Jaaaaaag

"Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull" (RamblinRover) 01/13/2015 at 09:55 • Filed to: None

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Last night I finished the trimming of the Jaguar IRS girder to fit the Ranchero subframe. I also have the back of the diff case off - the gears look almost new, but I haven't seen the clutches yet.

Still pending, shorter shafts and control arms. The big reason to rework the girder now is so I can get the rear section of the truck sent off to sandblasting and not have to refer to it. For those curious, both axle shafts are out of the hubs since one being stuck the other day. Heat and careful pressure.

Here's the frame where it goes. I'm in the process of repurposing subframe replacements for a Mustang (part of a kit, not needed) as rear rail stiffeners/extensions to adapt the Jag axle (on right). I'm using the original Metalastik bushing bracket style, just slightly relocated.

Notice the taper on the girder... Falcon subframes are weird and narrow, narrower than an XKS or even an E Type, though the track width is the same as an E.

Rock Bottom > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/13/2015 at 09:57

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This is just so unnatural... and totally awesome!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Rock Bottom 01/13/2015 at 10:01

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"Normal people" would solid-mount the rear axle to the frame instead of repurposing the Jag floats-on-rubber girder and brackets. I am also not "normal people".

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/13/2015 at 10:07

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And no one would ever say you were. Good to see some progress.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem 01/13/2015 at 10:13

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That stuff I welded up in the ends of the girder is 11GA. Basically 1/8" thick, monster stuff. The two big reasons for reusing the Jaaaag girder are to get Jaaaag style noise/vib damping and Jaaag passive steering, but to make it passive steer properly I'm going to have to make sure the frame is stiff enough so that it won't flex and the rubber mounts will. Hence the 14GA channels over the rear ends of the subframe. The frame is 3" more narrow on the front end than the girder started out, so that made for a lot of trimming.

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/13/2015 at 10:33

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Also, you get to say Jaaaag more often.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem 01/13/2015 at 10:34

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Well, obviously. That's a high priority item.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/13/2015 at 10:36

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You're fast catching up to me there :) I think I'll have to jump on your expertise at some point with the Jag IRS. I've got plans to fit one to a TR7 V8 at some point, maybe an MGB and SD1 as well :)

Can't wait to see the finished product :)

Rock Bottom > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/13/2015 at 10:44

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If you were normal, you wouldn't be interacting with any of us!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 01/13/2015 at 10:53

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One thing I will say is that it's heavier 'n hell. The girder weighs hardly anything, but that gear case and limited slip set are maybe a good 90lb or so? The spring/shock units are light, the shafts and control arms are middle of the road to a bit heavy, but the gear case makes the whole thing a mammoth to move around.

ly2v8-Brian > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/13/2015 at 11:00

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This, this is good

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ly2v8-Brian 01/13/2015 at 11:03

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British engine into American truck, with a conversion to IRS - what can I say, I'm a rebel.

ly2v8-Brian > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/13/2015 at 11:04

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True hot rodding right there. Is it the falcon ranchero?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ly2v8-Brian 01/13/2015 at 11:14

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Correct. There are some other modifications going into that rear axle setup I'll leave as a surprise, but the short answer is that this is a great way to go to IRS with limited slip and a lot more power capacity (and better brakes) than what I had. The original axle was a tiny Ford 7 1/4" axle with low ratio, so probably not good for more than about 120hp.

Shoop > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/15/2015 at 01:25

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trimming of the Jaguar IRS girder to fit the Ranchero subframe.

I was in love from this sentence

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Shoop 01/15/2015 at 08:40

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Pending in the next several months: t-tops, Rover V8, four speed on column...