Ricko's New Ride-'71 Baja

[rickosuave1987]

Who hasn't had awww what now moment when first putting those spindles on? Hedrock helped me on mine as well. Thanks Brian. Ricko you making the Nov run? Don't tell me you have a lot of stuff still to do and can't.

I want to, but my family was planning a thanksgiving weekend trip to rasor road. I don't know if I can swing both.

[rickosuave1987]

Take the link pins out and rotate the king pin 180* and re-install the link pins. The holes in the kingpin are an an angle. If you put the links in from one side they angle up and from the other side they angle down. See how the left side is and match it to that.

Good call on this 'rock. I did just that and the gap is gone.

Got the steering shaft extended, and the rack mounted onto the beam with very little bumpsteer. About 1/4" at the absolute limits of travel.

Here is about ride height. There is no pre-load in the springs yet, so it will probably go up a bit.



Here is as low as we could get the front end with the shocks on.


You can see the tape we were using for the bump steer measurements.

The steering wheel turns nice and smooth with the new rack (well, used rack but new to me) and the longer middle section of the steering shaft. Before it would bind every 1/2 revolutions.



Also, still looking for some ball joint backing plates. Anyone have some they want to let go cheap??

[CopperBaja]

Also, still looking for some ball joint backing plates. Anyone have some they want to let go cheap??

What do they look like?

[rickosuave1987]

Also, still looking for some ball joint backing plates. Anyone have some they want to let go cheap??

What do they look like?

The bolt pattern is different than the Link Pin ones that I have...

[ntsqd]

I'd say drill yours, but I dimly recall that there is an offset difference too. Could be wrong on that though.

[Hedrock]

Glad all is well now Rick. I had a feeling it would work 'cause I had the same issue when I put mine together.

[baja5]

I'd say drill yours, but I dimly recall that there is an offset difference too. Could be wrong on that though.

The hole in the middle where the spindle spud goes through is too small as well to fit over the Combo spud. Just went through this with Anzan's car.

[ntsqd]

hum, that's an easy solve with a rotary table. Should you find yourself coming anywhere near Ventura let me know.

[Leatherneck]

hum, that's an easy solve with a rotary table. Should you find yourself coming anywhere near Ventura let me know.

That might work if you hog out alot. Go with the BJ backing plates.

[rickosuave1987]

hum, that's an easy solve with a rotary table. Should you find yourself coming anywhere near Ventura let me know.

Well I dont have a rotary table but I do have some people on this board who like me I guess

Right now I think my problem is solved thanks to a member, but If that doesnt work out then I will come up to V-town.

[rickosuave1987]

Got the backing plates today and started to put the brakes together...

Also got some other work done.

Steering shaft. Sleeved on the inside with 4 rosette welds, and butt welds on the added section. The interior sleeve is 8" long and the added section is about 3-1/2



Got most of an X put in on the bottom of the new beam.



And a little more added to the shock towers...



Getting there...

[rickosuave1987]

Finished the X on the bottom



added another brace where I spliced in the tubes to the beam



And my brakes aren't like leathers... so they work:

[rickosuave1987]

Not sure if my measurements were wrong, or if my math was wrong... or if the beam was actually pushed out before.... but I ended up with a 103" wheel base



Also found some time to throw some primer on the new tubes to keep them from rusting any more...

[CopperBaja]

Will it still fit on your trailer? That's the important question.

[Devastator]

Will it still fit on your trailer? That's the important question.

Maybe the trailer need 3x3's.