Yes sir, that is winning my friend. Get on it! Once you play with the settings and figure out what to use for different thicknesses in metal you will be just fine with it.

 

Awesome, thanks!

When you did your shackles/hangers, did you use a jig of sorts to make sure you clamped them in the right place on the frame? I'm thinking of using some scrap wood, and drilling holes exacly the "eye-to-eye" length needed between stock and new hardware. Also, since the hangers are wider than frame, thinking of welding on some small tabs that are just the right width of the frame, so it's lined up in-line with the frame.

What did you do to ensure you were spot on - before tacking and going to town?

 

Im pretty sure we just measured everything a few times before we cut off the factory hangers and made marks on the frame for where the shackle hangers needed to be. Afterwards just lined them up and tacked them on, then checked measurements again. your idea is probably a better way of doing it though.

Do you mean the front spring hangers? That wouldnt be a bad idea, but there is also 3 rosette weld underneath the skid plate that you also weld onto the hanger. My hangers are from Ballistic Fab so they may be a little different from your Skys kit.

 

Yeah, the front spring hangers are what I was referring to. I saw the holes for rosette welds in your kit, but the sky kit doesn't have them.

tabs may be hard to line up correctly but I'll play by ear...still need welder first.

 

drill your own holes in the hangers and you too can have the holes for the strong welds. i wouldnt worry about any of those tabs. Just drill a couple good holes and go to work.

haha get on it dude!

 

Thanks - I'll likely try that.

Probalby going to pull the trigger on a 130 AMP Chicago Electric welder this week - on sale at HF, and I have a 20% off coupon. I'll likely hit you up through PM if I run into any snags...thanks in advance

I also need to deal with my dying tranny soon too, so that may take priority

Phil

 

Here is what I did when I did my F150's...

I made a jig and bolted it to my existing hanger and the new hanger.



Pushed the hanger into place and tacked it, then repeated for the other side.



As you can see I also have multiple holes set evenly along the length, this was for finding the correct length for my shackle.

Hope this helps/gives you some ideas!

Larry

 

Thanks Larry!

I had been thinking of doing something similar, but with a piece of scrap wood, with the holes measured the proper distance apart. I guess I'm now more concerned with the angle of the hanger - making sure it sites in line with the frame, and centered with the frame (since I believe the hangers are wider than the frame). Will reach out to you guys when I get around to doing this.

Thanks again!

 

I've been eying this all month and finally jumped on it:



$199 at Harbor Freight and handles 5/16" steel with flux wire:
http://www.harborfreight.com/120-amp...der-97503.html


This same welder just went on sale for $20 cheaper this month ($179.99!). I just took my receipt and the ad to HF and got a $20 credit back

 

Good deal man! Now its time to get on it and get those badass springs under it

 

not much of an update, but i did get it out of the backyard and get her cleaned up a bit before putting her back under the tarp for the winter.

 

While I've been planning this project, a couple things happened:

1) truck failed smog (twice now)
2) transmission took a crap (picked up a W56 last week)

So....I need to take care of those two things first, then get the welder in action Will let you guys know when I get to it!

 

Can't wait till it's back on the road!

 

Dang, ya i'd say those two issues take precedent over the springs. I hate dealing with emissions, it was always a pita in my 4Runner. Now its going to suck in my 98 Jetturd bc i got CEL and have to get rid of it before I can get a new tag for it.

Thanks dude, im searching for an engine all the time

 

God luck with the jetta

Phased smog yesterday on the third attempt...egr was the last culprit! W56 sitting in my garage waiting for a new home

 

God luck with the jetta

Phased smog yesterday on the third attempt...egr was the last culprit! W56 sitting in my garage waiting for a new home

 

Take your winch off and put it in the garage/basement/whatever. Don't let it sit outside all winter if you can help it.

 

So, I finally unpacked this sucker to assemble it last night and noticed that:
1) the power cord is pretty short (I'd read this already)
2) the power cord had NO PLUG - just 3 wires coming out of the main sleeve - WTF??


Is this how all welders come - and you fashion your own plug?

If so, any recommendations for where to get the hardware/how to do it? While I'm at it, can I extend the cord, since I'll need more?

Phil

 

ya youre going to have to put your own cord on it so you can choose which style you want on there. We got all of our plugs and necessary sockets, etc at home depot. Yes we made a special extension power wire so we can get it all around our garage.

 

Brandon,

Did you put a plug on and make a separateextensioncord, or just straightextendedthe welders originalcord? What kindof wire did you use from home depot?