Ok.. on to the install(mockup)/review of the (in)famous chucklenuts at aftershot motorspurts Long Travel Kit we have heard so much about. I'm sure everyone is familiar with TurboTexas and the headache he has had with his kit. In short, this kit has a steering design flaw that relies on passing the steering rods through fixed heim joints(which are located on the subframe). This makes the kit vulnerable in different ways, If the tie rod becomes bent the steering will lock up. Also, dirt and debris are unavoidable.. if this gets on the shaft consider it sandpaper. So moving on!
Tonight I decided to hack up my frame and begin the mockup phase. My goal is to get the chassis rolling and bring it over to hosers before I tighten anything own. I grabbed my cutoff and began the molestation.
After cutting off the stock front brake line mounts and the beat up underframe, along with some grinding to make sure the surfaces were flush, I decided it was time to see how everything fit.
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As seen above.. It is a little off.... The hardened bolt simply would not go through. Now I cant officially blame the kit for this fitment problem as I have hit some pretty stupid shit in this thing. my frame may be very slightly tweaked for all i know. Also, I'm sure the thick sexy powdercoat on this kit plus the extra layer of paint I sprayed down arent helping. I did however look at the front mounts that fit over the old j-arm locations (for the upper arm and shock tower pieces). Inside the opening appeared to have a ridge. I smoothed the ridge out and was able to make the left side fit.
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However the right side is still a bit goofy. All the holes on the right alight except one. I believe the piece was manufactured incorrectly. After a few hours of some serious eyeballing and trouble shooting I have come to the conclusion that greater modification of either the frame or kit will be required. I need to make some measurements to find out which one of the two is the culprit.