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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

Not sure how many miles @Stephen has driven the convertible K30 on the Ultimate Adventure trips, but I know that last year was to Alaska, and I don't believe that whichever truck used this year wasn't hauled at all. I believe that the convertible was used last year, for sure. I don't have Motortrend subscription to view it all.
Thats cool.
:pimp1: I don't watch that stuff either.

but one guys build doesn’t change the basic build rules.
 
Does that thing see 1,000 mile rd trips from Dallas to moab?

David's truck has to be muti-talented.
Its not all about how well it wheels or not.
It does. And it works. I believe every phb on jeeps is bent too. Apparently it’s not a big deal. Don’t get me wrong, we all know (think) that striaght is stronger than bent, but if the oem with all their testing and research do it, I think it’ll be ok.
 
Done yet?
Getting closer; catching up to you.
...I bent the rules (and my PHB) a little.
If I have to bend mine, it will be a minor one like yours - 10* max. The axle side of the dragink is my reference for general "flatness," and has the standard ORD offset bend.
Stephens phb is bent on the convertible K30. And we all know how well that thing works...
Talking with Stephen the other day, half the installations end up needing this small bend, and half don't. The variables being axle location fore and aft, and how far up full bump is set. I'm keeping the axle pushed forward by 1", and am trying to cram it pretty far up against the crossmember like you did.
And if it works for some it doesn't make it right.
In the end we have all made compromises here and there but we should always remember to strive for perfection even if we don't always succeed
Personally, I struggle with "Perfection being the enemy of Good."
If we weren't here to offer constructive criticism/ feedback. Right or wrong. Whats the point of doing a build thread?
I am opinionated. But it's not malicious.
It may seem like that over the internet and that's hard to control. But its not.
Of course many people are hard headed and Don't take advice anyway. Lol.
The feedback and notes y'all share here will always welcome, and I don't read any one of them as malicious.
...but one guys build doesn’t change the basic build rules.
I would counter that the basic build rules depend on the conditions to which they are applied. A 4400 car can probably maintain ideal link geometry without any bends better than a 35 year old half ton suburban with a bunch of junk welded to it. It won't stop me from aspiring and working toward the ideal state, but I also won't rebuild the ORD axle mount to move the panhard end up another inch. I'd rather just bend the link, and move to the next problem.
It does. And it works. I believe every phb on jeeps is bent too. Apparently it’s not a big deal. Don’t get me wrong, we all know (think) that straight is stronger than bent, but if the oem with all their testing and research do it, I think it’ll be ok.
This pretty much sums up my thinking, too. If it works well and has been thoroughly tested, who am I to argue?

David
 
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Well done. I can't say I have anywhere the build knowledge to be constructive but it sure is cool to see you strive for perfection on this. Bend or no bend.

Based on your previous output and the ORD kit, I'm pretty sure it's going to work out well.

Keep up the good work as always.
 
I should probably know the answer to this question, but what do you use to cut stuff like that?
A buddy of mine has a plasma table. Measure, sketch, DXF, cut, prep and burn it in.
He has friends in high places
Just a bunch of welding friends at 550 ft above sea level.

David
 
Rain delays are unfortunate, but it forces me to slow down and go back through my checklist(s). A bunch of stainless exhaust material is coming for the new crossover, and I'm redrawing the overlay plates for their final version. It's impossible to avoid scope creep when the suspension system literally or figuratively touches so many other systems.

David
 
Ballpark 6”. I’m pulling everything out to burn in the links and overlays, so final isn’t final. Also, springs and bumps are back ordered, and that’s part of the equation.

Meanwhile, I finished up the design of the overlays and will now weld for the next few days.

B4733461-33D5-4CCE-A433-08A402430D68.jpeg

David
 
I have seen your post on Insta but just got caught up here. Incredible work as always!
Thank you, sir. I have the benefit of being able to invest a lot of time. If I'm not working the day job, I'm doing this. My wife is exceptionally supportive. That, or she wants to park her car in the garage again.

David
 
One more rough cycle before blowing it apart to weld the links and overlays. I ran compression and extension on either side, and so far, no binding.

D0C62B3E-EF43-473A-89A2-D1BD87F853FD.jpeg

4486B752-38FE-4785-AD8F-8DAFC2D7CAA3.jpeg

D683C465-02D3-42EB-8F5A-412616D4561A.jpeg

CE3D1734-CA9D-4F96-B35E-B31B1B0698FB.jpeg

Rails are sanded and prepped. Next up is the repair brace, and draining my argon bottles.
2C45E42A-2909-40E0-ABE8-D1551959F943.jpeg

F44875F4-CFA8-47E2-A6F7-088CB2D26737.jpeg

David
 

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