'86 Xtra-cab Solid Axle Swap
Nov 30, 2003 | 08:54 PM
#102
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From: Mount Pleasant, SC
Originally posted by Shane
Yes!!!
but.... no front brakes yet. Still need to bolt on the calipers, hook up the new hoses, and bleed them. Then it's time to swap out the rear springs. Also still have to install shocks/shock hoops, and box in the engine mounts. There's probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting too...
Yes!!!
but.... no front brakes yet. Still need to bolt on the calipers, hook up the new hoses, and bleed them. Then it's time to swap out the rear springs. Also still have to install shocks/shock hoops, and box in the engine mounts. There's probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting too...
Nobody does their test run with shocks. I know I didn't!
Nov 30, 2003 | 10:49 PM
#105
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From: Seattle
Springs hung...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1457.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1463.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1470.jpg
Initial shackle angle loaded...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1472.jpg
relaxed...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1482.jpg
On it's feet again...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1489.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1494.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1501.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1457.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1463.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1470.jpg
Initial shackle angle loaded...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1472.jpg
relaxed...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1482.jpg
On it's feet again...
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1489.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1494.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/IMG_1501.jpg
Dec 1, 2003 | 06:51 AM
#107
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,145
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From: Indianapolis
YOU GUYS AND YOU'RE DARNDED SAS'S!!!!
I WANT A SOLID AXLE!!:cry:
Shane, that is looking sweet!! congrats on gettin it on the ground! I'm gonna trailor my rig up to you this summer, and we can do mine ok? I'll provide the beer!
I WANT A SOLID AXLE!!:cry:
Shane, that is looking sweet!! congrats on gettin it on the ground! I'm gonna trailor my rig up to you this summer, and we can do mine ok? I'll provide the beer!
Dec 1, 2003 | 09:33 AM
#108
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Posts: 4,216
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From: Fort Collins, CO
Your shackles are completely in front of the body mounts? I thought that normal protocal was right square in the middle of them with the jig.
Looks like 35's?
Good work, glad to see things coming along.
Looks like 35's?
Good work, glad to see things coming along.
Dec 1, 2003 | 10:25 AM
#109
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From: Seattle
Thanks guys 
They're right under the front portion of the body mount, I actually had to trim off the bottom of the mount horn. I have the mounts moved forward an inch from stock. Yep, those are 35s and it looks like I'll have room for 37s.
I won't be doing any work today, have some personal matters to take care of.
Originally posted by Flygtenstein
Your shackles are completely in front of the body mounts? I thought that normal protocal was right square in the middle of them with the jig.
Your shackles are completely in front of the body mounts? I thought that normal protocal was right square in the middle of them with the jig.
I won't be doing any work today, have some personal matters to take care of.
Last edited by Shane; Dec 1, 2003 at 10:26 AM.
Dec 1, 2003 | 10:49 AM
#110
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,216
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From: Fort Collins, CO
I noticed you cut that portion out, but I thought I should inquire more fully.
Springs are 4" Alcan and you are getting 2" from the hanger/shackles?
Keep up the good work after the "other" business is taken care of!
Springs are 4" Alcan and you are getting 2" from the hanger/shackles?
Keep up the good work after the "other" business is taken care of!
Dec 2, 2003 | 10:30 PM
#112
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From: Seattle
First off let me apologize for the lack of pictures or webcam today, I have a few pics but none that I can post cause I left the card for my camera in my laptop which I left at home. I took some stills with the video camera but I don't have the USB-miniUSB cable that I need to connect to the camera and get them off the memory stick and I have no other way to read that stupid little "stick".
Damn you Sony and your proprietary crap!!! *shaking fist towards camera*
Also I think at this point the webcam is done, there isn't really any more exciting changes left to watch happen. I have an archive of the video I took, and I'm hoping to find a way to turn them into a timelapse clip that you can download and watch the entire swap fly by in like 5 minutes or less. I'll post it up in this thread if I figure out how to do it.
So... I came home to find a big box on my doorstep. opened it up and found two more boxes inside with "Bilstein" written on them. That's right, my *blingbling* front shocks showed up today!
We got the rear springs swapped in with fresh bushings, that was the easiest part of this whole swap for the amount of change it did. The truck is now somewhat level, I say somewhat because I haven't been able to put both ends on the tires just yet but if anything the rear will be slightly lower which is fine since I'm planning on ditching the heavy shell in the near future. The front end now has brakes, but we still need to swap out the brake lines to my new longer ones and then bleed them. Also need to set the toe-in and then it'll be time for a quick test drive. Once I can get it flexed up a bit I'll know if that pitman arm is going to be a problem and wether or not the shock hoops I bought will work or if I'm going to have to get some taller ones bent up. At the moment it's got all 4 tires on and it's looking damn good. I can't wait to drive it, I was so tempted to tonight...
Damn you Sony and your proprietary crap!!! *shaking fist towards camera*
Also I think at this point the webcam is done, there isn't really any more exciting changes left to watch happen. I have an archive of the video I took, and I'm hoping to find a way to turn them into a timelapse clip that you can download and watch the entire swap fly by in like 5 minutes or less. I'll post it up in this thread if I figure out how to do it.
So... I came home to find a big box on my doorstep.
opened it up and found two more boxes inside with "Bilstein" written on them. That's right, my *blingbling* front shocks showed up today! We got the rear springs swapped in with fresh bushings, that was the easiest part of this whole swap for the amount of change it did. The truck is now somewhat level, I say somewhat because I haven't been able to put both ends on the tires just yet but if anything the rear will be slightly lower which is fine since I'm planning on ditching the heavy shell in the near future. The front end now has brakes, but we still need to swap out the brake lines to my new longer ones and then bleed them. Also need to set the toe-in and then it'll be time for a quick test drive. Once I can get it flexed up a bit I'll know if that pitman arm is going to be a problem and wether or not the shock hoops I bought will work or if I'm going to have to get some taller ones bent up. At the moment it's got all 4 tires on and it's looking damn good. I can't wait to drive it, I was so tempted to tonight...
Last edited by Shane; Dec 2, 2003 at 10:31 PM.
Dec 2, 2003 | 10:40 PM
#113
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From: Seattle
Originally posted by 1WiCkEd_RuNNer
Shane, I was looking at http://www.allprooffroad.com/. They now have Profields which are supposed to be stronger then birfields because they use the same process as CTM products. First they go through cryogenic freezing, and then they are heat treated. Check them out if your going to go that way!!! Just a little bit of info!
Shane, I was looking at http://www.allprooffroad.com/. They now have Profields which are supposed to be stronger then birfields because they use the same process as CTM products. First they go through cryogenic freezing, and then they are heat treated. Check them out if your going to go that way!!! Just a little bit of info!
Dec 3, 2003 | 07:30 AM
#114
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From: Seattle
I got the pics off the camera! Sorry they're kind of dark, the camera doesn't do still very well with low lighting. Remember the front is on jackstand in these pics so it's off the ground a few inches making it look taller in front.
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/DSC00076.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/DSC00078.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/DSC00076.jpg
http://4-low.com/tech/sas/DSC00078.jpg
Dec 3, 2003 | 09:33 AM
#117
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: portland oregon
the mtrs $75 rebate ends on the 6th, im between those and bfg muds. the bfg's would be $110 cheaper, do you think its worth the extra cash for the mtr's? thanks im down to a couple of days to decide.
Dec 3, 2003 | 09:40 AM
#118
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From: Seattle
I've driven BFG MTs before so I know how well they work, and I've ridden in a rig with MTRs which are smoother and quieter. I based my decision on the rave reviews 95% of the people were giving them, they might not be quite as good in the gumbo sticky clay mud but they seem to work better everywhere else for most people.
Dec 3, 2003 | 08:45 PM
#120
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From: Seattle
Test drove it tonight, or should I say I drove it home. Didn't get the shocks on yet, the hoops are definitely too short. It's a little bouncy and has somewhat spooky steering on rough pavement without the shocks but definitely very driveable under 30mph. I'm going to take a couple days break from working on it, but I'll be back to sorting out the remaining tasks/issues this weekend. I'll try and get some decent pics in the next day or so when it's light out.
Didn't get the shocks on yet, the hoops are definitely too short. It's a little bouncy and has somewhat spooky steering on rough pavement without the shocks but definitely very driveable under 30mph. I'm going to take a couple days break from working on it, but I'll be back to sorting out the remaining tasks/issues this weekend. I'll try and get some decent pics in the next day or so when it's light out.
