Front Axle Location - June 30, 2020
I got a couple of hours out in the garage before the heat and mosquitoes chased me inside. The evening sun shines right into my garage, and that's what makes it fairly hot.
The front axle is located and centered under the body and frame, and at the correct height on jackstands. There will be many more measurements and minor adjustments made, but it's close to the final position.
This preliminary stuff doesn't lend itself to great pictures, but it's necessary to get the suspension designed and installed...
No pictures, but I also spent a great deal of time looking at the axle shock mounts and upper shock mount location. The axle shock mount will be sitting on top of the axle in the ideal position. If I use the same 10" coilover in the front, then the upper shock mount will require a lot of cutting on the inner fender - a LOT of cutting. I may consider an 8" coilover instead, which would still require cutting, but not as much.
The lower links also look very straightforward on both the frame and the axle.
I cleaned up and primed the steering box bracket and hardware. If I can keep the steering box in the stock position, then I will use this bracket. It still needs a top coat, then I'll get the bracket and steering box installed, and check the pitman arm fit with the axle location. The bracket ties right into the front cross member. There's still a good chance that I will have to do a custom steering box mount and custom front cross member.
Finally, I also looked at steering clearance. I installed the Reid knuckles, so I could do crossover steering - I'm hoping for a more precise steering feel without tie rod roll. But it looks like I will have to notch the frame to clear the drag link.
