Bkennedy's SAS and Rebuild Thread

[Tbars4]

Can't wait to drive it up on that can't figure out why it was put there in the first place wall I have in the backyard.

..Early picture request..

 

[BKennedy]

..Early picture request..

Oh, never fear, there will be pictures.......

I have another question for the coil over crowd:
The stop ring. I set mine at half the length of the top coil. Does that sound right, or is that something else I will have to figure out after a few wheelin' trips?

 

[BKennedy]

Well, it had to happen. I finally had a day where things did not go as planned. I got all the front brakes figured out, mounted, dismounted and painted to go back in tomorrow. I figured out that the brake line that used to go from the passenger front to the ABS pump will be plenty long to go from above the pumpkin to the master cylinder, but I need to change the fittings. No big deal.

Then I welded the tabs on for my nifty shock reservoir mounts. That's when stuff did not work out as planned..............:thumbdwn:
First, the FOA shock reservoir hoses are very thick and rigid, so where they were mounted it pushed the shock over so it was against the back misalignment spacer. It was also putting pressure on the reservoir cap. Crap. Then I cut off the nifty shock reservoir mounts and have a plain old set of poly isolators coming in tomorrow...... I called FOA and it was suggested I take the hose to a hydraulic shop and have them shorten it. Man, I do not have time for that right now. Especially since it seems like it would put more pressure on the reservoir cap that way.
I moved the reservoirs around and figured out that one of my gussets is in the way on both sides (the gussets directly in front of the front hoop leg). Spent an hour cussing trying to cut it out with cut off wheels. Got frustrated, got out the cutting torch and blasted my frustration away, along with the gusset. Cleaned it up with my angle grinder. I think it will work with the reservoir in the new location, but it hangs down past the front leg of the hoop. I don't know why, but I have it stuck in my head that it would be more exposed that way, even though the bottom of the reservoir is about mid point on the frame.

So, instead of continuing on the Explorer today, I just came inside and posted....

Edit;
Just walked back outside, noticed how cool it looks hanging on the limit straps with all that shock showing, and got back in a good mood. I know its down to the wire, but I am confident it will see Truckhaven next week.

Oh, Dave, that Rust-olem paint still sucks. It chips off at the slightest touch, and if you try to do touch up, it wrinkles. I am going to go back to my Krylon Dixieline spray paint.

 

[turboexplorer]

I have another question for the coil over crowd:
The stop ring. I set mine at half the length of the top coil. Does that sound right, or is that something else I will have to figure out after a few wheelin' trips?

Yes will need to figure out the best place after wheeling it. I currently have mine down all the way to the bottom of my threaded shock body. I need that 300lb spring rate my last 3" or so or it really rubs the fenders hard at full stuff.

That's with a 14" and 14" coils.

 

[DB_1]

Oh, Dave, that Rust-olem paint still sucks. It chips off at the slightest touch, and if you try to do touch up, it wrinkles. I am going to go back to my Krylon Dixieline spray paint.

Well, you can always use it to go tagging lol.

 

[BKennedy]

Well, you can always use it to go tagging lol.

Then, when you get caught and have to pay restitution, you can get it cleaned up cheap..

 

[BKennedy]

The next few days are going to be devoted to finishing what I started!
I need to go out today to get a bunch of hose (heater, vacuum, transmission, radiator overflow) and a brake fitting. Hopefully, when I get back home the brown truck will have shown up (Sasha likes the driver because he gives her dog bones) with the steering from BC Broncos.
Serious crunch time!! I figure if I get it finished by Sunday (enough for Truckhaven, anyways), I will have enough time to drive it around town on errands and maybe find a dirt road to give it a few shake down runs before next Thursday.

 

[Tbars4]

..Zip ties come in real handy when trying to find a fixed location for the reservoirs. ..

 

[BKennedy]

..Zip ties come in real handy when trying to find a fixed location for the reservoirs. ..

:scratch:

 

[BKennedy]

Steering arrived today, but I did not have time to install. Need to taper the knuckle steering arms for tie rod over.
Now, I think I have all the parts I need to finish this dang thing.
Taught myself to make double whatchamacallit brake line ends today.

 

[BKennedy]

For the SAS folks:

Did you take your rig to an alignment shop, or just tape measure it, set the toe in 1/8"-1/4", and call it good? I know with a solid axle there is not much adjustment, and mine did not have those adjuster cams in the upper ball joints so I am assuming the camber is correct. As long as the caster is close, and it drives and steers well, then there should be no issues, right??

 

[RockRanger]

1/8" toe in and called it good.

 

[Kirby N.]

Yep. Align it with a tape measure and a buddy. Thats how I do all mine. If it wanders a little give it more toe in. The caster helps with return to center- you can get that at ride height with an angle finder on your knuckle- Looks like you already planned that though. You could adjust with c bushings if it is off. I think it was 4 degrees to 7 degrees rocked back. Mine drove so much better with the sas- I couldn't believe it! Looking forward to your first drive

 

[BKennedy]

Got it running today, started right up. Loud groaning noise coming from the engine compartment that sounds like whales talking. I think I may have a bad alternator as I can feel it vibrating with my hand. I have heard that noise before but it went away after a few seconds. Its original equipment, so its no surprise, just bad timing.

Got the brakes all in and plumbed. Had a few leaks, all from the lines I bought, not my work (surprise). Got it sorted, but the pedal pushes to the floor easily. Think I need more bleeding. The pedal firms up while pumping it, but when the engine is running it goes to the floor. Any suggestions??

 

[Rick]

I can't remember, did you do a rear disc conversion at the same time? If so you will need to adjust the pushrod length on your master cylinder.

 

[BKennedy]

Okay, thanks. I hope that takes care of it because I am nearly out of time.
I saw that in the conversion thread. I just need to pull master cylinder, adjust rod it so it is longer, put master cylinder back, check pedal pressure, repeat until I am satisfied, correct?

 

[Stic-o]

For the SAS folks:

Did you take your rig to an alignment shop, or just tape measure it, set the toe in 1/8"-1/4", and call it good? I know with a solid axle there is not much adjustment, and mine did not have those adjuster cams in the upper ball joints so I am assuming the camber is correct. As long as the caster is close, and it drives and steers well, then there should be no issues, right??

Yeap just do the 1/8"-1/4", never took mine to align and it drives straight..

 

[turboexplorer]

For the SAS folks:

Did you take your rig to an alignment shop, or just tape measure it, set the toe in 1/8"-1/4", and call it good? I know with a solid axle there is not much adjustment, and mine did not have those adjuster cams in the upper ball joints so I am assuming the camber is correct. As long as the caster is close, and it drives and steers well, then there should be no issues, right??

I did mine with an alignment machine but I work at a shop, still set it to 1/8" toe in. Drives awesome 6,000 miles and 0 poor tire wear. I put camber adjusters in mine was slightly cambered out on both sides.

 

[Rick]

I saw that in the conversion thread. I just need to pull master cylinder, adjust rod it so it is longer, put master cylinder back, check pedal pressure, repeat until I am satisfied, correct?

Yes, that's it. It's kind of touchy on the adjustment too. If you go too far the brakes will apply too quick.

BTW. don't just go by the pedal feel. Drive it to ensure the engagement is correct. It's a PITA to have to take it off a couple times, but it's worth it to get it dialed in right.

 

[Stic-o]

Yes, that's it. It's kind of touchy on the adjustment too. If you go too far the brakes will apply too quick.

Sounds like focus every morning. I tap the brakes and almost throw myself through the windshield, until they warm up.