ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ebewley on October 27, 2005, 09:05:43 AM
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Spy photo from Minnesota.
-Eric
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wow I've never seen a robotic welder that smokes before! ;D
Looks nice and LOW
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So, this is...
...here it comes...
...ready?
The MALL STAR!
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Looks like you might need to trim the hood for some up travel (if you plan on getting any).
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Nice case of: Well, there was some tire rub, so I removed the fenders. LOL.
Looks like it could definetly dominant off the road though.
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whos the freak in the helmet ;)
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is that mikes ?
ross
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What size tires are those? I think my sammi has more clearance on 31"s ;D. Of course, its 40 times more likely to roll, and I'd prefer a low center of gravity like that. But still.
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This is chunks new rig. He calls it Operation DARKSTAR =) Heres a few details.
Its sitting on 37 inch MTRs
it stands 5 foot 3 inches high,
17 inches of frame clearance,
3 1/2 inch body chop and drop
1 inch body lower (removed all rubber body mounts)
front frame strech similar to the rockstar
Motor has been dropped 8 inches to lower C.O.G.
BTW it deinatly not done yet. It will get 2 inches of suspension lift and the hood is getting raised 2 inches allong with the fenders, this will match what we did with the rear.
Mike
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That Masked Welder looks like Chunk holding a smoke
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i'm going to have to put one of these things togather, looks like fun
Stu
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Its sitting on 37 inch MTRs
3 1/2 inch body chop and drop
1 inch body lower (removed all rubber body mounts)
Sweeeettttt!!!!! You do realize how WRONG this sounds sounds, dont you :-\ Hell I need to ship Godzuki up there for a few weeks and see what happens to it ;D Seeing how I have no where to work on her down here :'(
Zig
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Sweeeettttt!!!!! You do realize how WRONG this sounds sounds, dont you :-\ Hell I need to ship Godzuki up there for a few weeks and see what happens to it ;D Seeing how I have no where to work on her down here :'(
Zig
No place to work on and probabally no place to break it!
Mike
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Sweeeettttt!!!!! You do realize how WRONG this sounds sounds, dont you :-\ Hell I need to ship Godzuki up there for a few weeks and see what happens to it ;D Seeing how I have no where to work on her down here :'(
Zig
No place to work on and probabally no place to break it!
Mike
:'( Yea I know, I might be able to drown it somewhere :'(
Zig
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WOW!!! :o That thing is going to be a BEAST when it's finished! Can't wait to see some more pics. ;D
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37" tires, what axles, surely not stock?
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37" tires, what axles, surely not stock?
using Stans toy swap in the front
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=9229.0
and the Calmin replacements in the rear
Keep in mind this rig weighs in under 2000lbs
Mike
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Mike,
when you say body chop... What exactly are you doing there? I have been thinking about what's possible for days. i am seriously thinking of cutting up my rig to make my own version. Mix and Match.. We have some great trails here in socal that I would love to run.. (Hammers) but the sidekick on 31's just won't cut it..
Later
Hutch
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Mike,
when you say body chop... What exactly are you doing there? I have been thinking about what's possible for days. i am seriously thinking of cutting up my rig to make my own version. Mix and Match.. We have some great trails here in socal that I would love to run.. (Hammers) but the sidekick on 31's just won't cut it..
Later
Hutch
We cut the fire wall behind the dash, and overlaped it, then welded it togather. The rubber body mounts were also removed and the body was dropped and welded to the frame. You can tell in the photo where the lower door hinge meets the floorboards.
Mike
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Nice. So that's why is looks squashed I thought it was just how the picture was cropped... Clever... That chunk guy is.. he's a smart mofo. Tell him I said Wassup.. Anymore pictures?
Later
Hutch.
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Skinned it for ya!
Hope you don't mind, I was bored and needed inspiration! Can't wait to see it finished!
While your mind is still fresh, did he do anything different to the front and rear Frame Chops i.e. amount of lift and length (Different than the RockStar and PronStar vehicles)?
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/kozaz/Zuks/Trackers/DeathStar/darkstarb.jpg)
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I'm kinda of new, so bear with me on the following questions:
If I was to take a stock Tracker and basically modify the body to look like the first picture in this tread, what is the reason for the drop front frame?
I would think with all the body mods, the only thing needed to do is to move the front frame forward (adding 9 inches) to help clear the tub and install the 4 door Kick drive shaft and what ever amount added to the rear to install a rear drive shaft from a 4 door kick?
If the frame was lengthen only, could you still fit the 33, 35, or 37 inch tall tires?
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I'm kinda of new, so bear with me on the following questions:
If I was to take a stock Tracker and basically modify the body to look like the first picture in this tread, what is the reason for the drop front frame?
I would think with all the body mods, the only thing needed to do is to move the front frame forward (adding 9 inches) to help clear the tub and install the 4 door Kick drive shaft and what ever amount added to the rear to install a rear drive shaft from a 4 door kick?
If the frame was lengthen only, could you still fit the 33, 35, or 37 inch tall tires?
The frame drop was to compensate for the body being dropped 4+ inches. To drop the body we had to drop the engine to keep it out of the hood. The frame on this one was only dropped 2 inches on this one.
BTW, when the front is lengthened 9 inches you need a 2dr rear shaft. The 4 dr shaft is for the rear when I streched it 10 inches. (rockstar)
Are we all confused now? ;D
Mike
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how about a couple update pics!
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how about a couple update pics!
I can stop over tomorrow and take a couple pics. Most of the work has been detail work though. Motor mounts, roll cage, gas tank mount, and lots of welding.
Mike
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I was actually wondering what you guys where doing with the gas tanks. When you move the axle back the gas tank is in the way of the axle moving upwards. Are you just sticking them in the back seat area?
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you, move the gas tank up / to where the floor / trunk .was . stan
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If somebody takes pictures this weekend, and emails them to me I'll post them. ;)
P.S.
Thanks Mike for clarifying the Driveshaft info!
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Sorry I havent gotten over there yet. I will try to get over there tomorrow.
Mike
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Got a couple pics for ya. Dan did this as a practical joke when chunk was at work. Obviosly it will get swapped out for a new wheel before it hits the trail. I just thought Id share the funnies. ;D
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Here is a height comparo Pornstar vs Darkstar.
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Looks good, can't wait to see it wheeling :o
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Hopefully you can tell how low the motor sits in this rig. Notice the powersteering pump is all the way down and behind the Diff bracket. This motor is located 1 inch higher than a stock Sami engine is.
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Rear view of the cage
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/\the pics did not show on the above 2 posts/\
I love the steering wheel, I needed a good laugh! ;D
I like how low it sets.
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/\the pics did not show on the above 2 posts/\
I love the steering wheel, I needed a good laugh! ;D
I like how low it sets.
Sorry, I dont know what happened. Got er fixed now ;)
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Found another pic from earlier in the build without the rear panels and fuel tank. You can kinda see how sawzall crazy things got. I guess the steering wheel pic is a clue. ;D
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Looking good, you should get him a wheel out of one of those old wedge looking Subaru's (sp) that looks like your custom wheel. Be sure to have your paint buddy paint it PINK for him as a joke when it's done ;)
Zig
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LMAO at Chunk in a pink rig. ;D
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Lookin good!! 8)
So how far would one have to move the gas tank up to be able to move the axle rearward? Cut the floor out and move it up, or just stick it in the bed part and lose all the storage space??
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Lookin good!! 8)
So how far would one have to move the gas tank up to be able to move the axle rearward? Cut the floor out and move it up, or just stick it in the bed part and lose all the storage space??
On the pornstar the tank is actually mounted 1/2 way through the floor. On the darkstar it is actually mounted here in this pic. If you look close you can tell. sorry bout all the junk on top.
Mike
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Lookin good!! 8)
So how far would one have to move the gas tank up to be able to move the axle rearward? Cut the floor out and move it up, or just stick it in the bed part and lose all the storage space??
On the pornstar the tank is actually mounted 1/2 way through the floor. On the darkstar it is actually mounted here in this pic. If you look close you can tell. sorry bout all the junk on top.
Mike
Yea, saw you had that mounted in the bed. I use that extra space in my bed for tools, coolers, etc when I am trail riding. I think I'm gonna end up tubbing the rear so I can stuff bigger tires under it, then I'll just raise the floor and move the tank up.
Or I thought about a fuel cell mounted behind the pass seat, in the floor in a cradle for it.
Just looking to stick some yota axles under it this spring/summer. Need to get the gas tank out of the way!
Thanks Mike.
Terry
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you should have known this was coming
BUMP
Stu
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looks like a really nice project
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What has happened with the "Star" since December?
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What has happened with the "Star" since December?
I think he has been to busy with snow wheelin' 8)
Zig
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;D
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What has happened with the "Star" since December?
I think he has been to busy with snow wheelin' 8)
Zig
Its true. Ive been hittin the slopes pretty hard with the rockstar. I should call it the snowstar, the thing totally kicks ass in the snow. ;)
The Darkstar had to get moved out of the shop it was in because the homeowner needed the space to store stuff for his buisness. Chunk brought it to his house to finish but his garage didnt have heat... untill last night. ;D Now that the garage is warm the project will resume very shortly. It will be done within the next 6 weeks.
Mike
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why do you need heat in the garage? it was 70 here today
Ross
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why do you need heat in the garage? it was 70 here today
Ross
Well it hasnt been 70 here in quite sometime! Its supposed to be -10 on saturday! :o :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Mike
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It's gotta be cold in the rockstar with no doors!
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why do you need heat in the garage? it was 70 here today
                    Ross
Well it hasnt been 70 here in quite sometime! Its supposed to be -10 on saturday! :o :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Mike
Record low Monday night (it actually hit freezing ;D ) and back up into the 80's by this weekend (Kayak time 8) )
Zig
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I guess that means you won't have much snow to play in. ;D
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It's gotta be cold in the rockstar with no doors!
Temps for the weekend were 10 - 23 degrees
I wore
1 nice warm hat
5 pair of socks
3 pair of pants
1 t shirt
2 sweatshirts
2 jackets
1 large pair of Carhart overalls
1 more jacket over that
1 pair of sorel "Moon Boots"
1 pair of kick ass gloves
I was actually warm! ;)
Mike
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It's gotta be cold in the rockstar with no doors!
Temps for the weekend were 10 - 23 degrees
I wore
1 nice warm hat
5 pair of socks
3 pair of pants
1 t shirt
2 sweatshirts
2 jackets
1 large pair of Carhart overalls
1 more jacket over that
1 pair of sorel "Moon Boots"
1 pair of kick ass gloves
I was actually warm! ;)
Mike
Layering is sooooo important. 8)
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Wow! glad I dont live there Mike. Sooo much better here in Orygun. Sposed to hit 30 on friday as a high. Low of 24. But at least its sunny!
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It's gotta be cold in the rockstar with no doors!
Temps for the weekend were 10 - 23 degrees
I wore
1 nice warm hat
5 pair of socks
3 pair of pants
1 t shirt
2 sweatshirts
2 jackets
1 large pair of Carhart overalls
1 more jacket over that
1 pair of sorel "Moon Boots"
1 pair of kick ass gloves
I was actually warm! ;)
Mike
And you probably had to plan your time for 'business' as it took 10 minutes just to get far enough down to pull it out.....LOL. Then make sure pointing in the correct direction.....!!
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It's gotta be cold in the rockstar with no doors!
And you probably had to plan your time for 'business' as it took 10 minutes just to get far enough down to pull it out.....LOL. Then make sure pointing in the correct direction.....!!
;D Now that's an image I did not need running through my head ;D
Zig
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and then...
Stu
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and then...
Stu
Well it was sittin in the corner of the garage till Chunk missed out on Moab. He found some new motivation after hearing the tales of the trip. We've been working on it again. It will be done in the next couple of days. I will post some pics in a couple days.
Mike
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It was only 80 here today...
its hard but somehow I find a way to survive
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mike, where in MN do you guys live? I'm canadian but I live 45min. from the grand portage border. I'm from thunder bay, on. We spend lot's of time in duluth, st. paul and minniapolis. I'm also pretty sure that being at the northern most tip of lake superior we get some of the coldest weather around, i'm not sure of the conversion, but we often get temps as low as -40 deg celsius in the winter. most windshield washer fluids freeze at -40 celsius!
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Hi Mike,
So where are those pic's ???
Did Stan ever finish the "Death Star" ?
Been working on my project when I am around. Looks like I can fit Nissan CV's and half shafts without too much hassle. The outer stub axles are exactly the same diameter as the Zuk ones so that is a good start. Got a few issues with length of components but I need to make up some adapters anyway so no real big deal.
ZeusZuki.
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mike, where in MN do you guys live? I'm canadian but I live 45min. from the grand portage border. I'm from thunder bay, on. We spend lot's of time in duluth, st. paul and minniapolis. I'm also pretty sure that being at the northern most tip of lake superior we get some of the coldest weather around, i'm not sure of the conversion, but we often get temps as low as -40 deg celsius in the winter. most windshield washer fluids freeze at -40 celsius!
I live in the St. Paul Minneapolis area. This is an old thread brought to the top. The temps were 10 to 20 degrees back in February. It was in the 70s all day. ;D I will get some new pics on Tuesday.
Mike
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Looks like I can fit Nissan CV's and half shafts without too much hassle. The outer stub axles are exactly the same diameter as the Zuk ones so that is a good start. Got a few issues with length of components but I need to make up some adapters anyway so no real big deal.
ZeusZuki.
You need to post pics too then ;D ;D
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Looks like I can fit Nissan CV's and half shafts without too much hassle. The outer stub axles are exactly the same diameter as the Zuk ones so that is a good start. Got a few issues with length of components but I need to make up some adapters anyway so no real big deal.
ZeusZuki.
You need to post pics too then ;D ;D
yea, I want to see that too, I may be able to score me a free nissan HB front axle in a year or so and if I could use parts off of it for my zuk and make it stronger that would be killer
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Tuesday update as promised. ;)
It is essentially complete. Were preping it for paint now and hope to have it painted by tomorrow evening. I will get a photo of it tomorrow after paint. ;)
Mike
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it looks good
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;) Were goin wheelin!
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Damn,
that is hot.
I don't wanna wheel anymore ;) ;D
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Rear view
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thats sweeeet keep up the good work. makes my sammy look like a junkyard special. cant wait to see some action pics
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I love the exhaust and the fast that the steering wheel is still the cut up one. What really is amazing asside from all the extensive body work is that it has stock control arms and the rear axle is stock.. I can't believe it. Looks freaking awesome. Is there any suspension work on that? it looked like the strut mounts were flipped
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I don't know what to say?
Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to put some pics and info on the build for us!
Can't wait to see some wheeling Vids and Photos!
Ryan
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looks good! I have a question though what are you using for gearing to turn the big meats?
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I got a question. What happened to the 37" Goodyears? Why'd you put those square tires on there? ::) ;D
-Eric
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Wow, now THAT is right up my alley!! LOW TO THE GROUND!! PERFECT!
Yeah, how are you spinning those tires? what is the diff situation up front??
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what is the diff situation up front??
broken? ;D :P
Stu
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What size are those pitbulls?
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looks good! I have a question though what are you using for gearing to turn the big meats?
It has 5.12 (stock) axle gears. The t case has a Calmini 4 to 1 in it with a twin stick. The front is a steel diff with Stans toyota cv conversion. We were just out wheeling this weekend and it worked great and did not break. I cannot say the same. The tires in the finish photo are my new tires for the rockstar. We just put them on for a day. He is running the 37 inch goodyears. The tires in the photo are 39.5 pitbulls on 15 inch wide wheels equipt with sky beadlocks. The steering wheel was just for laughs durring the build. we swapped a stock one back on before it was wheeled.
Mike
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I went out Sunday and busted something in my front driveline again. It sounded like spiders again, even though I put the sammy carrier and lockrite up front. I need to get it apart and take a look.
Bill
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What did YOU break Mike??
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What did YOU break Mike??
I am curious as well
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What did YOU break Mike??
I am curious as well
2 front cvs and 1 left rear axle. I would like to point out I was pounding on it a pretty hard on purpose to see how much it could handle. I had it hopping pretty badly with the tires fully turned and I wasnt letting off cause I was so close to making a hill that I have only witnesses 2 people make before. I broke a LF CV and backed down and replaced it. When I got back on the trail I broke the RF moments later doing something that wasnt that tough. Im pretty sure that it was dammaged on the previos hill and I just finished it off. Again I swapped out a cv and was back on the trail till the next obstical where I broke a rear barely doing anything. Im pretty sure I did it all on that one hill. The rest of the weekend It held up just fine. Good times. 8)
Mike
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I wish you had video of that hill! I bet that was something to see... they do get to bouncing, as light as they are.. don't they..
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holy crap, you must have been thrashing on that hard to break anything on a ford 9 inch axle with a 4 cyl
you must wheel pretty hard core
that orange rig makes me really jealous broken or not, it is by far the most unique and gnarly thing I've ever seen
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I can't decide if I like the New Star (or is it Dark Star?? lol) or the Orange rig more..
I love them both.. The new Star is just so......... LOW!! I love it!!! but the Orange rig is so.... well..... I just love the front suspension..
Maybe the orange front end, on the new Star?
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If you broke a rear axle on the stock Trackick diff with the 5.12's, what about using a XL7 diff with the 5.13's. Although no locking diff is available for it. The GV has the ARB available....probably over the budget ;D
I still need a minimum of 3 seats - so for a choice - I'd go for Mike's running rig.
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holy crap, you must have been thrashing on that hard to break anything on a ford 9 inch axle with a 4 cyl
you must wheel pretty hard core
that orange rig makes me really jealous broken or not, it is by far the most unique and gnarly thing I've ever seen
I was wheeling the Yellow (rockstar) rig. It still has the stock rear diff. That rig is so light that the stock rear end holds up really well.
Mike
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oh, I thought it was the orange rig.. my bad. the orange rig has a 9 inch right?
yea, having it light would probably help a stock zuki axle work pretty well. Even to break a stock zuki axle on a really light rig is pretty intense
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oh, I thought it was the orange rig.. my bad. the orange rig has a 9 inch right?
yea, having it light would probably help a stock zuki axle work pretty well. Even to break a stock zuki axle on a really light rig is pretty intense
Yea the orange rig has a nine rear. Normally I would say that the stock rear is pretty easy to break but this is the first I have broken on this rig. The rear is really unusually light on the yellow rig, especially now that Im not runnin a spare.
Mike
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yea, the lack of weight probably takes a huge strain off of the stock axle. How many rigs do you have?
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I just have 2 rigs.
Mike
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I just have 2 rigs.
Mike
freaking awesome ones
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so any plans to make a top for it and such? also any more pictures of the back finished? =-)
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It has a top on it now. I dont have pic of it on. I plan to get a lot more photos of it next weekend. We are having an off road event at my Dads place. I will be sure to get some close ups of the tailgate.
Mike
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can you take a pic under the hood to =-)
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a pic of the toyota CV swap or whatever the front end has would be awesome as well
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just wondering if there had been any more pictures of this rig taken =-)
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I havent taken any. Im sorry I forgot that I said I would take more pics of it. We are going out again Sept 16-17. I will be sure to get pics this time.
Mike
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how has the darkstar been?
im sure a lot of people would like to know
(and see more pics!)