IFS lower control arm truss

[corax]

I know Total Chaos sells one, but I wanted it flat on the bottom so I could bolt a skid on later (and link to a Budd Built cross member, which is another future mod). I know Sonoran Steel makes one, but it looks like major overkill (and I'm trying to limit how much weight I add). I had one from Front Range Offroad on a previous project, but they don't make them anymore & I didn't like the way it bolted on. I didn't want a weld on truss because I'd like the option of unbolting it to make dropping the front diff easier.

This is what I came up with, design is based on the Front Range truss, but with weld on mounts. Fab time + install was only ~4 hrs using 2" x 1/2" channel and 2" 1/8" flat bar.
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7999/1000015ac8.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9292/1000017oo9.jpg
installed and painted - everything was assembled & both mounts drilled & bolted with it off the vehicle. I tapped it in place & welded it up. that way I know there is no slop in the mounts and everything is a nice tight fit. It's strong enough I can jack up the front of the truck with no visible deflection on the truss
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6048/1000021tz2.jpg

I know it's only a minor project, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there. Total cost was less than $20

[slosurfer]

Looks good! :thumbup:

[3rdCoastRunner]

I think I might have to do that one of these days.

[Robinhood4x4]

I think I would have gone with thicker than 1/8" flat bar, but good job.

Keep us updated on how it works.

[corax]

I was originally thinking about using 1/4" thick for the mounting ears and frame mounts, but when I looked at the construction of the factory front lower control arm truss, I realized that 1/8" would be plenty. Plus there's a total of 8 8mm bolts holding it all together with near zero play in the bolt holes (I have to turn the bolts to get them through the holes)