Rear axel flip = New Attitude
Heres a few pictures of the truck after the rear axel flip.. I was shocked that it didnt change the ride feel.. I think that its due to the Koni's..
Check it out..
Here is the only fabrication type deal in this whole process.. in the top of the axel where the leif springs sat stock.. theres a hole for the bolt that holds the leif springs together to sit inside of and use as an guide for the leif springs to line up.. You use a drill bit the same diameter of the excisting hole and drill strait through the bottom as possible.. This way when the leif spring is on the bottom side of the axel, the top side of the bolt that holds the leifs together slips right in the new hole youve drilled....
here you see the pilot hole being drilled..
While I was at it, I replaced all the leif spring bushings with the new kit from www.PolyBushings.com..
Easy to install with the exception of the orignal large bushing.. I was strapped for time and we didnt have a torch, so we went ahead and installed the rest of the bushings and used the special lube supplied with the kit..
Heres the shackel installed after being molested by my brother..
My brother was really impressed with the lube for the bushings and said hes never seen anything like it in all his years of automotive experience..
Bill approved! :)
Here you see the Axel all bolted up on top of the leifs..
While we were under there, we installed the www.FWDPerformance.com stainless braided brake line kit.. NICE..
Also before the truck was modified, with the truck on the ground, the rear load sensing spring was measured and that was written down for reinstallation.. This is needed to be readjusted after the axel flip process is complete.. I was actually continplating just scrappin that rear brake perportioning thing because Im going to adventually go to venter rear disk and not using this to haul anything more than a set of wheels, jack and a portable air tank for my autocross adventures..
I threw the wheels on, dropped it and it was sittin sweet! now for the front.. this was extremly complicated! I jacked up the front end to take tension off the coilovers.. I used a hex key to loosten the adjustable perch and turned it down a total of 12 complete turns and dropped it back down, I measured the height and compaired that to the rear and locked it in place..
heres what I have now..
keep in mine that the wheels are 17x7's and have zero rubbing issues for turning and straitline..
In my experience, I didnt notice any difference in ride quality from before we lowered it.. Handels intirely better as well..
The front wheels can tuck 2 inches into the fenders and still turn just fine with no rubbing..
side view
The rear wheels can tuck as far as the bump stops will take it.. Maybe even more if you removed the bump stops for all you mini truckers out there considering a Rampage to build up.. The purpose of this vehicle is to handel.. If it looks good, thats an added bonus.. and I think I got lucky..
Here it is..
whatcha think?
hit up my guestbook..
It drive and rides excellent for a 600+ mile round trip to LA and back :)
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