1988 BII Build

[88_Eddie]

Some of those lower arms are bent for clearance issues for when you turn your tires, I forgot who on here did some straight ones, and their tires would scrape the arms at full lock, of course they where running huge tires 40's or 44's, can't remember, I'm getting old.

i didnt think about that. i'll be running 33's, perhaps 35's one day, but i doubt it. doubt it will be a problem if i get the right wheels

got my tube adapters from ballistic today

 

[88_Eddie]

finished the other side of the lower coil perch tonight, got the lower mount figured out as well as a retainer, just need to fab it up

 

[88_Eddie]

got the lower coil mounts moved tonight

i drilled a hole in the middle of the perch and welded a grade 8 nut to it, i'm gonna make a coil retainer out of some plate and use the bolt on top to secure it.

here's the lower arm skid plate i forgot to take pics of. i'll finish welding them once i get the flex joints and make sure they fit.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Looking good. Mini skids are a must. For a retainer on the Merc I just welded a piece of steel at an angle from the base to top of the perch, when I want to remove the coil I just spin it until end is past the metal and pull it off.

 

[88_Eddie]

hmm, that would be much simpler, lol. i may just do that, thanks for the idea

 

[88_Eddie]

took the knuckles off tonight.....this way i can gusset the C's and it's wayyyy easier to move around

got one of my lower coil retainers on too, gonna do the other one tomorrow.

the inside of the tubes is kinda gross, the seal is in the differential apparently, so that's what keeps the crap out. i may put some seals on the end one day, just to keep everything clean in there.

said F it and welded up the lower arm skids and threw some paint on them

got my gussets laid out for the C's also, should be able to get one side done tomorrow.

cant work on it anymore til saturday cause i'm going to myrtle beach for a work conference. boo

 

[88_Eddie]

got 2 gussets done tonight, they should work. hit it with a hammer to get it to form to the knuckles curve. threw some paint on it

finished the other coil retainer too

 

[88_Eddie]

started modding my coil buckets this weekend

this is what they'll look like, i just need to make a plate for the top and i'm gonna use a jeep style coil retainer. then either make some shock mounts or use some f250 shock towers

frame was pretty nasty as well, wire brush and ground it up a tad then threw some paint on it

 

[4.0B2]

The f250 shock towers can be found for less than $30 shipped. I think I paid $28 shipped to my house for both. $12 a piece plus like 5 bucks shipping.

 

[88_Eddie]

yeah, i think i'll probably just buy some, but havent decided yet.

the lift shocks i have use the stud for the upper mount, so i'd have to buy new shocks if i get the f250 towers. if i build my own, i can keep my shocks. i have a bunch of plate around, so i'm leaning towards making my own and saving some money, but we'll see.

i finished the driver side bucket just now. looks just like the pass side. i also added this nice little burn to my collection, should leave a nice scar lol

 

[4.0B2]

You can get taller brackets from EB's that use the type shock you have

 

[88_Eddie]

yeah, i saw them at the bronco graveyard. that's where i got the idea. it's $50 for pair though, not including shipping. i could build my own in a couple hours and not have to spend that.

 

[88_Eddie]

last order from 4WP just got in today, so as soon as i have my square tube i'll start on the arms and getting this thing under the truck

 

[88_Eddie]

welp, the flex joints i got are tiny, so they arent gonna work for the arms. grrr. i am gonna keep one and use it on on the track bar. i'm gonna get a weld on leaf spring bushing from ballistic and use it. they're 2" in diameter, .250" wall and 2.625" wide (which is the lower mount width on the D30 axle)

so this weekend, i wheeled the axle under the front end finally. hooked up the coils to get an idea of where the shocks are gonna go and how high to make my towers.

made my lower shock mounts too, just need to tack them into place. welded the nut on so i dont have to fool with 2 wrenches to tighten everything

the one inch bolt isnt working for my tire carrier, the threads are too long and it wobbles really bad. it's chewing up the inside of the DOM tube. so i bought one of this trailer spindles. it has a 1" diameter as well, it fits nice and snug into the DOM. with a grease fitting it'll be perfect.

bad news, found a coolant leak. i have no idea where it's coming from either. must have hit something when i was taking out the steering box i guess, cause it started after that

 

[Stang5lgt]

For your control arms axle end use these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-9-9489G/

If you want I can throw a scrap piece of 2" DOM .250 wall in with your other parts. Just need about 4" of it to make the ends.