Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

I had to hammer the socket on.

 

Makes sense I've only hit my diff once, it's not something you have to worry about so much in sand which is what my truck sees most

 

Clearly you need a diff diaper.

 

Rare that I go on a trip and don't hit my diff. Not much left of the original ring, I see why I keep loosening the plug:

I don't drink the TW Kool-Aid....

 

taller tires?

i wonder if there is a mod to relocate the drain plug. it would require machining of course.

 

There is. It was definitely a LT guy who did it. I almost wanna say @jberry813 but not sure.

 

Next step up from my 295s would be going 35s, although I like the idea of the KO2s in 34x10.50. Just have a hard time justifying going to 35s. First on the mod list for spring is a set of 4.88s and a front locker, wouldn't do 35s without the gears, but would still have to tub, modify/ditch the fender flares, get wider wheels, etc. Hardly seems worth it to gain less than an inch of clearance at the diff.

That's got to be even more work than above!

 

Your pretty handy with working with steel. Maybe you should consider mocking up a diff skid and making one. Your taco seems to be at a good hight with the tires and lift you have.

 

Have you considered just building a drain plug skid and welding it to the housing?

 

Weld a big as nut to it. What in id to the front. Way better

 

I think the idea behind that ring is to be a drain plug skid.
Problem is he's ground down the ring and is now grinding on the drain plug.
My plug is actually recessed below the level of the ring but I haven't been dragging my ass.
I think a new drain plug and a new ring around it will be good to go for another couple years.

 

Also if their is even the slightest interest of doing 35s. Get 5.29s. So worth it. I think my truck would still be a bit of a dog with 4.88s.

The 34x10.5 KOs are still a 33 I've read. They are just a slightly tall 33. But still see like a good size. Has to be a 17" rim though..

 

If you have a welder it's not very difficult at all to just delete the drain plug by cutting it out and plating over it to avoid any hassles from it. Then you can drain the axle by tack welding a lower third member stud to the nut and just pull it out. Not as fast but it works.

 

^^^not a bad idea.

 

I'm sure I could make some kind of skid, just still don't see the purpose. Lower ground clearance, fills up with mud and shit, don't want it hanging down there.

As the other Brett says below, the ring is a sort of skid. Just need to build it back up with some welds.

I have no idea what you're trying to say! Have a nut that fits around the current ring? That would be huge!

This is the route I'll probably be taking. Took several years of wheeling to get down to the plug. Just weld it back up and check it every so often.

That's a tough call to make. From what I understand now, 4.88s would be slighly over-geared with my current tires, so 35s would be right around stock I would think. 5.29s on anything smaller than 35s would be painful I would imagine. Guess I need to decide where I want to go and commit, we'll see how much money I can pour in this thing after I graduate in December.

Seems like a good idea! If I smash down the welded up ring quickly, I may consider this.

 

You said you wanted to be overgeared!!

 

I do. As in 4.88s and stick with 33ish, or possibly 5.29s and 35s. 5.29s and 33s are right out.

My point was you could get away with 4.88s with 33 or 35s, and even with 35s would still be at a better crawl ratio than my current 295s on 4.10s.

 

using 5th gear as a final drive at .80 . speeds and rpm are approximate.

4.10 with 29" tire at 75mph will be 2850 rpm---Basically stock for this purpose.
4.10 with 33" tire at 75mph will be 2505 rpm
4.10 with 35" tire at 75mph will be 2362 rpm---this will suck ass.

now we skip the 29" tire

4.88 with 33" tire at 75mph will be 2981 rpm---this is what I am running currently.
4.88 with 35" tire at 75mph will be 2811 rpm--not bad but room for improvement.
only 39 rpm under stock. Added tire weight will be felt for sure, I'd go lower.

5.29 with 33" tire at 75mph will be 3232 rpm---screaming down the highway
5.29 with 35" tire at 75mph will be 3047 rpm---decent, usable gear ratio with 35"

you need to mentally factor in rolling resistance, tire weight, wind shear, hills, RV's in the way, etc...

I'd go 5.29 if heading for 35's. This should work good for 37's too.
or go 4.88 with a crawl box.

http://www.ringpinion.com/Calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

 

Clearly the only reasonable answer is 37s, 5.29s, a new DD, a crawlbox with the 4.7 low, a front locker, and a dozen spare CVs for the trail.

Then I would have to take after the rest of TW and rename this a 'broke college student build' and ask for donations and sponsors...

 

FWIW I don't consider 3200 screaming at all. Yes it's a slightly higher RPM but I have cruised at 3400 RPM for long periods of time with no issues. Granted it was higher than 75 mph but not by much.