extending radius arms

[94_Xploder]

im going to be extending my radius arms in the near future on my explorer, going to be using 2in 1/4 wall dom with trail gear creeper joints and custom frame mounts with a integrated trans cross member. Now the only question I have is how to figure caster into the arms, should I mimic the stock caster setting by measuring the angle on the radius arms how they come from the factory then cut and weld to the new location? How is everyone who extends their arms measuring caster? my plan is to extend the arms around 14" then have about 6" stuffed into the front of the radius arms and gusseting from the back side with about 3 rosette welds from the outside, just needs to figure out how to measure the caster setting in them.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've wondered the same. What I came up with in my head is to draw out the stock mounting points and axle caster angle at stock ride height, and then to draw my new ride height if different, and new mounting points, and connect the dots.
Hope that made sense,

Richard

 

[whissiswheelin]

94_explorer- I think you just answered your own question! I would do the exact same thing and will as soon as I get some free time. Use an angle gauge and keep the stock angle. Trial and error will give you the right length. start long cut a bit at a time until you think its perfect, then duplicate.

 

[94_Xploder]

That's what I figured but just wanted to see how everyone else is doing it.

 

[4.0B2]

Yeah just put a gauge on it somewhere; see what it is now (if it's aligned). Then mock up your extended arms where the gauge shows the same thing.

 

[4x4junkie]

Stock the axle has about 5° caster built into it when the beams (where the arms attach) are square to the ground.
I would square the beams like so, then tack-weld your tube into the arms where they line up with your frame brackets (basically this is what I did when I built mine). If any fine-tuning of the caster is still needed afterward, it can be done via the caster/camber bushings.

 

[94_Xploder]

Stock the axle has about 5° caster built into it when the beams (where the arms attach) are square to the ground.
I would square the beams like so, then tack-weld your tube into the arms where they line up with your frame brackets (basically this is what I did when I built mine). If any fine-tuning of the caster is still needed afterward, it can be done via the caster/camber bushings.

Thank you I was waiting for you to chime in, since I have followed you build since I had my first BII

 

[dogboy]

I extended my arms with 2" x 1/4 wall, and TG Creeper Joints also (DO NOT forget to grease them before use, like I did....)

I'm at work right now, but I can post pictures when I get home, and a better description on how I did them.

 

[94_Xploder]

I extended my arms with 2" x 1/4 wall, and TG Creeper Joints also (DO NOT forget to grease them before use, like I did....)

I'm at work right now, but I can post pictures when I get home, and a better description on how I did them.

That would be great thanks!

 

[dogboy]

I made 2 sets, one for my Ranger with about 2" suspension lift, and another set for a friend with a 6" skyjacker lift. The arms pictured are for my truck.
For mine, I think I set the Caster at about 7degrees (the alignment bushings are set straight in to align for the leveling kit, so the bushings caster is zero). I cut just enough off the end of the radius arm for the tube to sit inside.
For the 2 lift, the tube ran straight through the middle of the radius arm (notice the spot welds in the side go right towards the shock bolt).

For my friends 6" lift, the tube ran along the bottom edge of the radius arm. I don't have any pictures of those arms.

As for the brackets, I did not incorporate a trans crossmember, so I'm of no help. I extended them as far as I could without doing a crossmember.

If I had to do anything differently, I would try and put a slight bend in the tubes, because my tires slightly rub on the arms. But, I also have 33x12.5's, on 15x10 wheels, not 15x8's.

Sorry if the pictures are a little out of order.

 

[94_Xploder]

I made 2 sets, one for my Ranger with about 2" suspension lift, and another set for a friend with a 6" skyjacker lift. The arms pictured are for my truck.
For mine, I think I set the Caster at about 7degrees (the alignment bushings are set straight in to align for the leveling kit, so the bushings caster is zero). I cut just enough off the end of the radius arm for the tube to sit inside.
For the 2 lift, the tube ran straight through the middle of the radius arm (notice the spot welds in the side go right towards the shock bolt).

For my friends 6" lift, the tube ran along the bottom edge of the radius arm. I don't have any pictures of those arms.

As for the brackets, I did not incorporate a trans crossmember, so I'm of no help. I extended them as far as I could without doing a crossmember.

If I had to do anything differently, I would try and put a slight bend in the tubes, because my tires slightly rub on the arms. But, I also have 33x12.5's, on 15x10 wheels, not 15x8's.

Sorry if the pictures are a little out of order.

Nice thanks for the pics, Im having a guy on the explorer board build me a set of brackets and a crossmember then im going to extend the arms to the brackets, as well as using a set of f-250 shock mounts and brake lines. I think I should be able to clear some 33x10.50's on a set of stock wheels and if not ill build a 1in body lift out of some aluminum stock. Here's some pics of what the brackets im having built look like, nice and strong!

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309780

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ I took a quick look at your link and pics didn't show.

Richard

 

[94_Xploder]

They work for me?

 

[brinker88]

Work for me as well. Take a look through my build at how I built my extended radius arms. I used 2x2 square tubing, but you'll get an idea of how I did mine to eliminate the rubbing issues that coincide with extended radius arms.

Mine:

 

[whissiswheelin]

Just curious if anyone has had any insurance issues or vehicle inspection tickets with this mod? do you think custom built from scratch arms mimicking an aftermarket kit would still have the hassles of a lifted truck on paved roads or an accident claim. In BC the RCMP like to hand out VI's to modified vehicles.