Need a Measurement please!

[94STXRanger]

Hello everyone,
I would bet know one remembers me as i havent been on here in a long time due to school and work and all.
Anyway I really need to fix my front end before I start driving farther to a new job.
Basically the front of my truck has 5.5" lift brackets and coils, but 4" radius arm brackets and I CAN NOT find 5.5" r/a brackets. So I want to make some.
On my current brackets there is a 2x2" piece of square tube welded to the plate that bolts to the frame, so Im trying to find out how much further down i need to take that bracket. Wether or not ill need a piece thats 3x2" or 4x2 etc etc.
If some one could do me a favor and get some measurements off of a 5.5" r/a bracket, OR measure the height from the ground to the lower ball joint, and from the ground to the center of the rear radius arm bolt on a factory suspension. On level surface hopefully.
Either of these measurements should give me the info I need to make a bracket with the correct amount of drop to be able to align it, because I currently cannot.
I would greatly appreciate the help, and that is why I come to TRS.
Thanks guys.

 

[legoms013]

Whats the actual problem you are having?

Are the radius arm drop brackets the same brand as the axle beam drop brackets?

 

[94STXRanger]

No they are not. Thats what my issue is. The adjustable alignment cams cant go far enough to set the camber close enough to zero, and still have any caster. Which gives me tire wear and steering that walks.

 

[legoms013]

I remember on my Tuff Country RA drop brackets, they were a full 4" of drop.

Measure how far the block drops, then cut and re-weld some new drop brackets totaling 5.5".

Course wait for more responses too before you go hackin things up cuz I said so

 

[94STXRanger]

Thats my basic plan. If I have to I can have the plate cut and just weld on a box. But of course those are the measurements I need.
Thanks though Ill double check my brackets just to see the difference.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I have my old drop brackets laying on the floor right now, they were from a 6" lift. I can measure them for you tomorrow if you want.

 

[94STXRanger]

That would be great sasquatch. It any one hae a 5.5" super lift bracket that would be awesome too.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

K, they are 4 1/4" drop on the ones I had.

 

[94STXRanger]

Alright, next question. On a factory suspension, or a truck with a proper lift kit, does the angle from the center of the big rear radius arm bolt to the centerline of the axle beam sit parallel to the ground, on level ground. Or is the a downward angle to it?
Anyone know?

 

[4x4junkie]

The axle beam itself ideally should be square with level ground.


Yes, beam CL to RA bushing stud parallel to the ground.

 

[94STXRanger]

Ok that's what I need. Mine are about 14* angle down.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah, that certainly could be a problem lol.

Why not get (or make) some extended RAs for it?

 

[94STXRanger]

Well it would be nice, but..
a. I dont get to offroad my truck much.
b. I am working full time and going to school full time, so i have no time.
c. Cant afford it.
d. I am in need of a full size, so im saving up for a newer F150 anyway.

I just think it s more than I need at this point. If i can make or buy some cheap brackets, it will be a lot easier for me.

 

[94STXRanger]

So does anyone have 5.5" brackets?

Sasquatch is there anyway you can measure the difference in height of a line perpindicular to the centerline of the rear mounting bolts, to the center of the forward bolts? Basically have far the rear bolts are dropped vertically from the height of the front bolts?
That would be awesome too.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

My old brackets are in the shop, I just took them off the truck as I built extended arms.

I can get you pics with all the measurements you want tomorrow.