Nah, not really. Im pretty much in the minority when it comes to making stuff look pretty. Most of the guys around here don't care as long as it works, which is fine.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
M1028- [under new management]
- Thread starter schuttothrill
- Start date
Nah, not really. Im pretty much in the minority when it comes to making stuff look pretty. Most of the guys around here don't care as long as it works, which is fine.
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
I like making neat stuff for my truck, I just don't want any shiny neat stuff for my truck 
Ah, I have that same reputation with my group. I like it to look nice at least in the beginning and then it can get dirty after it's seen some use. I kinda got obsessive about painting after living on the east coast where metal parts would rust up in hours without paint.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
Same here. I paint everything as it eases clean up and such. Plus rust looks terrible IMO. But to each his own.
Same here
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
I'll probably regret it someday if I ever get something semi pretty to put all my crap on.. but it is what it is.
Correction. Never been muddy for more than a day.
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
some things and some stuff. took out the rear overloads and put in the bumpstop brackets. the actual bumpstops will be here tomorrow along with my trans cooler.
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
and here's the anti hoppy hop bar shackle bracket in it's natural habitat. don't mind the driveshaft- it's just hanging there to keep the output on the transfer case from bleeding all over. my sweet two piece is getting balanced.
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
One more.
Looks good! My only critique would be the heigth of the crossmember. Mine is just a piece of 2x2 that is against the bottom of the frame and I hang up on it all the time. Its just in that low spot when you break over an obstacle. Also if that is a problem for you those factory crossmembers aren't very durable especially with the spacers. 
I foresee problems with the spacers and all the added stress that anti wrap bar will put on it. Put a piece of square stock in there instead of the spacers IMO
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
The traction bar will pull up on the crossmember. The only load that that hardware will experience is simply holding the crossmember to the frame unless it snags on something. I will most likely put wider, shorter spacers in, in an effort to tuck my driveline up higher, and keep the crossmember from hanging down as much.
I'm experimenting with different setups right now as far as spacers and such go. It's all kind of a pain in the butt since everything brings with it different driveshaft angles. (I actually love screwing with this stuff lol) If I lift my transfer case up another inch, then I might be able to get away with getting rid of the spacers in the carrier bearing crossmember altogether, while keeping a nice primary shaft angle, and slightly better secondary shaft clearance.
John is right, My fuel tank actually hangs below the level of where that carrier bearing crossmember is. Also remember that on a truck the bottom of the frame goes way up after the cab, and this is where the carrier bearing xmember is mounted. I'll try to get a pic today for a little perspective.
Obviously that doesn't make it impossible for things to snag on the xmember, but its not nearly as likely as you'd think. The reason it is where it is, is because of the carrier bearing. The traction bar mount could be at any height, but needs to be in tension. If I'm going to have to run a crossmember, I might as well put the carrier bearing on it so it can all be integrated.
I need to mill some spacer type stuff and go on a hardware run. The hardware holding the shackle mount to the crossmember isn't long enough IMO.
Remember, this is all a work in progress, so thanks for the input
I'm experimenting with different setups right now as far as spacers and such go. It's all kind of a pain in the butt since everything brings with it different driveshaft angles. (I actually love screwing with this stuff lol) If I lift my transfer case up another inch, then I might be able to get away with getting rid of the spacers in the carrier bearing crossmember altogether, while keeping a nice primary shaft angle, and slightly better secondary shaft clearance.
John is right, My fuel tank actually hangs below the level of where that carrier bearing crossmember is. Also remember that on a truck the bottom of the frame goes way up after the cab, and this is where the carrier bearing xmember is mounted. I'll try to get a pic today for a little perspective.
Obviously that doesn't make it impossible for things to snag on the xmember, but its not nearly as likely as you'd think. The reason it is where it is, is because of the carrier bearing. The traction bar mount could be at any height, but needs to be in tension. If I'm going to have to run a crossmember, I might as well put the carrier bearing on it so it can all be integrated.
I need to mill some spacer type stuff and go on a hardware run. The hardware holding the shackle mount to the crossmember isn't long enough IMO.
Remember, this is all a work in progress, so thanks for the input
I wasn't referring to hardware issues but stress on the frame
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
I spose I can see that. Either way I agree the the spacers are ugly and If I can't get the crossmember up higher I'll probably make something out of a solid block similar to what you said.
I think I can get away with a bit of 3/8 plate after I lift up the transfer case though. Just gotta see where that puts my fan in the shroud and go from there.
I think I can get away with a bit of 3/8 plate after I lift up the transfer case though. Just gotta see where that puts my fan in the shroud and go from there.
The traction bar will pull up on the crossmember. The only load that that hardware will experience is simply holding the crossmember to the frame unless it snags on something. I will most likely put wider, shorter spacers in, in an effort to tuck my driveline up higher, and keep the crossmember from hanging down as much.
I'm experimenting with different setups right now as far as spacers and such go. It's all kind of a pain in the butt since everything brings with it different driveshaft angles. (I actually love screwing with this stuff lol) If I lift my transfer case up another inch, then I might be able to get away with getting rid of the spacers in the carrier bearing crossmember altogether, while keeping a nice primary shaft angle, and slightly better secondary shaft clearance.
John is right, My fuel tank actually hangs below the level of where that carrier bearing crossmember is. Also remember that on a truck the bottom of the frame goes way up after the cab, and this is where the carrier bearing xmember is mounted. I'll try to get a pic today for a little perspective.
Obviously that doesn't make it impossible for things to snag on the xmember, but its not nearly as likely as you'd think. The reason it is where it is, is because of the carrier bearing. The traction bar mount could be at any height, but needs to be in tension. If I'm going to have to run a crossmember, I might as well put the carrier bearing on it so it can all be integrated.
I need to mill some spacer type stuff and go on a hardware run. The hardware holding the shackle mount to the crossmember isn't long enough IMO.
Remember, this is all a work in progress, so thanks for the input
Ok that lessens the probability of snagging it on an obstacle with the frame curve. I was simply thinking K5. I know mine only hangs 2" but sometimes I hate that crossmember so much I'd rather have the spring wrap
I get get hung up on mine often and it is beat to crap, but I know its on there good at least LOL. I cant raise mine up much more without going to shorter than a 4" shackle as my ballistic joint is only about 1/2" from the floor of the bed as it is now.
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
some perspective in regard to ground clearance. I'd still like to get the rear crossmember up a little higher if I can, but this is how it currently sits.
schuttothrill
1/2 ton status
Tank side.
