Straight Axle

[Gil-SX4]

Mick like allways Great Job.
That looks like a set up that would not be to hard to make in kit form, for us design impare and no talent to fabricate parts.

[mick]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

I thought offering this as a kit would be impossible with the whole moving the steering box issue.  But once that was done the rest was not so bad.  It may be possible to offer a kit with everything, but as you can see welding is necessary.  Once I get some mileage and abuse on this setup I will consider offering a kit. 

One person is possibly driving their SX/4 to me and assisting me with doing the same to their car.

[80SpiritGT]

I'm game whenever you decide to offer the kit. My best bud wants a kit too but he may have money probs (I may have one other interested party as well). I'm lucky, I already have the axles....

I have a certified welder to help me on 'big' jobs. He works for beer and does excellent work. I do exhaust and general welding but I stink compared to him.

[mick]

Sounds good.  I'm headed to Moab early June, so it will see some good testing.  If the other person does the swap there will be 2 put through the wringer.

[80SpiritGT]

Don't forget your camera!!!

 

[rmedon]

Very nice!

[madsyentist]

Mick, were you talking about me as the person who was going to drive the SX/4 out there? If so, you can still count on that. (I'm the guy from Chicago who used to live by Kildeer.) Well, I may not be driving it out any more, but it will get there somehow. I know that we were talking about doing the mod in February, but my car got hung up in someone's garage for about 4 months--jerkface kept saying he'd do some body work...ended up only wasting my time. But anyway.

I  just got a new job, which is why I can't take the time off to drive it up--but because of my new job, I have the money for a transporter and for the swap.

I'm having the floorboards cut out in the next few weeks (and replaced) and also having the whole thing painted black (it's already debadged). I'm hoping to have it ready for you by the end of March. I'm guessing by then you'll have learned even more about the swap that you just finished up on.

The new 4.0L that I was running really well (except for the white smoke which I can't figure out).

So far the Beast (which is what my girlfriend refers to it as) has the following (it's an '83 SX/4):

Remanned 4.0L
CTR Performance HEI
Motorcraft 2100
Headers
Alumunum valve cover
No vacuum tubes anywhere

After next month:
From red to black
Dechromed
All rust cut and patched (body is fine, just rotten floors)

After Mick:
Swap in 229 transfer case
Two solid axles
Disc brakes all the way around
6-inch lift
30-inch tires

Down the road:
Roof rack for tire
Custom brush guard

[mick]

Sounds good, I tried to call you when I was in Chicago, but didn't hear back from you.  End of March, early April sounds good to me!

[mick]

Well here it is basically all done.  Few little things yet to do.  I drove it around, last night acroos town and then again this morning.  It is a real joy to drive.  I have yet to have it aligned, and to be honest, I may not.  It drives flawlessly.  It does not pull to either side, the steering wheel is straight, and has no bump steer.  I set the toe, and used a plumb to locate the axle and I think it's REAL close.  I have to do some mods to get the front driveshaft in.  Hope to have that done this weekend.

HERE SHE IS!





I'll have some action/flex pics soon!

[80SpiritGT]

I second that!! I have to do this conversion I can't live without it. I cannot die a happy man untill I own a lifted, soild front axle Eagle!!!!

[Petr]

One of the most beautifull "modified" Eagles I have ever seen.

[IowaEagle]

All I can say is, WOW!

[mick]

Right on Mick!

That things sweeeet.

What do you have to do to the front driveshaft?

So you did the blocks in the rear?

-Josh

Because the axle is abit farther forward and the obvious amount of lift the front shaft is about 3" short.  I'll also have to notch the transmission x/member like I did with the Green car.

Yep, the rear is blocks of the 4" variety for now.  I would have to say this is a true 6" lift because the rear already had a 2" AAL, the front is probably 6-7".  Man I can't wait till I have some 31's on it!  The 3.55 gears with the 30" tires is a huge improvement in acceleration compared to the 2.73's and 26's.

[mick]

Flex pics.  I have yet to see a rig with open diffs max this tiny ramp out yet.  Most open diff rigs make it about 1/2 way.  I believe I could go father if thare was any ramp left.

[Mac]

Holy Crap!!!   

That is awesome!!!!