Weld-it yourself radius arms?

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

Hey guys: if I were to build kits for a w.i.y. extended radius arm setup for 2wd and 4wd expo's, is that something you'd be interested in? the arms will basically snap together with slots and tabs, and eliminate the guesswork. You just clamp it all together, tack it, then weld it.
let me know your thoughts.
Thanks guys.

 

[robmurt04]

Hey guys: if I were to build kits for a w.i.y. extended radius arm setup for 2wd and 4wd expo's, is that something you'd be interested in? the arms will basically snap together with slots and tabs, and eliminate the guesswork. You just clamp it all together, tack it, then weld it.
let me know your thoughts.
Thanks guys.

I'd be interested dependings on the price, will this come with brackets and all that too?

 

[Tbars4]

...Subscribing as I could promote these for you...:biggthump

...As long as you also include Rangers...

 

[cybergasm]

Interesting Concept here.

 

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

...Subscribing as I could promote these for you...:biggthump

...As long as you also include Rangers...

2wd ranger ones are already designed and will be cut on Monday

...'course I think for you guys on this site, I definitely need to support the 4x4 guys

 

[corkey]

weld yourself would be cool for shipping , lot less shipping cost,, just the weight ,
different lengths too ?

 

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

weld yourself would be cool for shipping , lot less shipping cost,, just the weight ,
different lengths too ?

most likely, only one length. it gets too costly/confusing to have several lengths for the same application. most likely they'd be the correct length that allows you to fit a bolt-on bracket right in front of the trans x-member.

 

[IZwack]

The idea will definitely fly - I think you've got quite a market.

I'm not running radius arms but your audience might be interested in what kind of joint is at the chassis end -- is it a standard rubber/poly bushing like in the stock setup that sandwiches a bracket, or more of the traditional setup like on leaf springs that goes in between two bracket tabs, or maybe a heim setup? Or maybe others. I dont know what is the best, I'm just throwing this one out on the table so that your audience can know a little bit more about the product.

 

[Dannyboy]

I would be interested as I have a bend in one of my autofab arms.

 

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

The idea will definitely fly - I think you've got quite a market.

I'm not running radius arms but your audience might be interested in what kind of joint is at the chassis end -- is it a standard rubber/poly bushing like in the stock setup that sandwiches a bracket, or more of the traditional setup like on leaf springs that goes in between two bracket tabs, or maybe a heim setup? Or maybe others. I dont know what is the best, I'm just throwing this one out on the table so that your audience can know a little bit more about the product.

thanks for the tip. joint at the chassis will definitely be a 1.25" heim. If people want something cheaper, i'd be willing to look into other options, but the heims are tried and true, and will pretty much last forever on a DD/weekend warrior type truck.

 

[cybergasm]

hmmm maybe i should back my arms and have the heims done instead :scratch:

 

[KPSquared]

I'd be totally into it depending on cost of the materials and such. Heims would be good...

Keep us posted.

 

[Maniak]

hmmm maybe i should back my arms and have the heims done instead :scratch:

Or ballistic joints.. they are beefy..

If I didn't already have extended arms.. I'd be looking at some WYO kits..

 

[Four0Sport]

interested.. keeping an eye on the thread

 

[glfredrick]

I imagine that there would be quite a market for an arm kit like that.

Just don't use heims. They are not as tried and true as some people think, especially on the street. Johnny-joints would be better.

 

[IZwack]

Just don't use heims. They are not as tried and true as some people think, especially on the street. Johnny-joints would be better.

Desert vehicles (which ranges from TTs and Class-1s to the home-built prerunner) have been running heims on the street and on the sand (which potentially destroys the heim's race) for a long time now. The important thing is picking good quality heims (and not the industrial heims that are more for manufacturing machines). If the desert vehicles can "huck" (whatever that word means :shifty_ey) a dozen foot of air and not blow up on landing, then I think they will probably work fine for most people.

 

[Tbars4]

..Brandon has been doing this for a while on many trucks and knows all there is for RA's...:biggthump ...He will be doing my RA upgrade on my Ranger and eventually my X with Ballisitic 2-5/8 joints when we catch up to each other...

...Yea, out here the main trouble with Heims come from the made in China ones..:thumbdwn:..Buyer beware when buying new Heims off of someone as they have no markings...

...The other problems I've seen were guys using 3/4 Heims...Way undersized and would quickly fail...

 

[4x4junkie]

Desert vehicles (which ranges from TTs and Class-1s to the home-built prerunner) have been running heims on the street and on the sand (which potentially destroys the heim's race) for a long time now. The important thing is picking good quality heims (and not the industrial heims that are more for manufacturing machines). If the desert vehicles can "huck" (whatever that word means :shifty_ey) a dozen foot of air and not blow up on landing, then I think they will probably work fine for most people.

It's not a strength issue, it's longevity with mileage (along with frequently being subjected to the elements such as rain together with road grime).

A good quality heim should last a fairly long while, but a urethane bushing setup will still outlast it under these conditions.

I would say have the choice of a heim or bushing available to the end user, as each one has their advantages.

 

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

It's not a strength issue, it's longevity with mileage (along with frequently being subjected to the elements such as rain together with road grime).

A good quality heim should last a fairly long while, but a urethane bushing setup will still outlast it under these conditions.

I would say have the choice of a heim or bushing available to the end user, as each one has their advantages.

You have a point, although, if you keep the heim clean, there should be no issues. poly bushings actually do wear pretty quick as well...If the masses want an alternative to a heim, though, I will do it.
sorry i haven't updated this w/ pics...the ranger ones are welded up though, and with a couple little changes to the design they will be pretty idiot-proof as far as clamping themselves together to weld.
pics soon, i promise!

 

[lifeguard379]