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I have 18" stock wheels that I want to widen eventually. Engine is at the machine shop. Transmission is at the trans shop. She's not going anywhere soon.
 
You said what you did here wouldnt work with widened 18" wheels. Is there something else that could be done that would work? I'm just starting the process of looking into widening my wheels and looking for what sort of problems doing so might cause.
 
OP Sorry for the wait, but I still haven't had the chance to look into packaging and shipping my TA's to ya. To be honest, I don't even know where they are right now. lol. I WILL get to this; just need the time. Why don't you PM me your shipping address so once I do get a chance, I can send em off right then. We'll deal with the money afterwards.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Just bought a set from a forum member for $30. Once I get them in, I'll build a jig and then a custom set of fabricated arms and then we'll see what the interest is in modified stock arms.
 
Lol that's funny. I could have swore you said free set for whoever offered. So much for that deal I guess.
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
As for the 18" wheels: it may still work, we'll see how the clearances turn out. I may be able to squeeze them in there if I get the angles just right.


If someone with a set of arms wants to help me out, could you measure the diameter of the bolt hole on the bushing? Also, whats the depth of the bushing's hole? I'm shopping for spherical bushings right now and need to know the size.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
Got a set of arms on the way, I can begin mocking and jig building as soon as I get the arms in. I've sourced the parts for the spherical bearing and the square tubing as well as a place to get the spindle side of the arm water jetted out. I should have a prototype built within the next couple weeks, then I'll start accepting orders.
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
Finally! My welder finally came back from being serviced.... I guess they gave up and just sent me a brand new one :)

I ordered the parts to make a preliminary set. This first set will be a basic modification of the OEM arms - with a twist: I am also going to be welding on some high quality, greasable, polyurethane flex joints where the rubber bit is. The set I received in the mail is showing the first signs of dry rot on the rubber bushing. This is probably going to start becoming a problem on the car eventually, so replacing them with a rebuildable joint is probably wise. They will add around $100 to the cost of a modified set of arms, but I think they'll be worth it. These are from ballistic fabrication and are generally used on hardcore jeeps and stuff, so they are plenty strong. From what I hear on the 4x4 forums, they are quiet and reliable too so they should stiffen up that linkage pretty good. That goes especially if you get the other trailing arm bushing from Turn In Concepts.

After a little more measuring, I should be able to make this work with 18" wheels as well. When I get this first set done, I'll do a little measurement to see how much wider a wheel we can get under there. I'm hoping for 11" under stock fenders :)

These are the joints in question: http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/263-Heavy-Duty-Ballistic-Joint_p_1226.html

So I want to get an initial head count on who wants what, that will determine the pricing and how much the core fee will be. Products are:

Stage 1: Stock arm, modified for wider wheels, stock (used) bushing. I won't use junky cores for these, just the best ones I get in. These will be painted because you can't bake on powder with the factory rubber joint in place.
Stage 2: Stage 1 arm with a Ballistic Fabrication rebuildable and greasable flex joint. Powder coated.
Stage 3: Beefy fully fabricated arm with Ballistic joint and powder coated.

All joints will be TIG welded by a pro - me :) In all seriousness, I'm a damn good welder for someone who writes code for a living.

If I get enough interest in this thread, I'll start up a new thread to keep track of orders, notify you guys on build status, core status, etc.

So post up, who wants in?
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
What are you charging?
I'm not sure yet, it depends on the demand. If I have to do one set a week for a few months as buyers trickle in, then it is going to be more than if a dozen people line up and I can do this in one shot. It is definitely going to be reasonable, though. Probably $75 + core for the stage 1, $200 + core for stage 2, and $350 for stage 3 (no core needed, but I would probably still want to buy your stockers.)

Prices will probably vary for the cores as well, depending on what the demand is. I'll have to bust out a calculator when I get a rough estimate on how many people are interested.
 
I'm in for the stage III's depending on the questions listed below.

Will the stage III's fit with stockers?

What's the widest wheel I would be able to fit with the stage III's?

Can you post up pics of the various sets?
 
Discussion starter · #40 · (Edited)
I'm in for the stage III's depending on the questions listed below.

Will the stage III's fit with stockers?

What's the widest wheel I would be able to fit with the stage III's?

Can you post up pics of the various sets?
1. Stage 3s should fit with stock rims and wide 18" rims.
2. I don't know, I'll have to build a set first :) I assume the limitation will be something other than the trailing arms when I'm done. The MAP arms only had a slight kink to them, plus you needed to grind the spindles to make them clear. These arms will be fabricated with a substantial notch to give the wheel clearance. The notch can be as wide as you want (within structural limits).
3. Whenver I build the first set :)
 
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