The Rubi Q Build
- Thread starter UNSTUCK
- Start date
UNSTUCK
But stuck more often.
Nothing really to see here. Just a mileage update for the new battery. Cleaned off the surface rust on the battery tray and gave it a fresh coat of paint. Had to remove the air filter to get the battery out so I cleaned and oiled it while I was there.
Been running it on trails all over the phoenix area the last couple months. I have yet to find its limit, but I’m afraid of breaking so I don’t go looking too much. Next big event is making it a prop for senior pictures for Livy. 🙄
Been running it on trails all over the phoenix area the last couple months. I have yet to find its limit, but I’m afraid of breaking so I don’t go looking too much. Next big event is making it a prop for senior pictures for Livy. 🙄
What's your address? I'll send some ducks your way for those pictures.
UNSTUCK
But stuck more often.
The last few months have left me in a great stupor and soul searching. After much fasting, prayer, long mountain retreats, a trip to Mecca, and a visit with a rabbi (really not sure what team the jeep gods are on) I have come to the conclusion that I must have a 14 bolt SF rear axle and one form of a front JT Dana 44…if they even call them that anymore.
At the time I thought I knew what I was looking for so yesterday morning I set off to junkyard dive for my new rear axle. The yard had a couple donors that I quickly found. The first was a 1999 Chevy k2500. The axle was complete, under the truck and looked like it was underwater for a long time. To my surprise it was only 65 inches wide. Between the other other trucks around it pulling it would have been a pain. I was under the impression these axles were 67-68 inches wide. I moved on. I found a 1988 C30 sports van. This looked good. Older but in much better looking condition. The wheels were still on it so I pulled one to get an idea of the width. I was really surprised when it came in at 70 inches.
I was ready to pack it in. On my way out I noticed an 8 lug front end on a newer Chevy truck sticking half way into a row. I walked around to the back and noticed the back half of the truck had been cut off and removed. There on the ground ready for the picking was a disc brake SF 14 bolt.
I put it up on some stands to look it over. It measured at 68”. It was in fantastic condition. I removed the shocks and extras and brought it home.
When I got it home I went right to work cutting brackets off.
Just need to clean it up now and start the build.
I need some 5x5 lug shafts build to factory 14 bolt specs. Not sure who is best to do that. Will also need an ARB RD197. Any vendors have one kicking around? Need a truss as well. I’m pretty excited about this one. Should be a great axle for the 37-39” tire range.
At the time I thought I knew what I was looking for so yesterday morning I set off to junkyard dive for my new rear axle. The yard had a couple donors that I quickly found. The first was a 1999 Chevy k2500. The axle was complete, under the truck and looked like it was underwater for a long time. To my surprise it was only 65 inches wide. Between the other other trucks around it pulling it would have been a pain. I was under the impression these axles were 67-68 inches wide. I moved on. I found a 1988 C30 sports van. This looked good. Older but in much better looking condition. The wheels were still on it so I pulled one to get an idea of the width. I was really surprised when it came in at 70 inches.
I was ready to pack it in. On my way out I noticed an 8 lug front end on a newer Chevy truck sticking half way into a row. I walked around to the back and noticed the back half of the truck had been cut off and removed. There on the ground ready for the picking was a disc brake SF 14 bolt.
I put it up on some stands to look it over. It measured at 68”. It was in fantastic condition. I removed the shocks and extras and brought it home.
When I got it home I went right to work cutting brackets off.
Just need to clean it up now and start the build.
I need some 5x5 lug shafts build to factory 14 bolt specs. Not sure who is best to do that. Will also need an ARB RD197. Any vendors have one kicking around? Need a truss as well. I’m pretty excited about this one. Should be a great axle for the 37-39” tire range.
RockChucker
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland
What spline are the shafts? 30 like normal 14 bolt stuff? Maybe Currie, Dynatrac or Dutchman? I think Mark Williams does SF shafts too.
jeepin4x4james
WAAAAA
- Location
- Bluffdale, UT
Tell me your thought process for seeking SF…. I’m guessing biggest factor is the size of the hub? I can’t imagine building this is going to be much different cost than building a FF.
I had a FF shaved 14 in my LJ. With the Solid 5x5.5 hubs I wanna say it ended up around 65.5 WMS, maybe even narrower. The only complaint would have been the hub bore…. Even with 12pt bolts I had to shave the bolt shoulders down a bit to get the wheels on.
… I guess I’m just always overbuilding and anticipating going bigger, so planning for 37-39 tires instead of 42 stickies does not compute 😀
I had a FF shaved 14 in my LJ. With the Solid 5x5.5 hubs I wanna say it ended up around 65.5 WMS, maybe even narrower. The only complaint would have been the hub bore…. Even with 12pt bolts I had to shave the bolt shoulders down a bit to get the wheels on.
… I guess I’m just always overbuilding and anticipating going bigger, so planning for 37-39 tires instead of 42 stickies does not compute 😀
I don't know if there are different varieties of SF 14's, but the ones I've dealt with have been less than awesome. The shafts are big, but then neck down to 30 spline at the carrier. (not FF 14 30 spline, but "normal" small 30 spline) They break right where the neck down is.
UNSTUCK
But stuck more often.
I knew this would come. 😂
I like the specs on this axle. 1.37” minor diameter. 33 spline. 9.5” ring gear. 68” wide. 3.3” axle tube and is either 3/8 or 1/2” thick. This will be more than strong enough for the 37’s I plan to run. Shafts are the same length = one spare. I can run the 5 on 5 pattern I want and will be well matched with the JL/JT front axle.
Dutchman looks like a good choice for shafts. Strange is twice the price. No idea it’s it worth paying more for them.
I like the specs on this axle. 1.37” minor diameter. 33 spline. 9.5” ring gear. 68” wide. 3.3” axle tube and is either 3/8 or 1/2” thick. This will be more than strong enough for the 37’s I plan to run. Shafts are the same length = one spare. I can run the 5 on 5 pattern I want and will be well matched with the JL/JT front axle.
Dutchman looks like a good choice for shafts. Strange is twice the price. No idea it’s it worth paying more for them.