So continuing on with this 05+ install, Im not a big fan of the stock radius arms, and as I mentioned before I just like to build stuff. I figured I would do some pondering and see what I could come up with in terms of reasonably within reach for fabrication at home with just my trusty grinder.

I wanted to build a 3-link setup that is adjustable for the radius arms. Trevor at PMF sells a dynamite set of these, and OUO makes a nice set as well. But 1000$ wasnt realistic, so this is really just me attempting to emulate off internet pictures a fuctional set of 3 link radius arms.

I started finding some DOM. I have no idea what PMF uses, so I had to kinda exercise caution with this, I ended up going with 2.25 3/8s wall DOM. And this stuff is MASSIVE!



For the 'C' clips that must attach to the back of the axle, I bought 6x4 1/4inch wall rectangular tube from a structural steel shop. I used grinder to cut 4 inch pieces off, and then cut open one of the 4 inch faces.





This is the stock radius arm and kinda where I started with the C clips.



Then I radius-ed the front so the look nice.



Next, I got lucky and found some 2.5x3.5 1/4 rectangular tube at my local steel shop. This has a 2 inch inner diameter, which is what I wanted. Picked some of that up.



Cut a piece off (10 inches) and ripped it in half to get two triangles.



So this is the general idea of where I am going at this point..



(BTW, joints and Ballistic joints from Ballistic fab, the 3 and 2 inch versions. Took a little while to ship but the are pretty sweet).




Then I radius-ed in the back of the saddle bracket so that it would sit well on the main top piece.





And after a bit more measuring and opening up the bottom of the bracket to properly clear the zerk and lower ballistic joint, I was able to cut the main upper DOM piece, and here is where it is at now.



The shorter lower piece of tube is doing to be 2" DOM 1/4 wall, not quite the big stuff the upper is, but shouold still be plenty of meat on the bone.

Going to be making some gussets for the C clips where they attack to tube and a few other things, but you can see where it is coming together at this point, IM happy with how they are looking.

-Andrew

 

looks like youve been hard at work, and it is looking great so far!


i cant decide what to do to get my ride quality closer to a 06+ truck, is swapping axles, adding newer suspension technology the only feasible solution?
454

 

I did use V codes, I have read your posts about the Ucodes and took it into consideration but wasn't going to spend on new springs before I just went to coils.
The bracket on the back of the axle where the radius arms attach, was getting wedged against the release lever for the jackstand, which is why it wouldn't rotate.

I think I will be going with the Carly Linear rate leveling coils. Although I am still open to suggestions. From what I have read, its either Carli or Icon coils. Only looking at the 2.5 leveling variety.

 

That is some nice fab work right there!

 

Ditto what ^he said

 

Looking good Andrew! Seeing the pictures of that axles sitting on jack stands on top of that folding table makes my orifices all pucker up!

 

Nice job man that is looking sweet wish I can convert mine to 4X4 but can't justify if I really need 4X4.

 

Thats the truth, I put it on there fully dressed at first, so once I got calipers and rotors off I felt ok about it. I didnt let the dog lay near it lets just say that.

 

Well made some progress on these radius arms. They are finished save for some polishing in a few areas, then the same paint treatment the axle got.

I think where it left off was the top tube mocked in.

So here is the jigging up continuing.





And here they are finished. Took about 4.5 hours of tig torch time to get them welded and burned in. Obviously the upper 3/8's upper tube takes a ton of heat and had a big synchrowave wound up pretty bad. We were dimming the lights in the neighborhood.









And here is a WD40 can to give you a reference to just how big these things are...



Next step is paint. Then I'll have to tackle the swap soon .

-Andrew

 

Yikes! Those things look bad azz props my man

 

Pretty serious workmanship Andrew. They look really good. When are you going to start selling kits

 

Looks great Andrew! I'm am very interested in seeing how the whole swap turns out! I wanna do something with mine also. F350 CCLB 4x4 dually with stock suspension beats my guts out!! LOL!! Keep up the good work buddy!

 

Those things look sweet Andrew! Keep up the good work.

 

Thank you!

Haha, I dont think I'll start an assembly line anytime soon. Its dirty work cutting 6x4 and shaping everything with a grinder .

Thank you, I know the feeling trust me. Doesnt help the GF has a BMW, with the contrast in ride quality, I needed to make a change or else I would've stopped driving the truck all together.

Thank you!

 

I was thinking about an RSK and some different springs. I don't want to swap axles cause I already have a Dana 80 dually rear axle with disc brakes from an '01 E450. The E series didn't change to the metric bolt pattern in '99 when the trucks did, so my wheels will fit it. Just need to do something with thr front.