Jon And Sheri's Vitamin D Wagon

[Burns]

I have those whildhorse arms jon and i like them

 

[lifeguard379]

i have the same arms as well and I'm very pleased

 

[Turdle]

Well, I should have known better. Lack of proper planning and measuring has me in a pickle.
I am such a newbie at this.
I was planning on using my existing radius arm bracket-crossmember thingy for my new radius arms. After measuring back the required 11 3/4" I see the frame widens a bit and makes me say phooey. So, I need to build another or build from this one--nice. This may take a minute.


So, I decided to dig deeper ahead as the reason for extending the arms was supposed to be so my sliders would fit.

Wrong again. The 1st gen gas tank will not allow the driver side rear slider bracket. That means either drilling thru the frame with new holes on that bracket--
welding the sliders on, or just starting over with another weld on set. I don't see how to get a bolt on bracket in the gas tank area as the tank seems to protrude into the C channel of the frame.

does anyone want to build a radius arm bracket for me?

Oh, I also called the upholstery guy about making the top. He hasn't even priced the material yet
He said he was " going to order another catalog"

I told him I could find the material all over the internet, and to give me a dang measurement of how much is needed.

 

[IZwack]

So since you are going with extended radius arms and as stated, you will need new brackets, why not convert to heim joints on the chassis side instead of basically a bolt and bushing sandwich design (the design of the back of the radius arm).

 

[Elessar65]

Build me a set of extended radius arms too! And a properly working steering setup would be nice as well, lol. We should get together sometime and get 'er done.

 

[Turdle]

So since you are going with extended radius arms and as stated, you will need new brackets, why not convert to heim joints on the chassis side instead of basically a bolt and bushing sandwich design (the design of the back of the radius arm).

2 reasons

I have the wild horses arms in my garage now, which have the stock type ends.

Also, the ride is supposed to be a bit less harsh with radius arm bushings compared to heims.

I think my present bracket would work, if I had the right tools to do something about it.

 

[Turdle]

Build me a set of extended radius arms too! And a properly working steering setup would be nice as well, lol. We should get together sometime and get 'er done.

Yeah I could use a hand with this I reckon.

 

[IZwack]

2 reasons

I have the wild horses arms in my garage now, which have the stock type ends.

Also, the ride is supposed to be a bit less harsh with radius arms bushings compared to heims.

I think my present bracket would work, if I had the right tools to do something about it.

Ah didnt know you already had the arms.

 

[Maniak]

2 reasons

Also, the ride is supposed to be a bit less harsh with radius arms bushings compared to heims.

I can attest to the difference in feel with rubber RA bushings to Ballistic joints (sort of like heim style). Its not "harsher" but you sure do feel/hear more road noise. To a "normal" person, it would probably be annoying.. It doesn't bother me at all.

~Mark

 

[CDW6212R]

Jon, is the gas tank bracket a problem in the back, the riveted bracket? Why not use a 95-01 bracket, and toss yours? You'd just have to use a tank skid plate from the later model, and you have drilled the frame holes before.

 

[Burns]

Now I am going to try to work on a deal that can screw on the end of the radius arm and allow heim joints to be used on these arms without cutting them up. Just have not got around to it yet.

 

[Turdle]

Jon, is the gas tank bracket a problem in the back, the riveted bracket? Why not use a 95-01 bracket, and toss yours? You'd just have to use a tank skid plate from the later model, and you have drilled the frame holes before.

My slider brackets "sandwich" the frame with no frame holes needed. The bracket is a 6" tall by 4" wide "U" around the frame.


The bolts, 2 on each bracket, ride on the top of the frame and once tightened create a clamping force.

The first gen gas tank itself protrudes into the frame c channel and is "in the way" of the inboard bracket plate.

On the 2nd gen there is just enough room for the bracket and a wrench.

 

[gmanpaint]

Is a Sport tank shorter or shallower? Does it fit to the front, or to the rear? If more to the rear, that set up with its own brackets might leave a little extra room for the sliders?

 

[SVO42]

Ditch the spare tire carrier bracket. Once that's gone, you can put a Bronco II tank where the stack spare tire was. According to all the info I've gathered you'll want the tank and pump/sending unit assembly from an '89 or '90 BII. The pump is adequate for the 4.0 and your stock fuel gauge should work properly! It's a winner! If you check my SAS thread you'll see where the tank is being a problem for me and the area where the BII tank is going to go.

Once that coffin tank is gone you'll have so much more room!

 

[Burns]

Pictures Via request of Mr. Smith

 

[Turdle]

Thanks for the pictures Mr Burns

 

[Turdle]

Ditch the spare tire carrier bracket. Once that's gone, you can put a Bronco II tank where the stack spare tire was. According to all the info I've gathered you'll want the tank and pump/sending unit assembly from an '89 or '90 BII. The pump is adequate for the 4.0 and your stock fuel gauge should work properly! It's a winner! If you check my SAS thread you'll see where the tank is being a problem for me and the area where the BII tank is going to go.

Once that coffin tank is gone you'll have so much more room!

Ya know what? This actually does sound good.

 

[SVO42]

Wanna have a race to see who gets a tank swap done first?

 

[Turdle]

Wanna have a race to see who gets a tank swap done first?

I bet I can predict the winner.


I'm just sitting here thinking --:frustrate, everything, I mean everything you try to do to these truck creates a can of worms. what kind of trouble will I uncover while moving the gas tank? geez--

Oh, and what about rear shock mount access with a tank in the way? Just curious
/rant

happy hat back on now.

 

[CDW6212R]

Wow, you have an issue with the plastic gas tank, and I'm going to that. You could put the later tanks in there, they will clear your sliders, but they are longer for the given capacity. The old 22 gallon tank is the same length as the new 17 gallon tank. That's how the old tank is in the way, the plastic version is larger around than the steel tanks.