Wishbone Runner's Build

Indeed: Break shit>make it better next time.

 

Yup that is a nice link set up in the LT thread. Are you considering it?

 

Haha, no on the links, yes on the axle. I would like to do a 9", 3 link (DOM, not boxed arms) and coilsovers through the body, eventually. Just got done with the new shock mounts and revamp of my current links, so no more work on the rear for a while.

 

Rear end complete. Shit ton of work, but I am pretty happy with the outcome, hopefully it performs as expected.

Before finishing the shock setup I cut off the lower shock/link mount, and welded in 3/8" tabs in the stock location.

 

Then came the lower shock mounts, they ended up being a bit lower than the stockers due to the mount that I used, but they are tucked very close to the tire and should remain relatively out of harms way.



Painted up.



While they probably aren't going anywhere, phase II will be adding some more gussets to the link and shock mounts.

 

The upper mounts came together much easier than the lowers, all 1/4"

 

For the bump mounts, I used 2.5" hitch tube mounted further back than where the stock mounts were, with a nut tacked in for Superbump mounting capability. I left them fairly high up so the height can be fine tuned with the spacers as needed.

 

Then limit strap tabs, which will use 16" blue Kartek straps with adjustable clevises.

 

And the whole ensemble, the resi mounting was a bit difficult on the driver side due to the gas tank filler neck coming over the frame right where I was planning, but the passenger one ended up right where I wanted it.

 

Looks great James!

 

Thanks dude.

Also put in new MetalTech springs which are the same rate as the last ones but have one that is a 1/2" or so longer to compensate for driver side lean. But, what I did was put the longer one on the passenger side and use the shorter one with the Daystar 1.5" spacer that I was previously using on the driver side. This netted me an inch or so of lift over the previous springs.

All brackets used were 1/4" Ruffstuff, except the lower links which are 3/8".

Other changes during this process were the upper links, got rid of the bushing on one side which was binding pretty bad at full articulation and now have 7/8 " heims on both ends, welded in some 9/16" weld washers on the upper panhard bracket which was starting to wallow out a bit, and replaced the lower link heims and bushings. I tried to install a 1.25" drive shaft spacer from Low Range, but it was a bit too long at full stuff, so I will need to sell it and get a 3/4", but not really necessary at this point, just for piece of mind.

 

Super clean work! Will be interesting to see how much better this performs.

I really need to get a welder and get my act together with rear bumps and proper shock mounting and stuff.

 

I ended up with a bit more lift (I think, springs haven't settled yet), about a 1/2" more up travel and 1" more down. I am sure the shocks are going to perform better than the Icons, and the bumps are going to be a great improvement as well.

I also got to rip into the shocks, as I needed to add an extra elbow on the resi hose, and basically did a full rebuild to add some oil. Pretty easy work, so I am excited to be able to change the valving up pretty easily, removing and reinstalling the damn things will be the hardest part as the resi hoses take some threading through shit to get everything line back up and in place.

And yes, get your fab on. I will say that leafs seem WAYYYYY easier to set shocks up on than links, I probably cycled the rear end 100 plus times to make sure everything was playing nicely. Tons more room to work with on leafs as well, all my shit is squeezed in there pretty tight with very close tolerances on everything which is what made this a month long project.

I should add that the shocks were mounted at the limits of the links, so there is literally no more travel available in the rear end without being able to mount the shocks up higher and gain a few more inches of up travel, and I have basically reached the limits of the stock mounting points. As is I think I should be able to fit a 36 or 37" tire in the rear with minimal trimming and beating, but that wouldn't be for a while and I would probably have a new axle, 3 link and coilovers in the rear at that point anyway.

 

how the hell is your undercarriage so damn clean?

 

So with the new springs and spacer, did that get rid of the little bit of lean you did have?

I also want to see how she performs now with the new rear end. You and Brett doing all this rework of you suspensions I making me realy want to upgrade mine right now. But I need to hold off on the truck spending for a while.

 

That looks really super!! I bet it rides even better.

 

It was A LOT of work!

Haha, hit everything I could get to with a wire wheel and fresh paint while I was under there.

Too early to tell, need to let everything settle first, then get some measurements.

Can't wait for the maiden voyage off-road!

 

Cool do mine

 

Umm, no.