Re: progress pics
 

hey XXL, how much is your crossmember sectioned? Do you have pics of the steering clearance "problem areas"?

Re: progress pics
 

I am going out to work on my truck right now. I will get some pics for you guys in a bit..

Re: progress pics
 

Here are f ew pictures of my steering set up. Worked great for a few thousand miles already accept for the steering shaft. It used to have a rag joint but I have since replaced it with a second u joint. My crossmember is sectioned 1.75" and my steering is raised 1.75" as well. I also lowered my cab mounts 1". The tilt column is out of an early 70's gm van and I raised it up as much as I could by cutting into the firewall. Everything works well and there are no signs of cracking...
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...j/IMGP1871.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...j/IMGP1872.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...j/IMGP1873.jpg

Re: progress pics
 

1.5" section. There was only small clearance issue... see pics here.

Re: progress pics
 

XXL or anyone else who has done this crossmember mod, have you noticed any negative (or positive) effects on the bump steer? Jared, I'm sure yours is the same as before since you raised your linkage also.

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ken you better check you ride I think you maybe missing some parts.

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I should have the steering linkage on tonight.

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I hope that is the case with me. I'm just preparing myself for the worst.

Jared, thanks for the pics. Makes sense now.

Josh

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XXL, did you have "less" problems because you have tubulars?? Hmmmm

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OK, something else to throw into the equation. Porterbuilt moved the centerline of the front suspension forward one inch to center the tire in the wheelwell. Has anybody reinstalled their stock crossmeber forward one inch?

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I did mine 1 1/8 and I still had the problems that XXL is talking about. My bump steer is bad with out a sway bar. And there was some grinding on the X-member and steering components.

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oh ya, I moved my motor up and forward, I dont remember how much though...

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Looks like I have some grinding to do not bad though..

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Finished my lower control arm mod. Came out really nice. Here are some pics of each step.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/4...62d45f.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/4...d4013b.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/4...21d7c3.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/4...4cbcb4.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/4...af250d.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/4...478ba0.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/4...791ca4.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/4...2fa76c.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/4...251aec.jpg?v=0

Re: progress pics
 

You're going to want to reinforce that cardboard. Maybe some duct tape?

;)

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We can always count on you for those helpful comments!!! LOL!

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just wondering what the advantage of this was? does it distibute the force better than just welding a cup into your cut hole?

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Looks like the bag will sit a little lower and not rub on the control arm.

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exactly.

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4000+ posts and counting. Just think of all the help that's provided others *cough cough*

Arms look good, btw!

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SHE'S ON THE GROUND!!!!! The frame is about 1.5 inches of the ground. The whole truck is resting on the driveshaft loop crossmember. I'm pretty happy with it. Feels good to see it after being on jackstands for what feels like an eternity.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/4...af8663.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/4...3990fc.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/4...d9c50a.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/173/4...97fd02.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/4...815062.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/4...5a571d.jpg?v=0

Re: progress pics
 

Wheeeee... :metal:

Are you missing the washer and nut for the upper and lower arms? Or have you simply not installed them yet? This hardware was left out of my kit... and it took over a year (and with PB's help) to get them.

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I have them. I just haven't put them on yet.

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Now it's really starting to come together! Looks great!

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looking good jlaird. what are you doing for steering stops??? :cool: :metal:

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I didn't know I needed them. Once I get the steering back together, I'll figure that out. One thing that I'm a little worried about is the tire to firewall clearance. Are there any issues with a 29-30" tire and hitting the firewall when turning? I'm not at the point where I can definitely check, but it seems like there would be.

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Nathan will probably chime in if he gets on tonight but I'm planning on running a 275/45x20 which is 29.7" tall.

Nathan said I wouldn't have "any" clearance problems at ride height.

He said the only problem I would ever have is if I wanted to drive it around at a show with it down REAL low and then it would just be a much decreased turning radius.

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man that looks killer i like it :metal: :metal: :metal: :metal:

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I know this is an issue with a stock crossmember... don't know how close you'll actually be. It shouldn't be an issue at ride height. BabyBlueOval is going with a Dropmember... which has compensated for this clearance issue by moving the wheel centerline forward.

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Ooops! :o

Thanks for catching my oversight. I forgot you weren't using the dropmember.

I'm glad you did chime in Nathan.

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man, a dropmember would make so many issues just go bye bye!

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Didn't we talk a few months back????:)

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yup, but funds are kinda tight these days...

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:clap: :clap: AHH come on NATE just give him one, you have plenty!!!

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looks good how much drop do you have in the spindle?

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anybody know how tight those nuts should be????

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spindle is a 3" DJM drop spindle

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No, but they're jamb nuts, so I just cinched them down to about the 20 ft/lb range (guesstimate-- I wasn't using a torque wrench). I'm also still one nut short (well... the truck arms are one nut short. I'm fully stocked ;) ).

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jack it up and lets see some ride height pics

Re: progress pics
 

what are your plans for the gas tank now that you have the tanks located there?