Lifted my truck this afternoon

[Bob Barker]

I finally got the OME 912's in today after I got home from work. Got to work right away in the garage, and I'm proud to say it only took me about an hour to get the springs in. In fact it took me longer to drive to the parts store to get a 27mm wrench and drive back and raise the front torsion bars!

I didn't take any good before pictures, but here's a couple that I took of the truck when I got it home a few weeks ago.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/012.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/013.jpg

And here is the after shots I took in the drive way

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/005-2.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/006-2.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/004-2.jpg

I think I need to raise the front some more, maybe an inch or less.

And since I can't afford a new MS ECU for the SVO and a new set of rims and tires for the VX I think I'm going to go ahead and get the stock 16" wheels powder coated and mount some nice tires on those.

I measured the front gap at 6 3/8th inches on both sides. I'll take it to get aligned this weekend when I pull the rotors and get them turned.

[nfpgasmask]

Nice job, Bob. In the last pic, your VX looks just about right. I think I turned my t-bars about 8 times each, and I think my VX has a very slight rake. The less you raise the front, the less stress on your CVs. Just keep that in mind.

Looks awesome. I want my paintjob back.

:( Bart

[JHarris1385]

I have also heard you want a raked stance to keep the transmission at optimal angle.

[RamAirZ]

I have also heard you want a raked stance to keep the transmission at optimal angle.

Optimum angle for what? The rear driveshaft? Looks good John, will look really good with some new tires! Ya I cranked mine about 10 times per side I think, I wanted a pretty even look, it's very slightly raked toward the front but not much.

[RickOKC]

I recently did some research on the rake angle. Found a lot of old messages indicating they came from the factory with the nose 1.5" to 2" lower than the back (measured to the peak of the wheel arches.) Mine is at 1.75" and wish it was closer to being level, but I keep finding messages that make me worry about causing future problems. Being a worry wart sucks. :madgray:

[H3_VX]

Looks very nice. Bigger tires next? Or did I miss that part?

[RamAirZ]

The main reason that SUV's and Truck's get a forward rake is due to hauling a load, that way the truck sits level after it's loaded down. Now not sure if that was the intent of the rake with the VX but it's possible. The only possible reason for having more forward rake be a good thing would be the driveshaft angle but in all honesty the tailshaft of the transmission sit more level with the output of the rear diff is what you want. Here's a picture for ya:

http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/photo_08.html

Having the rake would tilt the tailshaft toward the sky more so. I don't think you'd hurt anything by raising the front of your truck Rick

[circmand]

I would think since we only have a drain hole for filling and chacking the tranny fluid you would need to worry about keeping the tranny at the correct angle so that it would continue to hold the proper amount of fluid and continue to lubricate all the parts properly. If the tranny gets at an angle from improper lift the part of the tranny fluid resouvoir would have fluid at a higher level which would not be a problem but on the other end the higher end of the res would have a lower fluid level possibly causing inproper lube and tranny failure.

[RamAirZ]

I doubt that would cause a tranny failure, considering how many of us have our nose's pointed at the sky when offroading lol. That's sound logic though but I don't think our fill/drain method would effect the way the transmission uses it's fluid. There's a good 8qts or more in the trans at one time, and our tranny pans aren't deep so most of our capacity sits in the case anyways.

[Marlin]

I would think since we only have a drain hole for filling and chacking the tranny fluid you would need to worry about keeping the tranny at the correct angle so that it would continue to hold the proper amount of fluid and continue to lubricate all the parts properly. If the tranny gets at an angle from improper lift the part of the tranny fluid resouvoir would have fluid at a higher level which would not be a problem but on the other end the higher end of the res would have a lower fluid level possibly causing inproper lube and tranny failure.

Hmmmm, interesting thoughts.

[REDLYNER]

Looks good! What is your belly ground clearance now?

[Bob Barker]

No idea. I will try and remember to measure it this weekend.

[RickOKC]

I would think since we only have a drain hole for filling and chacking the tranny fluid you would need to worry about keeping the tranny at the correct angle so that it would continue to hold the proper amount of fluid and continue to lubricate all the parts properly. If the tranny gets at an angle from improper lift the part of the tranny fluid resouvoir would have fluid at a higher level which would not be a problem but on the other end the higher end of the res would have a lower fluid level possibly causing inproper lube and tranny failure.
If the suspension was untouched, would the way the fluid sits be the same compared to checking it with the tires on the ground vs. a shop checking it while it was on a lift at a shop? Would that change if the front end height was modified?

[RamAirZ]

I don't think that issue is really enough to make a difference, you'd have to have a serious rake IMO for something like that to happen, as long as there is fluid in the "pumping" area there should be no lubrication problems what-so-ever

[Ascinder]

More rake, less rake, BAH!!! What he needs to worry about are bigger wheels:yesy:

[RamAirZ]

Looks good! What is your belly ground clearance now?

I guess it depends on how many beer's he's had


More rake, less rake, BAH!!! What he needs to worry about are bigger wheels:yesy:

lol bigger tires at least.


I measured mine tonight and with the 912's and 33's I have about 6" on all 4 corners from the top of the tires (measuring from the top of the lugs) to the fender.

[JHarris1385]

Yeah like Ascinder said....shoot for at least 22's or 24's.

[RamAirZ]

24's are old school, you gotta go 30's or go home!

http://www.just-spinner-rims.com/images/1985-Chevy-Caprice.jpg

[JHarris1385]

I agree! What was I thinking?

[Ascinder]

I did mean tires you clowns, LOL. :laughing::whiteflag:

[Bob Barker]

I could be the first "donk'd" VX!!!

[tom4bren]

BLASPHEMY!!!

[Triathlete]

24's are old school, you gotta go 30's or go home!

http://www.just-spinner-rims.com/images/1985-Chevy-Caprice.jpg

Haha! There is a red 2 door cutlass on 28's in my area. Every time I see it I nearly cry from laughing so hard. He has at least a 6 inch lift on it...huge lift blocks on the rear. I seriously think he has more clearance than my VX...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/images/smilies/laughing2.gif http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/images/smilies/laughing2.gif

[RickOKC]

Well, I think that style looks nice. And by nice I mean craptacular.

http://motorbeam.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/hummer-h3-on-wooden-wagon-wheels.jpg

[Triathlete]

Too funny...there is a dodge truck on 28's that visits down the street from me and I always ask him if he got the stagecouch at home that the wheels came on.:bwgy:

[Ldub]

That big wheel humr gots the MAD Amish style...:dan_ban:

[JHarris1385]

Sorry but you all may hate me....I like Donks! Complete attention grabber.

[Triathlete]

In my best aussie acsent..."Whats a donk?":bwgy:

[Ascinder]

In my best aussie acsent..."Whats a donk?"
__________________

That some new lingo all the cool kids are using nowadays:rolleyes:

[Bob Barker]

If you don't know what donk'in a car is all about, then you should just end your life right now. It's the greatest ever. period... 10x more awesome than ghost riding tha whip!

Pay special attention to definition number 2
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ghost+ride+the+whip

And if that doesn't get your rocks off, then this will surely do the trick
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=scraper+bike

(if you are looking for a good laugh, Youtube search for "ghost ride tha whip goes wrong" and Scraper Bike by the Trunk Boiz"!)

[Triathlete]

Man! Haven't you guy's seen Crocodile Dundee? Sheesh!:bwgy:

[Riff Raff]

I'm going to go ahead and get the stock 16" wheels powder coated and mount some nice tires on those.

BB--- Since you're lifted now and gonna' use the OEM 16x7 Stock Rims, then perhaps consider these two(2) tire sizes that will still fit on the 7" OEM wide rim when shoppin' for tires:

A. LT285/75R16 (32.8" O.D.)

B. LT295/75R16 (33.4" O.D.)

I don't know if you like sidewall lettering, but the new General - Grabber tire comes in solid "RED" outside lettering which might look bad-@ss on a Ebony VX. Just a thought. BTW, you will experience very minimal rubbing issues (if any) by using the OEM rims.

:bgwb:

[Bob Barker]

Yeah I read another thread you posted in about stock size rims and figured if I had to choose between rims and SVO parts then the stockers will work fine, just powder coated to match the truck or cladding.

Thanks for the wheel sizes there too.

[crotchrocket]

Robert...... stock rims are alright old chap, theres no problem there! save the powder coat cost and get some 30mm spacers to improve the look of the stance!

[vt_maverick]

And if that doesn't get your rocks off, then this will surely do the trick
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=scraper+bike

(if you are looking for a good laugh, Youtube search for "ghost ride tha whip goes wrong" and Scraper Bike by the Trunk Boiz"!)

So did you mean definitions 1 & 2 or did you mean 3: "to skeet a mustard packet onto the face of an unsuspecting girl." I'm not sure I could look that up on YouTube from work. :p

[Bob Barker]

Yeah the skeeting of mustard is a new one for me to learn about too!

[JHarris1385]

A donk is what that picture is. An old car lifted to put large rims and tires on.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.casino-customs.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/donk2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.casino-customs.com/2008/12/12/have-donks-gone-too-far/&usg=__QC0Wmm-fkmEJodo98ah5qgDLBdE=&h=400&w=600&sz=52&hl=en&start=15&zoom=1&tbnid=c04z8mYOPYIaMM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=207&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddonk%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26bi w%3D1280%26bih%3D683%26tbs%3Disch:10,313&um=1&itbs=1&ei=JIN2TIaHCcKB8gah4PHKBw&iact=hc&vpx=801&vpy=396&dur=18&hovh=157&hovw=236&tx=122&ty=67&oei=BoN2TNrvFYL78AamqpznBQ&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:15&biw=1280&bih=683

[vt_maverick]

Ahhh... but do you know what a badonkadonk is?

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?title=i-know-black-people-pt--1&videoId=219443

[Bob Barker]

Well I went ahead and lifted the front a little more. About 5/8th" higher on both sides where the gap is 7" between fender and wheel top.

I think it looks a little more even the way it sits now and tried to recreate the angles in the photos I took last Monday when I did it first, so what do you guys think?

First lift last Monday
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/005-2.jpg
After raising a little more this morning
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/001-2.jpg
Last Monday
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/006-2.jpg
After raising a little more this morning
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/002-2.jpg
Last Monday's work
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/003-2.jpg
And after this morning's work
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p127/jonbradley_photos/VehiCROSS/003-3.jpg

[vt_maverick]

Looks better I guess... why didn't you put on bigger tires before you did this? All that empty space makes it hard to tell if it's even.

[RamAirZ]

Looks good man! Ya when you get some bigger tires it'll look even better

[JHarris1385]

Looks too high.

[Marlin]

Looks too high.

He just needs tires to fill those gaps.

[Triathlete]

A Donk! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufDTDUPZrag&p=4077E59AC6D029CB&playnext=1&index=82):yesy:

[Bob Barker]

wrd. I need bigger tires for sure but funds won't allow it right now so I'm just pretending to be an off road truck!

[Ascinder]

I need bigger tires for sure but funds won't allow it right now so I'm just pretending to be an off road truck!


You don't need to buy bigger tires, you just need Justin to Photochop you some:bwgy: *DONK elimination software charges apply

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/medium/PICT0293.JPG
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4350977359_483f07a7b7_b.jpg

[RamAirZ]

did you get my PM ascinder?

[Ascinder]

Yep, just got home. I need to go dig this beast out of the garage. It's been off for awhile now and has since been buried under a pile of other VX parts. I will say the design I did is fairly overcomplicated, and if I was going to do it again, I'd probably just weld in a permanent plate mount across the frame and bolt the winch down to that. Another thing is that 10 bolt mounts and a lot of welding(warpage) equal a lot of tricky lining up afterwards. You will likely need to get rid of your stock electric fan since it sticks out and is going to be in the way. At least I had to. I wired in a low profile aftermarket fan that worked great. I actually have another one brand new, never installed(I was going to run two, but never got around to it.

[RamAirZ]

Gotcha, ya I was planning on a VERY simple method, chopping up a winch tray with the correct mounting holes and laying it across the frame rails and welding it in place, voila. I was wondering about that fan. Are you getting rif of that aftermarket one? Sorry for thread hijack, we'll just talk in your PM

[Bob Barker]

Threadjack: ENGAGE!

j/k:D

[Ldub]

Threadjack: ENGAGE!

j/k:D

Wondering where the topic went Bob?

It'll be back eventually... UP - UP & AWAY...http://www.smileyslord.com/smileys/superman-flying-smiley.gif

[Bob Barker]

I helped a little with my own thread jack!