Is this guy nuts or what???

[AlaskanJack]

A guy here locally has been working on what he calls his secret weapon for his Bronco II. He is doing a SAS in front and building some custom Radius Arms. He detailed this to me when I picked up some parts from him and I have to admit I was quite dumbfounded...

Here it goes what he is doing is taking some schedule 80 tube( some big A$$ tube) and welding it onto his radius arms, The he has this giant thread looks like some serious 1-3/4" diameter thread. He is going to weld the thread into the schedule 80 tube and then for his frame connection what he is doing instead of using a bushing he is using a giant A$$ nut that will be welded in. So when his axle flexes and twists the radius arm will move with the axle. How well the thread will simply rotate in the nut.

I will do my best to get some pics of this set up for all to see.

 

[Alec]

There's no way the arm is gonna stay perfectly aligned. The threads on the arm or the nut are gonna gall or one will break.

 

[Robb]

That's Ghetto Fabulous!!!!!!!!!

 

[AlaskanJack]

But you have to Admit its the kind of Oddity you would want to see pics of right???

I hear tell his radius arms will weigh around 100 lbs each give or take.

I think it is just crazy but he is making them as we speak. He has some 2.5" Duff extended RA's I'm buying from him for $100 and when I go by I will take my camera

 

[Alec]

Is the thread gonna be running parallel or perpendicular to the frame? Thus, is the nut going to be facing the frame or one side welded to it? I'm just trying to form a picture in my head. Seems to me the thread has to bridge between the arm and frame (perpendicular to both) and the nut welded faced to the frame so the arm can twist up and down.

Still won't work in the real world, but it works in theory. Does he realize that axles move back and forth and side to side even though they're not supposed to?

 

[AlaskanJack]

here is a rough sketch of what it will look like

 

[section525]

Those are big nuts.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Well Alec he claims that the axle moves on an ARC so that is why the nut and bolt method will work and it will stifen up the axle so any forward/back or side/side is negated.


He's like 21 so he's young

 

[AlaskanJack]

Originally posted by section525
Those are big nuts.

Ok so for reference whenI saw the nuts the first time they were a little larger than a can of copenhagen and damn heavy. I think the thread was like $4.80 a ft.

 

[Alec]

Yes the arms move up and down in an arc.

But, the axle also moves side to side a bit and forward and back a bit because of the tolerances in the springs, shocks, and bushings. Maybe this will hold it from doing that, maybe it won't.

 

[jimbo74]

in theory it works, but alec is right, an arc cant really be achieved without some kind of give, and give wont happen too much with a threaded rod sliding on a nut.....

 

[TheRookie]

OK I'll bite. Though I also have a tough time seeing this work in reality I gotta see the pics

 

[Alec]

Also:

The axle will be directly connected to the frame. Think that would feel good?

 

[AlaskanJack]

I know a real pic is worth a thousand words.

 

[Robb]

Out of curiousity, why does your friend feel the need to "re-invent the wheel?"

Ford guys have been messing with this radius arm stuff for decades now...........why is he "rigging" it like this?

off topic........btw Kurt, I saw a wristed axle kit on eBay. Just search for "wristed" over there.

 

[james t]

he could have just used a big rod end, and then only been half as booty-fabbed.

 

[mrboyle]

Something I don't understand. If he is welding the nut to the frame, how is it going to allow the axle to pivot up and down, as well as articulate? From your description he plans to use the nut/thread to allow the arms to articulate (doubt it will work though) but if they are welded to the frame how can the axle move up and down?

 

[Brian1]

Originally posted by mrboyle
but if they are welded to the frame how can the axle move up and down?

Easy, by breaking the weld and taking part of the frame with it thus allowing the axle to move up and down Seriously, there are much better ways to do this. If he is set on the big threaded rod idea he needs to make a drop down bracket from the frame with an oversized hole. Add some thick washers and a stiff coil spring over the threaded rod between the washers. This would be MUCH better than the nut welded to the frame but still not the best way.