BMXking's Axle Swap 1st gen. Coils/Radius Arms!!!

[bmxking5]

Sorry guys...I didn't post any pics but if you read post 790 you'll see that I went through a NASTY mudhole that swallowed a 4x4 Chevy on 35s (and I didn't get stuck like him). I had this thing filthy, but cleaned it so I could drive it to graduation yesterday. Sorry that you guys think I drive a street truck.


Wait a sec....isn't this the person who no longer wheels his Explorer and has a "trail rig" that's never seen anything more agressive than a set of jackstands

 

[jasonb]

Dude.. those jackstands are double black diamond. That is hardcore.

And without pics, you didn't touch a mudhole.

 

[034x4]

Man, mud isn't off-roading.

All you need is a heavy right foot and momentum and a geo metro could make it through

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

Man, mud isn't off-roading.

All you need is a heavy right foot and momentum and a geo metro could make it through

hhhhaaa thats a good one....but it is very true...

 

[bmxking5]

Man, mud isn't off-roading.

All you need is a heavy right foot and momentum and a geo metro could make it through

Well, when it's deep ass ruts it is. There was only one mudhole on the trail. The rest of the trail was 100% v-ditches, etc. All he said was he wanted me to get it dirty finally.

 

[j602]

I love driving this thing around. I went to 4 Wheel Parts today (my buddies and I install lifts for 1/2 the labor cost that the shops charge) to get a quote on a 4" Skyjacker for a 96 F150. I pulled into the parking lot, and one guy that was leaving turned around and two guys from inside came out to look at it (all within about 30 seconds of me being there). So far everyone thinks it's awesome (one kid said "words don't describe how badass this thing is" ) and I've even had a few people take pictures of it while I'm at stop lights LMAO

Welcome to the club.

 

[034x4]

All that attention, and he still doesn't have a front driveshaft yet. Lol.

Get used to it, people look at me and their expression says "wtf is that thing?"

 

[bmxking5]

LOL, I have my front driveshaft in, but obviously don't lock the hubs when I use low range. I wanted to make sure I installed it even though there is no purpose for it....there are way too many people that have big trucks around here that are missing the front d-shafts. The last thing I wanted is for people think I own a street queen.

 

[bmxking5]

Went wheelin today. This is the most that the rear will flex out. I'm not sure if the shocks are bottoming/maxing out or if the AALs just cause it to max out. I'm gonna put it on the RTI ramp soon and find out. Hopefully it's just the shocks and I can go ahead and measure for them and leave the leaf springs alone for now.

 

[JS91X]

haha theres my goofy a$$ in the back ground

 

[jasonb]

LOL, I have my front driveshaft in, but obviously don't lock the hubs when I use low range. I wanted to make sure I installed it even though there is no purpose for it....there are way too many people that have big trucks around here that are missing the front d-shafts. The last thing I wanted is for people think I own a street queen.

I missed this before... do you have 2lo? Was that something that 1st gens have? Otherwise I'm thinking having a driveshaft in and low range is gonna cause some really loud issues with seperate gear ratios that unlocked hubs won't help.


BTW... finally a pic with dirt in it!! Yah!

but a sewer pipe thingy isn't wheelin either!!! Especially when you forget to take the rock stack out before you snap the picture!!

Yes I'm aloud to give you crap about it despite my garage queen. I have an 11 month old.

I'm just givin you a hard time.. The truck looks good.

 

[bmxking5]

I missed this before... do you have 2lo? Was that something that 1st gens have? Otherwise I'm thinking having a driveshaft in and low range is gonna cause some really loud issues with seperate gear ratios that unlocked hubs won't help.


BTW... finally a pic with dirt in it!! Yah!

but a sewer pipe thingy isn't wheelin either!!! Especially when you forget to take the rock stack out before you snap the picture!!

Yes I'm aloud to give you crap about it despite my garage queen. I have an 11 month old.

I'm just givin you a hard time.. The truck looks good.

Haha, thanks. No, I put it in 4lo and with the hubs unlocked I have 2lo since the front isn't really going anywhere. I just do it because I have already screwed up my flywheel again (hot spots) and I try to keep the clutch slipping to a minimal. The front is turning at a different speed, but since the hubs aren't locked, the only thing turning at that speed is the axle shafts (not the tires which would = major issues) Sorry I don't have any pics of the three creek crossings, the hill climbs, etc that I did yesterday. BTW, let me know if you need a hand with the Sami (especially this week). I don't start full time til next Monday and even then I'll be off after 2 on Saturdays, all day Sunday and Monday, and after 5:00 on Tue.-Fri.

 

[jasonb]

No time to work on the Sami this week. Thanks though. I got talked into remodeling rooms in the house so yet again, the rig won't see any TLC. Unfortunately, the Sami is far back on my priority list right now.

 

[bmxking5]

I'm gonna call the Dedenbear dealers (in GA) tomorrow. Hopefully I can get some locally in about 2-3 weeks. I can run off the shelf Ford ball joints, retain the 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern and basically just have to replace my stock knuckles with these. Also, I can get them on sooner (don't have to have $$ for hi-steer) because they are also reamed above the knuckle for stock Ford tie rods, like what I'm running now. When I get the money for hi-steer, I'll probably drill them out for a 3/4" heim instead of going with a Chevy TRE. Anyways, I should have these fairly soon. From what I've read, they're extremely strong and it's easier than having to find a "new" set of flat tops, someone to mill them, etc and then change to a different spindles and everything.

http://www.dedenbear.com/TXToffroad.htm#kingpinknuckles

Oh yeah, I also went to 4WP today and flexed it out on the RTI ramp (only drove the front up). I then pulled off the lower shock bolts and got to the SAME exact spot. So my add-a-leaf's are now the limiting factor in the back. I don't really want to run blocks or shackles, so I may end up leaving them alone til I decide what I want to run to still keep the ~2-3 inches of lift I get from them.

 

[IZwack]

When I get the money for hi-steer, I'll probably drill them out for a 3/4" heim instead of going with a Chevy TRE.

From what i've heard, the TRE's are opted for over heims most of the time - especially for dirty situations.

From what I've read, they're extremely strong and it's easier than having to find a "new" set of flat tops, someone to mill them, etc and then change to a different spindles and everything.

You usually only have to mill/drill/tap one knuckle out of the pair. But cmon, switch over to the Chevy and Jeep world - its oh so much more fun! Your spindles and knuckles can have six! Yes count them, six! bolts holding them together! hehe not that it makes any difference

And btw, I think you can find a pair of flat tops and have them milled/trilled/tapped for about the price of one of those Dedenbear arms. Especially since you're not in a rush to high-steer, this gives you time to look around for these parts.

 

[sn0border88]

I know I see flattops and arms on pirate all the time, so I would look there. Also someone on here has a heimed crossover for sale dont they? I think KirbyN..?

 

[bmxking5]

sno - It's for a stock EB axle. I want to go to Dedenbear just because they are so much more stronger than regular ones, and it's tough to find a place to mill, etc for you around here.

 

[jasonb]

I know of at least 3 places that will mill/drill them around here. If you decide to go with regulars and save some dough, let me know I'll put you in touch with them.

 

[bmxking5]

Then why did you PM me asking if I knew of anyone who could do it???? The place I asked said they no longer do them and don't know of anyone else who does. Anyways, it's the last thing on my mind right now (see 911 thread).

 

[jasonb]

I wasn't looking for milling drilling, I got that done a long ass time ago. I was looking for something else. Someone told me you had a friend that worked at a machine shop.