Good to see you in the forum Mr Hagen. Been a little quite lately.
Please help us to help you by letting us know what "Rockstar" does so well. Don't hold back, please tell all ;)
You have been wheeling it for a while now and must have a list of its strong points and its weakness's.
ZeusZuki :)
I already have a centermount diff with long travel Cvs capable of 18 inches of travel. Keep this in mind.
The orange rig weighs a hefty 3500lbs.ÂÂ
My thought is to build the orange rig into a rally/jumper that can still trail ride. ::)
Mike
Yep the Orange rig is due for a makeover. The rockstar project has kind of kept me out of my orange rig all summer. Im bored with the orange rig. I know the rockstar will spank the orange car all day long on the trail. The way I look at this is I need to make the orange rig good at some thing the rockstar is not good at.
 The rockstar cannot rally or jump. CANNOT Its flat out dangerous. My thought is to build the orange rig into a rally/jumper that can still trail ride. ::)
The project will be a Zukiworld artical. I will start the project the first week of January and would like to have it finished by Febuary 3rd.
Im looking for ideas, prerunner pics, links to prerunner parts websites, or anything else that may be of help. ;)
Mike
I already have a centermount diff with long travel Cvs capable of 18 inches of travel. Keep this in mind.
Tell us more. Is that 18" of up and down movement at the wheel? I know the stock Track/Kick hits the bump stops with the axle horizontal so it only uses half of the available travel. The Calmini set up is better. How much wheel travel do you reckon on getting? are you going to lower the diff further?
The orange rig weighs a hefty 3500lbs.
How did it get that heavy? That like 1300 pounds over stock.
They are about the same size as the toy CVs but they can achive steeper angles.
Mike
My Cvs are a Nissan / Tracker Hybrid. I dont have the exact measurement but I belive my Cvs are 6 inches longer than stock. By same size as the toys I meant same strength. The inner balls and cages are almost identical.They are about the same size as the toy CVs but they can achive steeper angles.
Mike
How do they achive the steeper angles, are the nissian CVs stock? Are they shorter or longer than the Toyota CVs?
For those who have forgotten or are new, I have had a custom front drivetrain for 2 years now. I got a prototype Calmini built center mount anvil front diff.Do you have some pictures from it?
For those who have forgotten or are new, I have had a custom front drivetrain for 2 years now. I got a prototype Calmini built center mount anvil front diff.Do you have some pictures from it?
Here is a pic.
Mike
Here is a pic.
Mike
Have you had tranny troubles lately? ;)
-Eric
Have you had tranny troubles lately? ;)
-Eric
why not start fresh with another kick?
Stu
Here is a pic.
Mike
Have you had tranny troubles lately? ;)
-Eric
What is wrong this that? It looks normal to me. ;D
Zig
For those who havent seen mike" wheel"
([url]http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/albums/igbanners/mike1.jpg[/url])
Mike, for the arms, one of the things I've noticed a lot of for aftermarket making new arms is the use of the uni-ball for a ball joint. I would think you could fab a bracket to bolt to the upper strut location of the knuckle, then have the uniball setup for it. For a shock setup, most manu's for desert racing use a coil-over setup due to the space configuration along with a 'Y' upper arm. The spread of the frame mount for the upper arm is smaller than the spread for the lower arm. Hope this helps some.....
Sometimes good things should be left alone...
Here is a pic.
Mike
Have you had tranny troubles lately? ;)
-Eric
What is wrong this that? It looks normal to me. ;D
Zig
I's just ribbin' Mikey because that was the only clean part of the rig suggesting it had been removed for service lately... :)
-Eric
Hi Mike,
The link I gave you earlier on has a lot of stuff in it.
We got a set of plans over here and ALL the arms are made from only 1 jig eg: they are ALL the same - i am sure this is where you are heading ;)
Take a good look at this site - it has a lot of good stuff in it.
ZeusZuki 8)
Hey Mike, I've been reading what your trying to do. Sounds like quite a project. I don't think you want to make both arms the same length. You should go to a book store or maybe a college and get an alignment book.
I found some old general auto books that I have and here's a little of what I've found.
STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
Steering axis inclination is the inward tilt of the steering axis at the top(draw a line through the two ball joints and it's the angle you get if you extended it down to the ground to where the center of the tire line (camber) meets). It also contributes to directional stability. Because the steering axis is inclined, the spindle is forced to move in a downward ark as the wheel is turned. This action causes the vehicle to rise as the wheel is turned in either direction, so the weight of the car forces the wheels back to the straight-ahead position.
SCRUB RADIUS
The importance of steering axis inclination to steering ease and stability center around the reduction of scrub radius. Scrub radius is the distance between the center line of the ball joints and the centerline of the tire at he point where the tire contacts the road surface. When the ball joint center line is inboard of the point of the tire contact, the tire doesn?t pivot where it touches the road. Instead, it has to move forward and backward to compensate as the driver turns the steering wheel. Steering effort is greatly increased as the tires scrub against the road during turns. If the control arm assembly where designed with no steering axis inclination, scrub radius would be quite large.
And lastly, I believe the steering axis has a had in your turning radius. (Where the inside tire turns at a greater radius/degree that you outer.
Eric
   Another that I have found very useful is "Prepare to win" by Carrol? Smith (Help CJ)
found a pic from this summer. This is why plans to build a prerunner/trailrider IFS.
There is a Myth that you cant become an RPM member untill your front tires look like that! ;DI've also had that problem several times. ;D That's why I'm thinking about making the step to a solid axle.
There is a Myth that you cant become an RPM member untill your front tires look like that! ;DI've also had that problem several times. ;D That's why I'm thinking about making the step to a solid axle.
There is a Myth that you cant become an RPM member untill your front tires look like that! ;D
Hi Mike,
I was knocking around on my PC the other day.
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
[url]http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/brandpages/chevy/131_0306_walk/[/url]
He reckons it was no good on side hills though - that may be the trade off with his design over a more conventional set up - Eg: Kick :-\
ZeusZuki
Hi Mike,
I was knocking around on my PC the other day.
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
[url]http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/brandpages/chevy/131_0306_walk/[/url]
He reckons it was no good on side hills though - that may be the trade off with his design over a more conventional set up - Eg: Kick :-\
ZeusZuki
Hi Mike,
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
Hi Mike,
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
Yeah Mike, Have you checked Walker's rig out? :)
-Eric
Hi Mike,
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
Yeah Mike, Have you checked Walker's rig out? :)
-Eric
Hi Mike,
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
Yeah Mike, Have you checked Walker's rig out? :)
-Eric
Hi Mike,
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
Yeah Mike, Have you checked Walker's rig out? :)
-Eric
I've heard that guy is the coolest thing to ever happen to 4-wheeling. Oh I wish I could join his fan club ::)
Zig
Hi Mike,
Q: Have you ever checked out Evan Walkers old 2000? Ind Suspended rock crawler?
Yeah Mike, Have you checked Walker's rig out? :)
-Eric
You hate me dont you. >:(
Mike
"Walker, your the greatest!" (Golf clap) ------------------------(Mike pukes) :-X
Well gentlemen,
A bit of light humour:
Yeah you can join my fan club Zig ( Wishfull thinking, I know what you meant :P )
Not sure if you would call it a fan club - I just seem to work on everyone elses vehicles :-\ and not enough on my own :(
Snip:
Fan club ???
ZeusZuki
Not sure if you would call it a fan club - I just seem to work on everyone elses vehicles :-\ and not enough on my own :(
Snip:
Fan club ???
ZeusZuki
Eric and Zig are talking about the Walker Evans fan club in which they claim I belong too. I met Walker on a trail in Moab 3 years ago. He was a huge jerk. He did somethings that offended me more than I have been. Also when he was wheeling up obsticals his buddys or "fan club" would say things like "walker your the greatest!" and follow it up with a golf clap.
Eric we need a puke smiley!
Mike
Not sure if you would call it a fan club - I just seem to work on everyone elses vehicles :-\ and not enough on my own :(
But - I have just installed a Calmini 3" suspension kit into my V6 ;D and fitting the body lift maybe this weekend :D. It required a few modifications to some of the parts but it is in and works VERY well - I plan on sending the prototypes back to Calmini so they can offer a kit for the early shape V6's and Kick Sports ( I think it will fit these as well ) if they wish to. Europe , Australia and New Zealand got the 2.0 V6's so there is some potential there - and they go really well, the motors have a LOT more torque than the 1600 16V and sound soooooooooooooo good with a 2.5" exhaust 8)
Fan club ???
ZeusZuki
Eric and Zig are talking about the Walker Evans fan club in which they claim I belong too. I met Walker on a trail in Moab 3 years ago. He was a huge jerk. He did somethings that offended me more than I have been. Also when he was wheeling up obsticals his buddys or "fan club" would say things like "walker your the greatest!" and follow it up with a golf clap.
Eric we need a puke smiley!
Mike
He was a huge jerk. He did somethings that offended me more than I have been.
So how is the plan coming along anyway ???
ZeusZuki.
here is to Walker Evans fan clubIs he a Texas Ranger?
([url]http://www.free-smileys.org/emo/whacky031.gif[/url])
jason
I also remember a tube buggy that was zook based but had 1 ton chevy IFS front ends front and rear. I dont remember who owned it or anything though. :P
I was thinking about my ??? Star project the other day. Q: Why did you not do a big lift on the arms as well as the front stretch - I mean isn't one of the advantages with IFS the clearance potential ( among other things ).
ZeusZuki
I only added enough lift to level the tierods after I flipped them to the top of the knuckel. This keeps the front from lifting during steep climbs.I've wondered if doing this was okay for a DD..... I wanted to do it after my spacers, but wasn't sure if it woild cause a problem.
Mike
I only added enough lift to level the tierods after I flipped them to the top of the knuckel. This keeps the front from lifting during steep climbs.I've wondered if doing this was okay for a DD..... I wanted to do it after my spacers, but wasn't sure if it woild cause a problem.
Mike
Thanks for clearing that up, how'd you make out over the weekend?I only added enough lift to level the tierods after I flipped them to the top of the knuckel. This keeps the front from lifting during steep climbs.I've wondered if doing this was okay for a DD..... I wanted to do it after my spacers, but wasn't sure if it woild cause a problem.
Mike
I wouldnt do this to a Daily Driver. It causes bump steer and makes it a little sqirly at freeway speeds.
Mike
Oh, oh! it's past February 3rd! And you need to keep some of us web wheelers entertained! I'm sure you have plenty of other things to do, besides working on your truck, but how's it coming?
Why not sas the front:-X Uh oh... :-X
Why not sas the front ,
:-X Uh oh... :-X
Mike,
Don't know if this would help...Older corvettes have IRS with a center section that has no tubes...U-joints go on a flange with 4 bolts...That would kick |removethispart|@$$ in the front and rear..You could mount in the center of the front.The drive shaft would be sidways,but the housing woundn't move..All kinds of things could be done around those center sections...Let me know if you would like some pics..I got a 78 corvette,It has all kinds of mounting holes,Camber bars,leaf springs etc. all bolt to the center..would be a good center...
Later Tom K.
Mike,
Don't know if this would help...Older corvettes have IRS with a center section that has no tubes...U-joints go on a flange with 4 bolts...That would kick |removethispart|@$$ in the front and rear..You could mount in the center of the front.The drive shaft would be sidways,but the housing woundn't move..All kinds of things could be done around those center sections...Let me know if you would like some pics..I got a 78 corvette,It has all kinds of mounting holes,Camber bars,leaf springs etc. all bolt to the center..would be a good center...
Later Tom K.
I actually have a center mount front diff already. That is a good Idea though. I will definately keep that in mind for a build in the future. Thanks. Do you or anybody else know what rearend they used? Is it a dana 44 center?
Mike
progress may be a little slow but should be worth it. ;D ..( inside info. ) stanHey quiet you! Arent you supposed to be in bed? ::)
do you have any pics of it ???
The error is still coming up, I sent the great Zukiworld Guru a PM telling him about the error. We will let you know when it is fixed ;)
Zig
I know... I know... oooh pick me! pick me!
;D ;D ;D
-Eric
How about a lower control arm frame mounting brkt.ÂÂ
Im leaning tward making a complete new frame for the front suspension starting at the point where the frame stretch took place on the rockstar. In doing this I want to be able to run the upper control arms under the oilpan, to the center of the rig. Comments welcome!
Mike
([url]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c218/feerocknok/Suspension/DSC01623.jpg[/url])I think he said he was using stock sidekick knuckles...
Not real sure what that even is. Kind of a solid axle guy that doesn't ask questions.
([url]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c218/feerocknok/Suspension/DSC01623.jpg[/url])I think he said he was using stock sidekick knuckles...
Not real sure what that even is. Kind of a solid axle guy that doesn't ask questions.
The more I look at it the smaller I think it is than it looks - I'm thinking a steering brace for the idler arm, or steering box ......
Finally the first SPY cam photo of the Orange Rig and it's make over :o
OK , it's only a part off of it. BUT:
If you are the first Zukiworld member to properly identify this part, wewill send you a free Zukiworld decal 8) So let's see who knows their stuff.
Zig
INSIDE INFO,  THE ORANGE RIG IS GETTING IT'S FIRST BEATING SUNDAY 3-19-06  THATS ALL I KNOW ............ BUT IT LEFT THE SHOP IN 1 PIECE. SEE HOW IT RETURNS ,,,....IF IT DOES!!  STAN
Wheres the pics????????????
The big question is.......How did it perform?
The big question is.......How did it perform?
Very well actually. I burned a whole tank of gas today pounding the wee out of it. It was so slippery I had a hard time telling how it will react on a solid surface. I didnt break it and I tried pretty hard. I jumped it at least a couple a dozen times... Freekin sweet! Its so soft that I cant tell if I actually came off the ground! I had to ask whoever was watching. Without a doubt, it rallys, and jumps better than anything Ive ever driven. ;D
This was me all day!----------> ;D
Mike
Very well actually. I burned a whole tank of gas today pounding the wee out of it. It was so slippery I had a hard time telling how it will react on a solid surface. I didnt break it and I tried pretty hard. I jumped it at least a couple a dozen times... Freekin sweet! Its so soft that I cant tell if I actually came off the ground! I had to ask whoever was watching. Without a doubt, it rallys, and jumps better than anything Ive ever driven. ;D
This was me all day!----------> ;D
Mike
Great to hear it performed better than expected. Sweet pic. So who was brave enough to stand in the same area as you 'trying' out the new suspension, and take pics?
Zig
What size tires are those?
(I didn't see it in the title this time) ;D
I was thinking the same exact thing! ;DGreat to hear it performed better than expected. Sweet pic. So who was brave enough to stand in the same area as you 'trying' out the new suspension, and take pics?
Zig
Are you remembering the rockstar test drive? ::)
Mike
Great to hear it performed better than expected. Sweet pic. So who was brave enough to stand in the same area as you 'trying' out the new suspension, and take pics?
Zig
Are you remembering the rockstar test drive? ::)
Mike
I remember hearing Zig screaming at the top of his lungs during the rockstar test drive. YEEEEE HAAAAAAAA!!!!
I remember hearing Zig screaming at the top of his lungs during the rockstar test drive. YEEEEE HAAAAAAAA!!!!
Nah, dude.... That's the intro to the Duke's of Hazard TV show you're think of... I can see how you'd get those two mixed up! :)
-Eric
For those of you who dont know, every time I have Zig talking on video I have to 1st, get my wife(who was born in TN) to translate. And 2nd add subtitles so everyone else can understand. ;D
Now, I dun did wern u not to make me go boomhower on youins. U dare crazy ol yanke flok be havin sometin wrong wit yo head from all da cold air up dare. Just cuz da rest of dem dare people be sayin funie werds dont make us da funnie talken flok.
;D Hillbilly Beach Bum ;D
What is really sad?? I had no problems understanding that lol ;D
found a pic from this summer. This is why plans to build a prerunner/trailrider IFS.
I'm thinking this might have something to do with it....found a pic from this summer. This is why plans to build a prerunner/trailrider IFS.
what is bent and how did you do it? it looks to me like the strut towers may be bent, am I right?
I'm thinking this might have something to do with it....found a pic from this summer. This is why plans to build a prerunner/trailrider IFS.
what is bent and how did you do it? it looks to me like the strut towers may be bent, am I right?
([url]http://www.rpm4x4.com/images/spike/jumpshale2.jpg[/url])
I believe the strut towers begin to look like this / \ rather than something like this |  |
UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!
Dont make me start a cyber riot  >:(
You'll are killing me, no Moab details, no updates on the orange car, no detailes pics of Stans monster on 40's. Dont make me come up there >:(
;D Zig ;D
WOW these guys that didnt make it to moab cuz there to "BUSY" got some nerve, demanding things of us, the super cool studs of Moab Utah 8)
dont tell em nuttin, wait till they start crying :'(
then we'll give them just a little bit ;D
jason
It's Mikes custom tweeking of the Calmini 3" Kit.
Zig
WOW these guys that didnt make it to moab cuz there to "BUSY" got some nerve, demanding things of us, the super cool studs of Moab Utah 8)
dont tell em nuttin, wait till they start crying :'(
then we'll give them just a little bit ;D
jason
Damn dude, you still in High School?
Damn dude, you still in High School?
nope, just having funs with zig ;D
i want to see mikes junk as bad as the next guy. he wouldnt even talk about it in moab :(
but we gotta make sure that zig makes it next year by giving him sooooo much slack that he has no choice but go ;)
jason
he wouldnt even talk about it in moab :(
Mike was getting a foot of air with the front tires and didn't know it..
he wouldnt even talk about it in moab :(Mike was getting a foot of air with the front tires and didn't know it..
So, I guess this is why I didn't see any pictures! I clicked through about 300 pics specifically looking for shots of it in action, all I saw was the rockstar amungst a few other rigs ;)
OH MY GOD! that is so amazingly huge and beastly I can't believe it! Looks like you used the calmini arms as the top ones and maybe changed the ends a bit.. genious. what coils did you use up there? also, you are going to put CV's up there and make it 4 wheel drive again right? I think I remember that being the plan, just too lazy to go back and look. But seriously, I love your zuk and I am jealous
hey Mike, i've got a pair of nissan maxima driveshafts waiting for a tracker to run them, and a tracker waiting for strong front axle's.
but here's the thing, the splines of the trackers front (26 splines) look very similar to the nissan's splines.
so i wonder, are they the same? do the splines fit in the stock diff and wheels?
regards,
Nils
hey mike Is this a DD for you and if so could it get an MTO safety certification with the new set up or would it have to go under something like a kit car designation??(not the one with the back and forth light and says" Hello Michael" )
hey mike Is this a DD for you and if so could it get an MTO safety certification with the new set up or would it have to go under something like a kit car designation??(not the one with the back and forth light and says" Hello Michael" )
I dont know if you could get a MTO with something like this. I built this as a one off project and we do not have inspections here. I do drive it on the road but not as much as I use to.
Mike
how's it drive down the road?
hey Mike, i've got a pair of nissan maxima driveshafts waiting for a tracker to run them, and a tracker waiting for strong front axle's.
but here's the thing, the splines of the trackers front (26 splines) look very similar to the nissan's splines.
so i wonder, are they the same? do the splines fit in the stock diff and wheels?
regards,
Nils
Im pretty sure that they are not the same. The Maximas I am running are modified just like the Cvs in this artical.
[url]http://www.zukiworld.com/month_040103/feature_hagencvshaft.htm[/url]
Mike
how's it drive down the road?
It drives pretty good but my front shocks are blown out again so its a little bouncy lately.
Mike
how's it drive down the road?
It drives pretty good but my front shocks are blown out again so its a little bouncy lately.
Mike
again as in it happens allot?
bilstien reservoirs!!!! not much money hahahaha!!!
so where do you live??? and you can drive this thing down the road and have no problem!!!
sounds sweet I would love to have a dd like it to go to work and have a ball parking on something.....maybe that is the reason I do not have a big truck I am very childish.
bilstien reservoirs!!!! not much money hahahaha!!!
so where do you live??? and you can drive this thing down the road and have no problem!!!
sounds sweet I would love to have a dd like it to go to work and have a ball parking on something.....maybe that is the reason I do not have a big truck I am very childish.
I live in MN. I used to get pulled over quite frequently for no front plate, mudflap and fender flare violations. I painted it orange 2 1/2 years ago I haved been pulled over since. :-\ (knock on wood) Mabey the local law has just gotten used to it. :-\
Mike
Hey Mike;
are both the upper and lower A Arm stock length? Did you setup up any antidive? Are the arms parallel? Awesome work, I'm doing a simular thing with my kick. I was thinking LONG lowers that almost meet in the center and stock length on the top.
Have you had any issues with wheel bearings?
Pat
. Im not sure how you would set up antidive. The arms are parellel and I have not had any issues with wheel bearings.
Mike
i know im slow but bear with me ::)http://www.circletrack.com/techarticles/antidive_suspension_tech_parameters/
whats anti dive?
I'm assuming you mean fron to back slope... In his write-up, he says the upper a-arms(calmini a-arms) are mounted in the stock location for the lower a-arms, so if the stock a-arms are parallel, then his would be - right?
. Im not sure how you would set up antidive. The arms are parellel and I have not had any issues with wheel bearings.
Mike
if the upper arm mounts are sloped to the rear a bit you get anti dive.
So your arms are parallel, I can do that.
Thanks for being so open with info.
Pat
hey mike do you have any more action or trail vid pics or anything and how has it been going any issues come up???
Mike what taper are the ball joints? They look almost like a morse taper.I have no Idea! My freind Stan has a lot of cool tools/machines in his garage. He had a bore with the right tapper.
Next time you see him could you ask him?Mike what taper are the ball joints? They look almost like a morse taper.I have no Idea! My freind Stan has a lot of cool tools/machines in his garage. He had a bore with the right tapper.
Mike
I hate to answer my own posts but it seems to be 1.5 inch per foot taper. As measure by an excellent machinist here at work.For thoes of us who don't know(well,... me) could you explain what this is, and what this info could be used for?
Pat