oldskoolvws

Next big project. Finishing up the rear and then moving up front when I get everything assembled. Soon.

Steelers. Done.

This alone dictates ban.

This was really good until I saw the Seachicken flag :) Beautiful. This is what raises market value.

VW Rabbit or Honda Civic Radiator. If it doesn't fit with the fan, take off the fan and run either slim electric or move to push fans and put them in front of the radiator. I removed my clutch fan from my 22RE and run a Nissan Quest 2 speed electric fan with a Volvo 2-speed relay with BMW two temp sensor. Works like a champ. Also, change your themostat to the two-stage version. Another great mod for cheap. While the 22R is out, remove the front timing cover and replace the plastic chain guides with metal or you will be hating life later. I promise you. Might as well do the timing chain as well. If you want a good deal on good parts Toyota (non-OEM) hit up engnbldr.com (Ted). Use much of his stuff with no issues at all. I run his 268 cam in my daily. Too bad you didn't find a 20R and use the 22R head. Thats the hotter ticket. I have a spare 22RE head with 2mm over sized valves and port / polished but that's a lot of work to make it function.

Still playing with them Mike. They fit for sure, just got to final install them. I'll finish the rear end then move to the front. I am most likely going to install a pan hard rod in the rear for a little added benefit too but the frame is so flimsy that I may need to reinforce and triangulate.

:) Let me speak real s l o o w Mike.....m a k e i t f o r m e p l e a s e . Yeah, I've done that whole reweld the the forward perch thing on a D21. That truck has to have the worst leaf perches ever. I do currently have 2-piece. Just got me a 1 piece. Getting ready to soak it down and replace the universals. Anyone need a NOS carrier bearing and vintage universal for a 2-piece LOL.

INFORMATIONAL POST FOR BELLTECH LEAF SPRING CONVERSION This worked one mine, so don't be whiney with me if it doesn't work for yours. Necessary Parts: (2x) Belltech Leaf Springs 5974 D21 HB: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bel-5974/overview/make/nissan/model/d21 (1x) Whiteline Upper Rear Shackle Bushing W73252: http://www.whitelinesuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=W73252 (2x) New Bolt, nut, flat washer and lock washer TBD [still investigating this option] Optional Parts: (2x) Universal Adjustable Lowering Blocks 1.5" to 3": http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Adjustable-Lowering-Block,2153.html [still investigating this option] (2x) Shocks. At stance, my truck currently measures 15" eyehole to stem sitting collapsed on the shock which tells me I need probably more like 9" shocks. I'm going to remove the shocks completely and see where natural position is. This should give me good reference for new shock selection. (2x) Airbags. I may put in airbags between the live axle and the frame, not sure yet. You'll use both bushing sets that come with the leafs. The front will get the bushing and sleeve. TOTAL MINIMUM IN for my setup: $350 for the setup. Can probably find discounts and free ship to reduce.

Well,well, well. Looky what I spy? #oldskoolvwsproblems LOL. Solved.

I think so. Get hot Mister. Actually, I think if the blocks were solid, you could drill and tap holes so that you could make the pin points adjustable.

Updated in base thread for the answers: http://community.ratsun.net/topic/48968-oldskools-521-threadthe-mad-idiots-journal/page-28?do=findComment&comment=1255267

The bushings that come with the springs fit the rear shackle bolt. Would recommend getting new rear uppers from whiteline (http://www.whitelinesuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=W73252). The fronts however, looking for solutions. Right now best looks to be to use the bushings that came with the springs and change the bolt to a 10.9 14mm or 16mm. I think its actually 5/8"x5" but will experiment. Right now I just have the bolt in through the bushing loose to get it back on the ground. Will find out this week. Looking at the axle, not to bad with the 2" push back. Not sure if I like it or not. Can't really tell to be honest. Don't mind the height, the air shocks are up. I still need to find shorter shocks. You also get about another 3/4" with the 2 little half stacks below the axle. I'm assuming these were added in to maintain geometries on the 720 / HB.

Back....2". Does not matter which way they go in. It's centered so 2" back it is. Not sure its an actual 2" but in theory it is. The thrust lines remain the same so the only concern is enough yoke in the drive shaft. When you remove leafs like I did, in theory the arc angle goes back as as the shackles are in the back, I'm just not sure how much. This is because the springs go flat. The biggest I difference I notice right now is that with the OEM springs with packs removed the truck was like a basketball, you could bounce the back end up and down full stroke of the shocks by pushing down even with the air up. Now, solid hard with little deviation. I need to find shorter shocks though.

Alright, FOR THE RECORD, THE BELLTECH 720 / HB SPRINGS FIT. It didn't come without hardships but here it is. Sketchy before, test only: Stiff after. Hardship #1: The centering pin is dead center between the eye's on the Belltech's, off-set on the stock 521. The end result is that your rear end will need to go back roughly 2" once you install the leaf. Hardship #2: Because you need to move the axle back, the handbrake lines need to be removed from the rear keepers. More later, I'm tired.

It is. Its the 3/8". Absolutely love it. Lost without it now.