GForce Engineering fully-fabricated 9” IRS With modified cradle

[Ta2ude]

I wasn’t sure if I was even going to continue posting on this thread, as it seemed like it had the potential of going sideways fast and I am too old and have no interest in online arguments with people I don’t know, but I noticed how many views this thread had gotten and realized many people did have genuine interest, so here are some updates.
First off I will say i am not a mechanic but I do have decent mechanical aptitude and this project although not huge, is the most extensive automotive modification I have ever made. It’s fairly straightforward if you take your time and I would give it a 5 or 6 out of 10 on the difficulty scale, so it’s fairly easy but I personally would not want to do it without a hoist.
I also bought a hydraulic lift table from Vevor that was extremely handy, it was rated for 550lbs and had a lift height of 48”. It worked perfectly for removing the original cradle and installing the modified one. It also made a great tool cart and will be very handy for loading stuff in and out of my pickup truck.
Here it is with the OE cradle after removal.

 

[Ta2ude]

And here is the modified cradle ready to get installed.

 

[1971demon]

I wasn’t sure if I was even going to continue posting on this thread, as it seemed like it had the potential of going sideways fast and I am too old and have no interest in online arguments with people I don’t know, but I noticed how many views this thread had gotten and realized many people did have genuine interest, so here are some updates.
First off I will say i am not a mechanic but I do have decent mechanical aptitude and this project although not huge, is the most extensive automotive modification I have ever made. It’s fairly straightforward if you take your time and I would give it a 5 or 6 out of 10 on the difficulty scale, so it’s fairly easy but I personally would not want to do it without a hoist.
I also bought a hydraulic lift table from Vevor that was extremely handy, it was rated for 550lbs and had a lift height of 48”. It worked perfectly for removing the original cradle and installing the modified one. It also made a great tool cart and will be very handy for loading stuff in and out of my pickup truck.
Here it is with the OE cradle after removal. View attachment 175915 View attachment 175917

I have one of those lifts...I use it for everything..

 

[Ta2ude]

The point of no return.

 

[Ta2ude]

I broke a plastic clip that hold part of the fuel line system together and hopefully can get a replacement. I tried to crazy glue it but it didn’t hold.

 

[Ta2ude]

Here are a few pictures that show the stock cradle bushings compared to the modified cradle bushings.

 

[Ta2ude]

And the stock differential bushings compared to the modified ones.

 

[Ta2ude]

Here are some pictures of the stock parts compared to their AAD replacements.

 

[Unholy707]

Hammer time

 

[Ta2ude]

I broke a plastic clip that hold part of the fuel line system together and hopefully can get a replacement. I tried to crazy glue it but it didn’t hold. View attachment 175922 View attachment 175923 View attachment 175924

I went into town yesterday to pick up a few things and stopped in at the Chrysler dealership to see about replacing this little blue plastic clip I broke and as I suspected they don’t sell it separately. It comes with the full “assembly” which can be purchased for $150.00. I tried searching the internet for something aftermarket but didn’t have much luck. Amazon did have something similar that I might have to order and try for $15.00 just for the clip.
If anyone knows where I could find this clip please let me know.
Thanks.

 

[06SRT10NR]

I went into town yesterday to pick up a few things and stopped in at the Chrysler dealership to see about replacing this little blue plastic clip I broke and as I suspected they don’t sell it separately. It comes with the full “assembly” which can be purchased for $150.00. I tried searching the internet for something aftermarket but didn’t have much luck. Amazon did have something similar that I might have to order and try for $15.00 just for the clip.
If anyone knows where I could find this clip please let me know.
Thanks.

won't say you'll find it, but I've had soime luck in the past here:
https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Default.asp

 

[Ta2ude]

won't say you'll find it, but I've had soime luck in the post here:
https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Default.asp

Didn’t see it in there, looks like they had everything else though, lol, but thanks for the link !

 

[2ndgen]

is this it?

There's more info and more part numbers in that thread.

 

[Ta2ude]

I think I found the clip I need on Alibaba. I will find out in a couple of weeks when it shows up.

 

[Ta2ude]

I’m not sure of the “proper” procedure for aligning the cradle when reinstalling but I hung a plumb bob from each side of the car and measured to the centre of the axel stub then also measured from the centre of the axel stub forward to the same point on the car on both sides.
I managed to get the cradle cantered both side to side and front to back within 1/16” or 1/32” per side so that should be good enough and I will be getting an alignment done anyways in the spring.

 

[2ndgen]

I’m not sure of the “proper” procedure for aligning the cradle when reinstalling but I hung a plumb bob from each side of the car and measured to the centre of the axel stub then also measured from the centre of the axel stub forward to the same point on the car on both sides.
I managed to get the cradle cantered both side to side and front to back within 1/16” or 1/32” per side so that should be good enough and I will be getting an alignment done anyways in the spring.

Sounds like that could work.
When I reinstalled mine I measured with a tape from the rear bumper support on each side. I should probably get it aligned just to be sure, but it tracks straight as far as I can tell.

 

[Ta2ude]

Can anyone tell me the centre to centre distance on a shortened rear sway bar end link ? The cradle I bought was being run with 15” wheels and tires so needed shortened end links and has a pair of adjustable ones that are set 8” centre to centre where as my stock Redeye ones are 10.25” centre to centre. When the shortened end link is installed there is basically no clearance between it and the axel, I can barely slide a piece of paper in which is oo3”, where the stock end link has a little over 1” of clearance. So I was just wondering if anyone had the centre to centre distance on shortened links they are running ?

 

[Marc W]

AAD has billet end links that relocate the attachment points on the spindle that allow you to cut off the factory part that has the clearance issues with a 15” wheel. It will probably fix your axle clearance problem. Talk to them.