Axle swap in "The Big Cheese"

Looks great Randy and big too!:eek: Can't wait to get by to see the progress in person. Hope you did not kill your back putting those seats in:D and also glad to know the Explorer bases worked. Power IED proof seats, that's awesome!:idea:

R,
I've got the same set of seats and would love to see more about the bases you used, ie how you wired them, mounted them etc if you don't mind
Thanks sir,

I am also interested in the bases. Please show a few pics of them.

Either later tonight or tomorrow, I will post up some pics of the bases.

They really were pretty simple to install.

Thanks for the write up Randy, I'm getting things in order to do the same swap.

Who did you use for the rear discs and steering arm? Is it a standard 3/4 taper on the stock linkage?

The rear discs were with the axle Grantshire supplied, but they used Cadillac calipers and the mounts look like most of the general ones I've seen available from the usual suppliers. They are good quality and fit very well. I ended up using Ford Explorer flex hoses from the axle to the calipers.

The steering arm came from Foothill Offroad in CA. I don't recall the brand offhand, but it was an undrilled arm. I had to drill then taper the hole for a stock type tie-rod end. I also ended up with a 1" block under that arm, to keep the steering linkage parallel after the springover. Trying to avoid any bump-steer.

If it ever melts around here, I will finish up on this project. The snow is still 2ft deep in places, so its been a bit limiting....:D

From the pictures it looks like Great Lakes Offroad http://www.greatlakeoffroad.com/disc.html

This looks like a nice set up, I might go with the same kit.

WOW that thing looks great!! Randy-for the front 60-all you did was grind a little off the stock spring perch and welded the new perch next to it? and i can't remember who posted the pics of the steering setup-about not using a spacer-looks like he relocated the springs under the frame and used the stock axle perch's. the front spring hanger is definetly not original-so maybe thats why he didn't need the spacer?(sorry i forgot his name).
I think I'm gonna need bigger tires after seeing yours-SOA, running H1 beadlocks and 37" goodyears. Dually axles, D/60 front, 70 rear, a 4bt with a th475(heavy duty version of th400), no OD or lockup converter either. wondering about cruising rpm's now though.
SWEET BUILD though, keep it comming!!!!

Yes, I did have to grind away the stock perchm, and also notch the bottom of the housing to clear the the U-bolt.

I don't have an issue with the steering arm spacer. It is only 1 inch, and the hardened studs are 7/16" diameter. Torqued properly, I can't see where it would have any more stress than the stock setup did. It works perfectly, as it kept the steering link perfectly parallel to the axle and tie-rod. No bump steer at all.

After talking to Richard today I just had to thumb through each page of this build. Looks great, definitely something I might do to my 715. :thumbup1:

RM