Project MULE - Expedition build on a 1991 1500 4x4 Suburban

[muddysub]

More work done today.

Thanks to Sean257 over on the Expo portal forum for the idea

That is brilliant!

 

[noJeepshere]

I like it! It'll be especially handy after the burb is lifted.

 

[Greg Ducato]

nice touch

 

[pma4x4]

Ok so its almost time to order the suspension parts. Just about all of it will be coming from ORD. I am looking for some opinions though.

With the target lift of 3" being the idea, do I need the 4" raised steering arm from ORD? ORD says 3"+ or more. or stay with the stock one?

I will be installing the Bolt-in Steering Box Brace Kit
I will be installing the weld in frame repair kit
I will be installing dual steering stabilizers
I will be running on 255/85-16s (33x10x15 equivalents) so no big flotation tires
I have 100lbs in bumper
I have 100lbs in winch
I have 120lbs in batteries on the drivers side.

I do plan to switch out to crossover steering down the road but not this year.

What says the masses

 

[Greg Ducato]

I would get ORD's opinion on your plan, they have alsways been very helpful to me and never tried to sell me on anything that wasn't needed, good group of folks over there. I think you may need a 4 inch spring up front to get three with all the extra weight, especially if going with an EZ ride, but again, ask the experts.

 

[pma4x4]

Yeah, I am goign to shoot him an email but I was also looking for public opinion as well. I plant to go with 3" HD spring.

 

[elyon]

Steering arm

I have a 4 inch lift, springs front and back from Superlift. I initially used an offset drag link, but had too much bump steer for my taste. I later installed ORDs steering arm and went back to stock drag link. Still have a little bump steer, but acceptable for now. Want to go cross over myself. Just money........

315/75/16 Maxxis Mudders, 100 lb winch bumper with 12000 lb winch. Dual batteries up front. ORD steering brace and anti-sway bar kit installed. Dual steering stabilizers as well.

 

[pma4x4]

I have a 4 inch lift, springs front and back from Superlift. I initially used an offset drag link, but had too much bump steer for my taste. I later installed ORDs steering arm and went back to stock drag link. Still have a little bump steer, but acceptable for now. Want to go cross over myself. Just money........

315/75/16 Maxxis Mudders, 100 lb winch bumper with 12000 lb winch. Dual batteries up front. ORD steering brace and anti-sway bar kit installed. Dual steering stabilizers as well.

Thats some great info Elyon, thanks! I think your offset draglink would be the same as using the raised steering arm from ORD.

 

[sreidmx]

You could get the tuff country hd springs in a 4 inch

 

[elyon]

Offset drag link

Well one would think so, but I am here to testify that it made a difference to go with ORD steering arm and straight drag link. I have the off set link if you would like to try it. Probably has 600 miles on it.

 

[cyclic]

Go with the 2 inch pitman arm. Should do you about perfect.

 

[pma4x4]

Working on the passenger side swing out arm now. This one will hold two Jerry Cans, a 20lb C02 bottle and a 12lb Propane tank.

Only one place was selling a mount for the some what popular 12lb bottle. so I made one myself. Its still ugly but its the first prototype. This one will work but already I am going to have another ran off with some tweaks.

Ignore the small holy gussets on top. It needed something up there and those were laying around.

 

[cyclic]

I prefer it when the bottom is actually open and uses a small vertical tab to hole the lower ring onto it, so when the bottle is removed it doesn't hang way out there. But it does look sexy. A ratchet strap and some kind of lock and it's perfect.

 

[pma4x4]

Have a pic or link so I can get a better idea?

 

[cyclic]

I'm gonna hot link it, hopefully it works....................

Something like this........

Notice how the base holds it without sticking way out?

 

[pma4x4]

Ok I see what you are talking about. I thought about something like that but i wanted some extra protection underneath of the tank when its mounted. Pretty much the tank will always be mounted so i don,t have to worry about a empty bracket getting bent I just have to worry about the tank getting damaged.

The idea is this will be a mount you can mount where ever you like.

 

[lloydrage]

Looking good.

Can't wait for you to build me a rear bumper

 

[Extreme_Fabrication]

Everything on with room to spare.

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Where do you find the mounts to hold the gear?

 

[campfire]

Looks great. The tools are out of the way, and I really like the retractable step.

 

[PWagon]

Precut Mounting Kits...

For those of us who do not have a plasma cutter, where do we find a precut propane bottle mounting kit like the one you made earlier? I'd actually like a precut kit for mounting two NATO gas cans side by side. Anyone have a website address where I can look at available kits?