Lowered to Lifted

[tajvelocity]

I tried the lowered thing and I'm over it: I've lost utility, potholes are trying to eat me, and I miss being able to run over stuff. This is a truck after all. It sucks I had to learn the hard way but whatevs. Live and learn. SO...

99 Mazduh B2500 (2wd)/w DJM 4/5 (control arms, stabilizer bar links, shocks, flip kit). Going back to stock height isn't desirable because I need new tires and I might as well get some 30's or 31's on there to increase chest hair and peen size. I'm looking for no more than two to three inches over stock because that seems to be the cheapest route and it will suit me fine. This shall be very budget minded.

I've collected most of all the parts I need and have started the (re)build. Driver's side rear is done I think. Have a look. I have some questions.

Unfortunately, I think the Belltech shackles have just flattened my rear leafs. That sucks and I'm thinking about taking it apart again and adding an add a leaf or something:

Does this look pretty flat to you? Any suggestions?

Old shackle and hanger. Good thing I did this when I did.

Is the shock boot supposed to look like this? There is a ziptie holding it up. Should I remove that and slide it down?

Other side, ready for dis-assembly.

Oh, does it look like I can reuse these bed bolts? They're a little rusty as you can see but they could probably work.

I guess that's it for now. I just wanted to get some opinions before I proceed. Does it look like I did everything right? I know stuff is pretty rusty, but everything seems structurally sound. I wish I could have the frame sandblasted and replace other rusty bits (like those brake lines for example). I also wish I could get a hold of a Ranger 8.8 with a LSD and 4.10's. Maybe next spring. I need to get this thing back together because my daily beater van is in questionable running condition!

More to come!

 

[tajvelocity]

Ok, pics fixed.

 

[Andres629]

Wirewheel the whole back half of the frame and spray on some rubberized rocker guard or undercoating of some kind. Will stick like mad and will look a heck of a lot better. Those bed bolts are still good, just use some penetrating lube on 'em when you put it back together. The shock boot will be fine just like that.

 

[tajvelocity]

You think it's necessary? I could spend 5 hours sanding everything in the back down, including the axle, shock mounts (I wouldn't be able to de rust that unless I took it off/replaced it) and brake lines, but that does not sound fun. I would have to hand sand a lot of stuff.

 

[tajvelocity]

What if I continued with the build and finished it up, but left the bed off and took it to a body shop or some place that could sand blast the rear? Would certain components (shocks, brake lines, gas tank etc.) get damaged? Another option could be to rent one from the local tool rental place. The problem there is that I've never sandblasted anything (other that a little sculpture I did) and don't know what I'm doing. Can you just do that outside? Can the truck be assembled (minus the bed) while you do it?

 

[subydrift]

I would try and just paint it with some POR 15 self etching paint? You brush it on so you can get all the little parts and in the cracks and it bonds to rust and creates an epoxy like finish. I've never used it personally but my buddy used it on his jeep axles and they look powdercoated. It's super durable stuff.

 

[nate09]

get yourself a wire brush attachment for a grinder or drill and go to town. you dont need to get every bit of it, just the majority of it, especially the loose stuff. you can use a hand brush to get the stuff you cant with your power tool of choice. then put on whatever rust inhibitor or coating you like the best.

 

[tajvelocity]

I was thinking about POR 15 or something like that. I've never used it, but I've been reading a lot of stuff about rust inhibitors while I'm supposed to be working. I mean this isn't a show truck obviously. It's just my beater that I'll use a lot less once I get something sportier (Miata: cheap and RWD, don't hate!). But I'll always have it and want to take care of it and slow down the cancer. I'll wire brush it as well as I can and look into some sort of epoxy goop and paint. To be continued...

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

id say the beltechs look right, since theyre longer the swing back farther which flattens out your springs to allow them to flex better. if the rear is too low now you can put in a block or buy a new set of springs that will have a more grunt. trucks looking good, id say just brush off the scaly rust on the outside of the frame rails and shoot it with some aerosol rubber undercoating. dont try to save the rusted brake lines, just replace them- thats not something you want to have blow out because it was sandblasted and too much metal was removed in an already thin spot. keep up the good work!