I've got a new cheaper plan!
#1
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I've got a new cheaper plan!
Hey guys,
After thinking about doing a SAS, the costs and expertise needed to do it right, I'm shifting my efforts to raising my ground clearance that some have heard me discuss before. So, here's the plan:
1) I'm replacing my 1" BL with a 3" BL
2) I'm replacing my 1" Motor mount lift blocks with 3" blocks
3) Since the motor is now going to be 3" higher, I have to move the transfer case up 3" also to level it back out. So, using a 3" spacer from Roger Brown, I'll temporarily be able to drive the truck before I can move my gas tank.
4) Since my rear bumper is already designed for a 1" body lift, I'm going to cut the rear portion of my frame off, and move it up 2" to locate the bumper in the same place in relation to my body. This is also going to drastically increase my departure angle, which even with my high clearance bumper I've wished was higher numerous times out on the trail (ie Fain's Ford ledges).
5) Then, before I can cut out the crossmembers, I'll be moving my gas tank to the spare tire area as described here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...as+tank+design
6) Once my tank is moved, I'll cut out the old crossmembers and make them flush with the bottom of the frame rails. The rear-most crossmember will also be my new location for my extended lower control arms.
7) From here, I'll be using some of my 3/16" sheet to finally protect my transfer case properly. It's going to be sweet to have no gas tank and no crossmembers to get hung up on anymore, that's for sure. I'll be able to slide right over stuff.
That's my new plan, which will be so much cheaper than a SAS, and be equivalent to raising my vehicle practically 6" in the belly area. Plus, I'll easily be able to clear 35" tires, which will add an additional 1". What do you guys think?
Chris
After thinking about doing a SAS, the costs and expertise needed to do it right, I'm shifting my efforts to raising my ground clearance that some have heard me discuss before. So, here's the plan:
1) I'm replacing my 1" BL with a 3" BL
2) I'm replacing my 1" Motor mount lift blocks with 3" blocks
3) Since the motor is now going to be 3" higher, I have to move the transfer case up 3" also to level it back out. So, using a 3" spacer from Roger Brown, I'll temporarily be able to drive the truck before I can move my gas tank.
4) Since my rear bumper is already designed for a 1" body lift, I'm going to cut the rear portion of my frame off, and move it up 2" to locate the bumper in the same place in relation to my body. This is also going to drastically increase my departure angle, which even with my high clearance bumper I've wished was higher numerous times out on the trail (ie Fain's Ford ledges).
5) Then, before I can cut out the crossmembers, I'll be moving my gas tank to the spare tire area as described here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...as+tank+design
6) Once my tank is moved, I'll cut out the old crossmembers and make them flush with the bottom of the frame rails. The rear-most crossmember will also be my new location for my extended lower control arms.
7) From here, I'll be using some of my 3/16" sheet to finally protect my transfer case properly. It's going to be sweet to have no gas tank and no crossmembers to get hung up on anymore, that's for sure. I'll be able to slide right over stuff.
That's my new plan, which will be so much cheaper than a SAS, and be equivalent to raising my vehicle practically 6" in the belly area. Plus, I'll easily be able to clear 35" tires, which will add an additional 1". What do you guys think?
Chris
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Originally Posted by waskillywabbit
Sounds like a good plan in theory...but that sounds like an awful lot of fab work for a guy with a half finished rear bumper!
J/K!!! Good luck!
J/K!!! Good luck!
Chris
P.S. Thanks for motivating me, though!
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Originally Posted by doink
haha, what brian said.
i thought you said you were holding off on your rig until you got some other things taken care of?
i thought you said you were holding off on your rig until you got some other things taken care of?
Chris
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Originally Posted by bamachem
And you're about to have help living there with no family in town and nothing to do after 5pm for the entire month of January... Teach me how to weld and I'm your bitch.
Chris
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#10
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I think this is a lot of work for not so much gain.
Get a front locker and then think of the next step.
If you do all this bodylift and drivetrain lift, you are going to have a monster truck if you do an axle swap or a lot of stuff to undo if you don't want a monster truck.
Get a front locker and then think of the next step.
If you do all this bodylift and drivetrain lift, you are going to have a monster truck if you do an axle swap or a lot of stuff to undo if you don't want a monster truck.
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Originally Posted by ravencr
1) I'm replacing my 1" BL with a 3" BL
See, lowering the effective cost already!
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It's got all the parts I needed for my '97, except I'll have to check and see if was grade 8 when I bought mine. I can't remember! I've already got one offer from Roger on taking it back in conjunction with my 1" motor mount spacer. Would you want both or just the BL?
Chris
Chris
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Originally Posted by RobT2k
What is the motor mount spacer for?, other than the obvious answer...
Is it needed for the 1" BL? I dont remember hearing about that one.
Is it needed for the 1" BL? I dont remember hearing about that one.
Chris
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Originally Posted by RockComa
Get you some 38's 15" of diff clearance here
Chris
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It sounds like you are basically lifting everything except the frame (and even then you are lifting the rear end of the frame up). Why don't you just buy a Fabtech 6" lift and be done with it. It will give you the same lift except you will gain more clearance since it will also lift your frame. It won't change your COG much since you are pretty much lifting everything anyway. And it will be a heck of a lot easier.
#19
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Originally Posted by ravencr
Well, I've heard of people running tires that big on the stock toy axle, but I know the IFS front end would die quickly with tires that large. Not to mention the power steering pump, etc. I am tempted, though, to run either 35" boggers or possibly 36"er's to push the limites a tad further. The more clearance the better, but I'm really worried about the front end, which is one of the reasons I haven't locked the front yet.
Chris
Chris
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Well, actually, I would buy the Tuff Country lift instead if I was going to. But, my way is a heck of lot cheaper, my COG will be a lot lower, and with those lifts, I have to custom design the rear suspension anyway to compensate for the increased height. This plan sounds hard, but once finished, if I ever want to spend the money and do a SAS or IFS lift, it will be that much better because my break over angles will already be much better.
Chris
Chris