5.29's should be no more than 2% lower than factory spec, IIRC. Assuming you started w/ a 5-speed equipped vehicle. Should notice a difference at all.

You need to grind the frame until it looks like the pic I already posted. If you weld a shock tower to that motor mount, the shock will be too far away from the frame and the tire will rub it when flexed... also, welding it to that steel, it will flex that plate back and forth until it snaps off.

Do it right.

Oh, and regarding the plasma cutter: They produced relatively little heat - ESPECIALLY compared to a cutting torch, so as long as the fuel line isn't in the path of the arc from the item being cut you should be okay. It's really the simplest tool in the world to use - way easier than a torch or welder. Hook the air up, slap the ground clamp to one of the leftover brackets you cut off, and just try cutting through it. Seriously, they ARE the best thing since sliced bread.

ok...this is how much I got done on the left ( driver ) side today.
http://home.earthlink.net/~audiorat1/images/SAS%20progress/leftsideA2-9-04.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~audiorat1/images/SAS%20progress/leftsideb2-9-04.jpg

What about the diff. bushing brackets? Torsion bar brackets near the cross member? do you guys cut that off too?
The T-bar brcket on the passenger side seems to have rear parking cable go through it.

thanks

First time I used an oxy fuel torch I cut my steel, turned off the torch, flipped the mask and went to inspect my work. This was in my class, so I was not doing anything cool or really worth while.

I picked the piece, took a look and saw my gloves smoking. Stupid me though, cool, smoking gloves. Then the heat got to my fingers and was staying in the glove. The glove and steel soon got lauched. Even after I dunked it in the water bath, it was darn hot.

First plasma cut I was barehanding it after the water dunk.

Looking good Anthony. Completion date? I assume the axle is rebuilt and waiting, just have to hang springs and shocks?

Great story.
yeah, the axle is complete and waiting. I think this is the hardest part ....so far.
I just hope it goes down the road straight.....
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

4% lower, actually, by speedo calcs anyway. Just enough to nicely compensate for the weight of the rubber. Perfect.

i'm confused...i have 31 x 10.5 BFG AT's w/the stock 4.10 r&p gears....isn't 5.29 much more than compensating for 35 inch tires...i ran it through my calculator and 4.88's are much closer to stock ratio??? anyone?

stock is 31's and 4.56 for 5 spd. 4.10 is for like 28" tires.

Are you sure you have 4.10's? With the V6 I would think you would have 4.56's, I do.

I got more done after work today...

http://home.earthlink.net/~audiorat1/images/SAS%20progress/leftside2-10-04.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~audiorat1/images/SAS%20progress/rightside2-10-04.jpg

Now comes the boxing of the engine mount....might not get to it tomorrow....need to do maintainace on the file server.