Chassis Build Up & Design

Been slowly picking at this over the last few weeks.  Spent at least a week trying to drill a couple 1" holes and it wasn't happening for whatever reason, so switched gears and got some other projects taken care of.  In the mean time my UB Machine uppers came in.  Last night I put them together and started tearing down the front suspension.

So far I'm quite pleased with the purchase.  Lots to be gained with these other than just the improved geometry; weight and control arm response being significant.  Without the rubber bushings the control arm movement is smooth and easy and hopefully gives a more solid/connected feel while tearing through the turns too.

9 pounds


IMG_3219 by TheHarley, on Flickr

5 pounds

IMG_3221 by Harley, on Flickr

14 pounds


IMG_3222 by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG_3225 by Harley, on Flickr


IMG_3226 by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG_3227 by TheHarley, on Flickr

And some vids:

aiiohohohohohoadiaidfaidf

smoooooooooooooth

Thursday the Blazer is getting pulled in and her first tear down for this project will begin.  I'll be pulling the LCAs to weigh them, swap in the tall ball joints and put them on the frame for mockup.

The difference in UCA movement is massive eh?  I couldn't believe how much resistance was there with the stock rubber bushings. 

That's a nice weight savings too.  IIRC my QA1 springs were 6 lbs lighter (each) than ZQ8 coils.  I still have them in the garage so I'll check that to make sure.

Definitely a significant difference.  It's like it was designed to rotate now.

I'll be weighing stock coils and shocks as well on Thursday and I'll throw on the QA1 setup too while I'm at it if I can get it off of the Blazer.

about time the blazer gets off the road!!

There is definitely more caster in those arms too!

about time the blazer gets off the road!!

Hey now.  It's been parked for about a year now and off the road besides the trailer excursion out to Romeo.

Got the rest of the front suspension parts off of the Blazer last night.  It wasn't too bad, but we had to cut up the passenger side front mount where, to make a long story short, I found an old cement light pole base with my front cross member.  I'm crossing my fingers that the ART LCA isn't damaged because buying another set isn't cheap.  Blazer is sitting on stock LCAs again quite literally.  Bumps stops are the only spring at this point...

Compare the two sides.  We cut the lip off to help get the ART LCA out.


IMG00134-20110811-2114.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00132-20110811-2113.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00133-20110811-2114.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr

More carnage to get the stock LCA in and keep the truck mobile.


IMG00135-20110811-2157.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00136-20110811-2157.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr

And grabbed the final weights for the new and old front suspension parts.


IMG00139-20110811-2225.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00121-20110811-1918.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00137-20110811-2224.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00122-20110811-1918.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00138-20110811-2225.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr

Stock Front Suspension
UCA:  9 lbs
LCA:  14 lbs
Shock: 3 lbs
Spring:  14 lbs
Total:  80 lbs

Modified Suspension
UB Machine UCA w/C10 BJ:  5 lbs
ART LCA w/tall BJ: 11 lbs
QA1 Double Adjustable Shock:  3 lbs
QA1 250/350 3/5” spring:  7 lbs
Total:  52 lbs

Total is for both corners with a weight savings of nearly 30 lbs.

wow. didnt realize how bad it had been bent.

are those dual adjustables? got a part number on the shock or kit?

Nobody believes me with how bad it was haha.  The frame is scrap.

They are double adjustable.  I will try to remember to look up the part number on the reciept this weekend.  I bought them back in 2006.

wonder if there is any way to make use of that scrap frame.
might be a good way to box a frame, but i think2nd gen blazers are already full box all the way down?

cant really think of a good use of a spare frame.....
custom trailer?

Scrap money?  haha That is the current plan at least.

The Blazers are boxed almost all the way to the shock mounts above the rear axles and they add a box section between the shock mounts and the rear-most crossmember too.

S10s go to a C channel before the front leaf mount unfortunately.

The Blazers are boxed almost all the way to the shock mounts above the rear axles and they add a box section between the shock mounts and the rear-most crossmember too.

Must be a second-gen thing as my frame goes to c-channel at the front leaf mount

The Blazers are boxed almost all the way to the shock mounts above the rear axles and they add a box section between the shock mounts and the rear-most crossmember too.

Must be a second-gen thing as my frame goes to c-channel at the front leaf mount

It is.  Didn't mean to confuse anyone, but was responding to Ryo's 2nd gen comment earlier.

Finished putting the suspension together last week and pulled the 17" Steelies off the Blazer for the frame and engine to show off.  Ride height is looking good with the LCA and tie rods using the tall ball joints and UB Machine UCA's.

I'm going to wrap up putting the T5 back together for my long bed tonight and then get back on extending the Stainless LS1 manifolds to get one more step closer to having the harness done.


P9010240 by TheHarley, on Flickr


P9010241 by TheHarley, on Flickr


P9010242 by TheHarley, on Flickr


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P9010275 by TheHarley, on Flickr

looks good, just curious, how does the droop stop work on those ucas?
also, this temp sensor... wouldnt you want it upsidedown to avoid bubbles?

There is no droop stop currently.  I think it was rentedmule who clamped some rubber stops to the arm to replicate it.  I know worst case I can go that route.  Haven't gotten there or thought much about it yet.  Knowing these trucks it will be necessary.

I originally planned on going down with the temp sensor, but not sure if there will be enough clearance to the manifold.  Still working that out, but I can always unbolt it and flip it over.  The way it is setup I don't think there will be room for much of an air bubble anyway.


IMG00017-20110106-2131.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr

I did mount up the driver manifold and get the O2 lined up how I want tonight.  Even checked for tool clearance if it ever needs to be removed.  Enjoy the useless video haha  I've got the next bend mostly ready to tack on and that will determine which way(s) I can run that temp sensor.


P9080283 by TheHarley, on Flickr

Tool Clearance

hmmm... maybe i should have you take back the manifolds and tack the pipe extensions on for me as a copy of yours?
I havent quite figured out how I'm going to manage getting my manifolds mocked up since the truck isnt moving and i dont have a welder....

I can certainly do that.  Just have to keep in mind that it is a Blazer frame and my engine is lowered too.  Which could just mean you have more clearance to the firewall copying mine.

Also forgot to load these up from my phone.  Just some glamour shots of the tall ball joint in the ART LCA.


IMG00158-20110829-2104.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00159-20110829-2104.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00160-20110829-2104.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr


IMG00163-20110829-2105.jpg by TheHarley, on Flickr