"Half an inch off" (budget) rockwell build

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I'll check out the pearls.

Yeah rocfun did an awesome job with the bender. Not only did it change the look but also the drivetrain mounts, seats mounts, and chassis all got some much needed attention. I gave him zero instructions on what I wanted as far as looks. Just showed him a couple pics of other rigs and told him NOT to make mine look like "rednecklights" I definately don't want to be mistaken for him out on the trail. I've been over the 100+ notches and welded everyone (I think) there was no gaps that couldn't be filled with two passes of the welder. The very few that I seen were not more than 1/8. After reading all the threads of people not getting what they wanted from a builder, I am extremely happy with mine.
 
Took her for a test drive looks like I'm headed to choc for Friday and maybe sat morning. :****:
 
:driving:
 

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I don't want to hear anyone *****in about their garage. I built this in an abandon barn with no door and one outlet. The only month I work on it is in the winter, a lot of cold nights.
 
I got no lights, no winch, no body panels, overspray everywhere, the wrong springs, wire nuts, leaking fluid, no exhaust, 3/4 inch radiator hose, half a clutch, wrong air filter, nylon brake lines on this buggy, BUT my ass is going wheeling this week!!! :woot:
 
Re: Re: "Half an inch off" (budget) rockwell build

Eddyj said:
I got no lights, no winch, no body panels, overspray everywhere, the wrong springs, wire nuts, leaking fluid, no exhaust, 3/4 inch radiator hose, half a clutch, wrong air filter, nylon brake lines on this buggy, BUT my ass is going wheeling this week!!! :woot:
Click to expand...
Sounds like an average wheeling trip to me! Turned out NICE!
 
Well I got to beat on her for about 4 hours at choc. I ended up riding with John G, Jerod Yankey, and Kush. Awesome group of guys. John and Jerod seen me fumbling around getting ready and walked up and just started zip tieing and helping. :dblthumb: I wish I would have got to do a couple more hills but she drove back on the trailer at the end of the day and that was my goal with this build.
Only issue I had was the relay for fan was not a continuous duty and burned up. I have a Volvo relay pack to put on just haven't done it.

The mom and pop store that I get propan over filled my tanks. As John just happen to be walking right next to my rig, the pop off valve opened for a split second. John can still move if he has to, ol boy hit the ground and pulled some evasive maneuver. laughing1
 
It was really nice with Kush, cause his jeep was broke down more than mine. Took the attention off of my junk. :****:

Actually we wheeled all day with hardly any problems. My fan relay, kush's power steering pump was loose and something about a hose and bungy cord on kush's jeep that pissed John off.

I was feeling pretty good about my rig until I seen the "stickie club" walk up everything. :gay:
 
Last time I rode with joh he told me he needed a bolt one time and kush took his seat belt bolt out with his hand and gave it too him. :****:
 
I wish I would have got some action shots.
 

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Tech update: the 3/4 inch line going back to the radiator seems to be just fine. It was about 70 degrees outside the temp stayed at 170-185. The only time it climbed was running from the front of the park to back of park. It went up to about 195. I was running in second trying to keep up with John G, and should have been in 3rd. The RPM were pretty high, but RACECAR!!!!!
 
For anyone looking to build a cheap rig. I will say that one thing that has been on my mind during the build, is the gearing and manual transmission . Yes I would prefer a auto, but at this point I love the simplicity and knowing it's going to get me back to the trailer even with a hole in the side of it. The gearing is very good for all around wheeling. While I was building I was always looking for a doubler for sale on here. However after one ride, I found it is actually pretty good with the 205 in low. If I do anything I'll do a rebuild with a lomax kit. I believe, that second in low is very close to first in high. Same with third and second. The 3 to 1 would split the gears instead of them being so close to each other.
The 42 inch tires, rockwells and wore out 350 go good together. Just thought I would throw that out to anyone building.
Could it be improved? Yep.. Does it need to be? Not immediately.
 
Definately stock 6.72. I haven't spent any "extra" money on upgrades. I did look into them, but figured i would wheel it fist and then fix the gearing.
In my mind this was stage 1. Get it running as cheap as possible and start wheeling. I could continue to upgrade and build and never leave the garage. (Hell I "upgraded" from 1 tons to rocks and never broke the 60)
For those of you who build it perfect the first time I am truely impressed. My plan was to get it going, then upgrade.

I just wanted it to not be embarrassing when I did wheel it. I would say I hit the mark. I was only slightly embarrassed when others where shacking there head and zip tieing my junk together before first ride.
 
When I took the waggy out the first time, I wasn't to worried about being embarrassed because 1tonyj wouldn't care if it I was rocking a golf cart. Then dude shows up with a bad ass btf buggy and I'm over here trying to find a tarp to cover my pos with molaugh.

Atleast you aren't rebuilding the entire thing after the first ride like me ;D
 
Always see you commenting on the forum and your rig in the avatar.
Clicked your build and was very surprised it's a what you call "budget" build.
Buggy looks great and obviously performs well. Anything with rockwells interests me.
How do you like the rockwells after wheeling with them for a little while now?

Oh and I really liked the pics of your old yj
 

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