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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: barcus on November 09, 2007, 01:46:51 AM

Title: dropping my front end
Post by: barcus on November 09, 2007, 01:46:51 AM

i have been toying with this idea for far too long. finally got it started last weekend.
im looking to drop my front a-arms by 2" and lift the vehicle by an inch. the other inch i will save for droop and better CV angle.
this would also give me clearance to drop my engine back to the original mount points for a lower center of gravity (i had raised my engine by 2" to make room for the toyota 3rd member) - http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8896.0 (http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8896.0)

i hope everything goes as plan.  :)

donor chassis:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/DSC00421.jpg)

cleared the a-arm front mounts.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/Picture002.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/Picture003.jpg)


spot welding the donor front mounts. this saves me from precision dropping each mount and gives me a larger surface area for welding. the cross member diameter is almost a 2". perfect for my desired drop.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/Picture006.jpg)

this weekend ill start the rear mounts.

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: bentparts on November 09, 2007, 04:45:14 AM

Very interesting buildup. Keep the photos coming!

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: Drone637 on November 09, 2007, 04:10:00 PM

Are you going to add some more bracing for that lower tube?  I would want to put something on to help insure it isn't going to break off if you hit a wall hard enough.

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: AJMBLAZER on November 09, 2007, 05:53:34 PM

There's a guy named Whitfield here and especially over on www.Zuwharrie.com that has done this.  He's got lots of good info on it if you need any opinions or ideas.

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: barcus on November 12, 2007, 01:37:30 AM

drone637- i will be reinforcing the lower tube after i finish the alignments.

ajmblazer- yup mike whitfield's lift inspired me to do this.  ;D

some pics on the lower rear mounts.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/DSC00880.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/DSC00878.jpg)
notice the hagen widening mod.  ;D

this would allow me to drop the front diff further and save my CVs.

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: AJMBLAZER on November 12, 2007, 04:23:44 AM

Nice. 8)

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: barcus on November 12, 2007, 10:39:49 PM

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/front005.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/front006.jpg)
side view

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: crikeymike on November 14, 2007, 10:20:51 AM

Quote from: barcus on November 12, 2007, 10:39:49 PM

([url]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/front005.jpg[/url])

Are those Simex tires in the back?

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: AJMBLAZER on November 14, 2007, 11:17:41 AM

Look like Simex to me. 8)

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: barcus on November 14, 2007, 06:11:02 PM

yup 34X10.5R15 jungle trekker 2s. upgraded from my 32" simex centipedes. thats why i need this drop.  ;D

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: AJMBLAZER on November 14, 2007, 06:41:32 PM

Nice.  Man I wish they sold those over here.

Any more progress?

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: goodyz on November 14, 2007, 09:33:55 PM

Where are those Simex tires sold? Is that down under?

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: AJMBLAZER on November 15, 2007, 05:02:20 AM

All over the world except in the States.  They aren't DOT approved and with the hold the big tire names have on the extreme traction tires they won't bother trying to get them approved here.  I asked once.
Simex tires are from Malaysia.

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: barcus on November 15, 2007, 10:40:26 PM

im in philippines. they dont care much about DOTs here hehe.

Title: Re: dropping my front end
Post by: barcus on November 15, 2007, 10:44:48 PM

the hubs are machined to fix the tie rod mounts. had the tie rod mounted on the top instead.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/barcus/axles/front009.jpg)