The Narrowed Beam Journey............

Okay... so as many of you know I picked up a 2 1/2" narrowed beam at Bug O Rama last Sunday. It was just the beam and nothing else. So a quick stop to the "club bone yard" (BEING STARTED AND HELD AT THE SMOG STOP)and got some leaf springs and tie rods to have narrowed up.

So for you new folks.. a narrowed beam allows you to put wider tires under the front of the car without rubbing on the fenders! It also allows you to put different size rims and tires under the car.

So here is the beam:



Then I started stripping off the paint on the tie rods:



Here are the torsion bars and tie rods ready for welding tomorrow.



I am heading down to my parents house tomorrow for a "visit" and some welding..LOL

Will post pics after I get it done

Git 'er done! This will be nicer for you.

IF YOUR DOWN IN ROSEVILLE TODAY WHY DONT YOU SWING BY THE TECH DAY IN NORTH HIGHLANDS? IT NOT THAT MUCH FARTHER.

I will try.. but will have the whole family for a visit to the parents... so we shall see

All right.. got some work done...



cut the springs on each end 1 1/4"



cut the tie rods 1 1/4" in the middle of each



Custom made some inserts on the lathe



Welding those bad boys up

Then trued up the springs and dimpled them again



A good welder goes a long way



So this week will be painting the tie rods... putting the springs back into the beam and getting ready for instal!

Cant' wait

You don't mess around.....

Looking good Brad.

got the tie rods primed, painted and put back together.. New tie rod ends and new steering strut. Also picked up a new steering coupler




Also got the narrowed torsions back in. That was not fun, but assembled and ready for instal...

Nice work!!

Now Brad was that you welding, tell the truth

Nope.. my dad. I don't weld worth a sh...... LOL

So.. got it in on tech day. There is pics over there of us putting it in and the finished product.

I like the no more rubbing.. very nice. And I actually like the ride. It stiffened up the springs so the ride feels like a new car in front.

The only thing I don't like is how stiff my steering is. I think it is the old ball joints. I think one of them is really bad.. so I need to get those as soon as possible. Other than stiff steering, it handles great even without the sway bar.

So all in all, very happy with the out come. New ball joints and the whole front end will be rebuilt.

Going to set up an appointment with Big-O to swap out the rims this week. That will add a bit o flare to her!

I'm sorry....did you dare mention Big-Zero??


I'm disappointed.

From the pics it looks good!

Great job! The eight spokes are going to look sweet!

Not that I am partial or anything...

Big Zero.....LOL, Greg.. you silly.

I don't have a friend at the les shwab up here and they always take forever and cost a mint. Transfer up and I will be your #1 custi...

The 8 spokes should be on by wednesday

Fine, I'll let it slip this time........

Don't worry Brad. He gives me the same line.