Yea bro, I just finished two weeks ago.

I put it through it's paces, if it can't handle that I guess I'll have to go back to the Ranger haha.

 

haha maybe but i i couldnt see the ranger taking the beating as well idk fix you tranny and rebuild that 22re with a 261 cam, header, isr mod with intake on pass side, and a posi rear or lockright? then that thing would move. o and hell put a marlin 1200lbs clutch and a short throw shifter mod .

 

Any updates of what you are going to do with the rear suspension?

Nice build. Gonna get one of these next year hopefully.

 

Albert,

Thanks for the awsome write up on the Blazeland LT. Great job on the install. I like the time frame- installed and aligned on a Saturday, hitting the trail on a Sunday, Sweet! Looks like you had fun with the install too. So, how many Beers did it take?

I know you and some of the readers are now pondering the rear suspension options. There are too many to list but I am sure you'll be able to figure out what best suits you needs. Look for about 3-4" of lift.

I wouldn't recommend going this route but here is what I did on the Fordota. Keep in mind I was looking to stablize the rear end, under V8 power loads, as much as gaining wheel travel. I made some trade-offs you probably don't need to do!

Photo:1 Side View
Photo:2 Pan in closer
Photo:3 Wheel Off View

 

This is the Pro Comp Traction Bars with Optional Double shock. The Pro Comp Shocks were way too short and I wanted more performance so I went with Bilsteins. They were 5100 series with 9" travel. The lower shock mount is prety much Pro Comp but with some gusset work. The Pro Comp bracket for the upper mount didn't allow long enough shocks. I took out the (4) 2" body lift blocks at the front of the bed and replaced them with a 2x2 square tube about 12" long. I then drilled through the tube to insert 1/2" bolts 6" long to cantilever mount the upper shocks.

Photo:4 Side View
Photo:5 Lower shock mount
Photo:6 Upper Shock Mount (modified)

 

The Traction Bars helped control wheel hop under hard acceleration. I also added some Downey Kicker Shocks for additional stabilization. This combination has some hints of a four link!

The rest of the rear is from Downey. The rear leaf spring pack is Downey 3" Lift Leafs. I removed the factory overloads and replaced with Downey Pre-Runner Leafs. The rear extended length shackle is Downey's as well. The 1-1/2" Blocks are from Superlift. It came in kit form with the blocks, new u-bolts, and brake brackets.

Photo:7 Kicker Shock quarter view
Photo:8 Kicker shock with modified stock bump stops
Photo:9 Rear Blocks (1-1/2")

 

looks good, im debating if i should go lt with your kit..
looks sick.

 

When the suspension drooped out, the shocks on the traction bars eventually topped out. I wasn't using the factory shock mounts at the frame or on the U-bolt plates so that looked like an easy location to attach the limiting straps. I took some measurements then bolted the proper length limiting straps. From the top of the bump stop to the bottom of the frame at full droop the distance is 8-1/2" Factor in bump stop compression and limit strap stretching and the travel for the rear is about 12"

Photo:10 Limit Strap A
Photo:11 Limit Strap B
Photo:12 Limit Strap C

 

This rear setup is something out of Frankenstein's lab but it works pretty well. Its tailored for V8 power, and most of the parts are now obsolete. Some of the design concepts are dated, enjoy the history of the evolution.

Good Luck with whatever you decide when you build your rear suspension.

Nate

Photo:13 Parting Shot

 

Here are a couple of URL links to some rear kits you might be interested in.

http://www.trail-gear.com/rearsuspension.html

http://www.blazenoffroad.com/store/T...ngs-79-88.html

 

Coool!!

 

Just found this company called Advanced Off-Road Research that has a cool rear shock mount that can accept 14" travel shocks and its pretty well priced. Long travel rear on your truck aalba and itll be unstoppable

 

I google'd "Advanced Off-Road Research". But they don't have a website? Got any links to their products? Very interested in checking that out cause I'm not sure what to do with my rear suspension yet.

 

heres a link to their site www.fortcom.com/aor/public_html/index.htm

 

Ah yea, thanks dude I appreciate it. Got some more gears turning, hopefully I can do a super budget build on my truck once I start working again. I really look forward to getting truck going again.

 

I thought AOR went out of business years ago . . . call their number and see if anyone answers, a few of the pages in their catalog are dead links

 

Any updates on driving impressions since you've had it on awhile now?

 

or what you did w the rear?

 

I still drives awesome. alignment is still within specs ( as far as I know, it doesn't pull to one side). I've gotten a lot of compliments on the truck..

 

I'm going to wait till the new year to do the rear...xmas put a little damper on the money situation...