The pinion angle is good. The picture is at full droop and as the springs compress it will get better anyways. The front end sits alot higher than the rear right now with the axle on.

 

Jey that is unbelivable..i didnt think it was gunna be that high...

looks awsome...

so did i hear right your puttin a new rear end in or just beefing it up?

 

'99 explorer sport trac rear end. Custom superior shafts with a 6-lug flange, and a detroit, with a BTF diff cover.

 

I don't see the spring compression helping out with the pinion angle. But the front end being several feet higher than the back end would make it look like that

 

Yo jey, when you get online next, hit me up. I talked to extreme engineering about a new steering shaft and I need some measuremtns for a quote.,..

 

Well I got the truck sitting level, and the pinion angle is too fawkin low. God da**it. Whenever it stops raining i'll grind the perches back off and set it right. O well, do it right the first time or don't do it at all...

Went to school with a guy who did a SAS on a 99-00 tacoma and he had a negative pinion angle and actually wheeled it at tellico like that, he was so convinced that it was ok. The damn u-joint yokes were sitting on each other at ride height! He even had 8" reversed shackles to add the "extra lift" and that fawked his pinion angle also.

Earlier today i got off the phone with Alcan spring, I have my new, shorter leafs coming (the stock waggy leafs are too long, and they cause the shackle to bottom out on the frame, i can't move the mounts due to the tranny cooler in the front and the body mount in the back) They are 8 5/8's rise instead of the 7" rise i have right now. They are going to have the same arch, 7 leaf and capacity of the stock waggy springs.
Just more rise and slightly shorter for a better fit

 

Its just one of those things, man. In a highly engineered project like this, there are a lot of "do-overs". Keep up the good work and the photos.

 

haha understatement of the year. Hes gettin into the really nitty gritty part. the rest has been childs play. now is when all theg eometry has to be ****...

 

Ya man, i already got the perches ground back off, set the pinion angle gonna tack weld 'em on tomorrow until elliott's uncle can re-weld them (professional welder of 20 years, and has a miller arc with a deisel engine that can reverse polarity, which you need to weld cast)

The knuckles are already cut, i just need to weld up the perches, get the new springs (3 weeks, ) then i can set the caster, weld the knuckles on, and then assemble the axle.

Gil what measurements do you need?

 

Here's some pics of what i did today, not much, but its somethin.

 

doesnt it make you sad to take a step backwards???

 

Ya, but i have 3 fawkin weeks until my springs get here, so it doesn't really bother me at all. I just look at it as more experience for the next SAS i do.

 

Tacked my perches back on in the right position now, i'll have about 13* at full droop and 15* at full compression, i'll be using the stock cv driveshaft, just getting it extended and the right u-joint installed. Painted the framerails, crossmember, and shackle hangers all flat black.

Friend came over who is putting a full width HP44 and D60 (converted to 35 spline ya c'mon) in his ZJ, i cut and turned his jonny joints 90* for his uppers in the rear. He is running ford radius arms up front with a custom 4-link rear (can't remember who made it) with about 9" of lift.

 

Have you figured out how you're gonna get into the truck after you're all done with the project? A running start maybe? That'd be cool.

 

DAMN!!!! that's almost 10" taller than my ranger with a SAS and 37's... that's gonna be a big bish!!!

 

Well he has fiberglass fenders in the front, but yes! It's gonna be a big bish!

I know you said you don't wanna know Jey, but any guess as to how much the project has come to in terms of money so far?

 

I think i hit around 2 grand when i ordered the alcan springs...

 

^ not too bad.

have you already posted on what you are doing for steering?

i dont want to scroll back through it all...

 

im takin care of his steering shaft, the rest is kinda gonna cme down to measuring it when its on...

 

Is that just for the front? If that's everything, that's much less than I would have thought considering you've got pretty much top quality EVERYTHING.

 

I haven't even touched the rear, and I still need, shocks, brake lines, and my steering linkages, and a new power steering pump in the front, don't forget my custom CV driveshaft.

EDIT: I take that back, That does include the cost of the 99 sport trac rear end (all new brakes), 5.13 gears, notched cross pin, and the install kit.

 

what were some resources that helped you gather the "how to" info? or was it just pure skill?

 

www.pirate4x4.com for all the axle and drivetrain tech info.

www.offroadrangers.com and www.explorer4x4.com. I think i read every SAS thread about 50 times. Then my passenger hub bearing exploded, so i was forced into it. I've been workin on cars and pretty much everything that has a motor and wheels since i was about 12. Got my welder and all the 2x2 and 4x4 steel i'm using for free.

It's definately fun, its awesome to finally have seen what it will look like mounted up.

 

Lol i'll go take one of the paint and the tacked on perches.

 

Ok heres the tacked on perches, with my forementioned pinion angle. Only tacked on b/c i need the new springs to determine the angle 100%.





Painted the frame, crossmember, and hangers all flat black.







And got some Warn premium hubs. Don't have to worry about breaking the plastic ***** on the milemarker hubs. I'll keep those for spares. Got these brand new for 20$.