steveplym Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 I just came across this thread. I was there with my p=15 last Sunday and took a look at your car. Wish I would have known all the work you had done to it then, I would have looked much closer. Always loved the look of the old suburbans and you have a neat car. Maybe see you there next year. Always enjoy the Highland show and the weather was really nice, other than the small shower in the morning. BBQ pork steaks they have are a favorite of mine as well. Quote
falconvan Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Great looking wagon! You did some really nice work. Quote
lilduec Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Posted June 23, 2014 Thanks for the compliments! StevePlym yeah too bad we didn't run into each other. We may be taking the wagon to Duquoin this Saturday for the day to the Street Machine Nationals, but gonna wait to see on the weather. And you're right, those pork steaks are the best!! I've been goin to that show every year since I was a kid. I went with my Dad and now I get to bring my son to enjoy it too. 1 Quote
50 coupe Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Got the wheels/tires mounted and put some Lancer hubcaps from Speedway motors. I love the look! So thats it for now, gotta do some wiring on it and sheet metal work on the floor where the trans and master cylinder is before its really road worthy, but its super close! I'll take more pictures of the front end brakes and shock mounts and also the rear shock mounts when I get a chance. Please do post those pics of your rear shock mounts. I am just wrapping up putting a '98 explorer rear end under my 50 Coupe and getting ready to fab up the lower shock mounts on the stock explorer shock lowers. I see you cut the tabs off where the bottom of the shocks would attach at a 45 deg angle. I cut those bolt tabs and plan to weld them on to some 1/4-2 angle iron and attache to the stock lower mounts so the shocks won't be twisting at some weird angle and have direct path of travel. Looks good man, hope to see it at a show her in IND!! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 when retrofitting I usually use the stock lower spring mounts that incorporate the lower shock mount..granted if you upgrading to a wider 3 leaf..this may not be an option..however, the use of late 60's B-body and some A body mounts should more than do the trick...last time out I used a B-body mount when using the larger set up.. Quote
steveplym Posted June 24, 2014 Report Posted June 24, 2014 Thanks for the compliments! StevePlym yeah too bad we didn't run into each other. We may be taking the wagon to Duquoin this Saturday for the day to the Street Machine Nationals, but gonna wait to see on the weather. And you're right, those pork steaks are the best!! I've been goin to that show every year since I was a kid. I went with my Dad and now I get to bring my son to enjoy it too. I'll look for you. I will be out there all weekend in the dodge. We park up front just south of the main gate. I hope to get up to Lebanon for the Lakers cruise at some point this summer, but so far had other things going on. Quote
lilduec Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Posted June 24, 2014 50 coupe I did pretty much did exactly what you said. I kept the existing explorer lower mounts under the leaf springs, cut off the explorer shock mount tab, used some strong angle iron and mounted the explorer tab onto it, then welded the angle iron to the explorer lower mount. I'll post up some pictures tonight when I get home. I havent cleaned up the welds or anything yet because I wanted to make sure everythings working correctly first. But so far the shocks are all fine and travel fine and the angle of them are I think around 30 degrees if I remember right. No rubbing or anything either. Steveplym, yeah there is stuff going on every weekend around here with cruise nights and what not. I'm sure I'll see ya around and we hope to make it down there Saturday. Quote
50 coupe Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) Here is my plan. 2x1/4. angle iron about 9 inches long. I will weld to the explorer shock mount and also have nuts on the U bolt above the angle iron. Then weld the shock bolt tabs onto the side. Sounds like you might be making something similar 'lilduec'. Edited June 25, 2014 by 50 coupe Quote
lilduec Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) ]Yeah that would work too!!!! I went vertical with mine. I used 3" blocks with 67-80 something front Chevy 4x4 shocks. Those shocks are a little shorter. Like I said before, the brackets aren't done yet but they seem to be working really well so far. They are welded on the inside and out so they are really solid. Edited June 25, 2014 by lilduec Quote
50 coupe Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 Looks Good. I'll keep have to keep your design in mind if I decide to lower. Those wagons look good dropped. Thanks for sharing your ideas and work! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) the stock axle clamp at the bottom of the leaf spring is stock with built in shock mount...the shock would stay stock also as you are only moving the axle higher and the suspension is staying the same...so unless the main idea is just to make the shock disappear from view..what is the purpose of the higher mount and shorter shock? after my post above my memory kicked in and I recall there was one perch of the era that had the axle mount built into it..but even at that you could easily have bought the shorter shock and kept that perch stock also... it is not that important really..was only wondering the why... Edited June 25, 2014 by Plymouthy Adams 1 Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 I may be a bit off on this comment...I think I remember that there are two different mounts of the era...some shock mounts are on the actual pad of the axle mount as welded to the tube...if you had that style then ignore my question....I see the point of your mounting ear... Quote
lilduec Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Posted June 25, 2014 The only reason I did it this way was mainly my buddy did the same setup and it works well. Also: 1. The shock would hit the axle tube and rub with the stock explorer mounting tab under the leaf springs. 2. These shocks are shorter so I measured the travel and mounted them where they would have enough travel up and down. You can see the mark on the shock. I was going to use just the street rod/coilover type mount that you weld to the axle tube, but i figured I would keep the shock going to the stock explorer location since that is how it was designed. I dont know if it really matters or not though. Anyways, everything works well so far, except for the driveshaft rubbing and the rear pinion when we hit big bumps. I'm gonna put 2" blocks in the back instead of 3" to see if that helps. Quote
DJ194950 Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 I'd suggest you try using some air shocks before changing your 3" blocks. Take your current shock # and see what it fits, then find a replacement air shock to replace it using the application. Paid about $65 shipped for a new pair off amazon. I did this on my 50 4 dr. with old sagging springs (that I liked the way the car sat.) added the air shocks and added air till the rear just barely moved up. Took about 50 psi. The car was steadier on curves and crossed railroad tracks as good or better that my other newer '93 car does. Bonus- adjust air press. for different loads. A thought, DJ Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 thanks for the 'why did' explains what you are doing and what you are working with... Quote
ptwothree Posted June 26, 2014 Report Posted June 26, 2014 Have you checked the ground clearance if you have a flat? Looks pretty close to me........ Quote
lilduec Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Posted June 26, 2014 (edited) So I've drove the wagon about 300 miles so far since I've put it on the road. Been workin out the bugs with it but it drives wonderful. Tires rub a little bit at full lock, but nothing horrible and they dont rub at all in regular driving. I can cruise with traffic on the insterstate running 70-75 no problem. Brakes are all working good so far and getting better as they get worn in. I'm gonna have to take the rear leafs out to get them checked out at St Louis Spring since I have a pretty good lean to the left. Also gonna have to cut the driveshaft tunnel to keep it from rubbing when there's more than one person in the car. Other than that, it starts up every time with about one pump of gas and sometimes not even that. I love this thing and its a blast to drive! Just sold some seats I had the other day so the next thing I will be buying and installing is air conditioning. More to come! Edited June 26, 2014 by lilduec Quote
pflaming Posted June 26, 2014 Report Posted June 26, 2014 What is the gear ratio on the rear axle you put in. I like the 70 - 75 mph result. Set low it is possibly a good curvy road car as well. Quote
lilduec Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Posted June 26, 2014 The Explorer rear end is a 3:73, with the S10 trans it works great. Quote
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