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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: MKOLSEN22 on October 05, 2007, 08:53:16 PM

Title: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 05, 2007, 08:53:16 PM
Here is a link to my original thread followed by the current state of this project.

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=17101.0 (http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=17101.0)

Well the front A-arm drop bracket prototype has been cut out. I now need to build a jig so that I can weld the two parts together in the proper relationship. It was supposed to be one piece but the shop that I had cut and bend it was unable to complete the second 90* bend. The part actually hit the press brake at around 60* - 75* on the second bend. Prototype solution was to cut the back free from the front and then weld it back together. For a variety of reasons it might take me some time to get this done though.

Enjoy the pictures.

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Tracker/Drop2.jpg)

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Tracker/Drop3.jpg)
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: HotRod on October 05, 2007, 09:50:45 PM
Thats a good start.
But if they bent half it that way but they could bend the other half?
Weird.
Somehow lower the rear cross member with the diff?
(cut out and move?)
Then you could get a whole 6+lift out of it?.
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 05, 2007, 10:28:51 PM
Thats a good start.
But if they bent half  of it that way but they couldn't  bend the other half?
Weird.
Somehow lower the rear cross member with the diff?
(cut out and move?)
Then you could get a whole 6+lift out of it?.


After bending the first leg of the bracket they tried to make the second.  As they were in the process of making the second 90* bend the bracket itself actually moves up and hits the press brake before the 90* is bent.  Solution is either make it a two piece part or find another company with better tooling for their press brake.

I'm not sure how the design of the rear braket will end up yet.  Thanks for the compliment and the idea for the rear crossmember / bracket.

Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: pjs97talon on October 06, 2007, 07:44:57 PM
I am not an expert or anything, but I think you should add some internal bracing to it. Maybe weld in some angled braces and then weld a plate across the bottom to let it slide over rock and stuff.
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 06, 2007, 10:21:24 PM
Yes, the final part will be boxed in for strength.  I do like the idea of adding some angle internal to the brace though.
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: olija on October 06, 2007, 11:24:07 PM
It's a good start! Post more pics when you get more done.
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: urbanwheeler on October 06, 2007, 11:40:39 PM
I used to run a press brake ;D
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: museboy07 on October 07, 2007, 07:36:52 AM
Once the whole ifs drop lift is finished, will you be using longer coils?  Or huge metal spacers like whitfield did?  What about the rear?  What in store for that?
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 07, 2007, 01:25:58 PM
Once the whole ifs drop lift is finished, will you be using longer coils?  Or huge metal spacers like whitfield did?  What about the rear?  What in store for that?

I hope to use longer coils for the springs, and flipping the strut mount after adding the 2" strut extenders.  Crossing my fingers that this combination will work well. ??? ???
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: museboy07 on October 07, 2007, 06:44:44 PM
I think your on to something here  :D  But what size lift will it give you? like 3, 4, 5 inches?  Anything over 3 you'll have major problems with out redesigning the rear 3rd link.  And also you might need extended rear trailing arms.  But after its all done i bet it will be bad ass!!
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 07, 2007, 07:12:49 PM
Well I'm thinking 3" from the drop and hopefully another 1" - 2" from longer springs.  The rear will get longer lower links and a new upper link as well.  I'm thinking of using poly bushings on the frame side and Johnny Joints for the three atachment points at the axle.  I have the poly bushings right now, but I'll have to wait on the Johnny Joints and springs for a little bit.

It has taken me around 8 months to go from drawing to cut steel on the front drop bracket so this might be a three year project.  Hope not!

Mike
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: museboy07 on October 07, 2007, 07:20:28 PM
what kinda springs you wanna use?  Like stock yj's?
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 07, 2007, 11:05:46 PM
I need to do some more measuring but I think that some 3" coil over springs might just fit the stock spring mounts.  Just to clarify I'm refering to the spring only and not the complete coil over assembly (others get confused when I start talking about this  ;D).  If this is infact the case then I'll have quite a selection of spring lengths and rates to play with.  Any one have a spring they want to donate to the R&D?
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: museboy07 on October 08, 2007, 05:07:41 AM
Do you know what the Chevrolet IFS drop is?  Does Chevy make it or an aftermarket company?  Have you heard of it?
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 08, 2007, 06:28:45 AM
I haven't heard of the Chevrolet IFS drop.  Please specify.  Pictures?  Which year, models?
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: museboy07 on October 08, 2007, 09:26:48 AM
On Zuwharrie, Whitfield was showing some options of some lifts before he built his own and the Chevrolet IFS was one of them. 

http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,38154.0.html

about 1/8th down the page
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: WorkInProgress91 on October 08, 2007, 06:20:12 PM
rangers/explorers have a similar spring rate to zuks, and you can get them in a variety of sizes
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: MKOLSEN22 on October 08, 2007, 07:57:57 PM
On Zuwharrie, Whitfield was showing some options of some lifts before he built his own and the Chevrolet IFS was one of them. 

[url]http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,38154.0.html[/url]

about 1/8th down the page


Oh, I see.  If I understand Whitfield's post correctly he was using those as an example of IFS lift kits.  It looks like the Chevrolet IFS kit pictured is for a full size truck.  This is a good example of an after market company that has built a solid lift kit for a dual A-arm IFS front suspension.  I've been looking at a lot of different lift kits for a lot of different vehicles to get ideas.
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: museboy07 on October 09, 2007, 04:51:49 AM
Oh ok, I was gonna say, if a company made an IFS drop specifically for the track/kick then every zuk owner would have definately heard of it by now.. ;D
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: Uncivilized on October 09, 2007, 09:27:33 AM
if a company made an IFS drop specifically for the track/kick then every zuk owner would have definately heard of it by now.. ;D
There used to be one, but it's been off the market for a while now.
Title: Re: A-arm drop bracket prototype
Post by: sidekicksrock on October 09, 2007, 09:46:50 AM
Quote
There used to be one, but it's been off the market for a while now.

It was made by Pro Comp back in the 90's and the word at the time was that it was impossible to keep aligned. Based on this discussion and the parallel post on Zuwharrie I think the problem was that they did not flip the tie rods to compensate for the A arm drop.