Thanks Casey.

I got the shock tabs off both sides, the upper coil bracket off the driver's side, and half of the panhard mount off.

Here's the coil bracket in it's proposed new position.


The coil sitting in it's proposed new position, lots more room for the new panhard mount.

 

Nice work. That steering looks a lot better

 

Thanks. I think it'll be a big improvement overall. I thought about notching the frame for the coils like you did while I'm in there but I'd have to rework the whole hoop and I'm not sure I wanna get that deep into it. I'm already deeper in than I wanted to be lol.

 

I hear ya, you've got a nice setup with that hoop anyway

 

why not just throw a set of coilover shocks to take up less space? be easy to mount up some tabs on the axle and shock hoop.

progress looks great!

 

Thanks. Coilovers would be awesome but I don't wanna spend that much especially since there's a high probability of putting it up for sale.

 

Gotcha that makes sense, will be sad to see it go if you decide to sell but it's understandable when toys just sit.

 

Got the other coil mount off and the other half of the panhard bracket off. Also got some of the old welds cleaned off. I think tomorrow I might be able to get the lower coil brackets cleaned up and clearanced for the tie rod. I've got a plan in my head to integrate the lower panhard mount into the coil bracket so we'll see how that plays out.

 

good stuff brotha... sucks your going to sell it... well... not for who ever buys it I guess...

 

Yeah I don't know 100% if I'll sell it. We'll just have to see if I drive it more after this.

 

If you get it to drive better than maybe you will. You need to head west and find a place off in the mountains.

 

Yeah I picked a horrible thing to build since there's no where to use it here lol.


Got the lower coil brackets cut down on the front end for tie rod clearance. Plenty of room now.


This is where I'm going with the panhard bracket. I notched the coil bracket so it would fit inside it. It's not in the final position yet but I'll weld it all together so it's one piece. It's still going to be tight but it's the best position I could come up with to get the longest panhard possible.

 

I'm learning so much from your mistakes. Thank you :) Hope it rides better so you can enjoy it a bit more.

 

Does that mean you'll be SAS'ing yours soon?

 

Looking good. Hope you get it fixed up and get to drive it more.

 

Thanks, I hope so too!.



I tacked the panhard brackets in place this evening, the upper bracket is gonna stay where it's at while the lower bracket still needs a small amount of tweaking. I really wanted to have a look at the angle compared to the drag link and it's real close, when the lower bracket is in it's final position it should be spot on.

 

looks like its going to work out nicely

 

nice work! its getting there. hopefully it drives nice for you after this.

Also someone online is selling KING shocks with springs for like 540 each! That isnt too bad. lol

 

Filthy Motorsports has the King 2.0 Emulsion coilovers with springs for $440 each. I've really really been thinking about it but it's still a bunch of money that I hadn't planned on throwing at the truck. Then I'd have to redo the hoops which is also more work then I planned on lol.

And trying to come up with the correct spring rates is driving me insane. If I want a 12" coilover with 5" showing at ride height I'm coming up with like a 150/200 rate which seems way lighter than what anyone else is running. Everyone else seems to be super cabs with the 4.0 though. Ugh.


Anyway, I got the panhard bar done. Now I've gotta actually start welding some stuff.





Anyone have a recommendation for a place to order 3/4" grade 8 bolts? Can't seem to find anything bigger than 5/8 locally.

 

I know some places in midland/odessa that would have those bolts. I don't know if Hobbs has any nut & bolt shops or not.

 

Try McMaster-Carr. They have everything.

 

Thanks, should have them by the end of the week.


So I got the panhard mount fully welded. I completely closed it in the coil mount, should be plenty strong now.

Also got the upper panhard mount all done.

And even painted it!

Both spring mounts welded on the axle.



Now I've gotta deviate from the plan, I'll be cutting the hoops off soon to make room for the new King coilovers I ordered. I still have to discuss valving and spring rates with the vendor so I can do the free coil exchange program if I'm not happy with 'em. Once I've settled on valving and springs it'll be like 2 weeks for King to build them.


In the meantime what color should I paint the steering links and control arms? I'm thinking silver maybe? Nothing flashy, but don't want black. They've been OD green for 5 years now so it's time to change it up.

 

Decided to go with coil overs? Right on man!

 

Silver errryyyttthhhaannnggg.

 

Does plastidip come in silver?