Section525 - D44 2nd gen. leaves SAS

Well since I have the axle in-hand finally... I guess I can start my thread.

I bought this axle about a month ago from a guy in OR and finally made it around to picking it up yesterday. I watched as he actually took the axle out from under the truck. It's pretty clean.

1983 Jeep Wagoneer LP D44

The plans:
Rubicon Express leaf springs (unless someone suggests otherwise)
4.88s
Detroit

Then SOA the rear, add a locker, and 5x4.5 to 6x5.5 adapters (I heard they make them). So far I am thinking about going 35/36s BFGs or IROKs.

So.... any suggestions?

 

[section525]

 

[jasonb]

that's exactly what I used for spring hangers also. Cheap is good!

 

[section525]

Here is the crossmember in it's infancy. The side are angled slightly to give it a less blocky look. The caps will be welded and grounded smooooth for bling factor. It should be pretty damn stout when it's said and done though.

I may drill some 2" holes in between the frame rail and sleeve them for both form and functionality. It will make it look less like a 2x6 and will also allow air to get to the lower part of the radiator.

 

[RockRanger]

Nice. You have a month till Moab you better get going

 

[section525]

Bling bling.

The back of the hanger will be gusseted, then plated to polish it off.

 

[section525]

It'll be coming along fast here soon. I should be done before Stic-o at his rate.

Sorry Stic-o


At least your pets support what you're doing.

 

[Stic-o]

It'll be coming along fast here soon. I should be done before Stic-o at his rate.

Sorry Stic-o


At least your pets support what you're doing.

Ouch!

 

[section525]

Well I sleeved three holes through it. Hopefully it looks better when I debur the inside edges and paint the whole crossmember.

 

[IZwack]

hey section about how long did it take for u to punch through one side of that square stock with the hole saw?

 

[section525]

Probably about 5 minutes per hole. The belt kept slipping on my 1921 drill press so I could not put much downforce on the bit.

 

[section525]

Progressss...



Think this will be tough enough? I am thinking I may need some gussets from the bottom of the frame to the crossmember. What do you think? Or am I paranoid?

 

[IZwack]

ahah well you've already painted it! cant weld onto that beauty anymore!

 

[section525]

It's primer. I masked off where it will be welded to the frame. That way I only have to paint the welds and not the entire crossmember. Yes, I am bored.

 

[IZwack]

yeah i think gusseting is worth it (plus your bored - hehe). cauz if i can remember corrently, there are bulges on the side of the frame rails where you currently have the cross member sitting. unless you've perfectly mirrored the outline of those bulges onto the cross member, thats probably going to be somewhat of a weak weld because there will be gaps between the cross member and the frame rail - and as u know, the tighter the fit, the better the weld.

 

[jasonb]

dude.. your explorer is gonna be fast as hell with those holes in that crossmember. That is probably the beefiest xmember I have ever seen though! I personally don't think you need to gusset it. I think you'll be fine but hey.. I'm not driving it.

 

[IZwack]

but hey.. I'm not driving it.

Ahaha true.

here, for your cross member:

 

[Jefe]

Think this will be tough enough? I am thinking I may need some gussets from the bottom of the frame to the crossmember. What do you think? Or am I paranoid?

Paranoid, very paranoid. That will be more than enough.

 

[section525]

dude.. your explorer is gonna be fast as hell with those holes in that crossmember. That is probably the beefiest xmember I have ever seen though! I personally don't think you need to gusset it. I think you'll be fine but hey.. I'm not driving it.

I still need to port and polish the holes for better air flow. But it's getting there.

 

[IZwack]

for the center hole:

if you get stuck, just turn the propeller on for thrust.

 

[jasonb]

Ahaha true.

here, for your cross member:

all you need is zip ties... they don't have to dry.