Troopy

[arnott1t]

Cleaned up the weld this am.

Slid it under the truck and reinstalled all the outer stuff

looks to be about 63” wide. Maybe 63.5

offset for the t case looks good

new axle stands to stabilize while I do link

lower link frame mount.

 

[arnott1t]

Final link mounts are tacked..
Asked the internet for a quick look over....

 

[decoco]

too cool man

 

[arnott1t]

Well after getting the mounts tacked and I started to cycle the suspension. Things were almost good. Needed to move the lower frame mounts out 3/4 to clear the Frame. All good now.

this is about 12” down travel from full stuff

full stuff. Good news is lots of room and places for bump stops

Full stuff in the inside.

biggest challenge will be the shocks and getting them in there. Need to get tires mounted to wheels and cycle it some more. See where full stuff really is and see how clearance looks

thanks @Behemoth60 again for all the phone consults.

 

[RockDoc]

Nice progress!

 

[decoco]

massive!

 

[arnott1t]

Well I swapped one wheel over to check for clearances. I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out so far. It is almost exactly the same width as before. Has 5” up travel until things start to rub. Seems to be touching at 3 spots all at
Once so not much to be gained without big body mods.

full stuff shots with a tire.

 

[arnott1t]

More wheel well chopping today left me with room to mount shock towers. 3 attempts to get them really close. Need to mound the passenger side ones tomorrow and cycle it all a bunch more times to watch for interference. It’s really close but your trying to balance 3 things running at once.

as it stands now it has something like 18” of travel. Which seems like a lot. Likely limit that to less for packaging.

 

[arnott1t]

Shocks are in. A few more tweaks to the drivers tower and I should be done... I hope

 

[arnott1t]

I adjusted the drivers tower yesterday and all is sitting pretty. I had to make a compromise that as thinks are now I’ll need to section out a potion of the frame within the shock towers. As it is I get springs touching the frame when one side is drooped out. Taking 3/4” out of the Frame for that portion should solve that.

next stop is bump stop install then one last dress rehersal and get to welding

 

[arnott1t]

 

[arnott1t]

 

[RockDoc]

Puts a smile on my face to see some bold metal quilting on the go. :

 

[arnott1t]

Welds aren’t super pretty but it’s solid. I adjusted the towers another few times. But they’re not moving any more

 

[arnott1t]

Got most of the frame mounts and shock towers welded in. Lower and upper frame mounts are done. Still want to plate the frame on the inside of shock towers but I’ll get to that. Shouldn’t be long from setting it on some springs to check rates. At least that what it seems like.

 

[arnott1t]

Much welding today.

The 2” alum bar in the lowers... should be tuff stuff.

One arm is done and the other is in progress. Going a little slower to try and avoid warping it. The first one has a little bow to it

 

[arnott1t]

all my mounts and arms are welded. Plated the frame on the inside where i hoped to as well. all back together now with shocks and mock up springs in place. Looks like im a little to stiff on the springs but i need to spend some more time on it tomorrow.....

 

[arnott1t]

Well did a bunch of spreadsheet math and measuring today.... seems to be really close on springs. Close enough that I’ll leave it until I get
My front done. If I dial the pre load adjuster to the top of the shock, which means the springs have an inch of slop at full droop I’ll have ride height at about where I’d like with no gear, no people, no spare and not tent and a 1/2 tank of fuel.

the math says I have a wheel spring rate about about 125lbs/inch. So said another way for every 250 lbs in the back I’ll drop and inch. The great news is I can adjust the coil over up to get ride height back. They seem to say 3-4inches is adjustable. All good news for me.

I have my front demo spring on the other side rear as they say you’ll always need different springs than what your order so I only bought half. I’ve been supporting the other side of the truck with the hoist arms....

Here are some picks of the “finished” suspension

 

[arnott1t]

Here are a few more. First is at ride height. Second is while being picked up by hoist until tires are just touching so much as I can’t turn them. About 11.5” down travel.

at max droop d shaft will be at 29 degrees which I think is still ok....

 

[RockDoc]

Looking fantastic