Carlovers Desert Beater Build

Well im starting to source parts and gather up some good stuff. I figured id start a thread just to show everyone that the ideas are. Should be a pretty fun setup when done. Everything will be being built by Brandon at BTF Fab.

The rear will be a 4 link with a panhard bar and cantilever coilovers. Shooting for around 20" of rear travel. Full size van 9", and should be around 3.5" wider per side than stock

Front will be a BTF front setup more than likely with a fully fabbed spindle with d44 hubs and uniball upper and lowers. Should pull around 16-17" of travel. Will be around 5" wider a side than stock.

It will be a fairly slow build due to finances. It will be built in stages obviously and should take around 12-16 months to be fully complete.

 

[carlover]

Added some bracing and support tubes. Will get better pics tonite. Was even able to reuse the carpet. Came out really really nice.

 

[carlover]

The big brown truck will be delivering my shocks today.....Will be installed and some testing done this weekend for sure.

 

[carlover]

18"shocks are no joke LOL.

 

[carlover]

Completed rear setup

 

[mounty71]

Those shocks are looong. Looks like a nice simple setup, can't wait to see it perform sometime.

 

[DB_1]

Looks like a sweet set up, are you gonna run air bumps? What up/down travel #'s are you aiming for?

 

[carlover]

Bumps are a must, but ran short on funds for now. but in the next few weeks ill run some radflo bumps for sure. Right now its 9.5" uptravel and 6" down. There is more down travel there for sure but we need to move the rear shackle hanger forward. We are gonna experiment a little with shackle lengths also. Good thing is at full bumps with this setup the leafs do not go into negative arch which is key to thier lasting awhile.

 

[DB_1]

Ahhh that's right, I remember you mentioning the Radflo's. I've got some bumpstops to install in the rear of my truck. Unfortunately they aren't bling airbumps, good ol' urethane will have to do for now.

 

[carlover]

yeah im relying on the stock ones for now. bumps and cans are another $350 which with the holidays here i dont have yet lol.

 

[Dannyboy]

waaaaooooooow. Good work man. Get Brandon to make you some new u-bolt plates like the total chaos ones, then tell me you made thiem for $20 vs. paying $70 LOL.

 

[carlover]

yeah i need new ones bad. i need to get some pics to get ideas for new ones.

 

[carlover]

hey danny are you talking about these??
http://www.chaosfab.com/toyaccess_rearsus.html

 

[carlover]

here are a few pics of the 2.0x4" radflo bumps in the front. the basically bump right off the lower a-arm and act like a second shock

 

[cybergasm]

So you get the chance to take it out this past weekend? how did it do?

 

[carlover]

rain and snow killed my chance to take it out. hopefully in the next week or so. gotta get the rear shocks dialed in so the rear doesnt buck around like explorers are known to do

 

[carlover]

Trying to decode from here where to go. Of course a cage will be built next month, but after that...........

More than likely a junkyard 9" and rear glass, not 100% sure where to go though. Hmmmmmmmm decisions decisions....

 

[carlover]

Damn just started reading some rule books, looks like my A&B pillers are going to have to be 2" .120 DOM. Ouch....

 

[FROADER]

Damn, that's big.

The rear hoop looks good.

 

[carlover]

Damn, that's big.

The rear hoop looks good.

Thanks Colin. Yeah thats big, i have no clue how im going to keep my stock dash which was a key goal of mine. But anything over 4,000 lbs requires 2", and my explorer weighed 3,960 lbs when stock. So with added weight from cage, tires, and other things id need to shed about 400 pnds to be able to use 1 3/4.

 

[FROADER]

Rear seats and glass. Get some canvas windows like Rick has. Those glass sumbiches are heavy.