Differential drop brackets

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03/23/2007, 10:31 AM
Ascinder

Differential drop brackets

OK, who has done these? I am trying to figure out what thickness metal to use for extending the brackets. They seem to be around 3/16" thick but with reinforced areas where the 4 bolts come through. I want to play it safe and use something that will hold up well, especially since it will be adding leverage between the mounting points. I tried PMing some people who had done this mod, but their PM boxes were full. I am trying to do this this weekend, so any help is really appreciated. Also, what is the general consensus on the best drop distance? I have heard the DOR mounts were 1.5" and I know BigmeatVX said he went with 2", and some people are saying to go as high as 2 1/2"-3".
03/23/2007, 12:13 PM
tomdietrying

I would like to do this mod too. Are you going to make some yourself? I might be interested if make some extras.
Peace.
Tom
03/23/2007, 12:56 PM
kpaske

Hey Ascinder -

I have a set of these, still brand new and not installed, from Independent4x. Send me an e-mail with your questions and I'll do my best to answer them. I can send pictures and measurements or whatever.

Kyle

P.S. - They're NOT for sale, so don't even ask! ;Db;;Db;;Db;
03/23/2007, 01:34 PM
Ascinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpaske

P.S. - They're NOT for sale, so don't even ask! ;Db;;Db;;Db;

LOL, you seem to have caught on quick ;) All right, I sent you an email.

And to answer the question of whether or not I can fab up some extra mounts, I am modding my stock ones, and have no idea how they will turn out :confused: , so what I'm trying to say here is that you would have to pull yours out, send yours to me to have done, then trust a guy that has only built one set with no testing to prove they will hold up, and I'd make you sign a legal disclaimer that kill several trees just to print it :eek: , but if you're OK with that, then sure I'll do it. I am actually just finishing up building a heavy duty tie rod which I had planned on offering to the VX community. :)
03/23/2007, 02:18 PM
Knigh7s

indy4x sells them? I havnt seen any on there site?
03/23/2007, 06:31 PM
Ascinder

I asked that same question when I emailed him, but he realized he got them from DOR which is extinct so don't get any hopes up. Looking at the pics of the DOR mounts, they look very similar to the ones BigmeatVX fabbed himself. That makes me feel better, and I think I may be attempting this tomorrow morning. I just finished doing my HD tie rods, with pics to follow soon. I can't believe I used the wrong tap when tapping out the first one though. I knew I should have put it away, but I forgot, and ended up threading about 3/8 into the rod. Fortunately I still had to chop 1/4" off of it and had some titanium putty lying around to fill in the few threads remaining. So they will both be finished tomorrow morning after they get powder coated.
03/23/2007, 07:22 PM
Ldub

Just a FYI as I haven't seen it mentioned yet...but for every inch you drop the diff, you also lose that much ground clearance.

Just me thinkin' out loud. :smack:
03/23/2007, 07:27 PM
Triathlete

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ldub

Just a FYI as I haven't seen it mentioned yet...but for every inch you drop the diff, you also lose that much ground clearance.

Just me thinkin' out loud. :smack:

But!!!!!!!!!!!!! The dif drop will allow you to lift a bit higher without trashing your CV's, thus allowing bigger tires, thus allowing more clearance.
03/23/2007, 07:31 PM
Ldub

Hey, I'm just sayin'...

It would be something I'd consider if trying to decide how much of a drop I was going to be fabbing.(somewhere between 1-1/2 & 3" as posted earlier) ;)
03/23/2007, 07:40 PM
Triathlete

Thats why one day I'll be SAS'd!
By the way THIS PLACE sells drop brackets and a lot of other things for the VX...you just have to be able to decipher the Japanese language!
03/23/2007, 07:54 PM
Ldub

:p Mmmm...I dunno...I kinda shy away from buying anything from a place where all the part numbers begin with POS. :p
03/23/2007, 08:24 PM
Ldub

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triathlete

But!!!!!!!!!!!!! The dif drop will allow you to lift a bit higher without trashing your CV's, thus allowing bigger tires, thus allowing more clearance.

Good point, however...you have to increase tire diameter by two inches to gain back one inch of ground clearance. :p
Oh utopian suspension that does it all...where are you ? :rolleyes:
03/23/2007, 08:30 PM
Knigh7s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triathlete

Thats why one day I'll be SAS'd!
By the way THIS PLACE sells drop brackets and a lot of other things for the VX...you just have to be able to decipher the Japanese language!

**Translated** ...somewhat... and good luck with the prices. that drop bracket is a bit more than $400+shipping from Japan.
03/24/2007, 06:05 AM
Jay Dunford

Also keep in mind the front drive shaft does not have any kind of slip-yoke to adjust length. If the front diff is dropped too much you will need a spacer machined or a custom shaft. The front shaft does not use typical u-joints either, so changing the angle of the shaft can induce some vibration. Mine did with a 2" front diff drop. I helped it a little by making the mounting holes on the drop brackets alter the pinion angle a few degree, but it was still there.
03/24/2007, 10:48 AM
Ascinder

OK, I'm about to go out and start taking stuff apart, and I think I may just shoot straight for 3", I will probably have to make up a spacer for the driveshaft though, how did you solve this vibration issue with yours?
03/24/2007, 03:50 PM
Jay Dunford

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascinder

OK, I'm about to go out and start taking stuff apart, and I think I may just shoot straight for 3", I will probably have to make up a spacer for the driveshaft though, how did you solve this vibration issue with yours?

I wired in a TOD disconnect switch/relay that has been posted here and that got rid of about 90% of the vibration.
03/24/2007, 04:52 PM
Ascinder

OK, real quick then, I'm no electro whiz, so how hard/involved was that TOD disconnect to wire in?