In the pic where they're welded up, next to each other, they measured 47" from the ground to the center of the joint.
Ok here's the pics
I started by bolting up the stock buckets, and getting it to support its own weight (with the old track bar setup). Once it was on the springs, I could see where it was gonna sit and modify the full size buckets accordingly. You can see how much I pushed the axle forward with this pic
and a pic of the track bar path
Supporting its own weight, on ranger buckets. The full size buckets should add ~1" lift.
I went ahead and knocked the old track bar setup off, then cut the full size buckets, drilled and installed.
and the proposed new trackbar setup
How close it is to the pass. side spring
and the frame side
and the path.
the whole in the middle of the engine crossmember is where the oil pan drops down lower. Staying at or in front of this hole will gain some clearance for the track bar at full compression, after clearancing the crossmember of course.
The buckets aren't done either, I'm going to add the piece that attaches under the frame as well.
For the frame side trackbar mount, rather than having it angle around the frame, and bolt over the bucket, what is the down side to integrating it into the bucket itself - so the mount and bucket are one piece? This may cause problems if I need to service just the mount, or just the bucket, but how often does that happen? Any thoughts on that idea?