Looks good, nice work. What needs to change about the shock mounts - do they interfere with something? How does it handles at freeway speeds and on curvy roads?
Dean’s 80 no more, now LX-450
- Thread starter dr_dobro
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- Thread starter
- #42
Thanks!
It feels amazing, didn’t go over 60 mph I was afraid I was going to get a ticket as I have no exhaust I didn’t cornered it too hard as my son was with me, overall is a huge improvement from stock.
As for the shocks, I left about 4.5” of chrome and I could use another additional inch after seeing her flex. I have the shocks as perpendicular as I can so they can move freely when articulating. What I am not happy is that they will hang low like the stock ones. Would love to have them behind the axle, but way too much work. Easier to buy another pair if they get smashed....
I will relocate them once I finish the front, just in case.....(done grinding crap under the car)
- Thread starter
- #43
After a few measurements and mocking, the front is ready to be glued. Struts are as vertical as I could position them, wheelbase will be around 116”, perfect for 40” tires.
Only thing missing is the trackbar to complete the front suspension, still waiting for a few other parts as well
Only thing missing is the trackbar to complete the front suspension, still waiting for a few other parts as well
- Thread starter
- #44
Updating per some request, still have a lot of work to do, but overall truck started life again before the Memorial weekend
- started doing the 4 link after a few tries I abandoned the idea due to oil pan clearances, moved forward quickly and did a 3 link in the front.
- axles shafts and driveshafts came in last minute before the weekend, assembled and took it for a spin to get gas and highway,
Truck felt very different after all that work, at 70 mph drove really straight with no vibrations, just couldn’t hear much as had open exhaust. Ride was incredible smooth and steady, I set the lower chambers of the struts at 150 psi, and felt almost to nothing on driver seat . Now cornering that sucker was a different animal, the first one I got scared as the front end will rise feeling I was doing a motor wheelie, just not use to it.
On the trail, the little that I drove, felt incredible: on its first climb and for the first time, the front tire wasn’t free spinning like it did before, the rear suspension definitely help for the front to dig down and bite harder
Body Roll worked well with suspension, just the rear needs to be firmer as it’s too soft, but perfect for what the truck is as we are not looking to race.
The 116” wheel base is such a significant improvement while climbing..... I was a little nervous as the trails in the east coast are surrounded by trees, But the truck did exceptionally well.
First time ORI’s owner and they felt really really good, I just now need to play with finding the right combination with the weight of vehicle when is all assembled.
Below, you will find the 80 with 37’s. Waiting for maxxis 40” creepy crawlers, might have to trim a little further.....
Didn’t take too many pics as worked over nights and then spotting kid on the trails
Here are just a few
- started doing the 4 link after a few tries I abandoned the idea due to oil pan clearances, moved forward quickly and did a 3 link in the front.
- axles shafts and driveshafts came in last minute before the weekend, assembled and took it for a spin to get gas and highway,
Truck felt very different after all that work, at 70 mph drove really straight with no vibrations, just couldn’t hear much as had open exhaust. Ride was incredible smooth and steady, I set the lower chambers of the struts at 150 psi, and felt almost to nothing on driver seat . Now cornering that sucker was a different animal, the first one I got scared as the front end will rise feeling I was doing a motor wheelie, just not use to it.
On the trail, the little that I drove, felt incredible: on its first climb and for the first time, the front tire wasn’t free spinning like it did before, the rear suspension definitely help for the front to dig down and bite harder
Body Roll worked well with suspension, just the rear needs to be firmer as it’s too soft, but perfect for what the truck is as we are not looking to race.
The 116” wheel base is such a significant improvement while climbing..... I was a little nervous as the trails in the east coast are surrounded by trees, But the truck did exceptionally well.
First time ORI’s owner and they felt really really good, I just now need to play with finding the right combination with the weight of vehicle when is all assembled.
Below, you will find the 80 with 37’s. Waiting for maxxis 40” creepy crawlers, might have to trim a little further.....
Didn’t take too many pics as worked over nights and then spotting kid on the trails
Here are just a few
Does Dean know how fortunately Blessed he is?
What awesome 1st wheelin rig.
You're a Cool Dad.
What awesome 1st wheelin rig.
You're a Cool Dad.
- Thread starter
- #47
Many thanks, I don’t think he realizes this, but for sure he will when he grows older.
Definitely a natural born skilled kid and couldn’t be happier to support him !
I now have to buy a new laptop due to the ungodly amount of drool that came out of my mouth so i am typing this from my phone.
Also in on this adoption track. But I'll settle for getting this spare axle of yours! 
C'mon man... More updates!!!!
- Thread starter
- #52
I really didn’t do anything to her until last week when I had one day off for myself. Want to go out with dean before school starts..... now just prepping and fixing the necessary to go back out.
What I would like to accomplish are the following:
- hook the arb lockers. Ironic, but great learning experience without them....
- in the process of finishing replacing the alternator.
- make a bracket to hold the cold air intake
- finish the rear cross memeber as I need to remove the second from last. The upper links axle tabs still hits that cross member.
- canceled my order for wheels and tires as vendor took too long to deliver. Wheels were back order ever since and still are. Did Order a set of different wheels and tires. Coming next week !!!!
- re do the rear shock mounts, going to French/outboard outside the frame trough cargo space, but need the wheel/tire combo to make sure it will clear.
I hope I can get all this done as summers are crazy busy.
Here are some pics
Sexy
- Thread starter
- #55
Dispite the hot weather me and kid played around by checking rear clearances with the new set of tires. Still need to cut a lot more on the rear, and changed directions on where to mount the schools as my idea wasn’t going to work after flexing the car.
Will also add some bump stops and pretty much it until the winter.
Will also add some bump stops and pretty much it until the winter.
Super slick work man. 42's at 16yrs old......Dean is gonna be bored later
Is that front shackle for recovery? or just a suck down winch point? The mount looks beefy..... well, the whole truck as well.
- Thread starter
- #57
Super slick work man. 42's at 16yrs old......Dean is gonna be bored later
Is that front shackle for recovery? or just a suck down winch point? The mount looks beefy..... well, the whole truck as well.
Thanks. Deans does great for his age, just have to monitor him
I was sick and tired of wrapping straps around the axle!!!!! Came up with the idea of Install this shackle mounts all around to do a quick load/unload off the trailer. One of the best mods I ever did!!!!!
There’s still a lot of work, just slow so we can enjoy the process!
- Thread starter
- #60
It’s very difficult to relocate shocks for the rear of these trucks. I wanted to take full advantage of up and down travel. My axle is too narrow to do the recessed shock mounts as the tire was rubbing on top of the frame while testing. So opted to go trough the floor and existing frame location.
Cut the floor, modified and angled the tower mounts. I don’t know how many times I did this as I was also concerned about folding the rear seat.
I gained 6 extra inches, couldn’t go any further due to rear seat. At least the axle bracket doesn’t hang that low on the axle side .....
One side is tacked, doing the other tomorrow !
Pics:
Cut the floor, modified and angled the tower mounts. I don’t know how many times I did this as I was also concerned about folding the rear seat.
I gained 6 extra inches, couldn’t go any further due to rear seat. At least the axle bracket doesn’t hang that low on the axle side .....
One side is tacked, doing the other tomorrow !
Pics: