SAS Hardbody, 3-link, coilovers.....

[skullver]

Working on a 87(?) hardbody for my buddy, v6, hp d44 front, dana 60 rear, both full width/8-lug for now. Planning on 35's. Front is going to be 3-link with panhard, with the single upper arm on the driver side, 2x12" SAW coilovers. Still waiting for him to get his coin together and get dual rate hardware/springs and tires so I can keep going. Cab has full cage, 1.75"x.120" DOM, and planning on engine cage and some rear bracing without taking up his camper shell space too much, nothing crazy, just a safe camp/expedition truck. On to the pics, will update as he gets parts, and I get time.



back when we were messing with leafs in front, nah

the hp dana 44 with truss/bridge work, some .250" plate, some .188" plate, and some .120" plate.


coilover and link mount, psngr side, .250" plate

driver side coilover mount

mock-up minus springs and dual rate hardware.

and how it sits now with my 37" spare from my dodge on there.

[skullver]

here are two shots of how I did the rear, nothing special, sunk the rear shackles into the frame, and made a new front hanger. Cycled it with just the main leaf in place and it seems to work just fine. Still have to make a shock hoop to mount his bilstein 7100 remoter res shocks in the back. (the pinion angle is not set yet, the perches are not welded.)

[boardbysled]

Looks good. Good to see some tech in the Nissan section.

[W.O.T.]

got any ride height/full bump pics?

I just sold my 2wd ex cab hardbody, was kinda thinking about building it but didnt. now you are making me rethink that decision. those frames sure have a good amount of rise in the front so you could keep it plenty low.

[skullver]

Originally Posted by W.O.T.

got any ride height/full bump pics?

I just sold my 2wd ex cab hardbody, was kinda thinking about building it but didnt. now you are making me rethink that decision. those frames sure have a good amount of rise in the front so you could keep it plenty low.

Not quite yet, still needs tires so just working with that one wheel to mock things up. They do have a ton of rise which will help with lower ride height, but they narrow a whole bunch right in front of the cab, makes it real hard to fit upper arm(s), as it is the exhaust is going to have to be clearanced as well as moving the steering box forward(probably upgrade it as well). It is a pretty cool platform though if you can deal with that super narrow frame portion. When he brings me tires, I can really knock it out I hope. Got it all thought out for now, just need parts and time, then start cycling/clearancing/moving stuff in the way.

[skullver]

Start of the frame side lower control arm mounts, a bit of time with the bandsaw and belt sander(i haven't made them angles yet, left them all long so I can grind to fit, easy to remove material, not so easy to add it or *gasp* fill gaps with the welder). And a little of the math to calculate the difference in a length for a given mount angle and spacing(Mine are 10 degrees and the heims are 1.25" with a 2.625" spacing)for those that don't already know, thought it may help. (spacing)x[Tan( angle they are kicked in), so for mine it is 2.625*Tan(10 deg)=0.463". I am using 2"x4" .120" wall rect tubing for the part of the crossmember the lower arms and the single upper are mounting to, all plated in and gusseted accordingly, the very middle part will be removable to drop the trans/transfer case.

*I accidentally used the sine of the angle in the pic in marker, luckily it isn't enough of a difference to matter in my case as I left them long*

[skullver]

Going to add some triangle shaped gussets along the side legs to spread the load laterally, otherwise should be good to go.

[skullver]

Got everything about cut out and finished, aside from any upper arm stuff as I haven't gotten to the vertical separation and a chance to cycle it, going to get the lowers all dialed in, then work on the upper. I also have to make the center removable portion done, you can see the flanges where they are going to bolt on the side pieces which will all be welded directly to the frame, the removable portion is also going to grab the trans mount. Everything suspension related is going to be permanently attached to the frame and then tied to the cage as well. In this pic the control arm mounts are actually on the wrong side, they are going to be pointing down, the single upper is going to look something like that though. And the rear gussets wrap all the way around to the top, and the frame plates will have a 90* break and go the length of the rectangular tubing where the skinny portion is, hard to expalin but when I get there it will be more clear. Long day, time to head home to my kids!

[skullver]

got some tires and wheels, stock 2007 Dodge wheels and pro comp 35" X-terrains all for $250, now I can get to cycling and more mock up. Front wheels aren't going to work without spacers, no turning radius with the control arms how they are going to be.

[tbecktold]

I like it. Wish I'd learned more and gone this way instead of leaves.

[1990_HB]

any updates? awsome build i would love to see more

[skullver]

Thanks!

Just prepping the frame rails, removing the hardlines and exhaust stuff and waiting on some parts, then on to mocking everything up, building the engine cage/coilover mounts, then finally the arms. May be fitting a 2nd upper link after all. Still waiting on coilover hardware/springs and some other steering stuff, going to have to either move the steering box, or just use a bigger/better one, stil deciding. Otherwise got a few other projects I am working in conjunction with this one, I will update as I get progress.

[pclem]

everytime i look at ish like this it makes me re think getting rid of my pathy, i love the build so far and cant wait to see it finished. i think im gunna go fullwidths now too ive got a 44 from a 79 bronco in my garage so i think its time to rebuild that beast.

[skullver]

Nice, do it!

Had a day to work on it, mocked some stuff up, made the lower control arms(37")tacked some pieces together, got everything dialed in and cycled it a bit, then realized I need another set of 5/8" hardware for the lowers before I can tack them all up and start on the upper link mounts. I guess I could improvise but would rather do it right and have everything bolted up so I can cycle it before I lay down any serious beads.

[skullver]

tacked all the lower arm/crossmember stuff on, and started mocking up an equal length upper arm, 9" vertical separation(on both the axle side and frame side, going to make the frame side adjustable with a few different locations) to start with, going to use the link calculator before anything is final, and cycle it profusely of course. Coming together finally. Going to use the 7/8" heims on the steering and go all 1.25" heim on the links, so gotta order some more of those, and some hardware, and coilover springs/hardware.

[skullver]

And here is where I leave off until next block of free time. Got one upper link mount mocked up, got the coilover on, just to see where I sit on the ride height, going to stuff the axle as far as it will go without hitting anything, compress the coilover, build the bumpstops and upper coilover mounts, then lower it 6" per side and shoot for 6" up, 6" down. Then on to the steering box, steering linkage, and trackbar. Should go fast from here on out(as far as work time, not sure when I will have a chance to work on it next).
Note: pinion angle and caster are not set yet before anyone mentions it haha angry flipoff, never saw that before!

[skullver]

full stuff(I am going to grind the tacks off the frame side lower link mounts and raise them up about 2" or so, as high as they will go and still clear):

[skullver]

got them welded up and mocked in place with removable cross member flanges, just need to make the actual removable part. And still having trouble mocking up the psnger side upper link, lots of stuff in the way and going to be a tight fit. May have to remove the entire cab and pull the motor to make it easier, more work but I think the results will make it worth it.

[stevyboy]

What are you going to do about your coilover upper mounts? Are they going to extend through the wheel well and if so what are you going to do about all of the emissions crap on the drivers side?

[skullver]

Originally Posted by stevyboy

What are you going to do about your coilover upper mounts? Are they going to extend through the wheel well and if so what are you going to do about all of the emissions crap on the drivers side?

They are going to be mounted to the engine cage, and there is a clean run, barely. Got most of the firewall stuff unmounted and hung over the top of the motor to be relocated as needed. Got another project that took priority so this one is on hold for a bit until I get some more time.

[brokefinder]

Nice fab skills and good on not rushing the build

[JETHRO244]

Sub-freakin-scribed

[nissanheathen]

really nice build and fab work....i have just one question...what about gearing....is your buddy going to do the d300 doubler or an atlas....?

[skullver]

Thanks!
Update: The more I try and fit an upper arm in there somewhere, the more I see that it is going to be almost impossible without having a ridiculously high ride height and a decent amount of uptravel, so much junk in the way, mainly the motor mounts and the fact that the frame is so narrow right there, only a couple inches of clearance. It is doable but not for the ride height and uptravel we are trying to achieve. So, looking like I am going to make it a y-link/radius arm type suspension for now. Minor set-back, and not exaclty how I wanted it, but it will work.

As far as gearing, looking into 5.13 or so in the axles, and not sure about the transfer case, he is the motorhead, I am the metal head. I do know he is going to eventually put a 302 in it, but going to keep it CA smog legal until he pops the V6 or gets a wild hair. Should have some time to knock some more out this week/weekend sometime if nothing else comes up.

[bignissan]

I put my upper link on the passenger side and swapped from a 4x4 oil pan to a 2wd oil pan. MUCH easier now.