Easy Lift Modifications

[AirForceEagle1]

Okay, for those that need to get their sensitive up and out of the way, I just did some mods that I never thought would give me the height I have now... First and foremost, I lifted the front via the torsion bars. I only went a little way, that way I still have some down travel(although its not more than an inch anymore). I actually plan to crank them up higher tomorrow to match the rear. In the rear, I put a shackle lift on it. I thought that maybe I would encounter a few problems such as ujoint angles, brake line extensions and antisway bar issues.. The only minor problem I encountered, and thanks you to guys, I expected this, the shocks weren't long enough, so I had to unhook them and see if they would re-hookup to the stock mounts after I was finished. They sure did.The only drawback about a shackle lift with stock length shocks, is that my shocks are the only thing holding my rear axle up when I lift from the frame. I don't do this much,and I know what to watch for, so I go easy and all is fine. I gained between 4 and 5.5inches of lift in the rear, and I have, so far, about two inches in the front(which, Ironically, leveled it out nicely). The longer shackles I had custom-fabed by my measurements and calculations, and it worked perfectly. Also, in two months, I will doing an axle replacement on the rear, which will only invovle minor welding and brakeline service. I will get pics/details and maybe a DIY with it in mid july. Thanks guys!

[ChrisNNewMex]

Cant wait to see the new axel. what are you going to use? I'm thinking of taking one out of an xls so I can have a mitsu locker... post lots of picts!

[99SportLimited]

So what kind of shocks did you use in place of the stock ones?

[AirForceEagle1]

The only thing purchased for the lift were the shackles that were custom fabed by myself and a local 'morrow shop(since they weren't exactly grasping the idea of extending the shackles...I was their new boss for a while). I want to re-iterate what i said about the shocks earlier..
The only minor problem I encountered, and thanks you to guys, I expected this, the shocks weren't long enough, so I had to unhook them and see if they would re-hookup to the stock mounts after I was finished. They sure did.The only drawback about a shackle lift with stock length shocks, is that my shocks are the only thing holding my rear axle up when I lift from the frame. I don't do this much,and I know what to watch for, so I go easy and all is fine.
So, to summarize, I still have the stock shocks on, but down travel is now limited to how far the shocks reach past their normal susp. tavel(which isn't much at all). I will be doing the axle flip in about a month, and that will restore all of my downtravel on the rear. I plan to use the same axle for that project, so that I can afford to buy a dana 60(or 70, not sure yet) FRONT axle to custom mount on the rear. The purpose of this is FOUR wheel STEERING. I am still developing this as we speak, but its going to be awesome...The latter project will take much longer than I expected, it may be just past christmas before that one is complete. Of course, I'll be in germany and loving it by then, and you'll see pics of my new wife emily, the mods I've done, (accompanied by several DIY's for the site) and some beautiful european trails.(back to the snow, finally!!! )
Roll on guys!

[CerOf]

I'd contact sunray engineering. I'll go look for their website and have them build you a 9" rear. It will have all the strength of the 60 with less weight and more ground clearance. Had a buddy get one custom built with a Detroit full locker, 35 splined axles, shaved, etc, etc, TOTALLY bolt in turnkey job for $3500. Sure, you can do it cheaper yourself, but it won't be purely bolt in!

The difference in a Dana 60 and 70 isn't enough to worry about strength wise. The ground clearance you'll lose and extra weight isn't worth it.

Unless you end up running 900+hp a 70 is over kill, even then most drag racers are running nodular 9" rears.

I can't wait to read the build up on it!

[CerOf]

Here is Sunray's website. They make KILLER axles.

www.sunrayengineering.com