Got part of my front end mocked up/partially finished today. First broken weld today as well, was trying to use some plated 1/4" plate cut from a motorcycle hitch bracket, need less to say, no penetration and its alot softer than I had imagined. Cut new ones from regular 1/4" plate, and oh so much stronger. Bulkhead bolted down with oversized grade 8 bolts(3/8" up top and 1/2" for the sides). I know I said I was going with heims up front, but with the time constraint and budget dwindling, I cleaned up the bushings and will use them for now, although I am considering using something different than bolts running through them. Anyone know the hardness of 1/2" round stock?? I am betting it isn't even close to grade 8.
Wanted to get a wheel on the front, but didn't have enough bearing grease to install the hubs. Oh well, there's always next weekend.
I do have one other question. I opted for the Latest Rage brand 11" replacement steering rack, and it has heims for the inner tie rods. They want me to use their outers @ $28/ea. I am thinking of chopping the stock inner joint off the sleeve, and welding a clevis on the end and popping a heim on the spindle end. Would it be a safe idea to make my own clevis, or outsource one? It would likely be 3/16" steel if I make it myself, and would it be beneficial to opt for a lower grade bolt on the clevis to help not destroy the inner heim and rack?
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ASE Master and Toyota Master Diagnostic Certified
Buggy Building Trainee
'04 Dazon Raider 150 'modded'
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