Ahh, look what Ebay turned up?

[JSBriggs]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31849&item=2476265451&rd=1

There is more to this truck than meets the eye!

-Jeff

[Mike Hippert]

WOW! Nice ride! Gona have to keep an eye on it, its only at $500 currently. I like the T-case shifter.

[dmarchand]

There is more to this truck than meets the eye!

What's the story Jeff?

[rover4x4]

I wonder what that other shifter to the right of the diff-lock is? perhaps overdrive? I thought the ashcroft was the only crawler box for the D-90? those from what I gathered had the shifter closer to the drivers side of the vehicle???

[rover4x4]

maybe he meant its got some cool mod's but doesnt appear to have the mods that it does have? something like that

[Buckon37s]

How can it have a 5-speed and an autobox? And, there are other crawler gears than Ashcroft.

[TwisteD90]

Wasn't this truck in the D-90 source classified? I'm sure I've seen this truck before.

[rover4x4]

I know there are others, but I wondered since it had the extra lever??

[Tawayama]

'extras'

Warn D44 crmo axle shafts front and rear (fronts have UJ's like my 80-inch does) stock axle housing and swivel balls.

Cooper 'underdrive'. Only one ever made. Entirely hand built from scratch, case included. Works impeccably. Prototype for future underdrive and under/overdrive which has been in the works for several years. No idea when the real product will develop, but this truck has the first one. Better than an Ashcroft UD.

That's about it.

[Screehopper]

Originally posted by rover4x4
I know there are others, but I wondered since it had the extra lever??

After reading the description in the ebay listing it says he installed a crawler gear in the transfer box.

[rover4x4]

there's an extra lever. maybe he has crawler gears and a underdrive..

[JSBriggs]

It has and underdrive, but I highly doubt it has lower gears in the case.

It also says it is dent free, so maybe they did some bodywork, but I doubt it as it has the same trimed fender flares

-Jeff

Edit:

http://www.recoverygear.com/smbdmg.html

[mudrover]

Originally posted by Tawayama
'extras'

Warn D44 crmo axle shafts front and rear (fronts have UJ's like my 80-inch does) stock axle housing and swivel balls.

Michael, do you have any more info the axles? Is he running a 30 spline ARB up front or did moser respline the axles down to 24 at the diff? U-Joint size 297 or 260? Did anything have to be ground down to fit in the swivel ball? And what's the deal with the outer shafts? Did the spindle have to be reamed? Any more info would be great. Or is the info that your not allowed to divulge.

[DJ Menasco]

Mike

Whose D90 was that?

DJ

[JSBriggs]

24 spline. Dutchman....(warn) Its from a 44, not a 60. The stub axles have a machined bronze bushing in them.

Who's was it? Ed Hutson's

-Jeff

[mudrover]

Jeff, do you know the U-Joint size that was used or any other clearence issues with the ears on the shafts? If you can squeeze in the 297 u-joint then this seems worthwhile because you can always turn to CTMs, but if it only fits the smaller D44 ujoints then it doesn't seem worthwhile. And who mentioned anything about 60s?

[JSBriggs]

297. These are the same axles that Slade is running in his S1

The 60 comment was in responce to grinding stuff down and boring spindles, etc.

-Jeff

[Buckon37s]

Peter,

For the 60's you need to call KC www.neversummeroffroad.com or you can PM me. They will not fit in a rover spindle. To fit the 44 you need to do some grinding and yes CTM's are the only option. I am not sure of the actual strenth gain with the spicer stock stuff over the 110 CV's. You have to keep in mind though that your weak spot just moves to the R+P once you do this and that will snap, crackle, pop instead of the trail fixable ends.

[mudrover]

Thanks Jeff, next time I have the front end appart I will slide in some 44 shafts w/ 297 Ujoints and figure out what needs to be done to make them work.

Buck, if I decide to keep the Rover front end, then I will go to a Toy center. Or maybe I should just bypass this whole mess and go with fullwidth 60s. It all depends on how much money I can scrounge up this summer. The one thing is certain that the front end just isn't cutting it. Carnage so far: couple CVs, front diff, R&P. All of this with a stock motor and little 32s.

[Buckon37s]

Sounds like you get on it. There are a few options for pretty affordable fixes that just came out or are coming out soon. With 32's those breaks are odd, were they stock? I wouldn't just throw a full width 60 under there, not with some of the other options out there, unless you are on a very tight budget and can find a cheap 35 spline 60, which is hard.

[mudrover]

Everything that broke was stock. I've since upgraded the front and rear end, but now that I'm planning on stepping up to larger tires soon (35s) I'm afriad that it won't be any better. So my options are to dump more cash polishing my turd rover front end, go 60 front 14 bolt rear and 38s (I'm decent with fab work) or just stop wheeling the rover. Pretty much my cash from working this summer will dictate what I'm doing.

[Buckon37s]

Sounds like you got it all dialed in. With 35's you MIGHT be able to survive for a while at least. 38's and yeah, you have to make that jump. I still am not sold on those 14 bolt anchors. Can your stock motor handle 38's and an extra 500 pounds? Anyway, good luck! and BTW: with 38s you need 6in of lift, go Mog portals for sure!

[mudrover]

Yeah, 14 bolts are major anchors, but with the creative shaving there not that bad. I know I can clear 36s with the 4in of lift I have now. So some 38.8/11 boggers should squeeze in with a lot of help from mr. sawszall and some new rear wheelwells.

[Tawayama]

There's a pic of the stub axle end on my website:

http://www.tawayama.com/webportfolio/industryportfolio/pages/U-joint.htm

The spindle has to be bored out to fit a brass bushing, the swivel ball is untouched. Inner axles are custom length to 24 spline.

We had 3 sets of front and rear axles made, one set completely exploded (operator error IMO), and the other two are still going strong. 297x's in them.

I have been contemplating CTM joints, but with weenie little 31x10.50x15 Swampers on my S1 I haven't needed to yet.

Ed's truck probably does not have crawler gears in the T-case.

Any other questions?

:grin

[TwisteD90]

Pete, if you ever decide to go with full width Dana 60 then you need to talk to Jeff Corwin (I think that's his last name). He is on this board. He is building a full width front and rear with better clearance then the Rover housing. Also he has some very good idea's but not sure if I want to say it in public, just in case they were a secret.

Oh yeah, the 60's are going under a 91 RRC.

Your other option is off coarse Rover Tracks. They have one of the best drop in axle in the market plus their HD front stuff.