Nashville TJ's Build - Continued
- Thread starter NashvilleTJ
- Start date
I'm old enough that Pro E wasn't around part of the curriculum I learned (came out about 2 years into my Degree, but by then I had "advanced" to SDRC Ideas). Most of my experience is with Solidworks. I've dabbled a little with UG and now I'm using Inventor at a hobbiest level. Its the package we use at my shop, the guys seem to like it. I've made it do some cool stuff, but its not quite as intuitive as Solidworks was.
I still use graphing paper.
You should at least upgrade to the original CAD… cardboard aided design
OP
I spent a little time today fooling around with a design layout for the console. I still have some tweaking to do, but I like the general layout so far. The top of the center section will be about level with the seats. The top of the angled portion at the front will meet the dash just below the HVAC controls.
I may have to make the slots for the Atlas shifters a bit longer, but they only need to move about an inch in either direction.
I'm toying with an idea on how to build a set of parking brake levers that actuate from below, eliminating the need for a slot in the console.
Any thoughts?
I may have to make the slots for the Atlas shifters a bit longer, but they only need to move about an inch in either direction.
I'm toying with an idea on how to build a set of parking brake levers that actuate from below, eliminating the need for a slot in the console.
Any thoughts?
I like the how it looks. The cut out for the parking brake seems like a good idea. Not sure how else to mount them but you are creative and I'm sure you'll come up with something. And I will admit that I truly do miss my arm rest.
Does the height of the front section (around the Atlas shifters) block anything in the lower dash center section (switches etc)? Or are you using additional flat real estate on the new console for that stuff?
OP
Yes, all the switches and connectIons below the HVAC controls are blocked, and will be relocated - the switches to the SPOD. They would be inaccessible anyway as they woukd be blocked by the Triple shifter.
I love it. I like you included the arm rest on there. That is one of the reasons I've been holding off on the Genright console, well that and the additional need for Atlas cable shifters adding to the cost. I'll be very interested in how it turns out. Looks awesome so far!!
OP
The American Iron Ball Joint Eliminators were delivered today. Cool, simple design, and certainly appear to be pretty beefy.
One thing I do not like about the HD ball joints from Dynatrac is that their lower ball joint (below on the right) hangs down way below the knuckle (which ends at the snap ring slot). That star nut on the bottom, into which the zerk fitting screws, is the part of the joint which locks in the ball, and unscrews / disassembles for a rebuild. Lay that on a rock (which could happen in my rig) and my guess is that it could destroy the joint - or at least damage it enough that it could not be disassembled for a rebuild.
The American Iron joint also hangs down a little below the knuckle, but the big allen head bolt would likely fare much better against a rock.
I'll give it a bit more thought, but I am leaning toward installing the America Iron eliminators.
One thing I do not like about the HD ball joints from Dynatrac is that their lower ball joint (below on the right) hangs down way below the knuckle (which ends at the snap ring slot). That star nut on the bottom, into which the zerk fitting screws, is the part of the joint which locks in the ball, and unscrews / disassembles for a rebuild. Lay that on a rock (which could happen in my rig) and my guess is that it could destroy the joint - or at least damage it enough that it could not be disassembled for a rebuild.
The American Iron joint also hangs down a little below the knuckle, but the big allen head bolt would likely fare much better against a rock.
I'll give it a bit more thought, but I am leaning toward installing the America Iron eliminators.
Does anyone know the reason why a ball joint is typically used on a straight axle? The bearing design of the eliminators makes more sense to me as the motion (presumably) only occurs in rotation about the steering axis? I suppose another way of asking the question is; Does the C or knuckle flex enough that the additional degree of freedom in traditional ball motion protects the joint from stress?
Kind of talks about what I was thinking but in a double control arm situation I expect there is a lot more motion of the steering axis relative to the fixture the ball joint is in vs the C of a straight axle.
Yes, I can't see there being a lot of off-center difference on a solid axle either. I think once ball joints were developed they were cheaper than king pins and also required less maintenance. My first truck had a solid axle that had king pins and it was a PITA to work on.
BTW American Iron sells a kit for the TJ axle also.
Agree, I have a kingpin rebuild coming up on a 20 yr old International 4300, that I’m NOT look forward to.
OP
It's pretty rare when I don't have the right tool for a job, but I did not have a 3/4" allen to fit these joints. So in prep for the install I picked one up:
I actually picked up two, since I'll now have to keep one in the rig just in case.
I actually picked up two, since I'll now have to keep one in the rig just in case.
OP