The Tan Hot Dog Build

[boywonder]

....Think about the headlight swap carefully.......the black cargo van style headlights are quite different....maybe a downgrade, although the stock passenger van headlights are nothing to write home about either.......

That swap also requires a different wiring conncetor IIRC

[Jsweezy]

JWA - ya I have found a couple places that have the grille and the headlights but not the bumpers. I just figured if someone wanted the chrome I was interested in more of the black look. If they don't go I guess I'll just stick with the chrome, less work ha ha. Thanks!

[mgmetalworks]

Quadvan may have some bumpers. Last time I was there he had several take-offs

[Jsweezy]

MG - Sweet, if no one takes me up on the swap then I'll give them a call. Thanks!

[Jsweezy]

I really should have just named this thread "Upgrading an Advanced Conversion". But anyway, I figured for all of my Advanced Bretheran I would share with you your shopping list for swapping the shocks over to Fox from Rancho.

Here is what you will need.


One 1/2" x 3" (double check with what's already on your lower shock mount for length) bolt Grade 8 is preferred, Four washers, One metal sleeve 1/2" ID 5/8" OD and Two nuts. What's not pictured is a drill with a 1/2" or 5/8" bit. Depending on wether or not you just want the pin to fit or if you want the bushings to fully seat. I didnt want to drill more than I have to as I plan to use these mounts with coil springs in the future.


It's pretty simple, just mirror the bolt that's in there now and cut the sleeve to fit into the bracket so the 1/2" bolt isn't flopping around in there. I used a pair of grips and a dremmel to cut mine down. I also made sure it was skinnier than the bracket metal so it wouldn't hinder my ability to tighten the bolt onto the bracket. Then I just made sure to put some red loctite on the final bolt so it wouldn't vibrate off.


Don't start the swap without this stuff, I learned the hard way. Seems to be the only way I find things out anymore!

[arctictraveller]

For your black conversion, have you considered Plastidip? It's quick and easy, and if you don't like it, simply peel it off. On your shock mounts, I wonder if you need at least a little play in the bottom mount to prevent the bushing from being stressed by the rotational movement?

[Jsweezy]

Arctic Traveler - I had considered the plastidip but then decided if it no one wanted to trade then I would just leave it alone. I don't think it looks bad I just thought it would look cooler with the black.
I had also wondered about the bushing but there is a metal sleeve inside the bushing that keeps the rubber from being squished so it may stick a little on the sides but I can move the shock around no problem when it was attached. If it didn't have that sleeve I would be more worried about tightening it down too much.

The other alternative to doing all this bolt work is just removing that inner sleeve from the bushing. I didn't want to do that so I just bought the 1/2" bolt to fit in the sleeve.

Boywonder - I will look more into the swap, I guess I thought it would be just a straight swap, there I go thinking again... I also understand the lights may be somewhat of a downgrade but was debating on upgrading them anyway to the ones Redoval is selling. Thanks for the help though!

[BajaSportsmobile]

That looks like a Grade 3 Full Thread Bolt, Grade 5 at best. I would be very concerned about that bolt bending and breaking as it is only in "Single Shear" and also not Tensioned.

I would get a quality Grade 8 Partial Thread Bolt, Spacer and Locking Nut if using that mounting method.

Nuts to Bolts of Fasteners

Simplest would be to remove the inner sleeve and use the existing mount - that is what I would do.

[Jsweezy]

Baja - it's a grade 5. I initially had a grade 8 partial thread but it was still moving around too much for my liking so thats when I started looking for a grade 8 full thread which unless ordered online is hard to find. So I had to go with a grade 5. I will probably swap it out for a full thread grade 8 when I find it or order it online.

I agree removing the sleeve is probably the easiest if you can do it but my original bolts were pretty jacked up and I didn't want to get another "proprietary" piece from advanced.

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by Jsweezy

I also understand the lights may be somewhat of a downgrade but was debating on upgrading them anyway to the ones Redoval is selling.

Redoval may have updated his offerings, but the last time I tuned in Scott was mainly doing the older, pre-2008 style headlights....he had done at least one post-2008 headlight conversion but it was quite pricey.....