daily doubler build

[Bray D]

I've got superlift 5.5" lift springs with ~1.5" of washers under the coils. I don't know the net lift that it provides now. I've been runnin the same spring ever since I lifted it so they're probably saggin a bit.

 

[JohnnyU]

$23.99? Mine costs FREE.99! I'm building all the brackets out of scrap I've got laying around.

While I might normally agree with you, I found that this was by far the easiest and most efficient method. While that may cost $24 to buy ($30 shipped to your door), it would take me longer to make a pair of them from plate than it would for me to make that $30 working my M-F job.

It's amazing how simple little things like this make projects. Your time could be better spent fabricating the tube structure, installing the finished product, or actually wheeling. See what I'm saying?

Oh BTW, I forwarded your resume on to my VP, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully I can get you brought in, it'd be nice to have another 'wheeler on board around here.

 

[metalmacguyver]

What are you using for joints on the traction bar?

 

[Bray D]

metalmac - I've got regular ol' rubber bushings. I'm sure they'll suffice at the axle end. If I feel the bushing at the frame end is restricting articulation, I may switch to a flex joint. We'll see how it does. You get that bed pulled off yet .

John - I agree, it would take less build time if I bought all prefab brackets. Building a rig takes two things: time and money. Having more of one requires less of the other. Not saying I can't afford a quality 30 dollar bracket, I'm just saying I've got the time to get the hands-on experience of fabbing my own. I will however fork over the cash to buy prefab brackets when the time comes to swap in the D44, because in that situation, time will be a constraint.

I appreciate you forwarding my resume. The company that laid me off called me to come back the following Thursday. I told them I had work lined up through the following week (as I did) and would call them at my convenience. Gave em a ring at the end of the following week and offered to come back for 20% more pay. They took it. I'm still persuing career related part time work though, so your efforts were not wasted. I have a feeling if they hire someone else, they'll give me the boot again.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I got the bolts pulled and my head far enough under there to see that the filler neck is indeed split. Sorry. It seems that they all do it eventually.

 

[509RANGER]

What kind of fule tank swap are you doing??????And how much fuel does it hold?

 

[Bray D]

See page 2. Its a factory ranger tank, they were available in IIRC 85-87 rangers as the dual tank option.

 

[Bray D]

uh oh....

I've got no updates really, just bored so I thought I'd post a pic to bump my thread. I should have some pic worthy updates shortly after Christmas.

 

[compleckz]

nice i have a set of "real" tires (tsl's) waiting to go on my truck too

but mine are only 33x12.5, same size i've always run.. are those 36's?

 

[Bray D]

They're 35x12.5 SSR's. Chubby was running a 3 day special over halloween, buy 3 get one free on any tire, any size. I got all 4 to my door for $950. They measure 34.5 unmounted. Seems my 33's have shrunk (measure 30.75 with my truck weight on them).

I was having a hard time deciding whether to get a set of 'real' 33's or go ahead and bite the bullet and get 35's (I'd want them eventually anyways). I went ahead and got the big boys. I figure I might as well get em, and get my suspension built the way I want with the tires I want rather than getting 33's, setting up my suspension, then steppin up to 35's and having to rework everything.

I was gonna wait till I had it built and pretty but fawk it - I might as well post the pics of what I've got so everyone can see the direction the build is going:

Pile-o-Parts

As I was hinting at earlier, I hope to have the axle built shortly after Christmas, and plan to swap it in over Spring Break. I've got chevy parts from the knuckle out for high steer and all that jazz, but non of that's really pic worthy until its all put together.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Take lots of pics of the axle narrowing process. I think lots of people would want to see that.

 

[Bray D]

I hate to do it but I'm taking it to a shop. Though it seems like a straight forward process, this being my DD, I'd rather have someone do it that has experience with building axles/welding cast/etc.

The guy I'm taking it to builds his own custom 9" housings. I could see myself doing it and getting the caster just a bit off, or not getting a good weld on the cast. If this were strictly a trail rig, I'd have no problem tackling the narrowing process. Since this will see a LOT of street time, I think its safer to have a professional do it.

Enough of trying to rationalize my decision. I pussed out and took it to a shop

 

[84projectFORD]

what gearing are you goin to now? i assume the 4.56 in your sig is whats in the truck now?

 

[Bray D]

Yeah, I'll be staying with 4.56's. I don't feel like (see *can't afford*) swapping gears in the rear to match a new ratio in the front, though now would be the time to do it if I were going to. Hopefully 4.56's with 35's won't be too bad on the street. I'm not worried about offroad gearing, my doubler more than makes up for that.

 

[metalmacguyver]

After everything that you have fabbed, your taking it to a shop........