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| We then assembled the axle housing end using the alternative tabs that Spidertrax supplied for attaching it to the Sidewinder housing. This is where you would use the standard brackets shown earlier to attach directly to the stock axle tube. This bar puts quite a bit of stress on the axle tube. I don't think we have to worry about that on this Spidertrax Sidewinder axle housing, but a stock housing should be strengthened with good gussets before jumping on the skinny pedal. The bracket for the stock axle has plenty of meat to grab onto (almost 180 degrees - or half way around the axle tube), but the axle housing itself could twist without additional strengthening. | ||
  This
vehicle is a 92 Samurai, and in the newer models, Suzuki had installed
round tie-down brackets on the frame. This would be in the way if we had
to make any placement adjustments before welding. Our 'perfect' location
was closer forward than the bracket would allow. |
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  So
a bracket adjustment was needed. Once welded in place, this bracket will
still retain all the strength of the original. |
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| Here are a few shots of the adjusted side plate and how we secured it to the frame. | ||
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  After
all welding and cleanup was done, the area was primed and then sealed
using a spray-on undercoating. The ends of the cross member can be capped
if you prefer, we just left ours open as the kit was designed. |
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  The
system is simple in design and allows for quite a bit of articulation.
Before the kit was installed, the vehicle would 'lunge' forward in a slow
rolling idle as the drive train would turn (wrapping the springs) and then
the springs would unload moving the vehicle forward. Then the process
started again. The rear of the vehicle would also squat under hard acceleration
from a stop. The kit installation resulted in a nice even
launch and an end to the 'lunge'. |
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 Component
Source:
Spidertrax |
09/15/04 14:52:55
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