Flex pics from Lefthand

[Bill Potter]

Today was the trucks second test run.

It was fun except that I managed to rip the frame where I had the passenger side ford shock tower welded on. In the process I took out the brake line. Had to drive home during rush hour with visegrips pinching the line and only three working brakes (not exactly fun). I'll take pictures of that damage in the morning. I may be looking for some welding help for the repair. It all depends on how busy my welding helper is.

I must say the ARB's rock, I didn't try the harder lines (still need crawler gears or doubler) but lock in the ARB's and nothing seemed to stop it!

Here are a couple of flex pictures from lefthand today, keep in mind that the rear of the front fender is being used as the bump stop in these pictures. I'll cut them this weekend.

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[ChefTyler]

Not bad, ask Allen about driving home from Wheeler Lake, in the rain, with vice grips pinching his brake line(s) up front, in the PhoeniX :D

[Ryan Gee]

Looks awesome! Test run! There will need to be a ronin test run here in about a month. You, Chris, Tyler, Ben, Kev, Jamie, and My Pathy will all have some new work to test out before the next season starts!

[Packman5280]

ya, i'll need to re-learn how to drive, it's been so long.

truck looks good.

[Bill Potter]

So here is a pic of the damage to the frame from the shock tower.

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[Packman5280]

wow, that sucks. weird that happened with just a shock tower. i would cut off the tower, plate the frame with a big piece of 1/4" or 3/16" plate, then weld the tower back on.

[CurleyMan]

wow, that sucks. weird that happened with just a shock tower. i would cut off the tower, plate the frame with a big piece of 1/4" or 3/16" plate, then weld the tower back on.

I agree plating rocks

[Bill Potter]

wow, that sucks. weird that happened with just a shock tower. i would cut off the tower, plate the frame with a big piece of 1/4" or 3/16" plate, then weld the tower back on.

That is exactly my plan....I think it failed because we only welded the bolt holes, front side and bottom...the brake line holder was in the way of the third side.

I didn't think a shock could exert that much pressure....I guess that's why I'm a systems engineer and not a mechanical engineer.

Hopefully someone else learns from my mistake....Bill

[CurleyMan]

Well the shock mount should be able to hold the entire weight of the axle.. So build it stout and plate that frame... a cracked frame is bad news bears for anyone even a carnage truck...

[CurleyMan]

And be carefull using ford parts there vehicle designs have killed enough people already

[Bill Potter]

It's not a ford problem...it's firestone...and the stupid SUV sports car drivers.

:D

[Packman5280]

that and not checking the tire pressure.

did the shock max out, and the axle kept going? that would for sure rip the mount off, your shocks aren't too short are they?

[Bill Potter]

The shocks are 14 inch travel sky jacker hydro's. I mounted them so that had an extra inch of travel on each end when I cycled the springs with a jack.

But they were new all-pro long travel toyota springs that all-pro claims can travel 19 inches. I'm guessing that is exactly what they did.

I was waiting for them to settle before I put on the bump stops and limiting straps. I Figured I may even have to move the towers then also.

I just wish the FSJ rears would travel that well.

[Packman5280]

well, it was probably mounted just fine then, but your shocks were too short so it ripped the mount off. i would look at running longer shocks.

[Bill Potter]

There just isn't room for a longer shock, and my front drive shaft would never handle it...most people use shorter shocks anyway.

Like Ben said...the shock towers should be strong enough to support the axle.

[Packman5280]

and i think they were, but they weren't just supporting the axle. you deffinately need limiting straps then.

[CurleyMan]

ford killed people with the pinto and then again in the same way with the crown victoria. Not to mention how they placed an uninsulated wire too close to the brake fluid in explorers a few years ago(caused many house fires and a few road fires). But i'm sure consumers are at fault and ford was in the right.... I mean it isn't like they where warned about the firestone tire thing from the first few lawsuits..

[Packman5280]

oh, not to mention the wonderful gas tank location on capri's and mustangs. get rear-ended and it blows up. very nice.

[Bill Potter]

Ben...where did you put that pathy tank?

[CurleyMan]

In the rear and I get what your saying. However i didn't put a long bolt inbetween the tank and bumper so the tank would be ruptured when rear ended. Many gas tanks have been placed in the rear, my Jeep and my Bimmer have the tank in the same spot.
I'm sorry i started a ford flaming post out of your post. I just get a little worked up about some of the shotty things people get away with. Your truck looks sweet and I'm sure i'll wheel with ya sometime this summer....

[Bill Potter]

Just kidding ya...it's not just a ford thing. If I remember correctly several Chevy truck models were built with the tank inside the truck behind the seat. Then they decided it would be better to move them to outside of the frame (smart move).

Ever read "unsafe at any speed"?

[CurleyMan]

No I havent is that a new book?

[Bill Potter]

From Wikipedia....

Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile by Ralph Nader, published in 1965, is a book detailing his claims of resistance by car manufacturers to the introduction of safety features, like seat belts, and their general reluctance to spend money on improving safety. It was a pioneering work of consumer advocacy, openly polemical but containing substantial references and material from industry insiders. It made Nader a household name and the style is much imitated.

[NissanNut]

Looks great.

Your not the first to rip the frame with the shock mounts. On N4w I think Nissan run 4 or 5 that white pathy ripped both mounts off. Just plate around that area are you will be OK.

[Bill Potter]

Many thanks to Ian (damnhippie) for his help fixing this.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rwpotter/ShockFix

[NissanNut]

looks great. That part of the frame is the thinnest and full of big holes.