Not a lot to report. I cut a couple pieces of pvc to act as links. I'm thinking the driver side exhaust pipe will need to be moved inboard of the frame rail so I can mount the lower link near the tranny crossmember. I used a piece cut to 32" long and an upper about 22-1/2" long which is about 70% of the lower. That is supposed to be a good ratio. That put the upper link at the frame about where the rear shackle mount was and the axle end was above the axle. If I move the axle forward a tad it should be good.
I scanned a copy of the frame dimensions out of my service manual to help sketch things too. I got a price on 2" .120 wall DOM tubing of $4/ft. About twice the cost of mild steel pipe. And I ordered a woodward fab tube notcher off amazon last night. Good price and the reviews were generally good around the web for it. It's not the nice expensive kind. Hopefully will work good enough for this project.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hck-sppipenotch
My order for a TIG torch and some supplies should be delivered soon. Still looking for a good used argon bottle. I can lease one if needed for $50/yr.
Tube bender plans are available. I have plans for a couple different designs now. A nice JD2 Model 3 bender costs about $300, but the dies for 1-3/4" or 2" tubing are around $300 each and are needed for home built benders too. The reviews for using the cheapo HF hydraulic benders are mixed. Some say don't even try to do tubing with it, others say it works fine as long as you use the correct size die. Also filling the tube with sand prior to bending keeps the tube rounder and kink free. I may pick one up and try it out. If it's a no go then just return it to HF.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-...der-32890.html
I'm glad I got started on this now. I don't feel stressed for time. I have time to still research and learn some things and tinker around with ideas or options. Once the design is settled on the actual implementation of it should be pretty straight forward.
Bender plans...
http://chopperhandbook.com/bender.htm
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-...er-design.html
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/thr...ake-one.56773/