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Photos: David Austin |
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| Well, what do you to when the weather gets too hot? The wheeling gets to be unpleasant in the sand and on the rock as the temperature climbs to 100 degrees or above. Well, we could just find a nice cool spot and play with the kids while we wait for fall and cooler temperatures to prevail. Or, as Brad Austin, the 2004 Top Truck Challenge winner sees things, this is a time for adjustments. Instead of lounging around, Brad looks for ways to improve his Jeep Wrangler. Now you may ask "what should you do to a rig that took you to the top and took home the gold in the most coveted of all 4x4 competitions?" Brad was still unsatisfied with his approach angle and front flexibility so he decided to take the saw to the Blue Beast (so named by the staff of Four Wheeler Magazine at the Top Truck Challenge). It is now time for the front leaf spring suspension to go. Even though it's suspension and flexibility played a very large part in his victory, he was looking for more from his Jeep. He chopped off the frame right in front of the fire wall and the old patched frame and leaf springs were a thing of the past. New tube was configured to his desired angles and welded onto the old frame.
The new shock hoops were built for the long travel Sway Away shocks and a new cross member, motor mounts and winch plate were welded into place.
Next the new 3 point suspension brackets were made along with a hat for the top of the Dana 60. Heim joints and bushings were placed on the ends of the control arms and the axle was connected to all the hand made brackets and then moved back into its new location, which now allowed for a positive angle of approach.
Now with all the welding, grinding and fabricating completed, the tires were placed back onto the Blue Beast. New brake lines were configured and everything was inspected. The rig was pulled from the shop and driven onto the wedge trailer to check the flexibility.
Doesn't look too bad on the front flex now does it? |
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