A little flex after the locker install

[brianjwilson]

Whew, finally got the Aussie locker finished in the rear axle. Took it for a run around the block and seems to be working just fine. I had the sway bars disconnected so I found ramp and took a couple of quick pictures. The front is fully cycled, still a bit of travel left in the back end.
Seems to do alright, given that the suspension is still stock, just with the sway bars off. Anyway it stepped right up nice and smooth, though I found out that I still have a bit of sawzall work to do in the front fender. I can only turn the wheel one full turn from center before the tire contacts the inner fender under full compression.

 

[IZwack]

Good job mate (in the spirit of being "aussie")

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Lookin good

 

[Tbars4]

...nice tire stuff...but i seen the pic underneath and i'm thinking a spring over axle would be sweet...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

SOA makes for more flex, but can make the rear high- I just did SOA, have the 4" Superlift up front, and the rear is still too high.

 

[Tbars4]

SOA makes for more flex, but can make the rear high- I just did SOA, have the 4" Superlift up front, and the rear is still too high.

...how much higher???... 1" - 1 1/2" ??? ...and there is a pic of a black sportrac on here latley that looks sweet, soa...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

It also has perrys fenders on the front, they have more arch, creating the illusion of more front lift.

SOA got me way too much height, even with my 4" Superlift.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Oh, you should be able to get a 33" spare under the rear of your ST, just bend the L bracket forward some. I did that by taking pliers and flattening the outside edge, then pushing it forward. The 33 is snug but fits fine.

 

[John_Rock]

...how much higher???... 1" - 1 1/2" ??? ...and there is a pic of a black sportrac on here latley that looks sweet, soa...

Hmmmmmmmmmm, maybe you are talking about me.

SOA flex:

 

[Tbars4]

...yours is nice but there is a new kid on the block...it was posted in the last week or two...his is purty as i don't think it's seen dirt yet....

 

[MountaineerGreen]

It also has perrys fenders on the front, they have more arch, creating the illusion of more front lift.

Hmmmmmmmmmm, maybe you are talking about me.

You'd be the one

 

[brianjwilson]

Oh, you should be able to get a 33" spare under the rear of your ST, just bend the L bracket forward some. I did that by taking pliers and flattening the outside edge, then pushing it forward. The 33 is snug but fits fine.

Hmm, thanks. I've been meaning to check that before I have a hitch made.
The ranger wasn't even close, barely fit a 30" with the hitch, but the frame was also narrow in the back. I have a 33x12.50 in the bed, but also a 33x9.50 in the garage that would be a great spare to stuff under the bed if it works.

 

[John_Rock]

Good job Brian.

But, I'm not so sure about having disconnects in the front is such a good thing. Especially after getting a locker in the front differential.

Maximum flex in the front will just stress the CV axles. I used to have my front anti-sway bar removed. But, I have since put it back on.

I have broken numerous CV axles. But, I'm sure my front locker is the major contributing factor. But, I feel having maximum flex in the front will put them at their extreme angles causing more stress. And always carry spare CV axles and know how to change them out.

PS - You can not drive the truck with one of the CV axles removed. The outer CV axle and nut that tightens it to the hub, hold the hub together. Believe me, I know.

If you do happen to break a CV axle on the trail and you don't have a spare, just remove everything from the outer CV joint and put it back in the hub and tighten it down so that the hub doesn't come apart while driving.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

True, True. I disconnected my front sway bar at Moab, and had a terrible time with busting CV's. I have wheeled it before, never a problem, but I never disconnected my sway bar either. I got so good at changing CV's, I can do it in under 30 minutes on the trail.

I saved my busted CV cut the middle out, one part for the outer bearing, one to snap in my diff to keep the oil in. Just no shaft in the middle. Works great to get you off the trail or home if you don't have another CV.

Good idea having a hitch made to tuck up tight with the BL.

 

[brianjwilson]

I hear you about the CV joints. That's one large reason I bought the rear locker instead of a front locker. Well, that and I take trips to the snow a lot in the winter. I ran my Ranger with the front sway bar disconnected all the time, and never had problems. Sand dunes, tight trails, deep snow, etc. Never broke an axle. But I'm also careful about breaking stuff, you won't see me stomping the gas in tight spots in 4-low. I understand about not being able to drive without a CV axle too, I meant to grab some used axles from the 'u-pull-it' yard when I was there last but I forgot. I need to read up on how to replace them again. Seems as though you can get the CV joint out of the knuckle by just removing the upper balljoint pinch bolt with the steering wheel turned toward that side. With the outer axle out, the inner just pulls out from the differential, right?
Meh, I'll read up on it, lol.

 

[John_Rock]

...yours is nice but there is a new kid on the block...it was posted in the last week or two...his is purty as i don't think it's seen dirt yet....

LOL, yeah, mine hasn't been purty for a long time. But, I don't make the big bucks like I used to. Maybe someday it will be purty again.

 

[Tbars4]

...dangit, i can't find that s.t... someone new on here was posting their new to them sport track and someone else jumped in and posted their pic...i want to say it had 35's and it was really nice...purty ain't all it's cracked up to be...my ranger got purty so i got my project X...it's not purty and i have more fun in it...i just know when i paint it all one color it won't last...i like the character of trail pin striping...and no one dings it in a parking lot, lol...

 

[chad551]

I hear you about the CV joints. That's one large reason I bought the rear locker instead of a front locker. Well, that and I take trips to the snow a lot in the winter. I ran my Ranger with the front sway bar disconnected all the time, and never had problems. Sand dunes, tight trails, deep snow, etc. Never broke an axle. But I'm also careful about breaking stuff, you won't see me stomping the gas in tight spots in 4-low. I understand about not being able to drive without a CV axle too, I meant to grab some used axles from the 'u-pull-it' yard when I was there last but I forgot. I need to read up on how to replace them again. Seems as though you can get the CV joint out of the knuckle by just removing the upper balljoint pinch bolt with the steering wheel turned toward that side. With the outer axle out, the inner just pulls out from the differential, right?
Meh, I'll read up on it, lol.

This "easier" process works if you have the 4" suspensioon lift kit. If the suspension is stock I am not 100% that it works as easy. If I remember correctly before I did my lift, I had to completely remove the knuckle to get the CV out.

Chad

 

[CougarX]

There are a few lifted black STs on here now

 

[manaen]

It also has perrys fenders on the front, they have more arch, creating the illusion of more front lift.

SOA got me way too much height, even with my 4" Superlift.

That looks great

I can't stand that rear sagging look most ex's have. Looks like your sitting about 1.5 to 2" higher in the back. Did you crank up your torsion at all to level things out a bit. or are you sitting at the stock (lifted) height.