That's sketchy man. The bolt is probably rusted enough that it stayed put. Kind of scary.

Sometimes uncovering what the PO did can be very frustrating.

 

Husker has a good point.

 

I've actually had my front's loosen up on me a couple times, i've got double nuts on them now..both locking and i still check them before every trip

 

loctite, drill and safety wire them!

hopefully when you mention body lift, you're REMOVING one! if you're looking for something to do, install that double tcase setup you've had sitting for years! maybe instead of body lift, focus on using your welder and chop your floor pan for flat bellying your drivetrain.

 

please don't put a body lift on that thing. you said yours sits about as high as mine, and I cant even imagine any body lift. hell, I'm still lowering mine.

 

Agreed.

 

I know, body lifts are very eew! But, Body lifts allow, for engine swaps and drive-train lifts. I will also be lower the the springs. I would like to get this truck as low as the last, but the SASed front end will be the challenge too a low stance.

I am also thinking of dropping the tire size down to 33".

Does the Body lift still sound that bad too you?

 

No,you have a point with what your tying to do...I say do it.

 

I'm not a big fan of body lifts , but you have some valid points for having one. Definitely makes life easier when accessing stuff underneath.

 

i never have a problem accessing anything on my truck since its SAS'd. what motor requires a body lift with an SAS? Nick is putting a 2uz in his truck with no body lift.

 

2jz-ge, if you want to keep the A/C. It requires the engine be mounted high above the frame.

 

install wing windows

 

Chop frame people do it all the time for steering clearance, so why not for AC pump?

 

Gotta love wing windows,Jerry reed did.

 

the A/C pump and the steering box can not share the same space.

Mike, Wing windows can not replace A/C.

 

Very good point here. With the Solid front in mine, I have absolutely no issue getting to anything underneath. Top bellhousing bolts are easy to get to, and there is so much room between the oil pan and the axle, you could arm wrestle underneath of it while removing.

 

make brackets and move AC pump to different location. you're going to be fabbing to make engine fit anyways

 

that is certainly easier said than done. I understand body-lifts are not favored here in the U.S.. However, body-lifts are proven around the world, and serve as a good offroad application, for many reason. In the end, would it be cool too do what i want, regarding mods to my truck, without a body-lift; sure, I agree it would be awesome not having a body-lift. But, a body-lift is much easier then the other option from an engineering standpoint. Besides, if I got tired of the body-lift, I could always remove it.

 

I am back for an update. I have the front end all buttoned up finally. The bushings showed up after waiting three weeks, so I could not wait any longer to install them.

First off, here is what I am replacing, ovaled-out shackles, and chewed up greasable shackle bolts. During the tare down I did not find any sign that any of the parts were ever greased in the first place.




The bushings them selves went in great, however it took roughly two hours to squeeze the sleeves in place. I was so happy to have finished with the sleeves, I had to take a picture.

Here is Davez Offroad Shackles as they come shipped. I took some time to make them pretty, before I installed them.

And, here is the pretty version, I clear coated a brushed steel finish. I really like how they turned out. Hope you all like it as much as I.

I finished my Sky-manufacturing T-case crossmember the same way. I think the shackles look even better on the rig.

Now its time for some cutting, I need to reposition the frame mount for the steering stabilizer

 

Blingin...

Seriously tho, until you have a few hours to sit and talk theory and dynamics and physics with keith (dark) it's best to just not question where he is going. His data he has gathered and the plan he has laid out ahead of him is VERY solid and no matter how much crap I like to give him for it, he WILL do it. Much like the way he drives; it takes him a while, but he will get it done at his own pace.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.



I still feel you need to start a new thread for this new truck tho.