We are making a few improvements over the OEM parts and making what will hopefully be even more of a well balanced trail rig than it already is. It had some pretty serious short comings but all in all, it's survived most of what I've put it through both rock crawling and desert running. We know what Rod Hall and Sam Cothrun have done for them, and I'm taking it to a little different level. Like Tech Tim can be quoted as saying "A Trail Runner".
The project is being done at Motorsports Fabrication Services in Lincoln, CA by Jeff Hayer :smokin:
Nothing extreme, just, I hope, a bit more capable in both the rocks and the desert, and something that most any fabricator can do for their clients.
Lets start with the weaknesses:
Aluminum Front Housing AAM760 IFS: too small for the weight of the vehicle
Steering Rack : set a little bit outside a proper placement for correct pivot points
SuspensionTravel - stock being around 4.0"
The improvements:
Dana 44 Center section
35 spline flanges
ARB 35 spline D44 Locker
Custom Steering rack
Long travel A-Arms (upper and lower)
Custom Intermediate Shaft using GM 2500/3500 tripod inner and CV outer
Other changes:
38" BFG KM2's (365 75 R16)
5:13 gears front and rear (rear being a GM AAM860 10 bolt which will get changed to a fabricated 9" full float Ford when funds provide
Fox Coil over shocks with hoops F/R (2.0 10" travel front and 12" travel rear)
Eliminating Torsion Bars
Complete sub frame for lower a-arm mounts
Keeping the Stock Cast Knuckles
I may do some pre-running in it, and some chasing, but the main focus of the project is to make it stronger where it is weak , and to give it a bit more trail worthiness, all while keeping it street-able. It's been my daily driver for over 5 years/116K miles. I am a total n00b when it comes to fabrication, I only know what has been done in the shop and what I have researched on my own. We are going to keep the geometry as stock as possible and only change what has to be changed. We are in the beginning stages so input is welcome.
Pics to follow as we progress - I am looking for a budget steering rack and pinion that we can use with the existing OEM steering set up (with limited modifications). I've seen some long travel 2500 kits here, and they are using the stock R&P, but we are moving the A-arms 2" inboard as well as 2" outboard.
Here is where we are starting from -
Current mods from stock
Rod Hall Fox Shocks - 2" piggy backs 4.5 inches travel in the front, 8 inches travel in the rear
Spring Over Conversion Rear
High Angle Rear Driveline 1350 Double Cardon
35" BFG KM2's
Hutchinson Beadlocks
Sway Away Torsion Bars (30% over stock spring rate)
The project is being done at Motorsports Fabrication Services in Lincoln, CA by Jeff Hayer :smokin:
Nothing extreme, just, I hope, a bit more capable in both the rocks and the desert, and something that most any fabricator can do for their clients.
Lets start with the weaknesses:
Aluminum Front Housing AAM760 IFS: too small for the weight of the vehicle
Steering Rack : set a little bit outside a proper placement for correct pivot points
SuspensionTravel - stock being around 4.0"
The improvements:
Dana 44 Center section
35 spline flanges
ARB 35 spline D44 Locker
Custom Steering rack
Long travel A-Arms (upper and lower)
Custom Intermediate Shaft using GM 2500/3500 tripod inner and CV outer
Other changes:
38" BFG KM2's (365 75 R16)
5:13 gears front and rear (rear being a GM AAM860 10 bolt which will get changed to a fabricated 9" full float Ford when funds provide
Fox Coil over shocks with hoops F/R (2.0 10" travel front and 12" travel rear)
Eliminating Torsion Bars
Complete sub frame for lower a-arm mounts
Keeping the Stock Cast Knuckles
I may do some pre-running in it, and some chasing, but the main focus of the project is to make it stronger where it is weak , and to give it a bit more trail worthiness, all while keeping it street-able. It's been my daily driver for over 5 years/116K miles. I am a total n00b when it comes to fabrication, I only know what has been done in the shop and what I have researched on my own. We are going to keep the geometry as stock as possible and only change what has to be changed. We are in the beginning stages so input is welcome.
Pics to follow as we progress - I am looking for a budget steering rack and pinion that we can use with the existing OEM steering set up (with limited modifications). I've seen some long travel 2500 kits here, and they are using the stock R&P, but we are moving the A-arms 2" inboard as well as 2" outboard.
Here is where we are starting from -
Current mods from stock
Rod Hall Fox Shocks - 2" piggy backs 4.5 inches travel in the front, 8 inches travel in the rear
Spring Over Conversion Rear
High Angle Rear Driveline 1350 Double Cardon
35" BFG KM2's
Hutchinson Beadlocks
Sway Away Torsion Bars (30% over stock spring rate)