truck to plan a trip with the fam. Part of it consisted of hiking to about 7k feet with this solid family unit.


Steep elevation gains and hiking with a 2 year old on your back ain’t easy but sure fucking worth it. Even more so when he did like 1.5 out of 5 miles himself.

 

Welp vacations been over, riding season is slowing down, and summer Friday's ended. This means more time for garage projects.

Vacation was sick AF though, this dude was a goddamn boss out there. We did another 6.5 mile hike that he walked 2 miles on his own, along with 1 mile long mini hikes every day.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Washington state was gorgeous, I can only hope to wheel/ride out there one day.

As far as the truck goes, I haven't done anything but use it.

Took it to FRO with @Wheelspinner for Columbus day. Met up with the guys and rode Sunday, and literally at the tail end of the day as we were working our way back to the parking lot I drop the bike and smash my hand into a rock on a steep off camber downhill so off to Urgent Care I went. I thought I broke my finger (never broken a bone before) but it turned out to just be a dislocation.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Ended up needing to go to the ER to get it popped back in, but was able to still camp that night and ride the next day.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

FRO is definitely worth the money for riding at least. The beauty is if I did want to go wheeling one day I can, but I kinda hate the 13 year old minimum rule. Haven't come across anything cool to wheel on yet though. Also wish they offered even primitive camping. If they had that, the place would be much more appealing.

I've got a another dual sport coming up in November so I got some new rubber for the bike. After struggling on the rear doing it on floor again I decided to use this video as inspiration and build a tire changing stand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT8pROuwXHE

So I grabbed some scrap and got to work.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I just need the top HDPE to get delivered and then I can test it out on the front tire I still need to do.

I also got the DRZ finished and up for sale. Once it sells it's basically going to pay for an NWF box and triple sticks, a Stacyc for my son, suspension on the husky, and a plasma if I have some dough left.

IMG_6307 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_6341 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

That bike was definitely a fun bike, but for what I needed it just didn't fit anymore.

Speaking of the kiddo, been trying to really get him on his balance bike more. I don't have a bicycle so this is how we go on rides together:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I also met @Yota X a couple weeks back and picked up what will be my rear tcase for the NWF box. Feels good starting to collect pieces of the puzzle. Was also cool seeing his rig in person:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr