I need some pics of the frame bracket, that the strut arm end of the radium arm attaches to.

I'm going to fab up my own brackets, and I need to know what diameter of hole to cut, how thick the mounting surface should be.

Application is on a Jeep ZJ; I'm installing a rev-cut 44 and using f-150 radius arms that I've lengthened.

Thanks,

I was going to make my own, but ended up with 78-79 bronco or f-150 brackets. Cost me $25. If you look around at some of the fords, you might find something perfect for your applications.

here's a few photos I have on the net already. I'll see if I can scrounge up one of donuts I cut from the EB brackets for some measurements.


http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/79brackets.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/79brackets1.jpg

Cool, thanks!

Looks like the strut hole is, what, 1 1/2"?

How thick is the race for the strut? Looks like some 1 1/2" tubing would do the trick..

I found some cool brackets on an old ford van at Pick-N-Pull, but they're riveted on.. I wonder if a cordless driver with a metal drill bit could drill out those rivets???

Chris

The donuts are welded on 1/4 steel, so you have to add that to the width of the donut.

Personally I'd just browse for some brackets you like. There are tons of different designs. I'm sure something will fit. If not easy nuff to make.

The rivits are areally easy. If you have grinder, just grind the head off and punch em out. You could probably drill easily too, but he head of the rivit is often offset from the actuall rivit, so you got to be carefull.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/donuttop.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/donutside.jpg

right on, thanks again!

I haven't confirmed it yet, but I read somewhere that James Duff sell the ears that you can weld on the axle. I'm sure you probably dont' need em, but maybe some day when you're upgrading to that RC 60. Something to keep in mind anyway.

Originally posted by cbassett
and using f-150 radius arms that I've lengthened.

Thanks,

How come you opted for extended arms versus a wristed arm?

It's prob alot easier to just modify some existing brackets. I started to make my own, but ended up using some brackets from a TTB halft ton. They are the lowest profile ones I could find.
The solid axle brackets have alot more drop built into them, there's a few different design's out there I'd look around until you find what your need

Originally posted by Nobody


How come you opted for extended arms versus a wristed arm?


Picked up some arms cheap, then got a killer deal from Mike ( www.bentandtwisted.com ) on some of his extensions. Welded them on myself and I'm good to go... once I get the brackets figured out and reinforce the frame.

I've got a spare arm I'm going to goof with and build a wristed arm for the future, just wanted to keep this conversion as simple as possible. The longarms get great flex, plenty for me, and on road handling should be fine.

One thing that concerns me about wristed arms, without lengthening them or dropping the brackets, is the signifigant angle they run at can create poor hanlding characteristics. Not the wristed arms per se, but the stock-length arms. After running stock length arms on my ZJ at >6" lift (five link susp), I'm plenty tired of the jarring on-road handling.

How much longer are the weld on extensions?

I'm installing an F150 D44 in my XJ and was also planning to use radius arms. I'd prefer to make the arms longer rather than wrist them. I figured the normal length was long enough, but if they can be made longer, that would be even better for articulation, bushing life and ride quality...wouldn't it?

BTW, how long should the axle bracket bushings last in a non-wristed radius arm?

the extensions add 10" to the radius arm length.

Originally posted by cbassett



Picked up some arms cheap, then got a killer deal from Mike ( www.bentandtwisted.com ) on some of his extensions. Welded them on myself and I'm good to go... once I get the brackets figured out and reinforce the frame.

I've got a spare arm I'm going to goof with and build a wristed arm for the future, just wanted to keep this conversion as simple as possible. The longarms get great flex, plenty for me, and on road handling should be fine.

One thing that concerns me about wristed arms, without lengthening them or dropping the brackets, is the signifigant angle they run at can create poor hanlding characteristics. Not the wristed arms per se, but the stock-length arms. After running stock length arms on my ZJ at >6" lift (five link susp), I'm plenty tired of the jarring on-road handling.


yea but the sock Ford arms are much longer than your original ZJ links....mine droops plenty with the stock length arms and doesn't have the extra length in the way to screw with my break over angle

Ohh ohhh, I like these pictures. I need to get off my arse and make mine. I'm definately sold on the wristed arms. It's one of the best front suspensions I've seen. The best thing is they are pinable for great on road handling.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/roger2.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsara/bb/hoofhearted.jpg

Here are a few from an s-10 I made. Also for the size of the hole just buy the bushings first and make them that size.

That's probably a good idea, thanks.
I just can't tell how thick the race for the strut bushings is supposed to be.

Any other pics of the brackets you made?

The stock brackets have a ring that is just spot welded to them. I removed them and welded them to the new one. The thickness does not need to be the same just strong enough. I think I useed 5/16".

Can't find any close ups of the mounts.

completed.

Those pics are great, and basically what i had in mind.
Thanks again.

badass S-10!!!!!!

Originally posted by cbassett
Those pics are great, and basically what i had in mind.
Thanks again.

badass S-10!!!!!!

Thanks. Just one word of advice attach the arms to the rear. Place the rear where you want it then build the mounts were they line up. Some times you will end up with bent arms/mounts.

Also never joke with your friend about SAS his S-10!!! You end up doing all kinds of things, when you should be putting your Jeep back together.

anyone have a pic of the bent and twisted extns?

Dang you dredged up an old one! Good to see folks using the Search Tool once in a while. :)

Here's a pic of the BNT extensions. Basically, they're ~10" long with a stock-size strut end on one end and drilled out on the other end so you can slip them on and weld them onto radius arms.

http://home.attbi.com/~bassettsbeast/images/xmember_1.jpg

Originally posted by Nobody


How come you opted for extended arms versus a wristed arm?

What generation? (year)

Who are you talking to Taxxman2k??



Originally posted by FordPowr
yea but the sock Ford arms are much longer than your original ZJ links....mine droops plenty with the stock length arms and doesn't have the extra length in the way to screw with my break over angle


Actually the stock length radius arms are about the same as the ZJ stock arms. You need to calculate the movement center (think that's what it's called) of the ZJ's stock arms, that is the point at where they intersect. Comes out somewhere around 36" if I recall. Anyhoo, I've got so many other projects to do on the ZJ this year, the wristed arm is going to wait until next year when I do a belly-up xmember/skid. The extended arms handle excellent. My first rev of the xmember does put the radius arm brackets lower than I'd care for, but they've only really hung me up once ever so far.

Originally posted by FordPowr
It's prob alot easier to just modify some existing brackets. I started to make my own, but ended up using some brackets from a TTB halft ton. They are the lowest profile ones I could find.
The solid axle brackets have alot more drop built into them, there's a few different design's out there I'd look around until you find what your need

OK wrong quote button (insert flame here). THis is the one I wanted.

What year/generation are the buckets you opted for?

heres mine. thinking about going with heims though.http://shons99ranger.homestead.com/files/12.jpg
shon

here's mine i like rod ends.
that and the slide off rocks.