Carlovers Desert Beater Build

[RockRanger]

I was thinking the same thing about buying those fenders sometime in the future (after reading that hack fab thread on DR). But those will look good.

Link?

 

[mounty71]

They are only $400 which is good. Are you going to run LT? If not id stick with some 4.5" fiberwerx which would fit your truck perfectly. I can get you a set brand new for $295 if you are ever interested.

Haha, key words in my post were "in the future." I'm talking a couple years (at least) down the road...when yes, i'll go with an LT kit. Until then nothing is changing suspension-wise.

 

[carlover]

Link?

One of many posted all over the internet by this guy, also a larger one on race-dezert

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=82215

 

[carlover]

Haha, key words in my post were "in the future." I'm talking a couple years (at least) down the road...when yes, i'll go with an LT kit. Until then nothing is changing suspension-wise.

Actually if you were to throw a 2.5" shock in there youd be amazed with how much better it would do, and what you could do with it. Just a thought for now lol. And a 2.5" shock will fit with stock replacement arms (moog), as long as you have the 1 piece arms.

 

[mounty71]

Actually if you were to throw a 2.5" shock in there youd be amazed with how much better it would do, and what you could do with it. Just a thought for now lol. And a 2.5" shock will fit with stock replacement arms (moog), as long as you have the 1 piece arms.

I know that, i just went through this a few weeks ago, i was debating between a 2.5 shock upgrade or replacing my procomp es3000s, i decided i'd save $500 for the time being. Actually when i was in pismo last week i was ok with how my truck performed how it is even though i know i bottomed the front and rear out several times; my truck doesn't see dirt often enough for it to be worth it.

Also, i forgot to ask, are you gonna race on the fabtech spindle for now or are you going fully fabbed?

 

[carlover]

Im not sure what im doing for spindles as of yet. The fabtechs have held up great so far, and its a difference of about $1,500 for fabbed spindles with uniball upper and lowers....

 

[mounty71]

If you stuck with fabtech spindles and later wanted to upgrade them, would they still work with the arms brandon is building you? Or would you have to change the arms too? I keep forgetting to ask these questions.

 

[carlover]

We'd have to build new arms also. I guess its going to depend on how much money i get back for taxes. I would love to have a fully fabbed spindle with D44 snouts, it would be extremely strong compared to the little stock snouts on the fabtechs. That is the only part of the spindle i am worried about with the fabtechs. Everything else will hold up fine.

 

[carlover]

Well if all goes through with my tax refund then the front kit will start being built within a week or two. Looking forward to this step more than any other so far.

 

[mounty71]

It's about time you dump more money into this thing.

Will it sit low like takenitez's did? I still haven't decided if i like it that low or prefer a little higher (like that green one with the baker glass you posted), but that could be adjusted by the coilover right?

 

[carlover]

It's about time you dump more money into this thing.

Will it sit low like takenitez's did? I still haven't decided if i like it that low or prefer a little higher (like that green one with the baker glass you posted), but that could be adjusted by the coilover right?

a stiffer spring rate helps alot with ride height. i want it as low as i can get it without sacraficing uptravel. that way the center of gravity is lower and will help with the body roll.

 

[carlover]

Ordering front glass, 10" coilovers, and the file for the front kit is being sent to the laser cutters today. Everything should come together within 2-3 weeks.

 

[410Fortune]

*****in! 10" stroke? Where are you going to mount them?? How much travel you shooting for? I would have guessed 12-14" C/O for your 2wd a arm setup

 

[carlover]

10" for 16.5" metal to metal. Thats what Brandon uses with his kits. Anything more would be to tall from what ive seen.

 

[410Fortune]

16.5 will do nicely, thats what about 14-15" usable? You using bumps?

Man I keep spending my truck money on tools and the house, also wifes FJ, I WANT LT, I drive my 96 every day and every time I hear those damn torsion bars I cringe! They make noise with every damn bump and my entire front end is NEW

BTF!! for me!!

 

[carlover]

Yeah ive got radflo 4" bumps on the expo right now so we will just re-use those. Im gonna say we will get 15.5 out of it with some careful cycling and measuring.

I have no pads left on my torsion bars so they sound awful. Top that with the poly bushings for the upper arms and my expo sounds like it's falling apart LOL.

 

[410Fortune]

Bingo! me too
new pads only avail on new t bars, screw that!
new urethane sway bar bushings = pounding a hammer on the pass floor board
doesnt help the kid who owned this truck before used it as a rock buggy even with awd, the undercarriage is bent up to sh*&

tough trucks! My BII is quieter then my 96 LOL

 

[carlover]

No sway bar front or rear for me right now. Kinda tippy but im used to it lol. Im looking forward to this setup for sure. Using the fabtech spindle makes me a little nervous, but ive beaten the hell out of it and it's held up so far.

 

[mounty71]

I know what you mean by a noisy front end, i can't track down this one that drives me crazy! Anyway, I CAN'T wait to see this thing come together, i can only imagine driving an LT truck by looking at others'.

Sean, have you ever gotten any trouble from cops about your bumper? I think i'm gonna have something built soon, i don't want to kill my radiator. I love the mcneil look that you and clarkkent have but i might get something lower profile instead. How much does BTF charge for a bumper?

 

[carlover]

Nope, never have gotten hassled for it. I even drive around with the 3 hellas with no covers and nothing at all. I know he'd charge around $450 for this bumper. It's a real PITA to bend up and get the curves around the light to fit. Im sure i could get you a simple bumper from him for around $350 with skid plate.

And yeah it's gonna be nice driving a LT expo in the desert. It's gonna take a little getting used to as far as driving style, but will be fun.