ChestonScout installs some Axletechs and reworks the Scout for the umpteenth time

[Bart]

Looks like you and the new welder are putting down some nice runs. Looks great. Thanks for the updates.

 

[jinxspot]

wow looks awesome, I can't wait to see it first hand!!!

 

[ChestonScout]

So I went to bolt the t case up finally, and of course where I wanted it clocked the bolts lined up perfect with the bolts that hold the end of the Black Box on. After scratching my head and trying the different clocked positions that would bolt up and I wasn't happy with it. Luckily the outer ring on the Black Box is also clockable. Didn't know this til I popped it off. After 5 or 9 tries I finally had the combo that would work.

So next was figuring out some sort of sub frame to mount the front links to and protect the t case

So I bent up some tube



Ive been overly concerned about the belly height with the t case clocked down. After getting that tube in place I busted out the tape measure. 3.5" off the bottom of the frame. I was curious so dug thru my scrap pile and found my old skid plate. It hung 3" off the bottom of the frame. Been making a huge deal for a half inch. :homer:



Took some time to try to get a good fit on the frame since these will see some abuse. Even ground out for the seam in the stock frame.



I will plate the inside of those for strength. The cross bar that the lower links will mount to I decided to sleeve for strength. So to keep everything in place while notching I made a few rosette holes and welded them up



notched and in place



It is dang close to the cardon joint and the links will be dang close to the driveline. But as long as they clear they clear.

I ordered up a universal link mount but it hasn't showed up yet. so that's as far as that got

 

[ChestonScout]

I was sitting under the rig looking at everything. When I climbed out I caught my back on the boatside plate and stabbed me pretty good. So I decided it was time to take care of that.

I was pissed and started cutting before I took a pic. You can probably see the plate hanging in some of my other pics. The boatside legs hooked to the stock frame. Since I lost most the frame this is how they were sitting



I decided just to ditch the last leg. The next one was removed and relocated up the frame



You can see the corner that stabbed me in that pic.

then I trimmed it back



I also took a couple inches off the slider but left enough for a step to help get into the back seat. I will add some tube from the back of the slider to the frame for support and to mount some flooring to.

By this time it was getting pretty late and I figured I better take my boy shopping to get his Mom a present for Mothers Day tomorrow so that's where Im at for now. Hopefully my parts show soon and I can get some front links made up

 

[Ashcat]

What do you have in mind for the front link mount? I've got a RuffStuff triangulated 4 link bracket laying around. Since you said bracket as in singular.

 

[ChestonScout]

Yup thats what it is. I ordered one from Chassis Unlimited since they posted a 10% off promo code on here. Im not positive i can make it work but we will see

 

[rholbrook]

This thing is huge. I am still in awe at how big those axles are in person

 

[chevymog]

my wife told me to do what ever i wanted to my truck lol so axletechs it is. do you have a contact number for chevycrew.? i sent him a PM but havnt heard back from him not real sure if they are working my out going messages never show up on my end. thanks 801-836-6366

looking awesome to by the way

 

[BlueWolfFab]

Text sent ^

 

[chevymog]

im heading to mountain home idaho friday to get me some techs

 

[ChestonScout]

Thata boy!

 

[ChestonScout]

Ive been gettin my butt kicked by this front 4 link for at least a month

I decided to try one of these universal link mounts from Chassis Unlimited. They are made for 1.25" heims so I knew I would have to modify it some



The width of my EMF large heims is 2.77" So I figured I would just slide the inside tab out to match. Worked great. But the heim body itself was to tall as well. So more clearancing was needed

first idea


Then just as I was grabbing the grinder the thought came to me to try to hole saw it. I set it up in the drill press. Pretty happy with the result

 

[ChestonScout]

So next up was links. I had a pretty good plan on where I wanted everything so no messing around

Started with the lowers. This is 2.5"x3/8" tube And of course the large 1.5" shank heims





not to horrible of a belly considering



Started on the uppers. Im using the same link mounts on the axle as I did on the rear. From Skipped Link of course



Had to cut the frame mounts by hand



I was moving right a long at a pretty good pace and was very happy with my progress. Got the uppers all in place which made it time for testing the articulation. And the fun started

First off, testing the flex is a pain for me. Garage is small, Scout is basically teetering on the jack stands, and no real good way to do it. So out came the hi lift jacks.

First test was full bump. D line is close to the trans pan but I knew that was gonna happen. So now droop. Damnit. D line gets into the lower link with about 2 inches more to go. Crushing.....literally.

As I was lowering the axle back on to the stand the hi lift did what they do and I smashed my thumb pretty good with the handle and the axle hit the floor



Didn't feel any better after a couple days so went to the Dr



that piece hanging off the side in the joint space isn't supposed to be there I guess

He wanted to cast it but I talked him into a splint until the swelling went down



This was horrible. Not only for garage time, but working in that thing was just not possible. I am in no position to take 6 weeks off work so I opted to just tape it up at work and in the garage and wear the splint at night

AND....

to top it off I was supposed to be co-driving with Skipped Link the next week at MT HAVOC. Probably hard to pull winch with no thumb. I almost told him I better not, then I remembered how he drives and figured I would just be along for a fun ride. I did end up having to pull winch once, thumb hurt but I got it done.

And it was one helluva ride. Really really really enjoyed it and I learned a lot

 

[ChestonScout]

But before I left for Idaho I tried several different link positions to try to help make the driveline clear.

The pinion was not rotating through the stroke so I made some mock up longer uppers and tightened the separation of the links at the back. This helped. Pinion was rotating up at droop but it wasn't enough. I just had to create more room. I wasn't happy in the slightest and Im still pissed about it, but I had to rotate my frame mount down a inch and drop the axle brackets almost a inch. But after a couple tests it seemed to be clearing. Stupid tight, but clearing

 

[ChestonScout]

I was planning on reusing the upper links so i didnt buy any material for them. And since they were already made to length, I decided to try the short links lower on the frame rather than buy more tube. Another problem the longer uppers was gonna have was hitting the frame at bump. So frame mod was gonna be necessary. I had tried this option already but it was before i made more room for the driveline by dropping the lowers

Got it all mocked up and flexxed. Everything seemed to be doing what its supposed to with the exception of the driveline is about 1/4" from the trans pan at full bump. Im pretty sure ill be able to rotate the castor down which will help with pan clearance but will put the driveline closer to the lower link. Id rather it hit the link than the trans tho. I figure if i need to i can either clearance the trans pan or beef it up. Im confident its fine tho


So with that said, more frame mounts had to be cut by hand in order to drop the links down. These were a challenge for me because ive always used the upper link mounts as gussets for the frame i built

So i made some seagulls

 

[ChestonScout]

So with my seagulls tacked up, I was finally able to put the upper links in again





I went ahead and pulled the lower link mount off to finish weld it up. Easier off the rig for sure







This unfortunately pretty well catches the thread up.

 

[LT.]

What in the heck are you doing busting up your thumb? Sounds like you were getting a little excited with the progress and started moving a little too fast. Hope it heals up quickly.

LT.

 

[BlueWolfFab]

Damn high lifts.... I know the fix to them to make them not tip over.... I would like to market and sell it but that's another project I don't have time for right now ha

 

[Gravy]

Haha fenderwell headers. I forgot about that.
Sucks about the thumb... now your texts make for sense. I dunno why I forgot, you did tell me earlier.
What are you caster and link #'s?

 

[Bart]

Bummer about the thumb but amazing progress of the front suspension. Front 4 links are sooooo hard to fit and clear everything, but so much better for ride and flex. It will be worth all of the trouble. Congrats on the success at Mt Havoc.