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Old Oct 19, 2020 | 12:42 PM
  #256  
Lance Helmert's Avatar
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@pirate4x4_camo I could use some help if you have time. My EX is a t least 1 1/2 inches taller on the LF than the RF. I can visibly see the LF spring has more arch than the RF. Do I just order a new spring? I loosened the eye bolts and shackle bolts, then drove it and even flexed it through the ditch.


 
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Old Oct 19, 2020 | 02:20 PM
  #257  
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With a rust repair job and paint lookin that good... no one notices that your Ex has a little gangsta lean. We just notice how lean the two of you have chiseled yourselves into since you began this project. Very impressive do it yourself work on all fronts.

I've no doubt you'll work out your leaning issue... and just wanted to encourage you not to use any part of the body or bumper as a datum line for comparative reference for planning any corrections to springs.

Instead, make reference measurements between the frame and the top of the axle at the spring pad, as shown in the diagram below:



Are you finding 1.5" difference side to side when measuring at the locations indicated?
 
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Old Oct 19, 2020 | 03:09 PM
  #258  
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Are you sure the frame is straight? I thought I remembered seeing in here that this was being fixed up after an accident?
 
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Old Oct 19, 2020 | 04:24 PM
  #259  
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Lance Helmert
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Originally Posted by Y2KW57
With a rust repair job and paint lookin that good... no one notices that your Ex has a little gangsta lean. We just notice how lean the two of you have chiseled yourselves into since you began this project. Very impressive do it yourself work on all fronts.

I've no doubt you'll work out your leaning issue... and just wanted to encourage you not to use any part of the body or bumper as a datum line for comparative reference for planning any corrections to springs.

Instead, make reference measurements between the frame and the top of the axle at the spring pad, as shown in the diagram below:



Are you finding 1.5" difference side to side when measuring at the locations indicated?
Originally Posted by Dweber85rc
Are you sure the frame is straight? I thought I remembered seeing in here that this was being fixed up after an accident?
Yes, I checked at the frame also. I don't have pictures, but there is more arch in the left spring. At this point I'm not sure the frame is straight. The front springs aren't nice and straight under the frame. They angle towards the passenger side now that I've looked at it closer. The frame looks straight, possibly the front spring mount got tweaked? We have a frame shop in town, I guess I should have him take a look. It's frustrating to get this far and go backwards. It's my fault for not checking better I guess, but I couldn't see any evidence of the frame bending.

Thanks for noticing we've gotten quite a bit healthier. The program we used worked so well we became health coaches for the program. I still drive our semi for now. Anyhow, I would like to encourage everyone to choose a healthier life before your body forces you to. The 2 of us have lost a combined 190 pounds. I don't want to cross the bridge to what would be considered advertising. I don't care what you do, I just would like everyone to consider choosing a healthier lifestyle. A great place to start is drinking more water and eating many small meals throughout the day.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2020 | 09:02 AM
  #260  
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Originally Posted by Lance Helmert
Yes, I checked at the frame also. I don't have pictures, but there is more arch in the left spring. At this point I'm not sure the frame is straight. The front springs aren't nice and straight under the frame. They angle towards the passenger side now that I've looked at it closer. The frame looks straight, possibly the front spring mount got tweaked? We have a frame shop in town, I guess I should have him take a look. It's frustrating to get this far and go backwards. It's my fault for not checking better I guess, but I couldn't see any evidence of the frame bending.

Thanks for noticing we've gotten quite a bit healthier. The program we used worked so well we became health coaches for the program. I still drive our semi for now. Anyhow, I would like to encourage everyone to choose a healthier life before your body forces you to. The 2 of us have lost a combined 190 pounds. I don't want to cross the bridge to what would be considered advertising. I don't care what you do, I just would like everyone to consider choosing a healthier lifestyle. A great place to start is drinking more water and eating many small meals throughout the day.
please pm me with what program you used. Thank you.

your build is awesome. Love the information you have delivered.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2020 | 09:35 PM
  #261  
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Originally Posted by Ogre20012001
please pm me with what program you used. Thank you.

your build is awesome. Love the information you have delivered.
Thank you, that makes me happy. That was my goal in posting all this, was to hope it helped you guys. I've learned so much on here, I wanted to share what I learned. It's really turning out better than I hoped. It would take a post mall to knock the smile off my face every time I drive it. I couldn't have made it this nice without this community. You guys are partly responsible for how well it turned out. Thank you!
 
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Old Oct 27, 2020 | 08:02 PM
  #262  
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Curious what you ever found out about your uneven front end...
 
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Old Oct 29, 2020 | 05:41 PM
  #263  
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Originally Posted by Dweber85rc
Curious what you ever found out about your uneven front end...
I'm taking it somewhere next week to get an opinion what's going on.
 
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Old Oct 29, 2020 | 06:41 PM
  #264  
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I think maybe @pirate4x4_camo didn't see your request for input following his adventure around the world....
 
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Old Oct 31, 2020 | 09:02 PM
  #265  
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Getting ready to install the gears. Hopefully next week.

The one on the right is scuffed and ready for epoxy primer.

1st coat of clear

These kept moving when the air from the gun hit them. I need a better way to hold these. Good thing they're only brake dust shields. They have marks from trying to hold them still. Better to learn on these then something that would be seen.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2020 | 11:22 PM
  #266  
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Well this was supposed to be the I went out and worked hard for awhile and now I'm going to take some time off and work on the EX. I had a Western 9' 6" stainless MVP3 plow ordered. We were going to get the gears installed and tweek the suspension. It's been running great and rides beautiful. But the other night our Excursion gave it's life to save ours. My wife and I will be OK. It will take us awhile, but we'll be fine. So, sadly, this is the end of this build thread. There are lots of new parts in our EX, so I'll keep it as a donor vehicle. I had bought a 2003 GMC Envoy to fix and sell. We'll fix it up and drive that for now. I dropped it off at a shop today. I don't think I should be getting dirt in my stitches and staples yet, LOL. I'll try to post a few pictures this week. My phone got destroyed, I'll have to try to get them onto my laptop. Thanks for all your ideas, help, and support for this build. It was awesome, we absolutely loved it.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2020 | 11:36 PM
  #267  
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Old Dec 29, 2020 | 12:10 AM
  #268  
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Holy crap! Really glad you are OK (relatively speaking). What happened?
 
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Old Dec 29, 2020 | 05:53 AM
  #269  
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I’m glad you and your wife are ok.
as hard as it will be. The ex can be replaced. You and your wife can not.

if your willing, I also would like to know what happened, however I realize that can be hard to discuss.

again i am very glad you and your wife walked away.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2020 | 06:03 AM
  #270  
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Really sorry to hear that you two are banged up, I hope that you both make a speedy and full recovery.
I'm sure that seeing the EX like that only adds to your discomfort after all of the hard work you guys have done on it, but like you said, I gave its life to save yours, so that's what really matters.
I commented on your post about the silver craigslist EX earlier not knowing that yours had been lost.
 
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