My new build thread: Stage 4!

[swyfor5]

Well, it's a new year! 2015! Found this and am going to stick to it this year:

THE WAY TO GET STARTED IS TO QUIT TALKING AND BEGING DOING! 2015 is the year for me to really move ahead on this build! Body mounts and body work are next!

[swyfor5]

Damn, just can't control myself. Been wanting the DIY4X4's engine crossmember for years. Well, it's on the way, and no regrets so far! Will work great when I drop in the rebuilt 383 stroker! Post up some pic's when it gets here!

[swamp rat]

Keep at it and post pic's of the progress.

[swyfor5]

Completly off topic, but am working on a deal to buy a 1995 jeep wrangler for the wife. She stopped and looked at it the other day and wants it. It has the usual issues for a Mi vehicle, but not too bad. We both looked at it today, and I contacted the owner on the phone. Going to go and really check it out next weekend. If we pick it up it will just be a trail riding toy to beat on, and used as a trail rig-Don't have to worry about body damage so much. Body is rusty, but thats ok, no worries! More too come next weekend!

[swyfor5]

Working on filling up the Rampage jerry can tool box. Got a new set of screwdivers,and hand wrenches 1/4" through 5/8". Also a new set of pliers coming. All Craftsman from Sears. Not a lot of room in this box, but want the tools you might need. Any more ideas?

[swyfor5]

Passed on the Jeep today, after further inspection. Price was right, but way too much rust. Good for me, one project is enough. Need to get this K5 done!

[swyfor5]

Still working on the tool box setup. Just ordered up a set of craftsman deep and shallow 3/8" sockets. I am going to need more storage for tools eventualy, but this is a start. Plan on using a military ammo container with mount to add to my tool stash!

[swyfor5]

Just bought a new/used set of wheels and tires for the K5! 37X12.5X16.5 OZ rubber on 12 bolt Hummer wheels. Not what I want in the end, but one step closer! Bought off e-bay, with free shipping, ship date of next week. Will get some pic's when they get here! Interested in how much ground clearence I gain at the front and rear differentials!

[swyfor5]

Well the tire deal on e-bay fell through. Guess the seller didnt want to pay for free shipping. Really don't care much for e-bay anymore! Gonna look around locally for some temporary 37's.

[Chulisohombre]

Many places sell military takeoff tires. You would have to re center the hummer rims or use spacers for them to work on our trucks.

[swyfor5]

Right Chuli, I was planning on going with the spacers. Mainly because this was going to be a temporary setup. I am rethinking this and may just wait to get what I want to run in the end.

[Chulisohombre]

If I remember correct people are using 2 inch spacers since the Humvee rims have 6 inch backspace to fit over their geared hubs. A lot of people don't know that. Was just giving a heads up. 16.5 rims and tires are becoming obsolete and eventually I think the only way to get them will be military. With that said I can find the tires locally for 75-100 dollars each depending on tread depth. If you have a military depot near you they sell off a lot of stuff at auctions. Or if you decide on wanting the Humvee stuff Boyce equipment and trailworthy are a couple places that sell them. I be seen some places recentering the rims and then reselling them already done and ready to roll.

[swyfor5]

Well, I went and did it now! Picked up a nice used set of 4 37x12.5x16.5 Goodyear MTR's on 24 bolt Humvee wheels. Got a real good deal on them too. Now just need to figure out what size spacers to order to make them fit. Only had to drive about 60 miles roundtrip to pick them up. Got a couple pic's of them still in the back of my truck!

[Chulisohombre]

2 inch spacers pretty sure. Those have real good tread on them too. Glad you found some.

[Chulisohombre]

Just found on pirate and coloradok5 most people are using 2" spacers. That way it has room to clear the tie rod ends and not hit the wheelwells.

[swyfor5]

Thanks Chuli. Couldnt help myself and had to bring one in the basement and clean it up and slap on some armor all. So stoked to get some real rubber under this K5 again! Next comes paint for the Humvee 24 bolt wheels! Ran the date code and looks like tires were made in 2008, I am good with that! Couple pic's after cleaning up one.

[Chulisohombre]

No problem. They look pretty good. They will be my next set of tires too I think.

[swyfor5]

Got all 4 of them cleaned up and shiny. Painted the wheels inside and out. Very happy, another giant leap on this build! Pic's tommorrow!

[swyfor5]

Got some pic's after painting the wheels and some shine work. These are not new, but still have plenty of tread, with load range of "E", so will last a long time yet! I also really like the look of the Humvee wheels, what with all the bolts and all. Not fancy looking but real aggresive look!

[swyfor5]

Measured the backspacing on these humvee wheels= 7 inches. Doing some research on stock 1984 dana 60 front, and 14 bolt rear stock wheel backspacing to determine what size spacers to order. I guess I will pull off one of the stock type wheels I have mounted now and measure the backspacing on it. I'm guessing closer to 2.5" instead of 2". I am running high steer arms and crossover steering with 4 wheel disc brakes. Any advice guy's?

[SeventyOne]

I think you're going to want between 3.5 to 5" backspacing depending on how wide you want it and how far you like the tires to stick out.

You could mock the tires up in the wheel wells to get it how you like it visually, do some measurements from inner wheel flange to the other side, subtract the WMS width on the D60 (67"?), divide by 2 and viola - you have your spacer thickness. Make sense? And of course make sure it clears all your steering stuff.

[swyfor5]

Thank's, Seventyone! I am still researching this. Found some really, really nice spacers at 2". That would give me 5" of backspace. I am hoping that will work here, guess I will mock up the front wheels and see if that fits. The spacers I am looking at are pricy, but very nice!

[SeventyOne]

Maybe you can stack 2" of washers on the wheel studs to see if it gives you the width you want before committing to the purchase.

[swyfor5]

Looking everywhere for some spacers that will work here. Want to make sure I buy what I need the first time. Dana60 front, 14 bolt rear with Humvee 24 bolt wheels. Need, I think so far, 2" or 2 1/2" spacers. So many out there, need some help. Have to make sure they fit over my front hubs and fit my wheel stud and nut size. Anybody here done this and can steer me to a vendor for my setup?

[SeventyOne]

Are you a member on Pirate4x4? Sounds like a great question for those guys.