Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

X2, fuck those TG straps, the stitching just comes apart.

I will say though I’m still only getting a year out of the Kartek ones. I think this is a result of a very short strap (little stretch) combined with being mounted too close to the pivot point so there is a metric fuck ton of force on them. If I’m mathing correctly, around 7000 lbs during a full compression to top out cycle. I just got a new pair, but might go doubled up for the next set and see what happens. In comparison, I’m still on my original set in the rear and they look mint.

 

I am wondering if the chromoly clevis is overkill for our application. They cost over twice as much as the regular clevis in the 1/2" shank size.

https://www.kartek.com/parts/adjust...er-shank-holds-up-to-3-suspension-straps.html

https://www.kartek.com/parts/adjust...holds-up-to-3-suspension-limiting-straps.html

Which ones did you guys go with?

 

The regular one has been holding fine on mine for the past 5 years.

 

I'm running the regular ones up front and have had zero problems, Mike.

 

Would you say the cracking on the coil bucket is largely due to hard topping out, hard full bump, or both?

 

Just get the standard ones.

Certainly not helping with it that's for sure.

 

Thanks Gentlemen.

Yup. That's what I did.

 

There seems to be a lot of contributing factors. Mine failed completely and I do not jump my truck but I have put on a large number of hard trail miles. Certainly more than most. For my failure, I suspect the shock yanking on the bucket at full extension is the biggest suspect. But there is ambiguity as well. Like why is this only happening to passenger side coil buckets.

For visual reference...

 

Ummm...excuse me..but I know for a fact that the wheels have come off the ground several times..haha

 

Ha! Maybe the front but only by accident.

I do not go out of my way to jump my truck like some do. And certainly not with huge air under the tires.

 

It's never really on purpose hardly ever I think haha

 

I figure it's a bit of both that likely contribute to the failure. Although I would think top out to be more aggressive on them than bottom outs since those have bump stops to help absorb the energy.

I wonder how much the Eimkeith reinforcement helps to prevent this. https://eimkeith.com/buystuff/stk/
It looks like a good amount of your coil bucket failure was at the sides though.

 

Double checked the seals wouldn't give me a problem.



And back together. Used some super cheap gear oil, going to flush it in a couple days.



And onto the bed, the cracks are getting worse, so I welded it up. Doubt this will buy me much time as my welds are horrible, and I couldn't get to them all.





Also, was going to mount the fridge up here, assuming I would access is from the side, but don't think that'll work as well as anticipated, so time to redo all the bed organization.

 

I've been considering redoing my bed as well. Not sure how yet.

 

Just more falling apart bed stuff.

 

I think that's more effort than it's worth, especially if I keep breaking other things.

We'll see how the truck does this summer, but if it keeps giving me headaches, I think it may be time to sell the DD, buy a 2nd gen access cab, put the GFC on it and do a mild build, and do who knows what with this truck.

 

Im not sure that second gens are any more sturdy...

 

I don't think they are, maybe even worse.

My thinking is that 90% of what I do can be done in a lesser built rig. Also, recently I've been wanting to spend more time fishing, biking, etc, and not just wheeling for the sake of wheeling. I think a simpler build could accomplish that, and I wouldn't be running into the same problems as I'm not constantly pushing the limits of what that rig could do. Then I could make the current rig lighter and simpler for harder wheeling tasks.

Could just mean going down the rabbit hole again though.

 

No offense, but your build is pretty mild all around. I mean you're not pushing the tire size limits, or the suspension limits, no cages anyways, ect.

If anything, you have the perfect all around build already. Great mid travel. It's already light weight. Can go anywhere and do anything at any time(assuming it's not broken ) Drive trail is still stock and reliable. Really what can't it do that you want to do? Nothing I think?

A 2nd gen really only gets you a bigger motor, a worse manual if you get a manual, and bigger front diff. More interior space and more mod options. Which if you want a mild build is moot anyways.



Unless you just are getting bored and want a new project. hard to not want to scratch that itch and start over.

But i don't think you'd end up in a different place really. Shit's still gonna break.