Thread: Lucky 8's Project P38

Project Update : A biff, A bash, but never a crash

Last weeks adventures during Rovers on the Rocks tested all of the armor and gave the Ashcroft ATB a full on work out.








A Biff

Before we get to the rock challenge lets have a look at the brand new front steering guard from Terrfirma.




I was planing on taking some action shots with the guard during Rovers on the Rocks but with in the first few minutes the guard was put to the test.



The new guard fit with ease and was able to take the abuse.



A Bash

The steering guard was not the only new piece of armor earning its salt. The tank guard took a beating.







With out the guard the gas tank would not have survived this.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iar726Zl8Q&feature=c4-overview&list=UUUnCLXtAqip_9qd-T1NenbA]Terrafirma gas tank guard test - YouTube[/ame]

Never a crash

The P38 performed amazingly and this was partly due to the Terrafirma beed locks. I aired them down to 8psi and they gave us all the grip we could possibly ask for.



Traction can be a double edged sword. If the tire has more grip then the drivetrain has strength to spin it two things can happen.
1 the motor bogs down and wants to die
2 the weakest link in the system does its best rice crispy impression “Snap Crackle Pop"



Yep you guest it we went with choice number two. The 4 dot 6 combined with the sticky icky Nitto’s ended in Snap Crackle Pop. We are betting it is the front viscous 1/2 shaft in the transfer case. Unfortunately this neutered the front drivetrain leaving us in rear wheel drive only. The silver lining in this failure is we were able to see just how good the Ashcroft ATB is.




This situation gave us a unique oppertunity to see the ATB in action. With the traction control disabled and no power going to the front wheels this was a perfect challenge. Could the Ashcroft unit provide enough torque transfer to the one rear wheel on the ground to push the front two wheels over the rock and dirt mound?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhdpSW9tRBw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUUnCLXtAqip_9qd-T1NenbA]Ashcroft ATB test - YouTube[/ame]

My hats off to the ATB. If the traction control was working, I’m betting it would have walked right out with very little effort.

Before we get to the poser picture I have two other pictures I would like to share. The first one is of the Mud pod. I am really liking this on the dash.



And the other picture is of the snorkel. We had a few water crossings and for the first time in a long time I took the P38 back with a dry air filter.



Finally the poser pic.

That looks like a serious weekend!

After doing a CV joint, front left drive shaft and Viscous Coupling recently myself I will be interested to see what you managed to break. My guess, CVJ and drive shaft. Are you still running with the locked VC or are you now back to a standard VC?

Gary

Originally Posted by mtb_gary

That looks like a serious weekend!

Thank you

Originally Posted by mtb_gary

After doing a CV joint, front left drive shaft and Viscous Coupling recently myself I will be interested to see what you managed to break. My guess, CVJ and drive shaft.

We did a few quick tests and it was not the CV or 1/2 shafts

Originally Posted by mtb_gary

Are you still running with the locked VC or are you now back to a standard VC?

Gary

Still running the locked VC

Nice work! You certainly don't let the P38 take the easy way - and it's good to see all the extra underbody protection is doing its job!

I noticed your YouTube vid of the ATB the other day and was wondering if you were in rear drive only! Excellent work!

Cheers
Keithy

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

What I've done in the past is have the file available as a PDF and a couple of the most common CAD formats and have it for sale as a download. Usually about $10- to 50, depending on the type and size/intricacy of component.

This could be done here, shared/sold through the site and help to fund the site.

This makes great sense.

I think the challenge will be finding sympathetic (read cheap but not nasty) fabricators in the big cities that can spit the stuff out in small batches with low (or hopefully no) margins.

And beats me how we overcome the freight cost issues this big red place compels.

Originally Posted by DT-P38

This makes great sense.

I think the challenge will be finding sympathetic (read cheap but not nasty) fabricators in the big cities that can spit the stuff out in small batches with low (or hopefully no) margins.

And beats me how we overcome the freight cost issues this big red place compels.

Hi,

yes we are facing that issue with the rear bar design as well ;(

Steve

Thats a real endorsement to the atb diff.

Do they run a certain amount of preload, or did you have your foot on the brakes?

It'll be interesting to see what sort of break it is. Wether it's a shatter or slow twist (torque). After riding in my brothers d1 last weekend the auto box and vc makes it so much easier on the drive line.

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

Originally Posted by benji

Thats a real endorsement to the atb diff.

Do they run a certain amount of preload, or did you have your foot on the brakes?

It'll be interesting to see what sort of break it is. Wether it's a shatter or slow twist (torque). After riding in my brothers d1 last weekend the auto box and vc makes it so much easier on the drive line.

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

No feet on the brakes. It is just the wheel spin transferring power.