Ox Locker Install

No need to go into details on the assembly and install of the Ox as the Ox instructions are pretty straight forward click here for Ox Instructions- warning, large pdf file!

there is only one problem with the Ox instructions: on page #3, step #6- It appears that you simply screw the cable end into the cover. However you can only screw the cable so far before it disappears into the shift fork. Once the cable is in there, you have no way to hold on to it in order to screw it in further. And at that point, it is only about 1/2 way from where it needs to be. Took quite some time to figure out that you have to remove 2 c-clips that are holding the fork, then unscrew the fork assembly from the diff cover. Once all of that is removed, you can then screw the cable the remainder of the way that is necessary. Geo was not real pleased with this issue considering it cost us a LOT of time and effort to figure out how to cure the problem. No doubt Geo will remember this on any future Ox installs.

Rear opened up and getting ready to start working




Introducing the Ox to my ring gear




Then the BIG problem hit. Some early '07 models (after they switched from D35 to D44 in all models) have 1/2" ring gear bolts. Later in '07 (and all since then) have 7/16" ring gear bolts. Well of course Murphy's Law- mine has the 1/2" bolts, and the Ox holes were made for 7/16" bolts. I thought my day was shot right there. There is no way possible a drill press is going to drill larger holes in that Ox- that steel is seriously hardened. Lucky for me, there is a machine shop right behind Geo's shop, and a couple guys were there working on stuff. Geo talked to them and they helped us out. Did I say that the steel is hardened? It took them 3 HOURS and they destroyed 2 endmill bits (I think that's what those bits are called??) drilling out the holes for me. Payment was a case of beer I bought them 2 cases since they saved me so much!

I won't bore you with the details of routing the cable. Anyone that is interested in seeing the cable run, click on thumbnails:






Cable routed, and shifter mounted- notice the RockRash4x4 custom touch- he powder coated the shifter nob black, but left the knurled portion of the nob un-coated (I love the look). He also powder coated the shifter plate (where the X and O are), then grinded off the powder coating leaving just the X and O in black- a really nice touch IMHO.








Finished

Very nicely done....

That unit looks hell for strong.

Nice

Almost forgot... While Geo & Timmay were busy with the technical stuff, I was busy with the non-technical but oh so important cosmetic stuff

I painted my jerry can holders black, painted the jerry cans olive drab, and painted my muffler high-temp black

Sweet.

Nice job.... it looks like you installed your seat waaaay too far forward though....

(great job on the install Geo... and the cans look great too)

Coolio Stevo.

Very Nice, I likey!!!

Very nice. Great write up.

Dude, that's freaking tight. I think you need to change your name to 'GnarlyRock' =)

!c

Super Jealous Here! :jawdrop:

very cool steve

got me itching for a rear locker now.... just no $$ to do it

Mr.RonGilbert wrote:

Nice job.... it looks like you installed your seat waaaay too far forward though....

(great job on the install Geo... and the cans look great too)

Have you seen Stevo's legs?? seat's just right....lol Looks great Steve! Got me thinkin... :drool2:

rohantmh wrote:

Mr.RonGilbert wrote:

Nice job.... it looks like you installed your seat waaaay too far forward though....

(great job on the install Geo... and the cans look great too)

Have you seen Stevo's legs?? seat's just right....lol Looks great Steve! Got me thinkin... :drool2:

Oh... the H-town guys always give me shit about my short legs. They're just jealous because short legs let me wheel better than them!