Project new tow rig, round two!

[Dieselcrawler]

Went and picked up another drw sterling and got it slid under with the springs on top this time. Much happier other than I need to get shorter bags. Got all the brakes rebuilt, driveshaft hooked up, and sitting on its weight.

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[Dieselcrawler]

finally getting somewhere. went out and picked up shorter bags, may eventually go with even shorter ones, but going to give these a try and see how they work. got the bags installed, reconfigured my upper bag mount and got it bolted in. everything looks much better now.

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then got the level valve mounted and plumbed on the crossmember. had to tweak the arm to get it lines up where i want. the lower mount will get made and bolted to the rear utilizing the diff cover bolts.

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bag bottoms sit much higher now. very happy with this.

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only issue i have ran into which isnt really an issue, i need to install shims to rock the pinion back down. right now its dead straight into the shaft.

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[DaveBen]

I like to set my pinion and tranny output shaft parallel to each other. Never had a u-joint problem doing this.

Dave

 

[Dieselcrawler]

I will be. Only time you want the rear like how mine is is when the shaft has a double carden at the other end.

 

[crash-harris]

IIRC you normally want the pinion pointed 2* down w/o a double carden? I can't recall of JBG sells 2* shims.

What are the specs on the bags and where did you get them? Curious for future projects

 

[Dieselcrawler]

Freightliner bags. Bought from local Mack dealer. Can get specs later

 

[Dieselcrawler]

It moves!!!

Got fuel tank in, hooked up temporarily along with the air tank. Had to get it out of the shop so I could clean up. Rear end is high cause the valve isn't hooked up yet.

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Then I dug this out. Figure I will attack it soon.

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I need to do some junk yard searching to find a tractor trailer air switch for the locker. Can't bring myself to install the modern electric switch and solenoid to control the locker. It looks just like this but says diff lock instead of inner axle lock.

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[Dieselcrawler]

got my lower mount rough cut for the level valve. gave it a few extra holes for adjustmens. also got fuel tank installed, modified a gas sending unit, wired it up. then shortened and plumbed the lines. slowly getting there. just ordered everything i need to make a track bar and shock mounts.

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[crash-harris]

Going to run your trackbar from a spring plate or the top of the diff like the bus axle would've had?

 

[Dieselcrawler]

The bus has a large cast iron mount that comes off the passenger side tube and the bar goes to drivers frame. I will be copying that design with a bracket off passenger side tube and running across to drivers side. Then I am cutting the original shock tabs off the axle and welding new ones on higher to utilize stock length shocks still.

 

[crash-harris]

Sounds like a solid plan

Liking it so far.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

Not much done recently. Did get most of the interior done. No pics though
Got shock mounts and my lower track bar bracket buzzed on. Have more parts coming Monday so the rest has to wait till they come.

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[Dieselcrawler]

I apologize for the sideways pics. Will fix them next time I get on a computer

 

[Dieselcrawler]

Shocks bolted in, track bar done. Getting there!

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[jhenegh]

Thats a very nice setup. Looks very doable for a typical fabricator too. Bookmarked