Here is a "Not Your Typical" 4wd Blazer build

[sandking]

Originally Posted by tdkosta

Wow- I can't wait to see this one finished. How much time do you have into this one? Nice job!

Can you build a tube around my 4 year old for me? He's always getting banged up after running full speed into everything. It doesn't have to have the tube connectors to let him out, I'll just leave it permanently attached to him.

I have been working on it in my off times, weekends only. I would say since December or so.

I will build one for my 7 year old, then you can tell me if you like it......

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by sandking

Thanks for the kind words. The notcher is the JD Notchmaster. The best $249 I have ever spent.

I have the JD model 3 and it has worked great for about 10+ yrs now. I have one of their older notchers that is about warn out so I might look into the Notchmaster or it may be the same as what I have now but new I built mine into a job site tool box when I went to full hydro or as my wife says when I started getting OLD.




Kevin
LFD Inc.

[sandking]

Thats nice!! Good job with the tool box/bench. I am sure that set up comes in handy.

I built my bender from the Gottrikes plans (because I am a cheap bastard). It works good for what I need.

[Rokcrln]

And you sure know how to use it! Do you use any software? I have a program from 3D tube or something like that but have never used it. I keep thinking I should try it but end up doing it the old fashion way, trial and error.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[sandking]

No software. I use the trial and error method also. Maybe cause the fact I have been an electrician for 15 years might have helped, you kinda get an idea of how it should be done I guess, I dont know.

[sandking]

Anybody need parts, almost everything (suspension and steering) to convert to 4wd. This is just some of the stuff thats being cut off. I will update the progress pics tomorrow......

[sandking]

OK, did not get much done this weekend, and today being Fathers day, I did not want to get too greedy

Anyway, I finished cleaning the axle of useless mounts. Got the leaf springs and the front and rear hangers off. I got the radius arms just about done with the bushings assemblies and mounted with the axle brackets. The arms might get more bracing in them. The brackets on the axle will get plating between the two, but later. After I got the arms mocked in place, I decided to "cycle" the front as much as I can without breaking out the hoist ( I was being lazy). The axle bottoms on the front cross member. I need about 4" more of up travel. I will have to modify or make a new cross member, no biggie.
Hopefully next weekend or maybe the following, I will have parts to complete the steering and the panhard, and coils for my shocks. This will get the front end sitting on its own.
Untill next time.....................

[sandking]

Checking the clearences and also the angle of the driveshaft/u-joints...........

[Rokcrln]

Yep being a sparky definatly gives you an advantage. I am a metal stud guy by trade so I am always watching you guys bend away. So what are you using to cut and drill/punch out your bracket's? Also your weld look SICK!

Here is one of my tube toy's





Kevin
LFD Inc.

[sandking]

Nice!!!

I am using a bandsaw for cutting the plate then cleaning it on a sander. I am using either a uni-bit or a hole saw for the holes.

[pcorriveau951]

Very Nice build, looking forward to seeing this project come along.

[72BlckButy]

That is truly a piece of art... nice work!

[sandking]

Thanks guys!!

[FormerMember]

Awesome fab work, with your skills, I can imagine a four link would be easy... why the radius arm setup? You're going for long travel, I can imagine the radius arms won't play too nicely with the front pinion or caster?

[sandking]

I cant ask for that much travel in the front with a short driveshaft anyway. I should easily pull 14" safely with the radius arms with minimal pinion change. The castor wont be too bad either through the 14" ( I dont think). This is a trial an error set up. If it works for what I need then great!! If not, then back to the drawing table. I have a good feeling though. Thanks for the feedback, its very welcome.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by sandking

I cant ask for that much travel in the front with a short driveshaft anyway. I should easily pull 14" safely with the radius arms with minimal pinion change. The castor wont be too bad either through the 14" ( I dont think). This is a trial an error set up. If it works for what I need then great!! If not, then back to the drawing table. I have a good feeling though. Thanks for the feedback, its very welcome.

Understood.

I almost went Radius Arm in my Jeep build, but didn't like the suspension bind or caster changes... went four link with panhard bar and 16" Coilovers.

[sandking]

What kind of binding did you have with the radius arm set up?

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by sandking

What kind of binding did you have with the radius arm set up?

When the front was "twisty". We used bushings on the axles and Johnny Joints on the frame. The bushings didn't have enough deflection.

[sandking]

Yikes, I hope I dont have the same problem. I am using Delrin bushings on the front and an 1-1/4 heim joint with hi-misalignment spacers on the rear of the arm. The arms should twist with the axle at the heim joint. Once I get my pan hard built, I can cycle it to find any issues. Everything is only tacked in place, if there are any binding, it will break the tack. Stay tuned...........

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by sandking

Yikes, I hope I dont have the same problem. I am using Delrin bushings on the front and an 1-1/4 heim joint with hi-misalignment spacers on the rear of the arm. The arms should twist with the axle at the heim joint. Once I get my pan hard built, I can cycle it to find any issues. Everything is only tacked in place, if there are any binding, it will break the tack. Stay tuned...........

Delrin is supposed to be more forgiving than the poly we used. We also did a full width 60 into a jeep frame (28.5" from the inside rails). A little more torsion. Basically, we had 30 degrees in the Johnny Joints and like 10 degrees in the poly bushings. Combined with the narrow frame, we already used most of that misalignment just mounting the link. Start to flex it up and it limited travel.

Now with four link, I have the full 16" of travel. 6 up and 10 down. Used Air Bumps to help. We also frenched in the rear springs into the frame to drop it down some, but keep the flex.

[FormerMember]

One other thing to remember, we built a crawler... it's intended purpose is to get crossed up but be able to handle some of the whoops. Like yours, we built it to be all purpose fun, but have more focus in one area... rocks and slow speed technical work.

Here's a pic of how she sits now in my garage.

[sandking]

WOW, thats nice!!

Like you said, your main focus was crawling which obviously has tons of articulation involved. My main focus is higher speed desert stuff (prerunning) and Glamis (hence my screen name ). Hopefully this works for my needs. Thanks for the advise and the "been there done that". I appreciate it.

Like I said already, I do welcome all feedback. Someone might have a better idea then whats seen in my build.

[sandking]

Oh yeah, I would like to see more of the suspension on that Jeep. You can email me if you dont mind at joeyjulie25@yahoo.com Thanks!!

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by sandking

WOW, thats nice!!

Like you said, your main focus was crawling which obviously has tons of articulation involved. My main focus is higher speed desert stuff (prerunning) and Glamis (hence my screen name ). Hopefully this works for my needs. Thanks for the advise and the "been there done that". I appreciate it.

Like I said already, I do welcome all feedback. Someone might have a better idea then whats seen in my build.

Yep, plenty of Ford F150's and Bronco's out there running the high speed stuff with wristed radius arms and stock mounts.

What is the likelihood of dropping one tire all the way while stuffing the other one all the way?

What would you like to see of this one?

[sandking]

I would like to see the front suspension (4-link) and all of the mounts. Thanks.