Hi Byron
Thanks a bunch!
Check your PM for my contact info, (to collect on your winnings)
Thanks a bunch!
Check your PM for my contact info, (to collect on your winnings)
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.
My bobbed Suburban hatchback build.
- Thread starter kellyjohn
- Start date
Thank you Sir.
Checked out DIY--you have a well earned reputation !!
Some great stuff !
I can see why the members are so loyal.
I may be placing an order wit you myself.
Hope to meet in person at BB13.
That'd be cool, look forward to doing some biz.
Alas, I won't be at BB13 but BB14 is a go.
Thanks for the compliments. Bunch of great guys on the boards here. Pretty tight knit group. Good you joined up.
Hay rnd2blazer
The hatchback cap was a weekend marathon to build but I'm happy with the end result.
If you want detailed pics just ask.
Didn't want to bore anyone with just a bunch of generic pics.
KJ, you should know by now you can't bore us with pics of your build. Quit being so humble. We really can't get enough pics!!!!
Rob, some pics are on page 4 of this thread.
KJ, congrats on GM of the month!
I'm still trying to get used to the overwhelming positive comments about my ride.
Again it was you sir who started it !! Lol
Wouldn't have known what I was missing.
Cap detail pics soon guys...
Again it was you sir who started it !! Lol
Wouldn't have known what I was missing.
Cap detail pics soon guys...
KJ you suck, your such a poser. 
You think your so kewl just because you have a sick unique rig and your generous, and humble about it.
<<<that's me being sarcastic
A well deserved unanimous vote for GMOTM.
You couldn't possibly post enough pics.
<<<that's what I really think
You think your so kewl just because you have a sick unique rig and your generous, and humble about it.
<<<that's me being sarcastic
A well deserved unanimous vote for GMOTM.
You couldn't possibly post enough pics.
<<<that's what I really think
HahahaKJ you suck, your such a poser.
You think your so kewl just because you have a sick unique rig and your generous, and humble about it.
<<<that's me being sarcastic
A well deserved unanimous vote for GMOTM.
You couldn't possibly post enough pics.
<<<that's what I really think
I appreciate your sarcasm. And sense of humor!!
Thanks again.
Where did you get those fender flares? I'm also going to steal your idea on your hydro assist mounting
I love your build. So much thought put into it. Very creative.
I love your build. So much thought put into it. Very creative.
flairs.
Thanks a bunch 2insane!!
The flairs are just the flexible rubber ones to give me a bit more tire coverage.
This way the Law can't say anything about my "tire stickout", but they will still move when crammed up against something.
Flair material is strait out of JC Whitney.
I think the kit was around $90.00 to go all around.
Thanks a bunch 2insane!!
The flairs are just the flexible rubber ones to give me a bit more tire coverage.
This way the Law can't say anything about my "tire stickout", but they will still move when crammed up against something.
Flair material is strait out of JC Whitney.
I think the kit was around $90.00 to go all around.
Hudro assist.
That hydraulic assist mount works surprisingly well!
Not like anything I had seen before but I thought why not try.
It was out of necessity, after I stripped the threads out of the axle housing, as a result of having the cylinder mount on the spring pad.
Had to drill and retap to 3/4" while out in the sticks on a trail run.
Took a long time to get mobile that day!
The highsteer arms are made slightly longer than most of the ones offered by other suppliers so i am able to mount the tie rod on the outside hole and the drag link on the inside but still get nice lock to lock travel, and when I move the axle forward there will be no clearance issues to deal with.
That hydraulic assist mount works surprisingly well!
Not like anything I had seen before but I thought why not try.
It was out of necessity, after I stripped the threads out of the axle housing, as a result of having the cylinder mount on the spring pad.
Had to drill and retap to 3/4" while out in the sticks on a trail run.
Took a long time to get mobile that day!
The highsteer arms are made slightly longer than most of the ones offered by other suppliers so i am able to mount the tie rod on the outside hole and the drag link on the inside but still get nice lock to lock travel, and when I move the axle forward there will be no clearance issues to deal with.
Last edited:
I just keep seeing more and more coolness with this thing. The spare tire carrier is mounted solid inside the body? When you articulate up on the drivers side, how close does the ram and tie rod come to the pitman arm? Are you planning to gusset the from axle completely across the tube?
I you look at the break of my front axle. It was be from the box tubing being welded to the long tube. Caused rigidity with no flex except where I hadn't finished welding to the center section.
Can you tell me about the bolt threads. I'm planning on moving my track bar mount because of that worry in my head. I check the bolts for tight ESA and they seem to be fine but I'm still worried.
I you look at the break of my front axle. It was be from the box tubing being welded to the long tube. Caused rigidity with no flex except where I hadn't finished welding to the center section.
Can you tell me about the bolt threads. I'm planning on moving my track bar mount because of that worry in my head. I check the bolts for tight ESA and they seem to be fine but I'm still worried.
Details
No problem Natemc,
Tire carrier
Yes the tire carrier is built into the body, I didn't want to build off the bumper because I wanted it up fairly high, and I hadn't seen it done
The tubes extend approximately 12" in and are welded to the numerous layers that are in the rear of the Sub body pillars.(accessable from the tail light holes) The exterior skin has been reinforced where the tubes come out with 3/16 plate to prevent cracking of the sheet metal and spread the load of the 42' tire
Ram mount.
My thought was that by having the stationary end of the ram secured, roughly in the center of the long axle tube tube, it takes any potential strain off the casting. So far so good! It may get an additional brace to the short tube later.
I didn't use an extreme drop pitman arm so I have a slight advantage with up travel.
Have not made contact with it yet...
Originally thought about a double ended arm on the driver side, to allow the cylinder to mount on the rear extension, but the 2nd hole was already in the existing arm, so it became the quicker location to try the idea.
The high steer arms are slightly arched up so there is still clearance even at full droop.
Pumpkin spring plate bolt holes
The original threads stripped out as I mentioned, so I drilled the existing holes to prepare them for tapping out to 3/4 coarse. It's very difficult with the axle in the truck but can be done with the suspension extended. For the trail fix I used some 3/4 threaded rod and locktite to keep it together for the 6 hour drive home.
The tough part was the new spring plate had to have the bolt seat areas machined to match the 6 degree shim, to guarantee flat contact with the plate. the bolts were swapped out for some grade 8's when we got back.
Hope that answers your questions..
If you need more detail just ask.
No problem Natemc,
Tire carrier
Yes the tire carrier is built into the body, I didn't want to build off the bumper because I wanted it up fairly high, and I hadn't seen it done
The tubes extend approximately 12" in and are welded to the numerous layers that are in the rear of the Sub body pillars.(accessable from the tail light holes) The exterior skin has been reinforced where the tubes come out with 3/16 plate to prevent cracking of the sheet metal and spread the load of the 42' tire
Ram mount.
My thought was that by having the stationary end of the ram secured, roughly in the center of the long axle tube tube, it takes any potential strain off the casting. So far so good! It may get an additional brace to the short tube later.
I didn't use an extreme drop pitman arm so I have a slight advantage with up travel.
Have not made contact with it yet...
Originally thought about a double ended arm on the driver side, to allow the cylinder to mount on the rear extension, but the 2nd hole was already in the existing arm, so it became the quicker location to try the idea.
The high steer arms are slightly arched up so there is still clearance even at full droop.
Pumpkin spring plate bolt holes
The original threads stripped out as I mentioned, so I drilled the existing holes to prepare them for tapping out to 3/4 coarse. It's very difficult with the axle in the truck but can be done with the suspension extended. For the trail fix I used some 3/4 threaded rod and locktite to keep it together for the 6 hour drive home.
The tough part was the new spring plate had to have the bolt seat areas machined to match the 6 degree shim, to guarantee flat contact with the plate. the bolts were swapped out for some grade 8's when we got back.
Hope that answers your questions..
If you need more detail just ask.
That will suffice! I like it, I like it!
Amazing work. Let me know when you put the spare tire carrier in production. it should be a hit with those capable of it. In the meanwhile I will just have to suffer with a loose spare.
Amazing work. Let me know when you put the spare tire carrier in production.
it should be a hit with those capable of it. In the meanwhile I will just have to suffer with a loose spare.
I had to look this up after seeing it on the GMOTM page. Amazing work.
Thanks guys!!
I'm lovin it!!
Never thought it would make GMOTM, and defiantly not the calendar!
I'm lovin it!!
Never thought it would make GMOTM, and defiantly not the calendar!
