Project R15X

[90ranajo]

Cooked enough to cost me about 1.5 gallons of Delo 400 in the last week.

 

[90ranajo]

I've being spending a couple of hours a day in the parts store looking at and test fitting lug studs for the D60 disk brake swap. What a pain in the a$$!

I've been told be numerous people that the stock studs will work; but the knurl diameter is too small and the shoulder is too short. I finally tracked down one that will fit and work the best. The Dorman part number is 610-419. Its listed as being for a 95-99 Dodge truck. The only downside I have found so far is that it is a 9/16-18 thread, whereas the factory early Ford studs are 1/2-20 thread. And I haven't found a replacement that will work without drilling out the front hub/rotor for the larger stud.

 

[Dannyboy]

there is nothing wrong with upgrading your studs, I'm running 5/8" wheel studs.

 

[90ranajo]

Finally scored the right radiator.

Now I just need to find some more wheel studs. It seems the each store only carries 2 or 3.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[cybergasm]

yeah seen you lurking on DR this morning

 

[90ranajo]

Did some rough measuring also and it looks like my track width will be increased ~3" per side!

 

[90ranajo]

Anyone know how to get that small bearing out of the D44 spindle?

 

[IZwack]

You mean on the back side of the spindle? the one the axle shaft rides on? If you're going to replace it, just pry em out

 

[90ranajo]

yep, thats the one. can't really see any way to get at it though.

 

[IZwack]

Do you have the spindle unbolted from the knuckle? Cauz it should be pretty easy to access once you do that.

 

[90ranajo]

sure do. but it doesn't look like there is any sort of lip to get the drift on it.

 

[IZwack]

Maybe a screwdriver/punch from the front side of the hub driving the bearing towards the back of the hub.

 

[90ranajo]

Finally got some pic worthy work done today. The axle is back under the truck and started mocking up all the links. A couple of things to keep in mind about the pics: 1. The axle needs to move about 1" back and 2. Yes, I know the coil over is upside down.

Upper link frame mount:

Coil over fitment/mock up:

Steering links:

Lower link and driveshaft angles:

Overall front end:

 

[RangerX]

Gonna be done for Thanksgiving?

 

[90ranajo]

Gonna be done for Thanksgiving?

I would like to be, however, I have to work that Saturday.

 

[DB_1]

Nice...are your lower links going to be mounted outboard or under the frame?

One thing that's helped on my new set up is spreading out the lower links on the axle instead on having them parallel or in line with the frame. It reduces the misalignment needed out of your joints which was the case in my old set up. My jam nuts were always loose at the end of a run from things binding up.

 

[90ranajo]

The lower links mount directly under the frame and angle out just a bit to the axle. I think its about a 2 or 3" width difference between the frame side mounts and the axle mounts.

In the pic of the lower link, I have the link bolted to the outside of the brackets for mock up.

 

[90ranajo]

Nothing worthwhile done today. Got the lower link axle side mounts welded up, upper link frame side bolted up, a real nice arc burn on my left arm and forehead, an almost crushed pinky finger and the pitman arm drilled out for a 5/8" bolt.

The down side is I have to unbolt the upper mount as the lower frame bracket interferes with 2 of the bolts.

 

[JTX]

How'd you get an arc burn on your forehead? lol... Oh yeah, your coilovers are upside down.

 

[Turdle]

Why are you welding your arm to your forehead?