FTBR IRS upgrade install
- Thread starter Mac99Snake
- Start date
Evening update:
Got the LCA's drilled, tapped and fitted. A couple quickly returned questions from Bruce and I am all done. Enough with the words...pictures
All done
I wanted to try the LCA's first, with the soft aluminum, to get the hang of it.
This is scary, but fun
Mac99Snake
Got the LCA's drilled, tapped and fitted. A couple quickly returned questions from Bruce and I am all done. Enough with the words...pictures
All done
I wanted to try the LCA's first, with the soft aluminum, to get the hang of it.
This is scary, but fun
Mac99Snake
love all the pics to go along with it so far man, makes it so much easier to understand how everything goes, keep it up!
I'm right with you Mac99. Drilled, tapped and installed the grease fittings - aluminum arms first just like you. Had to use a different tapping tool (with shorter arms) for the upper control arms, to clear the bends in the UCA's. Bruce's video's are awesome. I work for a while, then watch the videos for a few minutes, and then work some more. The only place I've differed from Bruce's instructions was drilling the factory sub frame bushings - after drilling the first one like he said, I only drilled one hole in the rest, and they came out cleaner (left less residue in the sub frame). Replacing the 8.8 cover now, and then on to installing control arms.... Absolutely no glitches yet, just lots of wrenching, cleaning, drilling, and such.
Ditto, read some, watch some, email Bruce with questions.
Morning update:
Since I am waiting for the tools, I decided to remove the IRS from my 99. Wow, it goes much faster the second time. Dad and I upgraded this IRS in 2006 with a full MM kit. While the kit did eliminate the wheel hop, there was still the clunk and noticeably more NVH. I will be taking the BF IRS brace off and reusing it, along with a Kenny Brown IRS rear steer kit.
The pictures show front and rear of the IRS - note: the halfshafts are not stock, they are RAXLES. Also, the IRS knuckle upright has cross axis joints installed.
Loving the weather - This is fun
Mac99Snake
Mid Morning update:
A mess of IRS'
All apart except for the rear tie-rods...need to get a puller.
Good times
Mac99Snake
A mess of IRS'
All apart except for the rear tie-rods...need to get a puller.
Good times
Mac99Snake
Late morning update
Just thought I would show the different half shafts.
From top to bottom
03 Stock
99 Raxle
99 Stock
Time for a break.... This afternoon, clean and install BF IRS brace and Kenny Brown rear steer kit.
Good day to be outside, and this is fun.
Mac99Snake
Just thought I would show the different half shafts.
From top to bottom
03 Stock
99 Raxle
99 Stock
Time for a break.... This afternoon, clean and install BF IRS brace and Kenny Brown rear steer kit.
Good day to be outside, and this is fun.
Mac99Snake
Afternoon update:
Installed the BF IRS brace from the 99 pumpkin. Removed and cleaned up the Kenny Brown rear steer kit off the 99 IRS. Disassembled and stored the 99 IRS bits I didn't use. Lastly, cleaned up the garage again from the days work. I don't think there is much else I can do until the removal tools get here.
Bruce, is there anything else I can do ahead of time?
Long day but still learning and fun
Mac99Snake
Installed the BF IRS brace from the 99 pumpkin. Removed and cleaned up the Kenny Brown rear steer kit off the 99 IRS. Disassembled and stored the 99 IRS bits I didn't use. Lastly, cleaned up the garage again from the days work. I don't think there is much else I can do until the removal tools get here.
Bruce, is there anything else I can do ahead of time?
Long day but still learning and fun
Mac99Snake
Well you may want to consider a couple of things. If you don't know the last time your fuel filter was changed, change it now. You have complete and total unrestricted access to it with the subrame out of the chassis.
You also may want to consider resealing the diff cover now that it's out of the car. Those seals don't last forever. I'd use the gray Ford Motorcraft sealant and don't put the lube in for 24 hours until the sealant cures.
:thumbsup::coolman::beer:
Great minds think alike . I have a new filter and the diff/limited slip was rebuilt/resealed 1500 miles ago.
Thanks - Mac
. I have a new filter and the diff/limited slip was rebuilt/resealed 1500 miles ago. Thanks - Mac
Last edited:
Per Bruce's recommendation, I replaced the fuel filter this morning. I'm not sure how long the older was in (not stock) but when I removed it, some brown fuel did come out from the fuel tank side. So, that done, I got to cleaning, did the shocks and then did a bad thing....looked forward, under the door sills. <sigh>
I hate knowing...and sometimes hate being such a clean freak.
Off came the 90K mile lower valences:
Cleaned up as best I can. They definitely need repainting in the future.
Off to pick up some plastic body pins for re-installation.
Fall is here in north Florida - 62F
Mac99Snake
I hate knowing...and sometimes hate being such a clean freak.
Off came the 90K mile lower valences:
Cleaned up as best I can. They definitely need repainting in the future.
Off to pick up some plastic body pins for re-installation.
Fall is here in north Florida - 62F
Mac99Snake
I sure wish it was 62 up here in Ohio..... Getting close to done with my install. All the suspension is in. refilling the rear axle, and then it's time to reinstall the exhaust and tires. Then lower it back down to the ground and see how it looks. I cut 3/4 coil off the rear springs while they were out. Hope to get it 4 wheel aligned tomorrow so I can drive it!
I cut 1/2 off the front and 3/4 off the rear and am happy with the look. Post some pics.
Sent from FL280 using Tapatalk HD
Sent from FL280 using Tapatalk HD
Its really not difficult, just take your time and have all your parts/tools ready. I think with a helper, you could get it done easily in a weekend.
Late afternoon update:
While waiting for the tools, I cleaned and painted the subframe, diff braces and UCA's. I think I have done just about everything I can.
This is fun, waiting for big brown isn't...
Mac99Snake
Big Brown arrived at 3:45 pm with the removal tools I had all the stock bushings out and bores cleaned in two hours. Definitely get the tools!
Just removed the subframe bushing:
After cleaning it out:
A couple things held me up. The rear stock subframe sleeve had some nubs which needed to be removed (filed) before the long threaded rod would fit. I also had to drill the stock Diff mount sleeve to get the rod to fit. That took a bit of time otherwise I would have been done quicker.
Drilled and tapped the UCA's
Both are done with all the bushing installed. You can see my mistake...I over-tapped one of the grease fittings. I used a small gasket washer to snug up the fitting at the proper orientation.
I have the UCA's, LCA's and Diff Mount all done, ready to install in the sub-frame. I'll do the subframe mounts tomorrow.
This is fun, except when you #$%% it up a little.
Mac99Snake
I had all the stock bushings out and bores cleaned in two hours. Definitely get the tools! Just removed the subframe bushing:
After cleaning it out:
A couple things held me up. The rear stock subframe sleeve had some nubs which needed to be removed (filed) before the long threaded rod would fit. I also had to drill the stock Diff mount sleeve to get the rod to fit. That took a bit of time otherwise I would have been done quicker.
Drilled and tapped the UCA's
Both are done with all the bushing installed. You can see my mistake...I over-tapped one of the grease fittings. I used a small gasket washer to snug up the fitting at the proper orientation.
I have the UCA's, LCA's and Diff Mount all done, ready to install in the sub-frame. I'll do the subframe mounts tomorrow.
This is fun, except when you #$%% it up a little.
Mac99Snake
Great work! Makes me want to get this kit even more. I was worried about the install but it really doesn't look to bad, just time consuming.
In my "store extra stuff in here" bin . I just looked for something that would fit.
. I just looked for something that would fit.Users who are viewing this thread
