Builds The Weasel - HDJ80 build (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ragnaroek
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #22
After already posting some pics in the wdydwy80tw-thread, here's my attempt of relocating the front axle slightly forward for propotions and clearence while simultaniously correcting the caster for at least 2" of lift.
Initially I bought some radius arm drop brackets from @eimkeith (shoutout to him as a seller, communication was super quick and easy, shipping to Germany took only a few days!) which fit really well and are a great and easy solution imo. But somehow I wasn't really happy with the look of both radius arm mounts basically stacked on top of other, two sets of holes etc. Especially with the oncoming roadworthyness-inspection in mind. Or maybe i just had another stupid Idea and took the hard way just for the sake of it, idk.
First removed the lower part of the original bracket
Started making a thing, using the factory Part and the drop bracket for reference.
Since the original bracket tapers on the outside ends I had to cut, bend and reweld the outer half of the new one.
Burned the two halfes together and plated some of the open parts for reinforcement. Cut some holes in the top as a drain for mud and water.
Added some bracing to the underside, ground the welds flat.
Cleaned the remains of the factory brackets up and melted old and new together.
So now i've got some really sturdy, nearly factory looking RAMs with the bolt hole positioned 50mm down and 25mm forward of the original location.
And If i don't count the roughly 12 hours it took me to make and Install them, they're probably also the cheapest way to it. At least a lot less $$$ than a set of arms. Plus the therapeutic fun of building something from scratch, with only an image in your mind.
Initially I bought some radius arm drop brackets from @eimkeith (shoutout to him as a seller, communication was super quick and easy, shipping to Germany took only a few days!) which fit really well and are a great and easy solution imo. But somehow I wasn't really happy with the look of both radius arm mounts basically stacked on top of other, two sets of holes etc. Especially with the oncoming roadworthyness-inspection in mind. Or maybe i just had another stupid Idea and took the hard way just for the sake of it, idk.
First removed the lower part of the original bracket
Started making a thing, using the factory Part and the drop bracket for reference.
Since the original bracket tapers on the outside ends I had to cut, bend and reweld the outer half of the new one.
Burned the two halfes together and plated some of the open parts for reinforcement. Cut some holes in the top as a drain for mud and water.
Added some bracing to the underside, ground the welds flat.
Cleaned the remains of the factory brackets up and melted old and new together.
So now i've got some really sturdy, nearly factory looking RAMs with the bolt hole positioned 50mm down and 25mm forward of the original location.
And If i don't count the roughly 12 hours it took me to make and Install them, they're probably also the cheapest way to it. At least a lot less $$$ than a set of arms. Plus the therapeutic fun of building something from scratch, with only an image in your mind.
Nice work. Looks like it grew that way
- Thread starter
- #24
While taking measurements for the new rear bumper i wanted to know If i can make the original mud flaps work with my modified quarter panels.
No, not at all.
For some reason it looked so ridiculous to my tired brain I couldn't stop laughing for the next three minutes.
No, not at all.
For some reason it looked so ridiculous to my tired brain I couldn't stop laughing for the next three minutes.
Maybe some Rally Armor style mudflaps could look goodWhile taking measurements for the new rear bumper i wanted to know If i can make the original mud flaps work with my modified quarter panels.
View attachment 3573163
No, not at all.
For some reason it looked so ridiculous to my tired brain I couldn't stop laughing for the next three minutes.
- Thread starter
- #26
Built a rear bumper today. Not exactly heavy duty, but it's more of a cover for the towbar and crossmember anyways, not really structural.
(Yes, i know the tailgate's got a giant hole. I'll replace it once i'm done wielding heavy pieces of steel around the truck...)
(Yes, i know the tailgate's got a giant hole. I'll replace it once i'm done wielding heavy pieces of steel around the truck...)
- Thread starter
- #27
The build slowed down again, spent to much time at work to finish some long time projects for different customers.
But I acquired some tires,
some wheels,
painted things,
fixed dozens of PO-hackjobs
and ripped out all of this disgusting stuff
Oh, and I deleted the broken ABS, the rotten LSPV and started rebuilding the brake system, but I totally forgot to take pictures of that.
But I acquired some tires,
some wheels,
painted things,
fixed dozens of PO-hackjobs
and ripped out all of this disgusting stuff
Oh, and I deleted the broken ABS, the rotten LSPV and started rebuilding the brake system, but I totally forgot to take pictures of that.
Made in Spain…. What tires are those? Pics of sidewall? We like tires!
Nice project! Good job!
