Finally

[RufusTheRam]

the 87 trooper is finally back on 4 wheels again... after numerous setbacks in locations to work on it, other projects, money, etc. we finally put in a couple good days in on it and got the front axle hung. still LOTS of finish work on the fabbed stuff, and of course smaller things like brakes, shocks, etc. but it's getting there. depending on $$, should be on the road in the next couple of weeks.



pic looks funny for some reason, the axle isn't really off center...

[LoFrontier]

SWEET! Looks good man!

[Indyguy]

Coming along very nicely. So how far forward did you move the front axle vs. stock location?
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LSD REHAB ADVICE

[Tuite]

I'd guess the axle is on ~2 in forward, not really sure we played around with the springs and shackle mounting some. We ended up having to mount front shackles to get a decent pinion angle. We were trying to keep it low, with very little drop from the hanger.

[Indyguy]

Originally posted by Tuite
I'd guess the axle is on ~2 in forward,

I thought it looked a little further back than most I've seen. Are you expecting to run into any driveshaft length/angle problems with the axle where its at? IIRC, most people have moved them forward 6"+ to get around those kinds of problems. Keep posting those pics!
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LovelyWendie99

[RufusTheRam]

i believe the axle actually ended up closer to 4 inches foward as it sits now... we still have a little adjustment in the mounts and could bring it another inch or two up. we shoved it as far up as we could without having to worry about steering box/arm changes. we're not really concerned with the d-shaft, if it doesn't work out well it's a good exscuse to lower it some. we'll also be adding a divorced t-case eventually, which will alleviate any problems. the crossmember is def. going to need a hoop cut into it before we can even begin to check out the front shaft. i'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out, there are only a handfull of SAS troopers. we mixed and matched a few ideas from the ones out there, and threw in a few of our own. so far we've only invested about 250 dollars in the SAS part, so we can't complain.

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by RufusTheRam
so far we've only invested about 250 dollars in the SAS part, so we can't complain.

Let me know when that bay is cleared for mine.

[Urban_Assault]

Nice work man!!!I like the amount of lift...could be a sweet runner.

Tell me you have more tools off camera because if your doing a swap with just that little socket set you are the man and I'll be there in March for mine to go in....$250 SCHWEEEEEET!!!!

[paulevans76]

what springs did you use, waggies? i should be starting on mine w/in a month, so keep us posted on how things go

paul

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by paulevans76
what springs did you use, waggies? i should be starting on mine w/in a month, so keep us posted on how things go

paul

Hey Paul, Ivan is ignoring you. Yes, he used waggies.

[Tuite]

Yeah, those are just stock waggies up front, they are only a couple inches from going flat.

Planned on rolling it out last night, but instead got our $50 '78 Honda CX 500 running.

[RufusTheRam]

haha, sorry... yeah, they're waggys as tuite said. Ed, you still need those measurements? it completely slipped my mind. after we get nick's yota trans in, we'll have an open spot bring it on

[Rip DeLips]

Originally posted by RufusTheRam
after we get nick's yota trans in, we'll have an open spot bring it on

Ten freakin' dash four!!! lolll

Nah, don't worry about the measurements, Matt got me the spring info I need for the quick fix.

Jerry Jeff Walker is coming to town ya know.

[RufusTheRam]

yeah, we'll be there for sure... you goin?

[Eric D]

Well, you have the most important tool handy anyhow..

[RufusTheRam]

we're actually not as far foward as most people have gone. hanger mounts right off the front of the frame. i'd guess 3-4 inches foward of stock maybe. we're trying to get the height down some, and we're using a crossover/high steer arm on the passenger side so the tie rod should be a non issue. for now, we're going to use the ford tre that fits the isuzu taper. at a later date may have the arm reamed to accept a bigger tre and from the bottom. driveshaft will be out biggest concern. we have a very nice pinion angle with the knuckles in the stock position. crossmember mods will definitely have to be done to hook a shaft up. once we bring the heigh down some, the shaft should work out pretty well. we're not extremely concerned if it doesn't work out perfect, since it'll be getting a divorced np205 case eventually.