PIG + Chebby Avalanche Trim =? (1 Viewer)

[LC_Hamma]

Rollin Right Along.....

Bolted up my Grant steering wheel, love them bolt-ons ;p Finished up the relocated coil spring mount. I'm working on figuring out my front axle link/ panhard brackets/ locations & steering - I'll need to keep in mind how the hydro ram will fit w/o any interference. I'm mounting the panhard just forward of the axle... we'll see how it all fits.......

 

[ridgerunner]

Chuck-

Awesome work, but a quick Q- why the hydroboost? I loved it on my pig; the truck stopped incredibly well after the swap, but my engine didn't make any vacuum and I had few other reliable options...

Nice work!
Brian

 

[LC_Hamma]

After a few experiences w/ the disk brake setup on my 40 on steep hills, I wanted the very *best reliable stopping power I could get. Did some research & decided on the hydro system. As you know there's NO comparison to the vacuum system. The *only bug I need to work out is the length of the pushrod cannot be too long as it keeps pressure on the rear disks

 

[LC_Hamma]

Front Housing Braces:

Before I start the front suspension housing bracketry, I figured I'd better reinforce it. I cut in half some
2 X 3 X 3/16" wall & trimmed it to fit. I then clamped it down & welded, letting cool between passes so no distortion could occur. Next will be the upper link mounts.

 

[LC_Hamma]

P/S Cooler Mounted

This was an easy install - 4 holes for the mount @ the base & 2 lager holesawed holes w/ grommets @ each side of the radiator housing for the lines:

 

[LC_Hamma]

Since the stock drain port was right in the way of the upper link location (I flipped a rear housing for this modified front axle), I decided to relocate it to the bottom. I already tapped the bottom for the new drain port, so I just cut it out & will patch up the top area. The housing is shown upside down yet? ;p

 

[LC_Hamma]

One Down, 3 To Go:

Got the 1st upper link done. It's offset due to the panhard bar will be right above the axle housing & would interfere if it were directly on top of the housing. Next, I have the other side cut out, just hafta finish it up & burn 'er in. I'm using 1/4" wall w/ 3/16" brace mat'l:

 

[Southeast Overland]

Very, very nice. When do we get to see an overall shot of the whole Piggie?

 

[LC_Hamma]

2 Down, 2 To Go....

Very, very nice. When do we get to see an overall shot of the whole Piggie?

Lemme finish up the front suspension & steering, then I'll mount the wheels/ tires, roll 'er out & take some pics

This one took a little longer. Already started my panhard mount too. I'll need to have the weight of the front settled at ride height so I can locate the frame mount for the panhard - that'll be the final task on the suspension. Next, I'll locate the axle coil buckets, along w/ the lower links & bottom shock mount. These will be VERY time consuming, but I can't wait to get crakin on them ;p

 

[Farr off road]

Looking good LC!

Just wondering why you chose to go with an inner cage rather than an exo cage? I know an inner cage is way less noticable but the exo protects you and the sheet metal! Seems like more of a win win!

 

[LC_Hamma]

Looking good LC!

Just wondering why you chose to go with an inner cage rather than an exo cage? I know an inner cage is way less noticable but the exo protects you and the sheet metal! Seems like more of a win win!

You're asking me this now - the Nevada heat gettin to yer brain? Visually, it's too busy lookin & more weight, not to mention keeping the tubes tight to the body & welding the inner seams next to the body become difficult. Also, painting is way more work & tedious.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Typical Bracket Making

Haven't shown my "special" way of fabbing brackets so here's the secret ;p Besides working w/ sheetmetal, drilling big holes thru thick metal, & wire wheelin, grinding these 3/8" plates to fit are on the list.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Front Axle Brackets Mocked Up:

Finished these up. I still hafta figure out how I'm gonna attach the lower coil buckets as I want them to be removeable. Gettin real close to having the front suspension DONE

 

[LC_Hamma]

The removeable coil buckets will be attached in 3 seperate places - 1 in front & 2 @ the rear. I boxed in the bottom of the buckets. Next, I'll finish up the axle panhard then tackle the panhard mount @ the frame, this'll be beefay ;p

 

[rsbcruiser]

Stellar work LCHamma, curious, why are you makeing the perches removable?

 

[LC_Hamma]

Stellar work LCHamma, curious, why are you makeing the perches removable?

Thanks for the compliment, coming from a cruiserhead w/ cool tools
These stock TJ perches were once welded to the axle housing before. If I needed to make an adjustment & I welded these to the housing, cleanup/ fixing would be Being a scratch built suspension, I opted to have componets adjustable just in case I had a I already got anxious & welded my panhard mount in the wrong location, so I plasma'd it off

 

[rsbcruiser]

Ya, I like me tools Hamma, and of course as you well know, my favorite is still my 3 lb drilling hammer.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Modded 3rd Member:

Little progress lately as I need to pick up some link mat'l. & hdwe. this weekend. So, I figured I'd show a shot of the modified diff w/ the 35 spline RD33 ARB & cryo-rim 4.88 gears:

 

[LC_Hamma]

Shaft Comparo:

May as well show the shafts I'll be using
Left side is obviously the Dana products I will use - 35 spline stub & it's adjoining blank that'll need to be cut & splined. Right side is the old LC stuff Hope that wafer of a ring gear is up to the task

 

[rsbcruiser]

WOW, oh I mean, I don't see any difference at all!


Richard