Squares? Check. Indigimous levels? Check. Straight edges, micrometers, and gravity compensators? Check-a-Roo!!! Welp, time to weld up some stuff and see if it resembles a front end.
Starting off reading the instructions would be a great idea. But last I checked, that never helped any guy at any point in human existence. That comes right next to asking for directions when lost. Pfflllpp….you tell me when either one of those things actually helped out a problem. Let’s see. This should go here, but why is that angled? Does it angle backwards or frontways? Does the long thingy point backwards? This goes topwise, right? OK, OK, maybe just to set a good example for the lesser know’d people, lemme just bust out this paper packet here…..
So after reading the instructions ten times and mocking things up that equal amount of times or more, I have a front end! I will say that the instructions were really detailed but did leave out a few things. There are way more measurements than I had anticipated and I’m glad I did things three, four, five times to make sure I was on the right track. Get it? Track? Front end? I know…..stupid.
Anyway, more on the front assembly.
Remember, I’m starting from nothing so my front end frame rails aren’t anything but 2x4 stock. This will be a subframe that will be connected to the side rails, seamlessly I tells ya, forming the complete frame. So I set the measurements based off an inner frame rail dimension of 26-1/4” and a inflated tire size of 27-3/4" There’s a series of calculations that determine the notch size, distance, and spacing front to back on the rails. I set the axle centerline based on a distance from the front of the rails rearward. The crossmember gets placed rearward from the centerline which is marked on the rails. It’s a simple mathematical formula that I had jotted down in my notes shown here for thoughts who are curious….
Once level and square, I tacked it in place. Next comes placement under the front sheet metal. Using jacks, levels and the centerline marked on the fenders, I positioned the subframe in positioned and aligned it as close as I could. It didn’t have to be 100% accurate in placement since I don’t have it welded up to the main rails yet. But it needs to be square and level. But having it in the right space is a confidence booster for when I fit the wheels up and they actually fall in the wheel wells. Once that was all I placed correctly I then needed to tack the top hats on. It’s a simple process, really:
1. Measure 9/16th down from the outermost inner point of the centerline of the forward point of the coil over mount.
2. Using an angle indicator, scribe a line 3.27 degrees aftward from the previously described point.
3. Triangulate this with a point on the opposite side on the backend portion of the rearward top hat front shock inner mount.
So after that simple calculation, a few tack welds and bingo….instant front end!!!!
The wheels fit in the wells exactly as planned and everything is square and true. I’m extremely happy so far. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going for the rear. That’s going to require a whole other set of measurements along triangulatory longitudinal perpendicularousness.
Cheers
Dave