Hartman's front suspension upgrades!

[Hartman]

My front suspension needs a little work. First, my truck is a 4WD, so the CV axles are getting to their breaking point. Second, my trucks breaks are awful! With my heavy wheels I need some better braking. I think my calipers are sticking, and they don't have much movement, so those need replacing. My bearings are starting to make chirping sounds. The camber adjusters that the alignment shop put in are not adjustable enough to get a good alignment. Basically what I'm doing is taking out my 4WD drive system and putting in 2WD spindles.

NOW before I get bashed for this, here are a few reasons why I'm doing it.
1. My truck is street-oriented. I do not need 4WD. I have used it maybe 4-5 times in the past 3 years. My truck is purpose built, and I would have to get rid of it eventually anyway because of future suspension plans.

2. Gas milage. I hope to gain a little milage and take a little bit of strain off the engine. I don't expect big gains.

3. Cost of parts! I see no reason to spend a significantly more on 4WD parts when I don't need 4WD in the first place! Example: 4WD hub and bearing is $223 while 2WD inner and outer bearings are less than $30 from FPN!

Here's what's coming out of the truck:
1. CV axles
2. Front axle housing
3. Front driveshaft

I'm keeping the t-case in for now.

What's going in:
1. 2WD spindles (From section525's ghetto mobile!)
2. Extreme Performance drilled and slotted brake rotors from JC Whitney
3. New OEM calipers, smoothed out, and painted red.
4. Inner and outer bearings, ABS sensor ring, grease seal from FPN
5. 2 degree camber adjusters from Pro Suspension
6. New OEM outer tie rod ends

I would have liked to go a little bigger with the rotors but there's really no options out there. If I would have stayed with the 4WD system, I would have made the Cobra kit work, but that is out of the question now.

I'm still waiting for some of the parts to come in, but when I get everything installed I will post pics.

Below are pics of the frestly painted spindles and the drilled and slotted rotors.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Finally decided to do it, huh? Looks good!

What kind of brake pads are you gonna be using. Those cross-drilled rotors eat up brake pads like no tomorrow, you know?

 

[nnnick]

good stuff. why ya keepin the t-case in?

 

[frickea86]

sounds good man, looks like alot of work headed ur direction, hope the gas milage comes down for ya...that would be nice....keep us up to date...peace

 

[Hartman]

X-factor, I'm using Hawk pads, I probably should have mentioned that.

 

[N2MUDN91]

I think its a good idea. Are those just 2WD spindles only, or maybe 2WD/drop spindles... maybe 1/2"-1" ??

Shane

 

[Hartman]

Nope they are stock spindles. Nobody makes drop spindles.

 

[james t]

Good luck with the swap man.

 

[99SportX]

That is gonna be cool. No sense replacing 4wd components when you don't use them.

good stuff. why ya keepin the t-case in?

He will have to get a 2wd output shaft and a longer driveshaft.

 

[agallant]

I took the front drive shaft out of my X. i get about 30 more miles to the tank.

 

[Hartman]

That's what I like to hear agallant.

 

[Jefe]

I gained ~2mpg by doing the SAS . . .

I'd also suggest replacing the inner tie rod ends while you got the whole front apart. In my experience they wear out long before the outers. (unless you've already replaced them) Whatcha doing about ball joints?

 

[hydroxy]

is the mpg gain due to weight reduction or what?

 

[99SportX]

It is due to less resistance in turning the front wheels. It is easier to turn the wheels without the front driveshaft and axle in. Less work for the engine results in more MPG's

 

[Brandons]

Cool, i got 4x4 but never used it for over 5 years probably, its busted.

Hope the modification goes good for ya

 

[99SportX]

Hartman: Just curious why you chose those rotors over the power slots. Which are better in you opinion? What are the price differences?

 

[Hartman]

Jefe, unfortunately I think my whole rack is going to need replacing soon I think. Do you have any experience in doing this?

99sport, these rotors were about the same price as the Powerslots, and in my opinion, they look better plus they are drilled and slotted.

 

[X24]

Hartman, do you get a moaning when you make sharp turns?

I think Ford has an updated version of the steering rack that holds more fluid and has a bigger cooler. I'll have to take a look at my brandy new one tomorrow sometime for you.

 

[Hartman]

No I don't have any moaning, but it's a little stiff in the mornings and such. I'm not being easy on it either, as my wheels weigh 80 lbs. a piece w/tires.

 

[X~FACTOR]

80 lbs! Is that normal for 20's? That seems way too much for a V-6 to be pulling.