UJOR Build Thread

[ujoint]

As someone who has put almost 6k miles on MGs Coil Spring kit I would like to chime in.

Wait for things to settle and it will feel a lot better. All of the new springs and what not feels very stiff and awkward at first put as more miles are put on it starts to feel more solid and firm but plush.

I am also not sure how you only have barely 4* of caster unless your using stock radius arms. If you have the modified ones you should have 4.8* at least.

Goodwaves - to answer your question. Don't pay someone to install your MG Coil Spring kit unless your absolutely positive you don't want to deal with it or don't possess any kinds of mechanical skills. Its not that difficult to do and if it was your first time ever installing it, I still think it would only take you 3 days max unless you have to drop the transmission. It will be harder to pull the old stuff out than it will be to put the new stuff on.

Edit - As long as my van sells, I am going to be purchasing another van and will be installing his kit again. When I do, I plan to make a video on it showing how easy it actually is to do. Many other individuals have done it already and I am sure they will chime in on their thoughts. Most of them already have in this thread.

The springs feel fine, will only get better with some weight and miles. I have the modified radius arms. Told my alignment guy that it felt pretty good initially so he left it alone besides the toe and I wanted it see where it was out the gate. Now that I've driven it more I want some more castor.

As someone that has built a few vans I wouldn't say that its "easy" to do, no 4x4 conversion is. Its still a major suspension overhaul that requires a certain skill level to do properly. Besides your rig how many have you done there?

 

[Jsweezy]

The springs feel fine, will only get better with some weight and miles. I have the modified radius arms. Told my alignment guy that it felt pretty good initially so he left it alone besides the toe and I wanted it see where it was out the gate. Now that I've driven it more I want some more castor.

As someone that has built a few vans I wouldn't say that its "easy" to do, no 4x4 conversion is. Its still a major suspension overhaul that requires a certain skill level to do properly. Besides your rig how many have you done there?

I have the modified radius arms and took it in for an alignment with nothing else done and it had 4.8*, not sure how it's different on yours.

After doing both MGs kit and your Leaf spring kit, I don't think I could have done your leaf spring kit by myself. I also don't know how to weld which puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to installing your leaf spring kit. But I do now how to drill holes and tighten bolts.

I will have done mine and one other by the end of this month. Keep in mind I am in a wheelchair as well and I am normally working on the ground without the use of my legs. I'm not saying that to play the "disabled card" I'm just saying that to emphasize the ease of the install. I do workout though...

Edit - Here's a photo of my alignment after installed the modified arms and new tie rod ends. I was wrong, 4.7 on one side 4.8 on the other.

 

[ujoint]

Yea I told him to leave it as is for an initial setting after the toe was correct. We have some room to play so I'll get it done soon.

 

[ujoint]

Pair of axles ready to go under a van. Stage2 Front with RSC upgrade, 4.56s, ARB. Sterling 10.5 rear also with 4.56 and an ARB.

Customer requested a twist test on the S/K conversion. Big time 8.25" of travel! No bueno. We'll double that with our leaf kit and improve the ride drastically. Now we can tear it down and prep for paint.

 

[another_mike]

The axles are a bit more $$ to build and the kit is slightly more $ overall for most rigs. RSC equipped vans have a decent $$ advantage with the coil kit.

Im confused. Is the coil conversion kit only available for RSC vans?

 

[Stitebunny]

I'd love to see progress pictures on the SK van!
I have one and hope to do the same some day.
Lots of cutting and grinding I'm thinking...
How much lift on it now and what are you guys going to put on it?

 

[pugslyyy]

Pair of axles ready to go under a van. Stage2 Front with RSC upgrade, 4.56s, ARB. Sterling 10.5 rear also with 4.56 and an ARB.

Those would look really good under my E-350.

 

[brianjwilson]

Im confused. Is the coil conversion kit only available for RSC vans?

No. I believe what Chris was saying is that a non RSC van could use the cheaper front axle (non RSC) with leaf springs.

If you want RSC to work, the coil setup with newer axles cost lost than his RSC complaint leaf sprung axle.

 

[ujoint]

Im confused. Is the coil conversion kit only available for RSC vans?

No its just easier for the DIY guys with RSC to obtain a later model coil sprung axle. We can put the coil kit under any 92 to current E series. Our RSC upgrade is great and has a lot of high end parts (all Dynatrac outers) but the cost is more.

I'd love to see progress pictures on the SK van!
I have one and hope to do the same some day.
Lots of cutting and grinding I'm thinking...
How much lift on it now and what are you guys going to put on it?

We'll be posting for sure. Stripping it now to prep for paint. Will be there for a few weeks then here for suspension.

Those would look really good under my E-350.

I think if you manifest it real hard it may happen....

No. I believe what Chris was saying is that a non RSC van could use the cheaper front axle (non RSC) with leaf springs.

If you want RSC to work, the coil setup with newer axles cost lost than his RSC complaint leaf sprung axle.

100% correct!

 

[ujoint]

Lower control arms for V4 ready for powder!

 

[another_mike]

Thanks everyone for answering some of my basic questions. One more, for now. Now that the coil spring kit has the ability to use an 05-up front axle.... is it still true to convert a RSC van one must use the Ujoint RSC axle? or is the newer style axle RSC compatible?

 

[Jsweezy]

Thanks everyone for answering some of my basic questions. One more, for now. Now that the coil spring kit has the ability to use an 05-up front axle.... is it still true to convert a RSC van one must use the Ujoint RSC axle? or is the newer style axle RSC compatible?

If you want to use Ujoints Leaf Spring Kit then you must get Ujoints RSC axle. If you want to use MGs Coil Spring Kit that only uses 05 and up axles then you are set with whatever axle you find because all 05 and up axles are RSC Compliant.

Edit - only if your van has RSC, if it doesn't, then use whatever axle you want.

 

[tgreening]

Lower control arms for V4 ready for powder!

Boxed DOM? How did you stop the DOM from turning into a banana during welding?

 

[ujoint]

Thanks everyone for answering some of my basic questions. One more, for now. Now that the coil spring kit has the ability to use an 05-up front axle.... is it still true to convert a RSC van one must use the Ujoint RSC axle? or is the newer style axle RSC compatible?

No, don't need our RSC equipped axle with the coil kit. You can get a built axle from us or source one locally with the coil swap.

Boxed DOM? How did you stop the DOM from turning into a banana during welding?

.250 wall, tig welded, would take a lot of heat to warp that tubing.

 

[tgreening]

No, don't need our RSC equipped axle with the coil kit. You can get a built axle from us or source one locally with the coil swap.



.250 wall, tig welded, would take a lot of heat to warp that tubing.

Man that's a lot of tig, at least to me. Patience isn't my strong point anymore.

I did manage to take a junk of steel that weighed 250 ton and weld it into a banana one time. Put 33,000 lbs of weld in that bad boy.