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Last year I built a 609 rear steer rock lizard with 4.3, atlas, 3x9 rear ram, 10" front. Wheeled it for about 6 MO and kicked ass but ended up selling when I had a shot at Richard's old S&N chassis which I have always loved the looks of. I have a growing family and hope one day they will have interest of going.
Rock Lizard
S&N
As I received it:
The plan was to do a 3.9 Lz9, atlas and th350 with steering 9s. Hi9 front and LP 9 rear. I began sourcing parts and found 05+ stuff to be almost non-existent and some things like the Cs being a 6 month wait. I ordered some TG housings and bought a couple junkyard super duty front axles to cut apart and have Cs machined by a buddy.
I sent harness off to Jim's performance and got some header flanges from Devin Brandt as there are 0 aftermarket solutions for this motor.
I also ordered 42" Kr2-s and dirty life beadlocks.
Housings arrived and I was able to see how things may fit and measure for belly height etc. It was at this point I realized that with some work or compromise I may actually be able to do my original plan of JHF Portals
Andddd we start over and work on selling all the parts I just gathered....
I have also been rebuilding A 60 degree 700r4 I found rather than the th350.
Pic with front portal is when Richard was originally working on fitting them prior to switching gears to the Kalif chassis.
eternal noobie
Staff member
I feel your pain with the change/upgrade to the JHF portals....fortunately, I wasn't too far into my D60/D70 combo before I bit the bullet.
Always loved the lines of the S&N chassis....they look fast just sitting there....lol
I feel your pain with the change/upgrade to the JHF portals....fortunately, I wasn't too far into my D60/D70 combo before I bit the bullet.
Always loved the lines of the S&N chassis....they look fast just sitting there....lol
Yes I've always loved the looks of them. This year at TH we were on Arrowhead and a whole group of them passed on a guided run. What I really like is it is still a small ~48" chassis yet room for gear or a kid so should be super manageable in the big rocks
Finally got motor/trans/tcase mounted in final position. Had to make a different trans mount on single poly bushing and drill a new hole in tcase adapter then cut down the 700r4 outout shaft
Got a Sand Hollow Ofdroad Speed shifter as well!
I've been working on fighting the exhaust system and overall fairly happy. I ended up going under the torque converter between it and the skid that I also worked on fitting. Its a little close but i think should be fine.
Additionally i received my 2 31 spline 9" thirds with detroits! Ive done spools and arbs previously so interested in seeing how i like or dislike the detroits.
eternal noobie
Staff member
Routing exhaust is a pain....not looking forward to doing mine. Looks like you actually have enough space there however....but it's always tight.
I got the exhaust mostly done then decided i didnt like the lower link clearance and how tight it was to the torque converter.
So.... I redid most of it to go up and over the back of the trans. I painted with three step VHT flameproof then wrapped. Goal is to hopefully get it running this weekend/week.
Had quite the time figuring out guage ports on the motor but think i finally got them all in. Oil is on a secondary oil galley port on the block behind the new psc cbr power steering pump and water is off a similar coolant passage plug on the driver side.
Been awhile... So much has happened. Cs and portals arrived which allowed me to move forward on axle side brackets/tabs, reverify clearances and begin work on ram Mounts
I then got started on ram mounts and while i knew the rams would be lower unless i wanted more chassis chopping, i didnt quite realize how far up and into the axle they actually needed to be for proper tie rod arm geometry, so i did the best i could and actually hshould have went a hair lower. Potentially someday these will get reworked depending on how well it all wirks.
Roller!! However unlike most rollers its just about completely wired and plumbed as well since i had ample time waiting on the portals
Caster ended up about 7 rear and 7 front. However I wish i would have went less particularly behind. I also got the shifter and controls mounted up and pretty pleased how they turned out.
Just waiting on axle shafts and boots and one trans part as i found out my trans wasnt quite done to par when i tested it on jackstands. Hoping that shows up asap and i can get it to a shakedown. I also need to lengthen the rear driveshaft
Looks great!! I've been wondering how this was coming.
eternal noobie
Staff member
Custom cutting brake handles? From where?
Custom cutting brake handles? From where?
Levers are cutting brake levers i retrofitted to the dana 300.link below:
Workes on setting pressures and ride height. Ordered a new rear driveshaft since the local place was ending up super spendy to lengthen the old one. I'll probably just grab it from them and do it myself as a spare.
The correct Branik Axle Shafts are coming today so it should be driving today... In FWD at least
Trying seat and belt fasteners from A&A for "easy" removal
Bump, where did you order the tires and wheels from?
#shegone
I've been working on fighting the exhaust system and overall fairly happy. I ended up going under the torque converter between it and the skid that I also worked on fitting. Its a little close but i think should be fine.
Additionally i received my 2 31 spline 9" thirds with detroits! Ive done spools and arbs previously so interested in seeing how i like or dislike the detroits.
View attachment 15238
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Why 31spline?
Bump, where did you order the tires and wheels from?
Marc Ledford and Appalachian offroad were the tires but they are discontinued
Wheels were through Ryan Ligget
With portals 31 spline is largely overkill and its what the thirds I found utilized. Most run 30 spline Toyota inners
