The Rubicon/Little Sluice Challenge Ultimate Junk-Yard Build
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
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From: Valencia, CA
Got the Teraflex sliders off. These really worked great - extremely strong and light weight. Let me know if anyone wants them. I think they were around $650 new, but these are FAR from new - very scratched up, but it is aluminum, so I imagine it would be pretty easy to sand and re-paint them (I never saw the need). You'd have to get your own hardware, and drilling is required.
Here they are:
So, I'm thinking $100 and you can pick them up at the Higher Ground shop in Sylmar.
Here they are:
So, I'm thinking $100 and you can pick them up at the Higher Ground shop in Sylmar.
Last edited by CALIJK; May 20, 2012 at 09:46 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 165
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From: San Diego, CA
The Higher Ground shop got a delivery from Artec Industires today of my Dana 60 Truss and Full Hydro Mounting Kit. I really like this thing!!! Here's a pic of it in the box:
Here's what it looks like all put together:
And here is an Artec truss on another one-ton build at the Higher Ground shop:
Here's what it looks like all put together:
And here is an Artec truss on another one-ton build at the Higher Ground shop:
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 448
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From: Omaha, NE
I always admired the JKU for it's storage capacity. However with that much spare sitting in the back I'll have you beat in my 2dr. 
Seriously though, I would not want to get a flat and have to try pulling your spare out. Looks like a major pain. Plus since the blow outs never happen on flat pavement there's the possibility of awkward angles and injuries. Any thoughts on having the mounting brace set up so it can swing the tire down and out past the rear bumper? Or having the mounting face pivot horizontally so the wheel can be rolled in and out? There's not much room but I'm willing to bet Jim could figure that out.
Seriously though, I would not want to get a flat and have to try pulling your spare out. Looks like a major pain. Plus since the blow outs never happen on flat pavement there's the possibility of awkward angles and injuries. Any thoughts on having the mounting brace set up so it can swing the tire down and out past the rear bumper? Or having the mounting face pivot horizontally so the wheel can be rolled in and out? There's not much room but I'm willing to bet Jim could figure that out.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
I always admired the JKU for it's storage capacity. However with that much spare sitting in the back I'll have you beat in my 2dr. Seriously though, I would not want to get a flat and have to try pulling your spare out. Looks like a major pain. Plus since the blow outs never happen on flat pavement there's the possibility of awkward angles and injuries. Any thoughts on having the mounting brace set up so it can swing the tire down and out past the rear bumper? Or having the mounting face pivot horizontally so the wheel can be rolled in and out? There's not much room but I'm willing to bet Jim could figure that out.
Seriously though, I would not want to get a flat and have to try pulling your spare out. Looks like a major pain. Plus since the blow outs never happen on flat pavement there's the possibility of awkward angles and injuries. Any thoughts on having the mounting brace set up so it can swing the tire down and out past the rear bumper? Or having the mounting face pivot horizontally so the wheel can be rolled in and out? There's not much room but I'm willing to bet Jim could figure that out.You're right also about storage; that's why my second row seat is out and it won't be going back in. I'm looking to put in a flat storage area where the rear seat was, like the one made by Kilby. Then, Jim gets all the rear tub area for shocks, fuel cell, spare tire, compressor, dual batteries, etc. It will be tight, but he's already got it all mapped out.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
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From: Valencia, CA
Thanks Remy - this has been a lot of fun and I'm learning a lot just by watching Jim work on it - every once in awhile, he let's me turn a wrench too, as long as it is easy stuff. Can't wait to get back out to Moab and do some trails with you - I already have a condo reserved.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
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From: Valencia, CA
Artec 14-Bolt Truss, Pinion Guard, and Bridge
I forgot to post this earlier, but the Higher Ground shop also got a shipment of the 14-bolt truss, pinion guard and bridge combo that Artec Industries makes. The more I see the products from Artec, the more impressed I am with this company. I think "bullet-proof" is an understatement. I can't wait to see this thing welded onto my rear axle. Jim likes to use the trusses from Artec, because they are full width, and very low profile, which means we can get more up travel in the suspension.
Here's my kit that the UPS man brought:
Here's a clearer pic of how the truss will look like:
And, here is the bridge and pinion guard:
Then, here's how the bridge mates with the truss:
Here's my kit that the UPS man brought:
Here's a clearer pic of how the truss will look like:
And, here is the bridge and pinion guard:
Then, here's how the bridge mates with the truss:
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
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From: Valencia, CA
Vince had a good time this evening mounting his new 39" BFG Krawlers - well, at least just the spare, as we will be finishing the rest at the Higher Ground shop next Saturday.
Which, of course, means that he's got five extra tires that he needs to get rid of. First dibs goes to the folks following this thread, but if no-one wants them, he will post them in the For Sale section later this week. He's got 5 Toyo Open Country MT tires in the 37x13.50x17 variety. Four of them have 50 to 60% thread left, and one has about 90% left. Vince is looking to get $600 for all 5 tires. If you want them, let him know by PM - he is "modestoperandi." Here's a few pics of the Toyos:
If you want to see them in person, they will be at the Higher Ground shop in Sylmar next Saturday.
Which, of course, means that he's got five extra tires that he needs to get rid of. First dibs goes to the folks following this thread, but if no-one wants them, he will post them in the For Sale section later this week. He's got 5 Toyo Open Country MT tires in the 37x13.50x17 variety. Four of them have 50 to 60% thread left, and one has about 90% left. Vince is looking to get $600 for all 5 tires. If you want them, let him know by PM - he is "modestoperandi." Here's a few pics of the Toyos:
If you want to see them in person, they will be at the Higher Ground shop in Sylmar next Saturday.
Last edited by CALIJK; May 20, 2012 at 06:29 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,942
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From: Valencia, CA
Jim of Higher Ground struck out at three different junk yards today that said they had my Dana 60, but each turned out being the wrong model. Jim is looking for a very specific high pinion Dana 60 out of a 1978 or 1979 Ford F-350 Super-Duty truck - these are hard to come by as they are the Holy Grail for hard-core builders looking for front 60's, as the pumpkin is offset far enough away from the frame so that it will not limit uptravel.
Well, after a lot of research we hopefully have an axle. Jim found it in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it is in the back of some wheeler's truck. We are hoping to make the deal and then get it truck shipped to the shop. Based on pics and descriptions, this appears to be in perfect condition for us and is a complete assembly, not just the housing - which means trail spares!
Sorry for the low quality cell phone pic, but you'll get the idea:
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Well, after a lot of research we hopefully have an axle. Jim found it in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it is in the back of some wheeler's truck. We are hoping to make the deal and then get it truck shipped to the shop. Based on pics and descriptions, this appears to be in perfect condition for us and is a complete assembly, not just the housing - which means trail spares!
Sorry for the low quality cell phone pic, but you'll get the idea: