Brandon's Fantasy Factory 1980 Build

[sixstringsteve]

Did you start cleaning up that front axle yet?

 

[Marsh99]

no I am doing house work today at my place tomorrow clean up will start

 

[sixstringsteve]

Nice. I think my axle housing got hotter from the grinding the old brackets off than it did from the welding the new one on. Are you going to install TG's knuckle ball gussets? If so, you need to clearance them a little to clear the felts. I learned that one the hard way too.

 

[Marsh99]

no I am not doing the gusset on ball joints didn't know one existed... I will look into it...

 

[sixstringsteve]

I think they're worth it. they're cheap insurance. You won't break those balls unless you jump your truck, but in my opinion it's worth doing.

 

[ricsrx]

Does that grill work with round head lights?

 

[Marsh99]

yep checked it yesterday

 

[sixstringsteve]

The grills are all interchangeable from 79-83. Even the headlights are interchangeable if you replace the headlight bezel too.

 

[Marsh99]

so I am ready to hang my front hanger and looking for approval...

the shackle angle

all together

let me know what you guys think....

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'd move it forward another half inch, but that's just me.

What's your measurement from center rear shackle tube to center front hanger bolt hole?

see that last page here:

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265669&page=16

I'm sixstringsteve on there. It looks like 44.5-45" from bolt to bolt is about the right size. I'm at 45, and it looks perfect for me. Are your main leaves marlins or stock rears?

 

[sixstringsteve]

when my shackles were just hanging (with axle attached), they sloped forward just a little. It looks like yours are straight up and down. Maybe they'll flex forward when they're attached. Try bolting up your springs and putting all the weight on your springs, then you'll see what your shackle angle is with the weight of the truck on it. You can also strip your spring pack down to just the main leaf. Then bolt it up and see what your shackle angle looks like with it totally flattened (max flex). but that's a lot more work than just measuring.

Honestly, you're probably fine where it is, but I'm pretty OCD about that stuff, hence the reason it took me over a week to hang my front hanger

 

[Swoop69]

let me know what you guys think....

Looks like you have some skills! I almost shat myself when I saw the bricks and 4x4's holding up the front, then realized they were only holding up your crossmember.... Then I did shat myself when I saw the jackstands under the frame on 4x4's!!! Please dont make your new bride a widow!!! get some taller stands!!!

Steve, you need to post 1 more to hit 1000.... just reply

 

[sixstringsteve]

Brandon, you can borrow my huge harbor freight jackstands, or buy your own, you'll need them in the future anyway.

There, post 1000

 

[sixstringsteve]

Brandon, you can borrow my huge harbor freight jackstands, or buy your own, you'll need them in the future anyway.

There, post 1000

 

[Marsh99]

yeah I figured some one was going to say something... I know its not that safe, but at least there is no hi jack involved...

 

[Gravy]

very cool

 

[sixstringsteve]

the 4x4s aren't terrible. It's a lot better than those guys putting them on cinder blocks.

 

[Silly Willy]

the 4x4s aren't terrible. It's a lot better than those guys putting them on cinder blocks.

I assume you didn't look at the right side...

 

[Marsh99]

Yeah but it holds and I have jack on the cross member givin it also has a 4x4 on it

 

[sixstringsteve]

I assume you didn't look at the right side...

d'oh! I didn't see that. Get some 4x4's under there brandon, your wife will thank you