1996 Ranger SAS 4-link [Archive] - The Ranger Station Forums

fordguy64

11-03-2007, 08:41 PM

so the swap has finally started... was going to go with the dana 44 but didnt want to go through all the work of narrowing the axle and the different bp so i went to the junk yard today and pulled a dana 30 out of a jeep... got it home and cut off all of the brakets.. ordering heims and tubing soon.. then gonna pull the dana 35 out (freshly rebuilt will be for sale soon with a 6 inch bds lift)
this is what the truck looks like now
http://a413.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/65/l_239af394fd096abf3fb8c4e1ecd8cb4c.jpg

this is it "flexing" but its not really lol
http://b6.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01100/63/92/1100172936_l.jpg

fordguy64

11-04-2007, 10:34 AM

this is the new axle with all the brackets and everything cut off
http://a766.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_78e31a92e319f4fbb5e31e7febd27c55.jpg
http://a573.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/90/l_cc87242c087ac457ba47ad0332a8eabc.jpg

This is all the stuff i cut off
http://a913.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_6816c5df4789cd62b06dd35fcb5751a8.jpg

hopefully get some room cleared out in the garage so i can start taking the dana 35 out...
http://a138.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/2/l_f3326b40e0a15fdb362fd69e408760c9.jpg
http://a275.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/26/l_eb59673d7dd617f68f6a7c21a5919a32.jpg

fordguy64

11-06-2007, 06:56 PM

i think i finally decided on what kinda rod ends I'm going to use.... planning on using the BA-187's (http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/product.php?productid=16605&cat=0&page=) on one end and the RSMX8T (http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/product.php?productid=14&cat=154&page=1) or the RSMX10T on the other ends... i was going to use a heim on both ends but i plan on driving the truck on the road some. This way it should give me a little softer of a ride... Probably going to end up using 1.74x.250 DOM tubing for the lower links and 1.5x.120 for the uppers..

sound like a good combo? should hold my little truck? its a 4.0 5 speed with 33x12.5 MTs 3.73 gears plan on doing a t-case doubler down the road a little.

i also work at a machine shop. We have 5 cnc Bridgeport's and a Water Jet <<<going to design my own brackets and cut them out.. I'm also i certified welder..

fordguy64

11-10-2007, 02:07 PM

well took me about 4 hours today to pull the 35 and all the lift brackets off... got the 30 sitting under the truck about where its going to be... :headbang:

http://a845.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/98/l_38aa56fe5e8b18599b5091cf0d375c04.jpg

http://a704.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/15/l_daf075f861b74d2d20f3fa2f513a1ce7.jpg

http://a353.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/42/l_82f5fadf4c4c220f2c0a3fd260b16b58.jpg

Woods-Rider

11-11-2007, 08:15 PM

looking good

fordguy64

11-11-2007, 10:14 PM

thanks im going to be cutting out a test bracket on the water jet to see if my design is anywhere close to what it needs to be... so no one has an opinion on my rod ends?

Jim Oaks

11-11-2007, 11:20 PM

i also work at a machine shop. We have 5 cnc Bridgeport's and a Water Jet <<<going to design my own brackets and cut them out.. I'm also i certified welder..

Man, if we were closer I'd put you to work for me. I could also use some welding and water jet work.

If you're going to wheel this thing I would go with rebuildable rod ends. Different suspension companies are starting to offer kits with rebuildable rod ends.

Skyjacker offers .75" and 1.25" heavy duty rebuildable kevlar/teflon lined rod ends. They look just like these johnny joints:

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/files/t_388.jpg

I would take a few minutes and read THIS (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-Joints/index.html)

wahlstrom1

11-12-2007, 02:58 AM

Check out www.evolutionmachine.com, they have some monster joints and are fully rebuildable.

-andrew

Left is the 'Large' heim, right is the Frankenheim, used for 1 ton diesel SAS's designed for rig pig type driving....They also make medium, small and ATV sized heim joints...

http://evolutionmachine.com/uploads/monthly_08_2007/post-1-1187808142.jpg

LARGE
http://evolutionmachine.com/uploads/monthly_08_2007/post-1-1187808091.jpg

FRANKENHEIM (15.5 lbs and around 260$ Can.)
http://evolutionmachine.com/uploads/monthly_08_2007/post-1-1187808106.jpg

fordguy64

11-12-2007, 03:35 PM

ok so if i go with the johnny joints should i put one on each end of each link? that would be 8 johnny joints and i would still need 2 heim joints for the panhard bar and three or so for the steering....

Thanks for the input guys

Rob

Toreadorranger

11-12-2007, 07:18 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/redranger4.0/MARCH2/P3030024.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/redranger4.0/MARCH2/P3030023.jpg

I have flex joints on both ends of my links, they are supposed to last a long time on the road and give really good movement. I havent run them yet but this is the joint alot of off the shelf kits come with.

fordguy64

11-12-2007, 07:28 PM

what size tube is that? thickness? that going on a ranger?

Toreadorranger

11-12-2007, 07:58 PM

yea thats going in my 2000 ranger. its 2" .25 wall DOM

fordguy64

11-12-2007, 08:05 PM

awesome good luck with your build

fordguy64

11-12-2007, 09:37 PM

so whats my front axle and lift worth.. the 35 is freshly rebuilt only 1500 miles on it or so warn manual locking hubs and abs new u-joints (everything except wheel bearings rotors and pads are new) the lift is a 6 inch BDS lift

Maverick

11-13-2007, 02:07 AM

You gonna take that last mount of the top of the axle? They come off real easy with a sawzall. Lookin good.

fordguy64

11-13-2007, 03:49 PM

yea i will just havent yet

fordguy64

11-15-2007, 09:39 PM

ok well i decided to go with the johnny joints... ordering those in the next day or 2 need to order some DOM tubing... cant decide if i should go 1.75x.25 or 2.0x.25 any suggestions?

Toreadorranger

11-16-2007, 10:00 AM

bigger is better:icon_thumby:

fordguy64

11-16-2007, 03:44 PM

yea thats pretty much what i have decided LOL well I'm going to try and do a triangulated front links... the lowers i can get about 47 deg and the uppers will be around 10 i think i read somewhere that 40 deg is enough to keep the axle centered? i don't want to run a trac bar... thats the goal anyway... here is some pics of the links triangulated

http://a126.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_f40f4442d353d505c2acdcc6337178bd.jpg

http://a239.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/110/l_84468ffc484461e9358895c658f44926.jpg

http://a868.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_3465355da4a6223facea76bff930a8bb.jpg

Toreadorranger

11-17-2007, 10:43 AM

your going to get NASTY bump steer with that setup. You need a panhard bar with a mechanical steering link (draglink). Every time that suspension compresses or extends its going to push and pull your steering since the axle moves in a vertical motion and the steering in an arc.

fordguy64

11-17-2007, 02:32 PM

So the triangulated bars are going to cause that? or just the steering set up thats on there? (im going to a different steering set up thats on there just to keep the wheels straight)

dirtraider

11-17-2007, 02:48 PM

So the triangulated bars are going to cause that? or just the steering set up thats on there? (im going to a different steering set up thats on there just to keep the wheels straight)

its going to happen with any front link set up like that, you need the trac bar reguardless....

patov6

11-17-2007, 02:53 PM

its going to happen with any front link set up like that, you need the trac bar reguardless....

question: This setup have a panhard?

fordguy64

11-17-2007, 05:55 PM

I was going to do the triangulated bar set up to try to avoid using a panhard bar set up.

fordguy64

11-18-2007, 10:58 AM

well i just ordered my joints and tube adapters and the jam nuts... hopefully have them in a few days...

fordguy64

11-27-2007, 06:54 PM

Johnny Joints anyone? i finally got them... they are huge!!!

http://a870.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/49/l_6fdd5755c15d0c0e830ec76b84a0b4a5.jpg

Bray D

11-27-2007, 10:21 PM

you can use the triangulated 4 link if you run full hydro, otherwise it's going to be pretty much undrivable due to the amount of bump steer.

cbluepit

11-28-2007, 10:27 AM

Johnny Joints anyone? i finally got them... they are huge!!!

http://a870.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/49/l_6fdd5755c15d0c0e830ec76b84a0b4a5.jpg

dam what size did you get ?

fordguy64

11-28-2007, 02:24 PM

JohnnyU

11-28-2007, 05:25 PM

threads are 1 1/4 by 3 inch long its 2.5 wide with a 9/16 bolt hole... ive been researcing the axle links for a while now... i dont dee why the triangulated will cause so much steering problems... im not running the stock steering set up if that changes anything....

What setup are you planning to run then?

Anything that has an attachment point to the frame (pitman arm) will move up and down through an arc. The triangulated 4link is designed to move straight up and down with relation to the frame/chassis. Herein lies the problem. You have the intersection of an arc with a line. The steering tab on the knuckle will want to follow the arc created by the drag link when the axle moves up and down. This will cause the wheels to turn, thus creating bumpsteer. By eliminating the steering linkage arc, you can have good steering throughout your suspension travel. The only way to do that would be with full hydraulic steering.

The other option is changing the way that the axle moves through its suspension cycle. Match the arc that the steering traverses and you have nearly no bumpsteer.

:icon_cheers:

fordguy64

11-28-2007, 08:57 PM

alright well i guess i will have to rethink somethings

fordguy64

12-02-2007, 03:28 PM

ok ive decided what im doing... im going to run a 3-link with trac bar set up... going to save my other 2 joints for when i do my rear 4-link... Going to order 2 regular heims for the trac bar... anyone have any recamendations for what heims i should use on the trac bar?

this is where i got the idea from
http://www.actionjackson.com/cruiser/mods/20060110.asp

F150hybred

12-02-2007, 04:28 PM

Here's an idea for your steering drag link... why not turn your pitman arm 90* from where it is now.. outward to the side of the truck. Then, run a second drag link rearward to the point where your links are gonna mount on a type of hinge setup. From there, run a link forward to the axle. This will end up looking like something out of a concrete truck, but it WILL eliminate all the angularities that cause bump steer due to the fact that your main drag link connecting to the steering arm on the axle is the same link as the link bars that locate your axle. Your arc of movement will be the same... if not, it will be damn close.
The idea I have posted is something I have given much thought to because I too will be doing a Dana 30 swap to my truck. Just trying to get all my pieces together.

fordguy64

12-02-2007, 04:42 PM

good idea... just sounds like more things to break....

F150hybred

12-02-2007, 04:44 PM

Build it strong and it won't break. LOL!! Honestly, I can't see it breaking unless your gonna pound on the bloody thing.

BlackBII

12-02-2007, 04:47 PM

Looks like a killer project,
I wish I could give some input,
but I wish i had more knowledge on this subject, something I'll have to look into.....

Just make all the angles with the steering and axle the same when the susp. travel up and down:icon_thumby: lol

F150hybred

12-02-2007, 04:51 PM

here's a link to the differential/coil spring mount I'm looking at using. They also have some other stuff in there that's interesting.

http://ballisticfabrication.3dcartstores.com/Flat-bottom-radius-arm-coil-mounts_p_24-1184.html

fordguy64

12-02-2007, 05:55 PM

yea they have some cool stuff... I'm designing all my own brackets at work...

forddude

12-06-2007, 12:35 AM

looks good dude, cant wait til u get it done and we can go test it out

predator

12-06-2007, 05:05 AM

one question though, why use a dana 30 if you are going through all this work? why not a d44 out of a bronco??

JohnnyU

12-06-2007, 09:07 AM

fordguy64

12-06-2007, 02:46 PM

predator: there are a few reasons why i chose the 30.. i want to keep my truck stock width... i just bought new wheels and tires a few months ago (5x4.5) so i didnt want to buy new wheels for the front and then have to have 2 different spare tires (1 5x4.5 and 1 5x5.5) very unhappy with the dana 35 ttb... it was cheap...ive got a explorer rear axle thats going in at some point... im sure there are more but thats the basics

i think im going to mount the upper link (frame side) right around where the fuel filter goes... ive got my brackets all designed and ready to be cut on the water jet... going to do the bottom links first then figure out the upper link... i was going to put it right where the cats are but i really dont want to redo the exhust...

F150hybred

12-10-2007, 07:02 PM

JohnnyU... your "huh" isn't even worth an explanation. If you don't understand it, go look at some heavy equipment.

predator

12-11-2007, 01:58 AM

why not use a dana 44 out of an early bronco? short width, stouter axle and it will have the 4.5 on 5 pattern you need.....

fordguy64

12-11-2007, 03:14 PM

dont those have cast on axle c things?

JohnnyU

12-11-2007, 05:18 PM

JohnnyU... your "huh" isn't even worth an explanation. If you don't understand it, go look at some heavy equipment.

Why on earth would you fawk with a goofy-ass set-up like that when you could run a full-hydro setup for arguably less money and time/hassle? Another option is a more simple suspension with a conventional steering system.

I've seen heavy equipment, I work in design on several different equipment lines actually. I have yet to see "heavy equipment" with a steering setup like that. Got any examples? Most machines use hydraulic steering.

F150hybred

12-11-2007, 07:07 PM

JohnnyU, I'm not your personal information secretary... look it up... IE: google it. Fordguy64, sorry for jacking this thread... please continue on with it.

predator

12-16-2007, 04:30 AM

JohnnyU, I'm not your personal information secretary... look it up... IE: google it. Fordguy64, sorry for jacking this thread... please continue on with it.

wow...i wouldnt talk like this to a mod but thats just me....can you post a pic of this screwy steering you speak of?? i have dealt with heavy machinery most of my life and i have seen mostly hydraulic steering...

im not sure on the c-wedges being cast or welded on to it, might take some torching....

Toreadorranger

12-16-2007, 11:21 AM

why not use a dana 44 out of an early bronco? short width, stouter axle and it will have the 4.5 on 5 pattern you need.....

Early broncos dont have that pattern, they are 5x5.5 which is not the same as the ranger pattern.

The wedges arent cast on the Early Bronco Housing. They are welded on and can be cut off. But the EB D44 has smaller shafts and joints and IIRC only 76-77 are disk breaks the rest are drums.

Toreadorranger

12-16-2007, 11:28 AM

JohnnyU, I'm not your personal information secretary... look it up... IE: google it. Fordguy64, sorry for jacking this thread... please continue on with it.

Googled it, didnt find shit. Post up a picture so we can understand what your recomending.

wahlstrom1

12-16-2007, 05:44 PM

He's suggesting using a push pull system like any heavy truck, or chev solid axle trucks. Except he'll run an idler arm at the link pivot point, then run forward with another link to a custom steering arm on the knuckle. Anything can be built, but there's a reason you haven't seen a setup like this before Fordguy64, it's not worth F*ckin with. Just do a high steer crossover setup and be done with it.

-andrew

F150hybred

12-16-2007, 10:15 PM

Whalstrom, your correct in the description... and for the record, I have seen it in use and been in a truck with it. It does work. No bump steer. Now, with all that being said, it was a "suggestion"... I didn't say he's gotta do it while holding a gun to his head. He's a big boy and can make up his own mind. All I was doing was making a suggestion to his question.
Also... Predator, I hold nothing back. I say it like it is. If that "moderator" doesn't like it, then too bad. I said nothing derogatory towards him or this site and said nothing in any profane way. Short story, I followed the rules outlined by Jim Oaks himself.

predator

12-17-2007, 12:25 AM

ok so you may have followed all the rules as outlined, but i tend to be a little bit more polite, that way when i post a question i dont get ignored. but whatever, its a dead topic.

i guess i thought early broncos had the small pattern....oh well...

JohnnyU

12-17-2007, 01:07 AM

dirtraider

12-17-2007, 01:49 AM

Predator, I know when something is worth my time messing with. After reading several of his posts and hearing many of his ideas, he's not worth arguing with. No one respects the staff around here, we're used to it.

This truck has the cluster**** steering that he's suggesting

http://skyhighrides.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4165&sid=5a401425b0b9cfbf1eb04f16857887ef

F150hybred

12-17-2007, 08:10 AM

:thefinger:

samsonitesamsonite

12-17-2007, 08:35 AM

that is ****ed up.

JohnnyU

12-17-2007, 10:53 AM

This truck has the cluster**** steering that he's suggesting

That truck appears to be very purpose-built too. No extra money spent making it flamboyant or showy. :rolleyes:

Totalled

12-18-2007, 06:29 PM

Truss that 30...

predator

12-19-2007, 04:54 AM

wow that excursian was gay......the steering matched the truck too!! as in-NONFUNCTIONAL

except on and off the trailer.....

fordguy64

01-03-2008, 01:57 PM

alright so im to the point now where i need to order steel... im looking at 1/4 mild steel for the brackets... or should i go hot rolled or cold rolled or what lol

dude772

02-13-2008, 06:54 PM

alright so im to the point now where i need to order steel... im looking at 1/4 mild steel for the brackets... or should i go hot rolled or cold rolled or what lol

Id take cold rolled over hot anyday. Colds got a better look too it, not as bumpy. And mild is a grade. You can get mild cold rolled steel.

thats what we used to use in machine shop in highschool.

fordguy64

03-04-2008, 12:56 PM

alright got an update... picking up my steel tomorrow... gonna hit it hard this weekend...

fordguy64

03-10-2008, 09:22 PM

ok well i got the steel cut out my brackets on the water jet came home today and got both lower links tacted in place... don't have any pics yet cause both of our cameras have dead batteries... alot of good that does... but it looks like everything will go the way i planned... i hope lol

fordguy64

03-17-2008, 06:45 PM

well ive been moving right along... ive got the uper link and lower links in place... (not fully welded) had to cut the exhaust out so im gonna have to redo that... also decided im going with an air locker.. here it is as of now...

http://a683.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/4/l_eb2d80386ef83e3c358d9cdd6d44ccca.jpg

http://a3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/120/l_96b2eeab11271b3296e4a2d1d8f76902.jpg

http://a234.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_5690e3eb575c8bdbaac520318821e9a9.jpg

http://a970.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/71/l_a5fdf4687505801d3a6f6e76ec50dcb1.jpg

Evil_s10

03-18-2008, 07:44 PM

Looking good so far. I'd make sure the brackets for the third link frame end will be well triangulated. Also I'd try mocking up your panhard cause it looks like the third link axle end might cause interference.

-matt-

fordguy64

03-19-2008, 06:45 PM

ive improved my triangulation since that pic... im working on the pan hard bar now.. hopefully have it on all 4 wheels in 2 weeks...thats the goal anyway

Evil_s10

03-19-2008, 07:41 PM

You just doing the front for now and this wheelin season or you gonna try and get the rear done.

fordguy64

03-19-2008, 08:06 PM

just the front for now then prob do some other things like a bumper during the season then maybe at the end of the season ill do the rear or that might even wait till the season after... its not cheap lol gonna have to save up some more money for the rear i wanna put an air locker in the rear too

Evil_s10

03-22-2008, 04:49 PM

Yea tell me about that. 100+ for each joint. steel adds up quickly. And then when you start adding in the prices of things for the axles. So far it looks awesome so your definitely on the right track. When done you should definitely have the flex you are looking for.

fordguy64

03-22-2008, 06:20 PM

lol i just spent 1300$$ on her.. got the arb airlocker,3.73 gear and a air compressor.. and some stainles brake lines... hopefully there wont be to much more to spend on her after this... i hope lol

thanks for the complaments...

im just trying to do it right the first time.. and im going to drive it around town so i dont want to have to worry about the front end falling off so im going to over build everything.. within reason of course...

NorCalBronco

03-22-2008, 11:52 PM

Only 3.73 gears?

fordguy64

03-23-2008, 11:11 AM

Evil_s10

03-24-2008, 07:04 PM

If you want to stick with 3.73's I would look into doing the doubler. Definitely agree to over build it now considering you are going to be driving it around.

fordguy64

03-28-2008, 02:15 PM

ok so i thought i would take a min to show of my welding ability.... ive beeen practicing TIG welding at work they are getting my certified for 5/16 mild steel... here is a 3 pass weld to get the 5/16 weld needed

http://a727.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_b6a641b293c96ddfc27724c8631929b6.jpg

what do you think?

here is my first attempt with alluminum... it was with 1/8 tungsten (witch was way to big but its all we had)

http://a502.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/116/l_94cf7add496579d8991d4a127e60233d.jpg

and here is the second attempt

http://a980.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_fcf1de46a33b5dff1cd21625870ffbab.jpg

anyway the waterjet is back up and running so hopefully tomorrow i can get my coil buckets cut off and some other little things... also need to hit the scrap yard to find some tube for my track bar so i can start getting that figured out... well thats all for now

Evil_s10

03-28-2008, 07:55 PM

Looks good. Welding aluminum was probably the hardest thing I have done welding wise to date. Mine looks like 5 or 6 boogers of weld and thats it.

Hahnsb2

03-28-2008, 08:15 PM

well i plan on driving my truck to and from offroading... atleast for a while.. so i kept it at 3.73 so i can still do the highway without killing my mpg anymore.. im planning on doing a t-case douber soon..
3.37s with 33s will hurt your millage more than help. 4.56 will get you better MPG and you can use all of your gears :)

fordguy64

03-29-2008, 11:37 AM

i can use all my gears.... cruise about 70 on the hw at 2300 rpm in 5th i think... and i think that was about 18mpg even... its been a long time since ive driven her... i cant wait to finish it.. lol

bobbywalter

03-29-2008, 12:32 PM

i hate to say this, you would have been better off leaving the d30 brackets on and making arms to work with those and running a trac bar. basically you can just use all jeep shit.

when you buy a locker for the 30 make sure you do a full upgrade kit like you would with an eb44...get the 30 spline moly shafts too.

X2 on trussing the 30...in this case you can do a truss to put the upper links on, and make damn sure you weld the diff housing to the tubes if you keep the setup you have...

with stock powerlevels you will be ok, but once doubler stresses hit your gonna have issues with what i can see in your pics so far. when you decide to step up to 35 or larger, the doubler and 30 wont play nice...with 373 gears and sensible driving you can do very well though. truss, tube weld and beef the links.

JohnnyU... your "huh" isn't even worth an explanation. If you don't understand it, go look at some heavy equipment.

as for the cantilever steering, it works great on dump trucks and stock chevy/dodge/ford one tons with 4 inches of flex, till your at the limits of four inches of flex....the the steering fades one way or the other to the point of no steering:rolleyes:....real fawking genius there....crossover steering was invented to be able to steer a truck equipped that way for offroad use that had usable wheel travel....its not just for blings sake:rolleyes:

Build it strong and it won't break. LOL!! Honestly, I can't see it breaking unless your gonna pound on the bloody thing..

dude.....:icon_confused: dude....DOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!

ARE YOU SERIOUS.?.?.? cmon for shits sake....he isnt doing this to plow snowy parking lots.

fordguy64

03-31-2008, 04:14 PM

ok well here are my upper and lower coil buckets

upper

http://a995.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/89/l_993f13f549a5a65cc6b95782bcdff59a.jpg

http://a4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/59/l_bf67979260927f21c62f1d952bcd6c63.jpg

lower

http://a523.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/94/l_9953c4814527f8768ec2c9104b8735da.jpg

http://a10.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/78/l_945ddbed7f3580573c2c6a63a5fdc879.jpg

what do you guys think?

im running early bronco springs...

Evil_s10

03-31-2008, 08:37 PM

man that looks good, i cant wait to see this thing done (btw im matt wilton and robs good buddy, I was down at the shop saturday when you headed down)

fordguy64

04-01-2008, 04:29 PM

alright well finally figured out how much the springs compress under the weight of the truck today so i can final mount my upper coil buckets... hitting the junk yard and the scrap yard this weekend... got my locker and the pump today...

http://a958.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/97/l_8aa88eb8dbf70037ffffbcb347597fe5.jpg

http://a584.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/66/l_d8393215093c1835a8e26622477d1b9f.jpg

things are really getting close to the point where i can weld it all up.... :) be on all 4 in the next week or 2

haulasswithclass

04-02-2008, 10:22 PM

Looking pretty good, Please truss that 30 they bend really easy and like they said update to better axles shafts they break pretty easy too when the lockers in. I have two friends with that front end both bent them and both blew up axel shafts before up dating. Not telling you what to do just throwing some help your way.

Loanranger

04-02-2008, 11:07 PM

Very nice lower coil buckets. Did you make those? How did you make that cut?

fordguy64

04-03-2008, 02:04 PM

yea ill beef the 30 up... i desighned them and cut them using a waterjet... i work at a machine shop... its a pretty sweet machine...

JohnnyU

04-03-2008, 05:43 PM

yea ill beef the 30 up... i desighned them and cut them using a waterjet... i work at a machine shop... its a pretty sweet machine...

What brand/model?

fordguy64

04-03-2008, 08:34 PM

the waterjet? its a flowjet im not sure what model it is... i think its a cheaperr one... as in like 150000 lol

well got the track bar tacked in place today... and everything worked perfectly... hopefully have everything welded up by sunday... then start on the exhaust and brakes and the gear and all the other things im forgeting lol

fordguy64

04-06-2008, 09:54 AM

i looked for the model of the waterjet its a Integrated Flying Bridge 4400...

worked on the truck from 9am till 1230am yesterday... got everything final fit and started welding the axle together... today gonna weld up all the brackets on the truck...
and today is my 21st bday so ill be at the bar later tonight lol..

Evil_s10

04-06-2008, 10:00 PM

Happy birthday rob, good to hear truck is on its way.

fordguy64

04-07-2008, 12:09 PM

well i just got out of bed... still pretty hung over... gonna go try to work on the truck some...

http://a861.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/101/l_4fed3ccc2d50fe24cb3e9c033d2ce464.jpg

http://a256.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/70/l_72276c3bf2a29fcf136c2a1ca42490e7.jpg

http://a924.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/73/l_358e7d71caa7be78515eaabb18e90ceb.jpg

http://a638.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/75/l_28f733f82cdbca3b5367aeefec82575d.jpg

http://a856.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/66/l_3abf9c74197966c809e5ef88c49696bf.jpg

Combs Customs

04-07-2008, 03:06 PM

Nice looking Rob. How was it last nite?

Got my front lift put on last nite, i just dont know what those 2 little brackets are for. It definetly sits a little taller. Gonna try to get the engine and tranny in tonite, heading down now to put timing cover and oil pan back on.

See ya later.

sweetsride

04-07-2008, 03:42 PM

Skyjacker offers .75" and 1.25" heavy duty rebuildable kevlar/teflon lined rod ends. They look just like these johnny joints:

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/files/t_388.jpg

I would take a few minutes and read THIS (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-Joints/index.html)

anyone know the part nubmers for the skyjacker joints?? cant seem to find them on the webiste.

thanks

dabomb5756

04-07-2008, 10:21 PM

This is one of the better builds i've seen on here in a while. I am a fan of the 3link and panhard setup. Seems like almost every competitor is using this setup for rock crawling, even with full hydro.
Also, i'm assuming you figured out that you need to make your panhard bar and drag link close to the same angle and length?

Have you put your measurements in this calculator yet to see how things will end up?

http://mysite.verizon.net/triaged/files/3LinkV1.0bBETA.zip

Its a 3link calculator. Figures out antisquat, roll axis, and other cool stuff. Lots of people use it on pirate from Triaged:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204893&highlight=link+calculator

fordguy64

04-08-2008, 12:07 AM

combs customs.. those little brackets are for the sway bar.. they lower it for the lift...

i didnt bother with the calculator... from what i read they said you can spend hours playing with the numbers and then when it actually comes to putting it in the truck everything changes... so i just read alot to know what i needed to know and then started the project.. im taking tuesday off and working on my truck it should be on all 4 wheels... im so excited lol still alot to do tho

regnardrof39

04-08-2008, 01:45 AM

i have to ask. but why run coils and not upgrade to a c/o setup?

Combs Customs

04-08-2008, 03:19 AM

Thats why i had nowhere to put them, i got rid of the swaybar. It started last nite. Gotta finish up the rear lift, shocks, and brakes. I'm waiting on parts to do that stuff. Wish i could go with you guys this weekend, but im definetly going to try for the next time. Good luck getting done tomorrow.

klogtruck

04-08-2008, 06:48 AM

happy bday Rob

fordguy64

04-08-2008, 08:35 AM

i dont have the money for coilovers... otherwise i would....

fordguy64

04-08-2008, 05:31 PM

well i got it on all 4 wheels today... the springs are just in there temperaraly... still gotta do it the right way but i just wanted to check my ride height and what not...

http://a463.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/83/l_2e4723b41b1372286c9e3321e736e296.jpg

http://a380.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/107/l_d68b4dab35c58ebda49e788b101ac123.jpg

http://a871.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/78/l_e188fa98b9db910393289cb2fea68c1e.jpg

fordguy64

04-14-2008, 08:12 PM

alright the exhaust is done... its a little louder then i want... i think... lol ordered brake lines... gotta round up some steering and then i can flex it out on out little rock wall by my house to check shock length and check for any problems.. and then its gear and locker time... im going to attempt myself.. should be interesting

fordguy64

04-15-2008, 07:46 PM

so the brakes off of the ranger 8.8 and the explorer 8.8 will swap over correct? because the rear brakes on my truck are trash... but im going to be swapping in the 8.8 out of an explorer in the next few months.. just dont want to spend a bunch of money on brakes twice...

fordguy64

04-17-2008, 08:10 PM

alright in these pics i was able to measure for shock mounts... thankfully i was able to use my old ones.. welded the shock mounts on today and drove her around... man was it nice.. (still has alot more flex to go)

http://a84.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/62/l_89e4812182683ebb4f29c8dfc6fd0883.jpg

http://a832.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/30/l_5911820996da850566629ef51896607f.jpg

http://a274.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/10/l_feb14661238366cd5ee48e2da7586fb1.jpg

http://a327.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/115/l_1431880e774f90258b35f62700120a76.jpg

http://a851.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/31/l_4aee74e3f50f9e79230a2efe5eebedc2.jpg

http://a723.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/57/l_41334b82315bbf858a628ec904f0107a.jpg

still alot of little things to do... like limiting straps and bump stops and things like that.. but she is drivable...

Evil_s10

04-17-2008, 08:31 PM

looks like a lot of flex there rob. Shouldn't be too much longer.

JFA_Spyderman

04-18-2008, 12:20 AM

Yo,
Lookin Good! You said they were EB coils. Which brand, size, etc. did you end up going with?

Combs Customs

04-18-2008, 09:15 AM

Problems i see for Sunday:
1. Dirty
2. No Front D-shaft
3. Steering Stabilizer should be bolted on both ends
and 4

NEEDS MORE TRIANGULATION :thefinger:

also, i like the use of small brick, for the added flex

compleckz

04-18-2008, 09:58 AM

awesome. for real.

it has come a long way from:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2413000-2413999/2413989_4_full.jpg

JohnnyU

04-18-2008, 10:58 AM

I hope there are plans for some kind of bracng on that track bar mount..... That looks pretty sketchy without some type of bracing wrapped around the frame or tied into the engine crossmemeber.

That link sees a HUGE amount of force both on-road and off. You'd be surprised by its magnitude when turning at road speed....

Combs Customs

04-18-2008, 03:45 PM

I put his lift on my sploder and it flexs real good. Must be his light weightedness.

fordguy64

04-18-2008, 09:08 PM

the coils are from wild horses they are there 5.5 lift rock crawler springs... there is a brace on the trac bar you can see it in the lst picture... the gear and locker goes in tomorrow and if that all goes well sunday she will get her first test..

Evil_s10

04-18-2008, 10:27 PM

you coming sunday? me and wilton are headed in the sploder

fordguy64

04-19-2008, 08:45 AM

im gonna try to make it sunday...

Evil_s10

04-19-2008, 03:03 PM

hopefully see you shouldnt be too muddy as it didnt rain much.

fordguy64

04-19-2008, 05:51 PM

well the gear and locker are in and everything seems to be working... so tomorrow ill get to test her out...

compleckz

04-19-2008, 06:03 PM

well the gear and locker are in and everything seems to be working... so tomorrow ill get to test her out...

awesome to hear, hey u should take it back to that spot where u had the rear wheel off the ground, that would be a good comparison shot!

Evil_s10

04-19-2008, 06:12 PM

might be a good shot for comparison, finished up some fine tuning on wiltons today.

fordguy64

04-20-2008, 07:34 PM

well just got back from wheeling today.. everything went better then i expected... nothing broke... made it up some stuff my friends couldnt make it up... so im happy.. i even got a little body damage lol ill put some pics up in the next few days...

Combs Customs

04-20-2008, 08:25 PM

Everyone: Rob is INSANE.

He finished the truck YESTERDAY. Then DROVE 2 hours to go wheeling, and DROVE 2 hours to get home. It was pretty crazy. The front locker definetly was the biggest advantage he had, other than that, the sploder followed, without body damage, just LOTS of scratches.

fordguy64

04-21-2008, 07:35 PM

you didnt follow the whole time... lol otherwise you prob would have gotten some body damage too :)

Evil_s10

04-21-2008, 09:18 PM

I can guarantee that. big body rig bound to get damage one time!

fordguy64

04-22-2008, 04:35 PM

well here are some pics.. there are more i just dont have them yet this hill doesnt look like much in the pic but i had to use the locker to go over it

http://a306.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/125/l_7f956db1d50e45cfbf173aba5beff951.jpg

http://a457.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/122/l_b3be202f2eb5043ec3c8fb4e3bf54d30.jpg

http://a88.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_78015d859cdc4724ded85c2e460f687f.jpg

http://a546.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/44/l_1ff2e88c2056d5695b6f8d5362fda221.jpg

and this is a vedio but i dont know if it will work for you guys...

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=32817115

fordguy64

04-23-2008, 05:45 PM

ok so for all you guys that have done the dana 30 swap what did you do for steering.. my pitman arm taper is to big for the jeep tre and the threads are right hand on the origanal dana 35 tre and to screw into the jeep steeringit needs to be left hand... any info helps

fordguy64

04-24-2008, 05:58 PM

welli fixed the tre problem... did some cutting and chopping its going in for an allignment tomorrow... should be interesting... any here are some more pics of flexing and the body damage...

http://a276.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/87/l_3653b2a9bb7a3c8d8359890cffad8603.jpg

http://a37.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/40/l_4e15437ecd72f1c22d59592815ee6afc.jpg

http://a981.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/65/l_3146d05bfc253b91cff269ea6985d5dc.jpg

http://a359.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/53/l_6ad2b45d0557f5ba12cbe76aa6038696.jpg

http://a570.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/41/l_49da63e3feb5c2b6420d91e33f749cd9.jpg

http://a111.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/l_96c2fcfe204488e05ab02935e2a026be.jpg

1989GT

04-28-2008, 03:58 PM

Nice build man. Saw you drive by my house last week (I live on Hayes)Then saw the pics of you flexing in the driveway and realized you live right around the corner from me. Cool to see a local guy on here.:icon_cheers:

fordguy64

04-29-2008, 03:47 PM

ill keep an eye out for one of your cars lol

fordguy64

09-30-2008, 07:40 PM

well a little update... i blew the output shaft on the trans fixed that next trip out i did this...

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v335/15/23/500394307/n500394307_652777_7480.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v335/15/23/500394307/n500394307_652754_3416.jpg

so needles to say i order some heim joints and im making my steering linkages out of 1.5"od with 1/4" wall ill be starting that soon.. anywayy here are some pics of the rest of the day...

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v335/15/23/500394307/n500394307_652768_9186.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v335/15/23/500394307/n500394307_652748_958.jpg