I have been asked to post this up by my buddy, the #2 parts on MUD everyone knows as Beno.
I had given this a fleeting thought quite some time ago and never pursued it because it wasn't holding me back on the trails I was running. Finally after two plus years of getting hung up on my lower rear control arm forward mounts I had to do something. I searched MUD an found no mention of what I was looking for, heck I was surprised not to see something similar on Shortbus or some of the other more extensively built 80's. At any rate what I came up with is a ramp/slider which substantially decreases the approach angle on the front side of the rear lower control arm forward mount. My initial design years ago was this crude drawing and used .25" plate with a fitted webbing to provide strength:
After this past season of wheeling of getting hung up repeatedly it was time to correct the nagging issue before Disney, OK, South Dakota and the rest of the season. While at the steel lot I found a cut-off of 1.5"x1.5"x.25" box tubing which I figured would more than adequately fit the bill for such a heavy truck. What I ended up with is what you see below. As luck would have it the length I went with once cut to fit nearly matches the same angle as my lower control arms (bonus) making for a smooth transition from frame to control arm. An added bonus which I hadn't paid any attention to while burning these on was that these sliders hang below the drive shaft and may provide some added protection when playing on ledges.
I you have access to a welder and a grinder this might be something to consider if you wheel your rig in the rocks and such. For a half day or less of puttering in the garage it'll be worth it.
I had given this a fleeting thought quite some time ago and never pursued it because it wasn't holding me back on the trails I was running. Finally after two plus years of getting hung up on my lower rear control arm forward mounts I had to do something. I searched MUD an found no mention of what I was looking for, heck I was surprised not to see something similar on Shortbus or some of the other more extensively built 80's. At any rate what I came up with is a ramp/slider which substantially decreases the approach angle on the front side of the rear lower control arm forward mount. My initial design years ago was this crude drawing and used .25" plate with a fitted webbing to provide strength:
After this past season of wheeling of getting hung up repeatedly it was time to correct the nagging issue before Disney, OK, South Dakota and the rest of the season. While at the steel lot I found a cut-off of 1.5"x1.5"x.25" box tubing which I figured would more than adequately fit the bill for such a heavy truck. What I ended up with is what you see below. As luck would have it the length I went with once cut to fit nearly matches the same angle as my lower control arms (bonus) making for a smooth transition from frame to control arm. An added bonus which I hadn't paid any attention to while burning these on was that these sliders hang below the drive shaft and may provide some added protection when playing on ledges.
I you have access to a welder and a grinder this might be something to consider if you wheel your rig in the rocks and such. For a half day or less of puttering in the garage it'll be worth it.
. I like your design, it keeps the angle the same as the LCA itself.
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There's nothing saying you can't replace them with a longer piece of flat stock. I say beat on them and keep us posted. You'll certainly be wheeling more than I this year that much I can guarantee.
