Crawlin's Build Thread

[crawlin91]

Finally getting to some much needed front end work. Lots of nice surprises including the weather.

need to get a MAPP gas torch today to help with stuck radius arm bolts. The lower radius arm stud inside the drivers side beam snapped off and now rotates with the lower bolt. Im gonna try the sawzall approach to get it off, and luckily I have a spare set of beams I can use that already have duff pivot bushings installed.

I will then be doing all new moog ball joints, wheel & spindle bearings and seals, c clip elim, 5-760x ujoints, and an aussie locker install which has been sitting in the garage for close to a year now.

and finally finish extending the radius arms and building the brackets to go with them. This is alot of work, but will save me alot of $ when Im done.

 

[Downey]

looks like fun damn snow

 

[crawlin91]

I got Alot done today. Everything cleaned up, ball joints installed in the knuckles, coersed the eliminator spring on the shaft, and mocked/tacked up a new transmission Xmember, braced pass side Superlift axle drop bracket. Arms are ready to be mocked and welded.

Tomorrow if the weather cooperates im going to finish my drop brackets, and burn on the last of the welds. And try to get it all back together. Ill also update with pics and other details.

 

[phatdaddy]

can't wait to see it all done .looks great.

 

[crawlin91]

Locker installed, I was going to do it myself but couldnt get the carrier out without a spreader. Took it to the shop that set up my 8.8 (front range driveline) awesome work at unbelievable prices been nothing but happy with these guys. There is usually some cool drag cars and buggys in there to check out too. And as all the threads on the bottom of the center chunk were stripped i installed helicoils all around, I had a scary moment when threading in one of the helicoils it got caught about halfway on a shard of metal in the threads and bent the tang making it nearly impossible to back out. After some choice words and a very careful ten minutes with the pliars it was out. I redid the threads and put a new one in its place.

 

[PaleBlue90]

i need to get my junk done now....im waiting on dad to get his heep out of the "lab"

 

[crawlin91]

So I finally got to work finishing the radius arm setup.
materials used 1/4 steel plate
2" 1/4 wall DOM tube
grade 8 bolts

first I cut the threaded end and what would be welded into the DOM tube then made a cut again where the 2" tube would just squeeze into the stock arm.

Then I fabbed up a transmission support crossmember to replace the stock one. I decided to go this route to ease in the radius arm drop mount install. (instead of relocating my e brake cable mount on the drivers side, and the passenger side framerail flares in the exact point i would have put the mount) Also I used many of the existing holes in the frame and didnt have to make more, just widened them out to 1/2 size. Its very similar to the one PlumCrazy did....yes thats about two feet of snow in the background.

my high tech drill press, I used gear oil as cutting oil. The combination of the powerful drill and the occasional catch of the hole saw left my wrist sore as hell. I also had to do this step twice as I eyeballed it and used a 1.5" bit the first time but the new and old bushings needed a 1 5/8" hole.

beefed the hell outta the arms, there are several peices behind that plate holding the arm in as well.

off to the paint booth, once again only the most high tech equipment was used

At this point its all bolted up in the truck. I made tech library washer spacers that should help lift the front up a bit. I also beefed the passenger superlift drop bracket. added some clearance to the shafts, tacked the caps and installed the eliminator spring. Just have to bolt the rest of the front end together and get it aligned.

 

[phatdaddy]

nice job dude cant wait for some more pics

 

[crawlin91]

Its all on the truck. Front sits up a lil higher and definately looks more aggressive. I got it aligned almost perfectly and went for a cruise...nothing fell off, a good sign. I think Im going to be happy with this design overall.

 

[KELLY88]

Damn man that's pretty impressive. Nice work!

 

[phatdaddy]

well sence you did such a good job with those xarms I guess I will let you build me some , but only if you paint them black...lol

 

[crawlin91]

Damn man that's pretty impressive. Nice work!

Thanks. Im still learning as I go, could've done a few things different but Im happy with the results.

well sence you did such a good job with those xarms I guess I will let you build me some , but only if you paint them black...lol

Rustoleum ultra flat black

 

[phatdaddy]

so now we need flex pics

 

[crawlin91]

spring project.........

 

[PaleBlue90]

spring project.........

cage of some sort?