Front Diff drop help for 8" lift

[superstang460]

-What brake lines did you switch to? No way factory length will hold up to that much lift and be able to flex, especially with the IFS kit.

I ended up using some universal steel braded lines that I got at SUMMIT for a different project. They are a lot longer. I also had to disconnect the E-brake brackets to get enough slack

-Did you put any kind of gussets in the extensions for the upper control arm drops? Thats a very tight angle to have no extra weight bearing supports.

There is a cylindrical steel tube welded to the underside of the upper that has 2 gussets running inward and I also have it welded to the ball joint spacer. It is pretty solid

-Did you get some super extended length shocks? Otherwise the first time it brings a tire off the ground, you may here some sickening pop as all the oil/gas comes out of your shock

I actually used the Rancho RS5000 shocks that were for my F250 with a 6 inch lift. Just pressed in a larger 5/8" lower bushing so it bolted right on the VX-

Be careful dropping your diff 3", that bracket is gonna have to be heavy duty. If you can fab that up, you can fab up the brackets. You just just cut out a rectangle, and weld in a new plate that moves the holes down the desired length:

I was thinking of a way to drop the whole frnt cradle down 5" like they do on IFS chevy lift kits or with H2's, but this is my winter vehicle, we have 3" of snow, and I'm still driving a 5" lowered Ford lightning...I gotta hurry haha

Gears...Matt at Independent4x.

I go broke everytime I log on Independent4x.com haha They just have all those litte odds and ends I always need.

[Triathlete]

For a worry free front drive shaft to match up to your diff drop you might give the guys at High Angle Driveline a call.

[CoastieCosta567]

Holy CRAP bro, Thats sick, i give you props, man looks like the VX Community has entered a new Mod era. From a 5 speed tranny, to a Monster truck, I like it.

[VXorado]

Nice work superstang, I bet your CVs hate you

I've heard 3" diff drop max before the driveshaft angle is too much.

Good luck

[JoFotoz]

I'd love to see a side view...

Its a tad top heavy/high center of gravity for my taste..
....but certainly eye catching

I cant help wonder ...

A) How much cladding/metal you have cut out of arches..
..especially rear of front & front of rear ?

or

B) How much is going to rip off when those meats compress up into arches..

jo

[Marlin]

I'd love to see a side view...

Its a tad top heavy/high center of gravity for my taste..
....but certainly eye catching

I cant help wonder ...

A) How much cladding/metal you have cut out of arches..
..especially rear of front & front of rear ?

or

B) How much is going to rip off when those meats compress up into arches..

jo

In my preps for the superflexy, I removed what was in those arches, nothing but plastic, the rest is hollow. I imagine he had some major cutting at the front part of the body seam though, and cut the lip off of the cladding, there is nothing under there either, just the tabs that the splash guards mount to. The rear on the other hand...I hope he doesn't have any plans of maintaining the two feet of wheel travel, I already rub, and his tires are 6" bigger than mine!!!

[pbkid]

im sorry, but i have to chime in with a little voice of reason...

1. the VX has issues with 35's on a 4 inch lift, i completely agree with beau (ascinder), that your going to hear a huge POP the first time you try to roll.... or your going to make it half way down the block and run outta gas from flooring it to get your VX moving.

2. our transmission, t-case, and axles are not NEAR strong enough to handle that much weight in tires, its gonna cost you a LOT just to get it to roll...

3. and last, i have to say that it is extremely unsafe to drive a vehicle with that big of tires on it unless its a diesel pickup. (the VX braking just isnt going to stop that thing). and im actually a fan of bigger tires, but thats just rediculous.

i guess i say, to each their own...... but DAMN im glad it isnt my bank account or neighborhood. because i would be afraid to be rear ended by you.

[JoFotoz]

Hi Marlin.

I think you'll find that there is metal, and certainly at the lower rear of the front arches...
I removed a section of the "Mud" insert and had to trim back about 1 1/2 inches of metal...not structural, just bracing between outer skin and body.

In my preps for the superflexy, I removed what was in those arches, nothing but plastic, the rest is hollow.

Having changed to 35's some 5 months ago...I am still cutting metal and plastic everytime I go off road and flex/compress more than last time.

(I believe Dub found the same when he went to 35's..)

Not so much at back arches...but certainly front arches, front and rear.

As for clearance at lower front of rear arches...
As long as the rear wheel clears the front "at rest"..should be OK (ish!) when flexed as the whole deal swings back as it compresses.

IMO, back of rear arches and inside top & lip of all arches is gonna get interesting with those 40's..


FWIW..I envisage some serious cut and hack on the ORW at Moab next time..
... when I push it to the max.



jo

[superstang460]

I'd love to see a side view...
A) How much cladding/metal you have cut out of arches..
..especially rear of front & front of rear ?

or

B) How much is going to rip off when those meats compress up into arches..

jo

I have all the plastic and even the pinch weld and lower fender mount removed. Just turning stop to stop they hit....may have to go down to a 38" swamper

[superstang460]

I'd love to see a side view...

Its a tad top heavy/high center of gravity for my taste..
....but certainly eye catching

here's the side view for now. Stuff is just bolted on at this point. I am not driving it like this. Still needs brake lines bled and my shock adapters from Independent4x installed

[Marlin]

here's the side view for now. Stuff is just bolted on at this point. I am not driving it like this. Still needs brake lines bled and my shock adapters from Independent4x installed

Based on that photo, I assume you aren't going offroad in it. There is no way those tires can fit in the wheel wells,and we have like two feet of total wheel travel in the rear. No where for that tire to go.

Jo-I was referring to the tops of the arches, I too have removed all that bracketing and plastic in the rear of the front arches. I still rub sometimes on the trails, but not enough to matter, just rubber on metal

[JoFotoz]

Thanks for the Side View Stang....

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words!



.
......

Jo

[RamAirZ]

I've got a solution for your diff drop woes:








This is designed around a 7" lift. It's a thailand lift kit, my buddy just installed it on his 98' Rodeo over here, between it, his lift coils, and body lift, he's at 13" of lift, it's on 33's in the pic, right after install. That style of adapter could be easily modified for any amount of lift. There kits should work with our VX's but expensive. Oh and awesome work on your VX, that's some good fab work!! This Thai lift kit uses a spindle adapter that bolts to the factory spindle and keeps steering etc all at factory height/specs, really neat stuff

[superstang460]

Wow RamAirZ! That is awesome info on that lift!! I need more info tho. How do I contact them?

[Mile High VX]

http://www.4x4.in.th/mr/

http://www.weekendhobby.com/ad/sun.htm

Outer Limits forum discussion:

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=14500

Discussion says it's about $2K plus shipping and 4 weeks to build before shipment.