Yesterday was a wash, waiting on parts. Ted worked on a POS grand prix. I spent the day doing paper work.

Today Ted and Kenneth are building a Clayton Longarm on a 98 TJ. Chris is rebuilding some Fox coilovers and fabbing some barrel bushing motor mounts for a 1 ton K5 to clear the new headers. If Davin's stuff shows up today, I'll be hanging the front 44 on his Tacoma finally

Al's is DONE!!!

Here's some flex shots of the new suspension

Things are going well on this wet monday. Kenneth and Ted mocked up the D44 under Davin's Taco. The parts should be here in a day or two to hang the front suspension. The steering shaft and firewall plate are in. And the Waggy spring have a couple less leaves for more flex and a better ride height.

Ted also knocked out a leaking AC system on Billy's Yota.

Chris finished all the fab work on Al's Buggy. The rear coilovers are now set at the correct suspension arch with tube work to the cage and some fenderwell clearancing. Tomorrow the front axle will be centered, ride height adjusted and all the suspension bolts will get a final torquing.

We busted ass on Al's Buggy last Friday. All of the tube work on the front hood line and rockers are complete. We spent hours on removing the previous rear suspension work, but the coil spring buckets have been nothing but problems. Chris is hammering on those. Once they are gone, we can cut the tub and mount the coilovers.

Kenneth is working on Davin's Tacoma. The plate on the firewall is proving to be difficult with a dust seal that goes over the new steering shaft. Once he knocks that out, we'll get him on swapping center dump headers on Jeff's 1 Ton Jimmy.

Ted is battling an AC system on Billy's 85 Yota. Then it's back on Davin's Tacoma to finish the t-case mount and work on pulling a few leaves from the 4" Waggy springs. If there is time left... back on Cory's 3.4L wiring harness.

I'm catching up on paper work and planing the week's schedule. Hopefully, I'll be back in the shop by two o'clock.

The 3 link is done on Al's buggy! All the welding is complete and the parts are painted awaiting final installation tomorrow. After we put it all back together, charge the coil overs, set ride height, bleed the brakes and plumb the full hydro... it's on to some tube work and remounting the rear coilovers. Mr Hughes should be tearing it up this weekend.

On Davin's Tacoma, the rear gears are done and Ted has the steering shaft/firewall mod mostly complete. The crossmember is bolted to the t-case but the frame mounts need to be welded in. We'll take care of that tomorrow and mount the front spring hanger. Can't wait to get our shackle mounts in.

Boy what a day! Ted and I became firefighters! Somehow the yard/fence of a house across the street went up in flames. The bamboo was engulfed at least 4 or 5 feet high in flames and was quickly spreading. We went through three industrial fire extinguishers to put it out. I think AFD was disappointed when they rolled up, only to drag a small hose out and hit the smoldering areas.

As far as actual work goes, Ted set up the rear gears in Davin's Tacoma. I got the steering box, driver's side frame stiffener and front crossmember in. We'll finish the rear axle, mount the spring hanger, and work on the t-case suspensded crossmember.

Chris got the coilovers on Al's buggy mounted. Tomorrow we'll finish all the welding and disassemble for paint. He also got a full brake job on a Grand Cherokee in.

So the team will work on these projects and get a 3" JK lift in there as well.

The carbs came in today for the race car with some sweet orange air cleaners and 6" tall K&N filters. Maybe we'll get it all together and run the car a little bit this weekend.

Usually I hate Mondays... planning the week out, getting parts ordered, calling customers and distributers back. But at least we got our new uniforms today. Something about your name on a shirt that makes a guy feel professional...

On Davin's Tacoma SAS Project, we're on track for mounting the ifs steering box tomorrow. I finished smoothing down the frame on the passenger side and welding in the frame stiffener. Ted's hacking away at the driver's side frame rail right now. After we pull the radiator and weld the crossmember and hangers, should be no time before we hang the springs and axle. The stuff from Ruff Stuff better show up soon. Ted got the D44 assembled hub to hub, minus the steering.

On Al's 3 Link CJ buggy, Chris got all the links and trackbar mocked up, as well as mounted the link bracketry. We flexed it out and have the coilover hoops bent up. Tomorrow we'll get those hung, fully weld and paint everything. Should have it all reassembled so we can start on remounting the rear coil overs and finishing up some tube work.

Davin's Tacoma D44 SAS

We started this project on Friday. Winch bumper and front suspension is torched. Should have the frame cleaned by the end of monday so the frame stiffeners and steering can be installed before hanging the front axle/suspension. we are using sky's hanger kit with leaf springs and high steer arms, ruff stuff bracketry and shackle mounts, and we'll build the shock hoops, steering, and shackles. It will also get a t-case mounted crossmember so the driveshaft will have proper clearance, custom brake and steering lines, steering shaft, Yota IFS box, 4.56 gears, a lock right, Yukon 4340 shafts and Warn premiums Here's some pics of Ted and Kenneth disassembling the IFS

Progress on Al's Buggy

We're getting a lot closer. On Friday, Chris built both ends of the track bar mounts. I finished the steering shaft and the upper link bracket. On monday we will build all the link arms, cycle the suspension, notch the driver's side frame and figure out where to mount the coilovers.

Kenneth is working well with the shop. Tomorrow, disassembly of the Tacoma is on. First will be removing the front bumper and welding the spring hangers. Then we can put the front end on jack stands and start torching brackets and grinding frame rails. Ted is building the front end and will be lead on this D44 solid axle swap.

Chris has finished the steering on Al's buggy. I got the shaft reworked and the truss mocked up. Chris got the link brackets mounted. Tomorrow we will build the arms, cycle the suspension, and fully weld the bracketry.Once that is done, it will be on to mounting the coilovers

Our new apprentice/shop hand started working for us today. Kenneth wrestled a rusty FJ40 frontend, replacing birfield seals and knuckle bearings.

I finally got the OX locker shimmed up properly in a D44.

Ted is continuing with wiring.

Chris knocked out the fab work on Al's full hydro. The motor is resting on its new mounts.

Tomorrow we finish the FJ40, I'll slap the shafts and brakes on the D44, we'll continue on the CJ buggy and start tear down on Davin's Tacoma D44 SAS

I forgot to mention, after tomorrow's work day, we're going over to see if we cooked our third race motor from the same builder.

Another day of working till 9PM. I'm feeling pretty good about getting work out this week.

Ted is getting a lot closer with the wiring harness.

Chris is mostly done with the hydro steer linkage and half of the motor mount project. Steering and motor mounts will be done tomorrow, and then we'll mock the axle in place to see if we can snake a 4th link in. 3 link will definately fit, but raising the front of the motor 2" provided much more at the frame rail.

I got the winningest trifecta of the day... tuning a shitty weber carb's choke, repairing the rear suspension of a Grand Prix, and replacing a starter on a filthy Chrysler Concord. At least I got to grind a little on Al's Jeep. And the shop is clean.

Today we got a lot accomplished. Chris and I had been going back and forth on what to do with Al's buggy. Do to the space constraints, we left on Friday thinking radius arms were going to be the best solution. After more research about the suspension bind possible with a radius arm setup, we have decided to not take the easy way out. Instead, we are cutting the motor mounts off, and raising the motor 2 inches so we can clear a 3 link. There is absolutely no way to get a 4 link done with the girth of the tranny and V8. But we can squeeze an upper arm on the passenger side if the motor is moved up. There were no options on rerouting the exhaust, so tubular motor mounts with poly bushings will be what's in store. As we speak at 9:45PM, Chris is finishing a very clean hydro ram mount on the axle. Tomorrow he dives in on the motor mounts and shortly after, suspension links.

Ted has finalized the blueprint for Cory's 3.4 swap laid out. After realizing that the tech articles he had been going off of were for a diferent year model wiring harness, he has settled on building a hybrid one. It wil utilize some of the factory 90 3.0 4runner harness, part of a 97 harness and part of a T100 wiring. Goal is to have it running by wednesday night.

All I got done was tuning a weber and replacing some FJ40 shocks. Tomorrow the guys will continue with their projects. I'll finish the carb choke tuning and dive in to some leaking birfields. Then it's on to Eli's D44 OX Locker and fixing the suspension on a not so sweet Gran Prix. Hooray for me!

Tomorrow we continue working on the 3.4L wiring harness in the 4Runner, as well as build the front link suspension on Al's Buggy. There's also an FJ40 to replace birf seals, a weber to tune when the gaskets arrice, a rear 44 to set up in a YJ, Laura's FJ62 rear bumper with Davin's Taco coming in on thursday to start the SAS with a D44.

We worked a half day on Good Friday, but spent hours deciding on the best setup given the current truck. The front axle will be shoved forward quite a bit. Unfotunately with the width and length of the motor in relation to the very narrow frame rails, we can not physically fit the double triangulated 4 link we had first envisioned. Because of motor mount and exhaust issues, a 3 link is also impossible. Chris and I looked at triangulated lowers and straight uppers, but it would cause a tremendous ammount of axle steer and be impossible to get the needed triangulation and the right arm lengths. So Krawltex will be building Al's CJ buggy with a front radius arm set up, panhard bar, and full hydro.

Krawltex and Citysearch Austin

Hey guys and gals,

Krawltex is now online at citysearch.com This is a great website for finding different businesses and events to a specific town. We are doing everything we can to expand in our market, getting the word out that we are here to support the central Texas four wheeling community. Citysearch will help up our internet presence when somebody is looking for parts, fab work, or anything four wheel drive related. If you like the work, parts, and or service that we deliver, please go to the site and write us a short review. The more feedback we have on the site will help our internet credit and hopefully bump us up to the top page when ever somebody searches for off road shops, parts, and service in the area. It's easy to register at city search or you can use your facebook login. This will bring us more exposure because it will post a small heading on your "wall" that tells friends about the review you just posted, with a link back to our site. Thanks for all of your continued support, especially in these economic times. We couldn't do it without the help of such great friends and customers.
Cam

http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/45066514/austin_tx/krawltex_motorsports.html#profileTab-reviews

forward progress

Wow it was hot today! I'm going to say F- on Dickies work shirts from now on. Atleast the work wear you can buy from Walmart. These must be 100% polyester!

I finished a wiring problem in an abs system on a not so sweet Buik this morning. The race car's suspension has now been fixed. Before we ran it last saturday, I noticed a cracked suspension bracket and rewelded it. We stopped testing after noticing some rear end play. Turns out it was a busted unibearing and worn swing arm bushings, probably what also damaged the chasis bracket. But she is all back together and ready to drive to Dave's house in Westlake... back roads of course.

We bought a bunch of Toyota schematics today. I bet Ted will have the 3.4L wiring knocked out in another day or so.

Chris worked on the CJ buggy's wiring. He was able to salvage the electric fan, clocked and replaced a heavy duty 78amp alternator, and remounted the starter relay. I think he's at home right now rebuilding the turbo 400 in his buggy.

Tomorrows another day. We'll be spending Good Friday on the 4runner motor swap, a Chevy leveling kit, a YJ fluid service, an FJ40 front axle rebuild, and hopefully a front 4 link.

Today Ted is continuing on the 3.4L 4runner swap, taking a huge stab at the wiring. Chris is working on a steering shaft, electric fan and alternator on Al's buggy. I'm going to finish working out the electrical bugs in an ABS system and pull the race car's rear suspension apart.

Upcoming projects... 4 link/hydro steer on Al's CJ5 buggy, leveling kit for a Chevy 1/2 ton, Clayton longarm or Jonas' TJ, Weber 34 on Ryan's 90 YJ, axle rebuild and shocks for an FJ40, Davin's SAS on his 02 Tacoma, rear bumper and new springs for Laura's FJ62, headers and doubler work on Jeff's 1 ton Jimmy

I think this day has already been way too long. Didn't tear the buggy apart yet, but I may stay late again. Chris found out one of the problems with the TIG not working and also knocked out a sweet orbital mount for Al's buggy. Ted is hammering away at the 4runner wiring.

Most of my day has been spent talking to customers, tracking down parts that have been ordered, and running other errands. Now I'm butting heads with the landlord about his building rennovations screwing with my monday through friday operations. Sucks being the boss sometime.

On a lighter note, Ruff Stuff Specialties is coming out with a trailing arm kit for a rear desert style 4-link suspension in a few weeks. I plan to be one of the first to install it. Properly set up, the travel should be around 28 inches! My F150 will be so plush.

As it sits with Bombshell Racing, we decided to nix the New Mexico 150 mile race and do the MORE 500 in Lucerne, California. This race will be the weekend of May 30th and a night race to boot. I will be driving part of the race for a couple 70 mile laps with Ted and Chris both sharing co-driver duties. After this race, Dave Pearson (fabricator/racer/builder of our class 5) will take the car back to his shop for some tweaks... a new Mendeola transmission and race prepping for the Vegas to Reno 1000 mile race in August!

April 8th...

Today we continue working on a 3.4L swap in Cory's 4runner. The swap has not been as easy as some of the yotatech write ups would suggest. But Ted knocked out the new exhaust crossover pipe and had the motor stabbed late last night. We are adapting the wiring harness and computer out of a 97 4wd T100 with an automatic to work with the factory 3.0/automatic set up.

Beyond the new exhaust pipe, the stock oil pan off the 3.0 was swapped on to the 3.4L, as well as a dip stick tube. The cover over the steering shaft rag joint will be removed and a shorter belt will be used to keep the alternator from hitting the steering shaft. Also, the AC fittings are slightly different. We may swap the v-belt clutch off the old 3 liter motor with the serpentine clutch off the 3.4 compressor. This seems like the easiest solution. Hopefully, there won't be any more gotchas. ORS use to build a wiring harness kit, making the swap pretty much a bolt on. Unfortunately, they went under. Good news is Ted is a wiring whiz.

With Al's buggy, we anticipate having the 4 link brackets in today or tomorrow. Hell, they were ordered on the 26th! We have all the heims, tubing, and hydro steer parts. We're just waiting on the tabs so we can link out the front suspension. Chris is lead on that project. After the suspension and steering are done, it's getting some tube work and a remount of the rear coilovers.

On my end, I'm working on a few little things... tuning a webber 34 on a YJ, working on a friend's car, and replacing worn suspension components on the race car. Before we went out this weekend to the test track, I spotted a crack in a lower suspension mounting bracket, which we immediately welded up. After beating the hell out of it for almost 100 miles, some play developed in the unibearing on that same corner. After talking with Dave Bonner, a Class 5 unlimited guru it seems that the poly suspension bushings in the lower swing arms are most likely bad, causing the bearing failure and most likely the crack in the suspension bracket. So That's what I'll be working with.

Krawltex and Blogging?

Hey guys and girls!

We have a ton of loyal customers and friends that already frequent our website, mostly keeping up with us on the forum and checking out the photo gallery. For those new to our site, we hope blogging will keep people up to date with what's new and let everyone know a little bit more about what we do here. Krawltex will begin blogging about daily shop operations, the desert race team, ongoing and upcoming projects, new products with reviews, and anything else Krawltex related. So stop by often and see what's going on.

Thanks for your continuing support!

Cameron Chin
owner