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Comment: October 3rd 2003 - Trial fit to make sure the axle and suppension fit correctly. It's a 2000/lb 4" drop axle with 1000/lb springs on 39" centers. Note: This combination worked perfect with no bounce or sway in heavy cross winds.
October 2nd 2003 - 1/4 X 2 angles were welded on as a base to mount the spring hangers.

October 2nd 2003 - Six pieces of angle with 3/8 holes were welded in place as mounting brackets to attach the floor. Carriage bolts with fender washers will be used and two nuts locked together on the bottom.

October 3rd 2003 - Alright!!! Some hardware arrived from Champion trailer.

October 3rd 2003 - Frame completed with several coats of of paint. The exposed front part of the frame will be painted white as will be the connector.

October 3rd 2003 - Although torsion axles install easier and are a little less expensive I chose leafs. Both suspensions can break but the springs are available most everywhere, very easy to replace and you can limp into a town for parts. Torsion's are made to order and if one fails the tear is stranded for as long as it takes to make a new one - sometimes weeks. If towed it must be put on a flatbed which depending on mileage could exceed the cost of the original build.
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October 5th 2003 - Underside of the connector is welded in place. The chains will also be welded to the frame.

October 16th 2003 - Just trying an idea to mount some swivel casters up underneath in back to help me out of my steep driveway. Won't install unless needed on the first trip out the drive. Note: They were never needed.

October 16th 2003 - Some 5/16 flat steel was bent and scabbed onto the rails where the bends were made for extra strength.

October 16th 2003 - OK . . . frame's finished so it's time to put away the welder and dust off the woodworking tools. The Toyota truck (same bolt pattern as Ford) wheels came from a wrecking yard with these old tires installed which will be replaced on completion. Note: when finished the tires were replaced with P205/R75-14's

October 23rd 2003 - Floor is 3/4 birch plywood with 1-5/8 X 2-1/4 frame rails glued and two inch screws every three inches.
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Album last updated on Jul 28, 2008 - 12:43 PM
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