OBS Radius Arm Aand Subframe Build

[Jacob 76]

The idea for this started the day I bought my pickup 3 years ago. It started because the body lines on these thing only line up if your on a perfectly flat surface (never) and the frames are so weak they twist if you drive over a pebble. I decided that a subframe and front four link would do the trick. But after A LOT of planning and plotting out links I decided to go with radius arms. I know, I know "The radius arms on 6.0's and 6.4's suck blah blah blah!" I've built and setup a lot of suspensions and when done correctly radius arms work great. For those it means anything to, it's at 90% antidive at ride height. I would've liked it to be closer to 100% for consistency in handling but the frame end of the links would've been too low or my arms would've had to be way longer. Plus this way when it starts to dig while pulling it wont be as likely to hop like the new Ford's do. I also think the length and weight of this thing will prevent antidive with it being at only 90%. The arms are relatively flat but will have some roll oversteer but the plan is to use a Speedway Engineering swaybar to keep this thing handling like a bowl of Jello. Well, here goes......

The way is started. 1997 F350 CCLB with 6" Skyjacker leaves and 3" Sky Reverse Shackle Kit in front and custom Deaver 7" springs and traction bars in back.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1368131025_zps5ea9f48f.jpg.html"]1368131025_zps5ea9f48f.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

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[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367938627_zpsbd459b7c.jpg.html"]1367938627_zpsbd459b7c.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

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The subframe is made from 3/8" plate. I think there is twenty one 1/2" bolts holding each side on.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1359847377_zps82067e4b.jpg.html"]1359847377_zps82067e4b.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1360016390_zps34ac41b0.jpg.html"]1360016390_zps34ac41b0.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851160_zps7063e3b2.jpg.html"]1367851160_zps7063e3b2.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367850958_zps78a6390a.jpg.html"]1367850958_zps78a6390a.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

The cross member with radius arm and traction bar mounts.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851067_zps15d91f86.jpg.html"]1367851067_zps15d91f86.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851092_zps62ef2349.jpg.html"]1367851092_zps62ef2349.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851001_zps6d0f4b84.jpg.html"]1367851001_zps6d0f4b84.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851328_zps2e80dc94.jpg.html"]1367851328_zps2e80dc94.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851388_zps9585bf91.jpg.html"]1367851388_zps9585bf91.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851369_zps6e6a565b.jpg.html"]1367851369_zps6e6a565b.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

I know it looks close but the driveshaft is actually about 2" away.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851409_zps64b6da2d.jpg.html"]1367851409_zps64b6da2d.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

 

[Jacob 76]

You get the idea.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367961428_zpsfd41cbf4.jpg.html"]1367961428_zpsfd41cbf4.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1368131393_zps3e75edd5.jpg.html"]1368131393_zps3e75edd5.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1368129473_zps008448d5.jpg.html"]1368129473_zps008448d5.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

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[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367975956_zps7306621c.jpg.html"]1367975956_zps7306621c.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1368129435_zps21842508.jpg.html"]1368129435_zps21842508.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1368129423_zps91c1e333.jpg.html"]1368129423_zps91c1e333.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

When I pulled my passenger side hub apart I realized that it had failed in a big way. The needle bearing that the stub shaft rides on inside the spindle came apart and found its way into the lockout.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367976000_zps2bc71eaa.jpg.html"]1367976000_zps2bc71eaa.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

There was more of these little guys in there than you could shake a stick at :bang

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367975918_zpsf7d1baa5.jpg.html"]1367975918_zpsf7d1baa5.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

The lowers are 2.500x.500 and the uppers are 2.000x.250. Schlitz FTW :rockwoot:

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1359170672.jpg.html"]1359170672.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1359170597.jpg.html"]1359170597.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1359175117.jpg.html"]1359175117.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

The shocks are 12" travel 2.5" body King's with 450/550 springs I bought from a guy with a SAS'd Duramax. Under the weight of the Duramax the 450s were almost fully collapsed so I think I'm going to try a 550/650 setup.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1359174888.jpg.html"]1359174888.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

Here is the basic layout.

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1359564541.jpg.html"]1359564541.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851308_zpsf024137b.jpg.html"]1367851308_zpsf024137b.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367851262_zps5992b0a3.jpg.html"]1367851262_zps5992b0a3.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

[ame="http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/Jacob1976/media/1367850958_zps78a6390a.jpg.html"]1367850958_zps78a6390a.jpg Photo by Jacob1976 | Photobucket[/ame]

Thats about it for now folks. I'll post more pics as I make progress. I'm in hopes to have it mocked up and ready for powdercoat by the end of May...

 

[Jacob 76]

^^^^ Why the **** wont it show the pictures just links to photobucket?

 

[getblown5.9]

You need the plain IMG links like below, just take out the spaces within the brackets

[ IMG ]http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k573/Jacob1976/1367850958_zps78a6390a.jpg[ /IMG ]

And it will show up like this

 

[little6cylinder]

Looks bad a$$! Nice to see someone doing a heavy duty, legit front end. Most of the radius arm or 4 link swapped Fords and G.M.'s I've seen look like a death trap rolling down the road. Just learn how to post pictures. It took like 15 minutes to look at your pictures.:lolly:

 

[Jacob 76]

Thanks to getblown I finally figured out photobucket. I'll condense the pictures so you get the basic idea.

Pickup its going on

Basic design

I know It looks close but there is about 2" between the cross member and the driveshaft

 

[OnVacation]

One of the reasons I went with an early super duty was so that I could avoid radius arms; yet here you are converting over to them...

Either way, I still like it, and I'm subbed...

 

[Jacob 76]

Kinda thought nobody cared about this thread. I'm done already. I stopped updating it because apparently people arent interested. Here are some finished

 

[not enoughsmoke]

looks great are you gonna do the rear too? I am wanting to do the same on mine but with air in the rear of the truck

 

[Jacob 76]

I plan on leaving leaf springs in the rear but putting a cantilever airbag setup on because I HATE the way airbags look. For the pivot I am going to use a 2" pillow block and run two bellow bags buy get like 10" of travel out of them.

 

[Headcase98002]

Nice work, looks killer.

 

[Rockwerx]

Very nice fab work! I love threads showing a build process. Keep up the great work.

Good luck with your project!

 

[Jacob 76]

Thanks guys. Nobody seemed to care so I didn't post any build pics. I'll post some up when my phone isn't my Internet and I can use an actual computer.

 

[9724VF350]

I like the idea of doing this to my truck with airbags front and rear, but with just enough ride height to clear 305's in the front. Primary purpose is dragging around a gooseneck trailer.

 

[9724VF350]

What size is the bolt where the radius arm attaches to the frame mount?

I assume doing this to the rear would require some heavier materials considering the radius arms will be pushing the truck, instead of pulling like the front axle.

 

[Ghostman]

Really clean looking truck, nice fab work also. Is it possible to pull the tranny/t-case without removing the crossmember? Can't tell how close it is in the pics.

 

[WUnderwood]

great thread, thanks for the contribution!

 

[BluegrassDiesel]

Nice looking fab work. What did you use to cut the brackets? Those look a lot better than when I try to use a torch, or even a plasma cutter LOL

 

[OnVacation]

I can't believe you didn't think people were watching this. That turned out really clean. I'll look forward to seeing the rear airbag setup also...

 

[Jacob 76]

What size is the bolt where the radius arm attaches to the frame mount?

I assume doing this to the rear would require some heavier materials considering the radius arms will be pushing the truck, instead of pulling like the front axle.

All the radius arm bolts are 5/8"s. The track-bar has 3/4" bolts and the shocks have 1/2". I wish the shocks had a larger bolt because I don't like the idea of my truck riding on the shear strength of a 1/2" bolt.

For radius arm material I used 2.500x.500 lowers and 2.000x.250 uppers. On my rear traction bars I used 2.500x.250 and only made one end adjustable. I don't plan on ever getting rid of leaf springs on the rear so I figured this stuff was way more than I'd ever need. It just matched the diameter of my radius arms so I used it.