Make your own Radius Arms..?

[Mat R]

Ok so I don't want to buy them, and my Dad is very good at welding, and I have been wanting him to teach me the how tos... So I was thinking what better way to learn than by making my own extended radius arms! Well, I saw how the Zimmermans set theirs up and that was cool, but to much fabrication for me.

I saw how Rick set his up, but I'm thinking that might be kind of difficult.
Wouldn't it be easiest to use the stock attachment of radius arm to bracket..?
Anyway, I noticed that Ricks RA's are straight, but the Superlift ones have an angle, which would work better, straight or bent? I don't suppose you still have the plans and measurements from yours Rick, do you..?

Anyone have some cool ideas I can try out..?
Mat

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1992 Ford Explorer XLT
Interested in trucks..?
Me too. Check out my web page.
MatnChad.com
www.matnchad.com

 

[rpenner54]

I think this is a great idea. Seeing how I broke one of my Superlift ones already. Its been a while since I was last under Ricks truck, but his are angled just not the same way that the Superlift ones are. The key to doing this is beef and lots of it! Specially right where they go under the axle piviot bolts. Thats where they break. As far as using the stock radius arm brackets, um I wouldn't recomend it. Thats all stamped steal and can crack easy. However you could probably use them as a good example to make your own. The Superlift ones are made of good 1/4" steal. I think it can be done it just lots of time and fabbing involved.



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Ryan Penner
1992 Explorer Sport Modified

 

[Rick]

I wish I had more current photos of my radius arms. They have changed a lot since the above photo was taken.

The design above, bent upon impact with a boulder so they were reinforced. A second tube of smaller diameter was run below the main tube with about a 2" gap between them. Sheet steel was them welded along the entire length of the gap. Large holes were drlled through the sheet to help lighten it up.

The reworked design has held up very well for the past several years. They have taken numerous hits and have been dragged across some big boulders as evidenced by the gouges in the lower tubes. None of this abuse has bent them...yet.

The arms utilize the front of the stock radius arm brackets as can be seen in the photo.

I'll try to get a new photo online.

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Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
www.4x4central.com

 

[Mat R]

I just talked to my dad, and he said he'd help me with all this stuff! I guess he just bought some new expensive welder, and while describing it he kept grunting like the Tim the Tool Man Taylor" so it should be fun!
I think first thing on the list is going to be fabbing my own prerunner bumper since, I want one a certain way and I have only seen it on Chevys and Toys (ala Dick Cepek)...

Hmmm... Sounds like I would probably want to make a new bracket then... I think I will still bolt it to the frame, because welding it is a little to permanent... I think I get the idea of what you are talking about Rick, it sounds like yours look similar to the new JD ones, though yours are much heavier duty...

While I'm at it, I wanted to ask you(Rick) about the specs on your truck. I noticed on the web page you state that you are using Rough Country 3.5" lift brackets and 5.5" Superlift springs... So does that mean you have a true 5.5" or is it less? How much were the 3.5" lift brackets?

I'm thinking that if I can just purchase those brackets($?), and I make my own radius arms($ Materials) , and do a spring over in the rear ($150 w/ brake lines), and get in on the buy 3 get one free Rancho RS9000s (roughly $200), I should be able to lift my truck quite a bit more for not that much money..

Thanks for the advice, I wouldn't be attempting all this stuff if it weren't for a guiding light.

Mat

------------------
1992 Ford Explorer XLT
Interested in trucks..?
Me too. Check out my web page.
MatnChad.com
www.matnchad.com

 

[Mat R]

Rick...so what about the drop down brackets..?

Oh and hey, how did FST attach the radius arm to bracket.. It looks almost like they just used some poly shock bushings?

Mat


------------------
1992 Ford Explorer XLT
Interested in trucks..?
Me too. Check out my web page.
MatnChad.com
www.matnchad.com

 

[jrgaylor]

Kind of a old thread but, tell me rick how did you build your extended radiius arms?
Joe