Building the SS(V) TrailHoe

[Dantheman1540]

Out with the old...

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I spent the morning measuring and recording all the ride height, track width, alignment values before etc. Took a bunch of photos in case I need to refresh my memory on anything later.

The afternoon I removed all the front suspension and differential. Nothing rusted in place, seized, or challenging. Found a Rio Grande river rock on the skid plate.

It's so nice to pull all the old out and install new! Nice work!

 

[Bill 1960]

The first unplanned replacement. I discovered one of the bushings in the differential carrier had debonded and was floating around. Since the 35” tires will be adding more stress to the front diff mounts I decided to replace both driver and passenger side diff carriers, rather than just the one bushing.

The local dealer had them in stock. Which makes me think it’s a commonly failed part.

 

[Bill 1960]

Today I put the diff back in, along with the new carriers and the lowering brackets that drop the diff 5”. Than the new cross members and longitudinal braces.

From here on the front will be easy, it’s just reassembly and all the parts are new.

 

[Bill 1960]

This photo illustrates one of the reasons I chose ProComp. As far as I could tell from reading all the installation instructions I could find they’re the only ones to add an extra mounting point to the front differential housing. And do it properly; it’s braced to the new subframe with a polyurethane bushing so it can flex. Which matches how the differential housing is hung from the frame on isolation bushings.



I expect that will help the weak 8.25 front housing withstand the extra torque from large tires.

 

[Bill 1960]

Got the RF done enough today to test fit a wheel and tire. I’d like it better if the tire were less outside the fender, but it’s not gonna happen; only 1/2” clearance now between the tire and the tie rod end.

35/12.5/17 on ProComp 17x8 -6 offset.

Barely clears at the rear of the wheel well, but I’ll be doing a NorCal trim there.

Today was just to verify the choice of wheel and cycle the suspension to check for issues. The brake hose is a little shorter than I like at full droop and lock, so I’ll be getting some stainless for that. The CV’s are okay at max droop and lock, although it’s obvious they don’t have much more left in their range of articulation.

 

[Bill 1960]

Finished up the front end initial alignment today and torqued everything. Let her out for some sun before she turns around and backs into the garage to get a butt lift.

 

[Sparksalot]

Sun is important to help dry her new wings.

 

[Sparksalot]

@Bill 1960 which transmission do you have, the 4L60?

I’m looking at a 2007 SSV going for auction tomorrow.

 

[Bill 1960]

@Sparksalot , yeah ‘08 was the last year of the 4 speed I believe.

 

[Sparksalot]

@Sparksalot , yeah ‘08 was the last year of the 4 speed I believe.

I believe it was for the 2wd also.