So, I haven't done many DIY tutorials, but I haven't seen a great install for the EIMKeith RAM brackets, so I thought I would contribute:
Things you need:
1. Welder, if you don't have one, then go buy one and teach yourself to weld, this is invaluable. I have a basic HF 120 V MIG.
2. Grinder was helpful. I have three grinders, Corded 4.5", Corded 7", and a cordless 4.5". I used a 7" cutoff wheel and a flap disc.
3. Basic hand tools, 24mm socket for Radius Arm frame bolts and 22mm for the axle mounts. I use a cordless impact to make my life easy.
4: Torque wrench 1/2 or 3/4 for tightening things up at the end.
First thing that was not obvious to me: the brackets are specific to the left and right hand mounts. They do not quite fit correctly if they are swapped. So make sure you're putting the right one on the right side. It should sit flush when on the correct side and in the correct position:
Next: these need to be installed co-planar to the existing mounts, and the new mount needs to maintain the same width while welding. This is the hard part as when you weld, things can easily get distorted and your bushing no longer fits in the mount. EIMKeith recommends using an old bushing to maintain the width. I didn't replace the bushings, so I decided to make a spacer. Start by measuring the width of the bushing;
Then make a spacer of the same width:
I used my 7 inch cutoff wheel, my vice, and a spare chunk of thick scrap metal. I did make it rather wide so that it would help me to maintain co-planar geometry:
This will now keep the leaves of the new mount parallel and with the same spacing as the stock mount, and it will keep it from distorting while welding.
Things you need:
1. Welder, if you don't have one, then go buy one and teach yourself to weld, this is invaluable. I have a basic HF 120 V MIG.
2. Grinder was helpful. I have three grinders, Corded 4.5", Corded 7", and a cordless 4.5". I used a 7" cutoff wheel and a flap disc.
3. Basic hand tools, 24mm socket for Radius Arm frame bolts and 22mm for the axle mounts. I use a cordless impact to make my life easy.
4: Torque wrench 1/2 or 3/4 for tightening things up at the end.
First thing that was not obvious to me: the brackets are specific to the left and right hand mounts. They do not quite fit correctly if they are swapped. So make sure you're putting the right one on the right side. It should sit flush when on the correct side and in the correct position:
Next: these need to be installed co-planar to the existing mounts, and the new mount needs to maintain the same width while welding. This is the hard part as when you weld, things can easily get distorted and your bushing no longer fits in the mount. EIMKeith recommends using an old bushing to maintain the width. I didn't replace the bushings, so I decided to make a spacer. Start by measuring the width of the bushing;
Then make a spacer of the same width:
I used my 7 inch cutoff wheel, my vice, and a spare chunk of thick scrap metal. I did make it rather wide so that it would help me to maintain co-planar geometry:
This will now keep the leaves of the new mount parallel and with the same spacing as the stock mount, and it will keep it from distorting while welding.