I did a search and got a lot of very good information on both Wristed and Extended radius arms. Are there any safety concerns about either type? My EB isn't a DD but I do drive it to and from the trail. I'm leaning toward going wristed due to the fact that, when pinned, it would handle like stock. My concern with the Extended arms is they might create more bump steer and maybe a sloppy feel up front.

Any thoughts:) Anyone want to sell a Wristed arm?

Thanks!

Well a wristed arm is certainly less work. Also with extended arms you'll hang up on them more often. I think you get more flex out of a wristed arm too.

I bet the ride is just fine with extended arms, but since the purpose is to relieve bind, there is inevitably some increased body roll.

As for safety, both can be perfectly safe, and both can be dangerous. Depends on how well each is made. If built correctly, there's no reason either should be dangerous.

I have a wristed arm that I haven't pinned yet (refer to other post on why not). I drive that thing all over CA and on the trail with no problems. It sways a bit more, but I have gotten used to it. When I pin it, it will probably feel like a rice burner it will handle so well!

I also made my own fairly easily. If you have some fab skills you could do the same. I'm in Elk Grove if you're ever in the area, you can come on over and take a look!

-Jack

If you leave a wristed arm un-pinnned on the road you will get more sway up front. Pin it and and you won't notice anything different.
I drove my barly street legal trail Bronco 350 miles home last fall after the tow rig tranny went south. Surprised the crap out of me how well it drove. I came up the coast highway from Oregona and it was sometimes a twisty road or freeway. Didn't matter, I loved driving it.

The replies have confirmed some of my thoughts. The Wristed arm is what I'll use.

My fab skills are so-so:( Some additional pics would help.

Thanks guys!

Mark, if you do a search, there is a post that I started a while back that had a lot of good pics, and tech... There have been quite a few. Also, I have some blue-prints on paper that you could have, oooorrrrrr, You could get me an extra arm, and Ryan and I will make you one....I have to make another one anyway...

Brian--

Here ya go Mark
http://hometown.aol.com/stknrdr/wrist.html

Have you seen this one?

Brian--

I am getting ready to make myself one as well. I have never done this before, and could really use the help. My fab skills are great, but I am confused on the bearing in the middle. If I can get one of those, I can mkae me one. Just need someone to explain some things to me.

I can throw a wristed arm building party if you guys want. Maybe we can have it in the Est Bay, and we can all build away. I can bring the welder and beer if someone gives me a hand building this bastard.

Dimtiri

Originally posted by 1uglyranger
Here ya go Mark
http://hometown.aol.com/stknrdr/wrist.html

Have you seen this one?

Brian--

Brian- Thanks for the link! Good stuff. I added to my fav's:)

Originally posted by Flatty

I can throw a wristed arm building party if you guys want. Maybe we can have it in the Est Bay, and we can all build away. I can bring the welder and beer if someone gives me a hand building this bastard.

Dimtiri

Dimitri- Sounds like fun! I have a Lincoln SP-175 Plus 220V Mig as well as a Lincoln stick welder we could use. If we do it out here I'll supply the beer and pizza :beer: :beer: :beer:

Originally posted by Flatty
I am getting ready to make myself one as well. I have never done this before, and could really use the help. My fab skills are great, but I am confused on the bearing in the middle. If I can get one of those, I can mkae me one. Just need someone to explain some things to me.

I can throw a wristed arm building party if you guys want. Maybe we can have it in the Est Bay, and we can all build away. I can bring the welder and beer if someone gives me a hand building this bastard.

Dimtiri

If your going to CalRocs in JV you can look at mine and ask all the questions you want. I give answers for :beer:
:flipoff2:

If your going to CalRocs in JV you can look at mine and ask all the questions you want. I give answers for :beer:
:flipoff2:

Dude, I wish I was going to CALrocs, but I have a job fair that weekend, and it is my girlfriends birthday as well. so no JV for me. I do want to ask you somne questions however. What size bearings do you use in the middle? Once I figure that out, the rest is CAKE!!!! If you have a Part # and where to get it, that would help a lot.

Dimitri

Originally posted by FearMe

I drove my barly street legal trail Bronco 350 miles home last fall after the tow rig tranny went south.

Talk about a roling fix it ticket :eek: I have to agree I love my wristed arm but I need to pin it on the road or else it is like driving a wet sponge.

Originally posted by FearMe
If your going to CalRocs in JV you can look at mine and ask all the questions you want. I give answers for :beer:
:flipoff2:


Dimitri, folks tend to use different bearings; some folks don't use a bearing at all. When we did the early Twister arm prototypes that were similiar to the homebuilt ones you see now, we used 1" ID spherical bearings, which you can source from a couple of different places. Use a quality one, with teflon lining, and machine your setup for a interference fit and press it in, and you'll have a setup you can rebuild on down the road.

I've seen bushings used, tractor heims used, a johnny joint used (not much load rating on those...didn't like that one), even a driveshaft ujoint used, as well as no bearing at all....just a loose bolt in a hole. There's been a lot of creativity. I like using a spherical bearing because it's less sloppy than some other methods, but I like using a heavy tie rod end for a 16,000lb truck even better, but I'm a freak. I like the arms to not have any slop in them for the front suspension.

I thought that I posted this earlier, but I guess it didn't go through.

Mark, you should have checked mine out when it was parked in front of your house......
I didn't use any bearing, or bushing, just a 3/4" grade 8 bolt. I have yet to pin it, and it has seen at least 500 miles of city driving, including a couple freeway trips at 75 mph....handles a little wavy, but not bad.
I am gonna make another, since the first one I made was an inch too short when I was done (don't ask:flipoff2: , too much :beer: I guess). Anyway, so I am down for a building party, and I am always ready to consume adult beverages:D .

Let me know...

Brian--

Here's mine, simple, yet very effective.

http://sidewlk.homestead.com/files/1uglyranger/Wristed_arm_12-31.jpg

Brian--

Originally posted by EBSTEVE


Talk about a roling fix it ticket :eek: I have to agree I love my wristed arm but I need to pin it on the road or else it is like driving a wet sponge.

You need to stop by and drive it before making that statement. I drove mine unpinned and it handled great. The only thing that could have got me a ticket was lack of mud flaps and speeding.:flipoff2:

Originally posted by 1uglyranger
I thought that I posted this earlier, but I guess it didn't go through.

snip

. Anyway, so I am down for a building party, and I am always ready to consume adult beverages:D .

Let me know...

Brian--

This time make sure your sober when you build your arm.

Sounds like fun! I would love to get one done too, have tons of pics/ideas.....

Rick-

Originally posted by FearMe


You need to stop by and drive it before making that statement. I drove mine unpinned and it handled great. The only thing that could have got me a ticket was lack of mud flaps and speeding.:flipoff2:

I wanna drive!

Hey all,

If you get together for the arm building party, I have an extra radius bearing that is used on tractors with a zirc fitting which accepts a 1" bolt that somebody can have for $20. I bought 2 when I did my arm (just in case I screwed the first one up when I welded it in). I'm in Elk Grove (just south of Sac). I paid $30 for it and had to wait 4 days to get it.

Also, if one of you has a tube bender, I'd dig coming over and building a new arm while we were at it. I'd like to make a new one out of DOM that is wristed.

Sounds like the wristed arm is the easiest to install and probably the cheapest to built/buy. No ill-handling side effects. I just don't feel comfortable building my own. My fab skills are ok for bumpers and sliders but suspension work, IMO, is best left to a pro.

I'd like to hear from the extended crowd. I know Snowball (Mike @ Bent & Twisted) makes his own and they work great. Mike don't be bashfull. You're as extreme as they come :skull: Let's hear your .02:)

Originally posted by FearMe


You need to stop by and drive it before making that statement. I drove mine unpinned and it handled great. The only thing that could have got me a ticket was lack of mud flaps and speeding.:flipoff2:

Don't get me wrong Roger I am not saying it did not drive nice ( I will take your word for how it drove ) but you have to admit it was BARLEY street legal on a good day :) . But as for the offer I will be up when ever you want to go wheeling I don't have a job anymore so you name the time :)

I am saying mine is not fun without the pin and I don't use a bearing and think that some people are overdoing it with the arms that they are building take a look and something like 1uglyranger has and maybe put in a pin and go from there is what I would do. Just MHO so take it for what it is worth.

OK, well I do have a bender, and it mountrs on the back of my truck, so we can bend ANYWHERE!!!! As for the arms Mike Ladd has, they are extended radius arms. They work GREAT, and I will go taht way at some point, but I want to try the wristed arms first. I figure that is the cheapest way to go, and I gotta go chep for now. If I can grease the hole for the bolt, I figure I can keep it lubed up enough without using a bearing for now. Time to get to work.

So when do you guys want to make a building party? Like I said, I can bring welder, Bender, and Beer, Just can't do it at my place (Live with the parents and they HATE wheeling and building). Lets make a time and place. Any Sunday works for me.

Dimitri

If you bring all of that (especially the bender) you can have my bearing! I also have a little wire feed that works well. We could do it at my house, but that would be a bit of a drive for you.

What sized dies do you have?

in case you have not seen it i have bulit a few
http://www.wt4wheeling.com/tech/wristfront.htm

You guys that have more than 3.5 inches of lift, what do you do to correct the Castor problem? Im going to 5.5 in a few months and need to find a cure for an already annoying problem with only 3.5 inches.

Have somebody cut the knucles off and reweld them with the appropriate amount of castor.

Originally posted by StoopidMonkey
You guys that have more than 3.5 inches of lift, what do you do to correct the Castor problem? Im going to 5.5 in a few months and need to find a cure for an already annoying problem with only 3.5 inches.

The best I could find from WH & BC was 7 degree "C" bushings for 3.5" lift and up.

Other options would include dropped radius arm brackets and I think WH extended arms for 5" lift have some caster built into them.

The problem with c-bushings and dropped arms is you will have a problem with front driveline shaft angle. If you take your front end down to the housing (probably leave the gears in) ou can have it done for like $250.

I just went and looked at bushings to press into the arm, it was a 7/8" ID diameter brash bushing, i got a 7/8" bolt. But there seemed to be a little play once it was slid in. How much is there supposed to be? Will it even matter once there is a load on it?

Just swap in an RC44 and be done with it.

Dimitri

Originally posted by StoopidMonkey
I just went and looked at bushings to press into the arm, it was a 7/8" ID diameter brash bushing, i got a 7/8" bolt. But there seemed to be a little play once it was slid in. How much is there supposed to be? Will it even matter once there is a load on it?

There is going to be play, no matter what....you won't notice it though....when are we gonna have this party....keep me posted.

Brian--

Keep me updated as well. I want to build some cool arms too.

Dimitri

Originally posted by StoopidMonkey
I just went and looked at bushings to press into the arm, it was a 7/8" ID diameter brash bushing, i got a 7/8" bolt. But there seemed to be a little play once it was slid in. How much is there supposed to be? Will it even matter once there is a load on it?

I don't know if it matters but that is probably the "slop" Coby is talking about. The problem is taking a bolt bought at Ace and expecting it to be the exact size. Not going to happen. You need to measure the bolt and then use a ream to get the correct size hole. Instead of a bolt I used a piece of round bar that was demenisionally correct. Also if you don't have a good drill press your not going to get a good hole. So if it matters to you, take it to machine shop to get the holes the correct size or use a bearing.
Flatty you could build your shit at my place but I don't have a good drill press. Damm washer and dryer taking up vaulable space
:nuke:

i have access to a Big ass 1950's drill press, it has done evthing i have ever needed

I have like maybe 6 inchs front lift, with 7 deg bushing and no drop down brackets, it handles fine for me

I gotta find out what days I have school, but next weekend sounds good to me if anyone else can do it on Sunday. Mark? you game? I can bring my arm, and tear into it.

Dimtiri

I'm game but what date are we talking about 2/24 or 3/2? I was talking to Quinn Dusenberry about buying one of his arms but I'm outa cash and need to try to build one cheap.

Where to do it? My place is ok, I have the welders but Mark's drill press would come in handy.

How about it Mark- you have room for us at the new place?

I have no welder at my house :( i only have my ready welder, if we do it at you house on 3/2 i can see if i can borow my friends drill press, he live in San Ramon

Originally posted by welndmn
I have no welder at my house :( i only have my ready welder, if we do it at you house on 3/2 i can see if i can borow my friends drill press, he live in San Ramon

Ok everybody- let's shoot for 3/2 at my place in Brentwood. How's this work for everybody?

Flatty- I have 2 Lincoln welders, a stick and a SP-175 Plus 220V mig with CO2/Argon cover gas, .030 wire etc. If you prefer to use your welder, you're more than welcome to bring it.

How about materials? I don't have much in the way of stock. Andy we would need a good chop saw or cutter of some sort. All I have is my trusty Sawsall.

Sounds like we're gonna have some fun :skull:

i am working on buying Mikes Chop saw, but Todd is first in line, call up and tell him not to get it :D
For metal get some 1/2 plate like 4 inchs wide, are you going to try the bearing approach? if you you need a bearing

Originally posted by welndmn
i am working on buying Mikes Chop saw, but Todd is first in line, call up and tell him not to get it :D


Heck- let him buy it and we'll borrow it:D hehehe


For metal get some 1/2 plate like 4 inchs wide, are you going to try the bearing approach? if you you need a bearing

Do I need a bearing? If so , where do I get it? What size?

OMG- I feel like a dummy:rasta:

Hmm good question, i forget the name of it it was like Mac-a-something, it was a 1 inch OD bearing with either a 7/8's or 3/4 ID, anybody?

I got the chop saw and a welder I can bring. It is a 172 Miller. Do we need a bender as well? I can bring that too.

The 2nd sounds good to me. Lets plan it. I will bring whatever I have, but I cn't get access to steel unless I take time off work. I will do wqithout the bearing for now. So who can get the steel. I will bring some beer.

Dimitri

I just used 1/8" plate the first time, then doubled it up at the pivot point..If this sounds good to you guys, I can pick up some more....its pretty cheap.......which is always a plus.:D :D

Brian--

I'll work on getting the steel. Is 1/2" x 4" wide what we need? How much (length) per arm?

Can i get in on this ? I have to work a couple of hours Saturday morning but could be there right after that and i can supply all the 1/2 in plate we would need.

Originally posted by Rubicrawler
I'll work on getting the steel. Is 1/2" x 4" wide what we need? How much (length) per arm?

The 1/2" steel is just to fill the front section of the arm, so not much is needed, the 1/8" stuff that I have is to plate the back half...


You can put the shock mount anywhere you can put it..... If you put it in front of the wrist, you will need a very long shock, so most try to figure a way to mount it behind....either way you will most likely end up moving the upper mount too.

Brian--

1/8" huh? Yeah, don't do it ALL in 1/2" go ahead and use the 1/8" :rolleyes:

USE 1/2" FOR ALL OF IT. You need the strength AND the bearing surface for the pin's. Don't forget to make provisions to pin it. You might not think you need it put you will sometime and it's easier to put in when your building it.

Originally posted by smurfsdad
Can i get in on this ? I have to work a couple of hours Saturday morning but could be there right after that and i can supply all the 1/2 in plate we would need.

Looks like we're shootin for Sunday 3/2. You're more than welcome to join us:) That would be great if you can supply the 1/2" plate.

Let me know your plans so I don't double up on the stock.

Mark

Right Awn, thanks. Rubicrawler i sent ya PM.

I just pulled the arm, so now im ready.

Can we plan this on Sunday? I have school on Saturday, and then I have to go to my bro's cocktail party after that. I am game for Sunday the 3rd of March if you guys want to do that.


Dimtiri

Mark, you want to do this on 3/2(saturday) or 3/3 (sunday)?
I was planning on Sat, but could probably swing some things for Sunday....let me know.

Fear Me, I don't know what you plan on doing with you arm, but plate the whole thing with 1/2" plate????? Come awn, that arm will wiegh like 40 pounds by the time your done.. ever heard of overkill???????

1/8" plate worked just fine for me, and it has smacked it fair share of rocks......if it breaks it would be a fluke.....1/2" just seems a little big....don't ya think??

Brian--

Rubicrawler's post says sunday but has the date for saturday. Sunday is best for me too.

Originally posted by 1uglyranger
Fear Me, I don't know what you plan on doing with you arm, but plate the whole thing with 1/2" plate????? Come awn, that arm will wiegh like 40 pounds by the time your done.. ever heard of overkill???????

1/8" plate worked just fine for me, and it has smacked it fair share of rocks......if it breaks it would be a fluke.....1/2" just seems a little big....don't ya think??

Brian--

Not overkill at all. I went back and looked at the picture of the one you made. It looks to me like you 'boxed' in your radius arm and exteded the plates up and rounded them off. Then drilled a hole for your bolt. Are those side plates the 1/8th your talking about? If your actually using that and have the main bolt riding in it then you have no bearing surface for the bolt and things will start wearing real fast. If that is 1/8th. it takes a lot of side load. Thats were being able to clamp those two pieces of 1/2 against the arm help.

Your not adding all that much weight. You only have to put a piece of 1/2 on both sides of the arm from the yellow line forward. That give's you plenty of surface if you want to add a bearing, and if you don't it gives the bolt a lot of surface to ride on. The same on the outer pieces. I like the "Y" arrangement because it's much stronger than butt welding on. If you do want to add the 1/8 all the way back it will help stiffen your arm. The only bend Ford radius arms I've ever seen were on trucks that did
nt have a wristed arm.. go figure.

Make them anyway you want, I'm just throwing out idea's.

What you can't see in the pic, but what I mentioned earlier, is that I doubled the sheet for the last 8" or so, so at the bolt it is actually 1/4", and it looks to be plenty beefy. Your's in boxed in the opposite direction, which doesn't change the thickness needed at the bolt, but may be required for othere strength issues.

Like you, I am not saying that my way is the only way, but it seems to work great, is light wieght, and seems to be plenty strong.....I'll be sure to tell everyone when it falls apart.:D :D

Brian--

Doh! Sunday is 3/3! My bad.

I was thinking Sunday all along. I'm committed to paint the kitchen on Saturday so it'll have to be Sunday.

Sorry for the confusion:(

Which side is prefered, pass or driver? I need to pull the arm this week.

Rubicrawler, use the passenger side, so the driveshaft doesnt have extreme angles at the pinion.

Does anyone know if f150 radius arms are the same as early bronco arms? I thought I heard they were, but not sure. thnx

Originally posted by brocbronc
Rubicrawler, use the passenger side, so the driveshaft doesnt have extreme angles at the pinion.

Does anyone know if f150 radius arms are the same as early bronco arms? I thought I heard they were, but not sure. thnx

Good point:) Thanks for the info.

Yes- F150 arms are the same.

Originally posted by Rubicrawler
Which side is prefered, pass or driver? I need to pull the arm this week.

The passenger side for the wristed arm.

FYI:
The only difference between the EB arms, and the F150/Big Bronco arms is the holes for the coil retainer are farther apart..

Brian--

Who's coming and whatcha bringing?

Flatty and I have the welders covered.

What I think we need:

*Chop saw
*Drill press & bits (Welndnm said he might have one available)
*1/2" x 4" steel plate (smurfsdad said he could supply but needs
to know how much we need)
*Bolts/pins?

What did I miss?

My wife said she will keep us fed as long as pizza is OK.

This is gonna be sooo coool:smokin:

Well golly gee willikers, I can bring the welder and the chop saw. I have a good one that I use for allmy shit. If someone can bring the steel that would be great. I am home sick with the flu and can't get out righ now. I can bring a tube bender if need be as well.

Sundayt sounds great, but Maek, you forgot one thing. WHO IS BRINGING THE BEER?!?!?!?!?! IU can bring some, but I don't know how many poeope wil be showing up.

As for bits, well I can bring some drill bits as well. I have boxes of them. We will need some grade 8 hardware and some bearings if you guys wanna got aht way.

If I bring the bender, I have a 1.75" die, so bring your own tubing.

Dimitri

Damn i forgot to ask my friend if i could borrow his drill press,
but i was thinking, i think that we should just plate the arm with 1/2, who cares about adding weight, i have been hearing about a few arms bending so maybe we should add more steel

For the shock mount, i came up with a sweet idea for mine yesterday
I used some round tube to pick it up off the arm like 2 inchs then cut a wall off some 2x2 so its a U and welded all that near the C, i took pics but don't have with me

I agree I am going for beef here, not lightweight. As for the shock mount, I think welding a C hannel straight to the top of the radius arm with a few different helos on it would work great. You can have the ability ot run the 9012's at any angle, this way giving you more travel if your shock are your limiting factor, as they have been with me in the past.

Dimitri

Sounds like a "fab"-ulous time. But are there going to be any BRONCOS there or will they all be gimps? Im going to see if I can find some spare pass side arms if I can join. Let me know what size bolts and stuff you are using and I can see if I can get some of those too. My engine transplant keeps me from bringing mine. I hope nobody minds an 85 4runner parked nearby.

The runner is totally cool as long as all the work we did on it yesterday held up :)

Dimitri

Flatty,
Yeah my truck drives sweet now. No howling from the rear end and brakes are awesome too. Thanks again. Wish My eye felt better tho LOL.

Oh- I forgot to mention that I'l be springin' for the beer:beer: :beer:

And, yes, the beefier the better!

I'd love to get in on this too. I can't make that date. If I sprung for the beer and materials, could someone make an extra one for me also?

Originally posted by Dennis
I'd love to get in on this too. I can't make that date. If I sprung for the beer and materials, could someone make an extra one for me also?

I don't know who long it will take us to make the arms but we could try.

Can you get an arm to me by then?

Mark, what time do you want us there??
I can swing by OSH and pick up bolts and such....how many arms are we gonna be making?? And what size hardware does everyone want?? I went with 3/4", but only because thats the biggest drill bit I had:) .
I think Fear Me said he used 7/8", but I don't have a bit that big...:) :)

Brian--

Brian- I'm thinking around 10:00am.

So far we have:

1uglyranger
Rubicrawler
Flatty
brocbronc
Smurfsdad
Welndmn

so it looks like we'll be planning on at least 6 arms. Maybe up to 8 if we get a couple more wanting to join the party.

We'll have to set up an assembly line to knock these out!

I GET TO WELD!!!! I GET TO WELD!!!!! I GET TO WELD!!!!! Oh yea, can I please weld these things up??? I lkove welding, and I can be a welding mad man.

Dimtri

Originally posted by Flatty
I GET TO WELD!!!! I GET TO WELD!!!!! I GET TO WELD!!!!! Oh yea, can I please weld these things up??? I lkove welding, and I can be a welding mad man.

Dimtri

Hell Yeah! We have our mad welder! The rest of us can cut, grind, tell lies and keep Flatty's beer flowin':beer:

Oh yea, I forgot about that. In order to weld properly, I need my beer kept cold, and contantly near me. I can't weld unless I am 3 sheets to the wind. hahahha

Dimitri

I helps to steady the hand :beer:

Hey Smurfsdad- you still in?

I need some solid 2x2 welded to some 1 inch plate :D i know i can not do it, but after some drink think you can :)

I have a 5/8, 3/4, 7/8 and 1 inch bits all need to be sharper though (someone must know hoe to do it on a grinder with out messing them up)

But i am still up in the air now if i can make it, if not i can give out things to people if you need it

Originally posted by welndmn

But i am still up in the air now if i can make it, if not i can give out things to people if you need it

Mark- we need you! You're our resident Wristed Arm Expert:D

i think i am going to make it!
Hey if you want we can call Todd he has a Drill Press

Originally posted by welndmn
i think i am going to make it!
Hey if you want we can call Todd he has a Drill Press

I just sent him a PM!