TG front frame crossmember

[toolman]

Ok... here's the deal.. I mounted my front crossmember per the crappy ass trail gear instructions and think my front axle may be a little to far forward.    Anyway what's done is done and the shackle angle looks ok but Im wondering how much trouble Im going to have getting my ifs steering box to mount far enough forward and possibly what other problems I may have?? Should I just cut it all off and start over or what???

Oh yeah... I already figured out Im going to have to trim the front of my front fenders off to clear the tires at full flex.

Jason

[jimbo74]

the front of the fenders? you wont have a proble, lots of people run the ifs very far forward, you jsut need to cut the radiator support a little bit

[toolman]

yeah the front of the wheel opening I should say... about even with the bottom of the headlights. It just looked like my axle was wayyyyyy far forward of what it was supposed to be. I'll have to cut alot out of the fender well also to make room for the shock hoops so I guess what the heck...just wanted to make sure all would be ok with that setup.

[DTB]

wheres the pictures?

you are plating the frame for the steering box right?

[toolman]

I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow. It was getting dark on me. Yeah I have the plates to mount the box, i usually overbuild everything so I have it all braced up by the time I get done.

[jimbo74]

the instructions are crappy because some guy printing them in china doesnt know engrish

[speedemon]

muahahaha

[toolman]

Cant argue there!! true to all of the flaming....Shoulda went to marlin for the front! Well what's done is done.. Got some pics to put up and would like some coments if everything is looking ok as far as steering box location and drag link angles and all..

Thanks for all the help!
Jason

[MiniSimp]

What does it look like with weight on the axle?

[iNfErNaL]

What does it look like with weight on the axle?

X2,all your angles are gonna change once you've got the vehicle sitting on the ground, your axle will move back a bit and your shackles are gonna sit at a different angle.I'm curious to see that as well but from the looks of it so far you'll be okay.

[toolman]

Just put a jack under it and lifted as far as i could get it to flex, didnt even come close to binding on anything so I guess Im good as long as I leave enough room for additional flex huh?

[toolman]

here is pics of the drivers side with weight on the spring.

[MiniSimp]

Um...is that all the weight you can put on it? If so that is really high!? I think?.....

[Cheesemaker]

Alot of people have to trim the front of the fenders to clear the tires!  You want the axle as far forward as possible, so you can run larger tires, with less lift, without having to cut the rear of the fender.  To help keep your center of gravity lower. 

I've seen alot of posts on other sites about how "their" springs settle horribly.  Chinese made! 

[toolman]

Yeah the axle is as far forward as it can be, or as far as I want it to be that is. Im going to have to trim the front of the fenders like you said to keep the tires from rubbing.

That is the weight of the front of the truck on the springs, dont know how much difference it would make if i had a tire on the other side or not but thats what I got. They are 4in lift springs but Im sure they will settle some.

[MiniSimp]

I say you need to move your shackle forward 1" then.

[DTB]

if that is a shot straight from the side....the shackles look crooked to each other... dunno



When looking at your tie rod and drag link directly from the side, they should be as close to parallel as possible 

[Cheesemaker]

He might be alright on the shackle, after they settle, the shackle should be where it needs to be angle wise!  I'd run it, and after one good hard run see what they look like. 

[MiniSimp]

Maybe I'm just not used to that shackle angle since mine is 25* from verticle.

[toolman]

I just have the driver side jacked up thats why the look crooked to each other. The passenger side is at fool drop. If anything the axle is to far forward and I wouldnt move the shackle end Id move the front frame crossmember. The tie rod and drag link may be ok with the weight of the truck on the axle??? Guess just have to wait and see.

[iNfErNaL]

It looks fine to me.

[Tool Pimp]

It looks fine to me.

X2

[EarlKann]

My shackels are nearly vertical.  I know it isn't ideal but I haven't had any problems with it.  I'd run it like that.

[jimbo74]

X2

x3


it looks fine..... since the tg springs are crap to begin with, they will settle out jsut right.... i think your ps box may need to move a bit mroe forward though

[toolman]

Is it going to be a problem if the shocks are mounted slightly angled back??,  since the axle will travel back when flexed anyway.

[iNfErNaL]

Is it going to be a problem if the shocks are mounted slightly angled back??,  since the axle will travel back when flexed anyway.

Nope,that shouldn't be a problem either,I ran them like that on my Jeep and never had an issue.

[toolman]

Cool, Thanks... Now all I have to do is hope I have all the bolts to install my pwr steering pump,lines, shock hoops, modify the steering shaft.....etc....etc.....

[iNfErNaL]

Cool, Thanks... Now all I have to do is hope I have all the bolts to install my pwr steering pump,lines, shock hoops, modify the steering shaft.....etc....etc.....

No problem,don't hesitate to ask questions and post pictures on here.

[tom w.]

I used a TG front hanger on my '82 with rears up front, and from point A, to point B, was three quarters of an inch.



With it like that, I didn't have to cut the radiator support. The only problem is I didn't turn the box up high enough and the steering arm hit the spring at full stuff.

I don't know what the dimensions are on your springs, so I don't know if that helps or not.

[insane04]

looks like it will be fine and your shackle angle will be fine also. and no matter what spring brand you use they will settle in and you should be happy! looking good keep up the progress. and if you use the TG springs make sure you use the bump stops as they will flex bigtime once you break them in!