{"id":1677,"date":"2026-03-08T22:45:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T05:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/?p=1677"},"modified":"2026-03-10T23:30:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T06:30:48","slug":"finishing-the-crossmember-and-trackbar-mount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/finishing-the-crossmember-and-trackbar-mount\/","title":{"rendered":"Finishing the Crossmember and Trackbar Mount"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sorry for the delay.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t have a lot of time to post updates on the website, but I finally got the trackbar mount in a place that I like.\u00a0 It took a lot of jacking, welding, fitting, cutting, jacking, welding, fitting, cutting&#8230;\u00a0 Anyway, I think I&#8217;m ok.<\/p>\n<p>Where I left off, I was test fitting the axle under the recent cut to my crossmember.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tfL0n6AJVrE?si=miOnv6SBLgpR0sNr\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Naturally, I&#8217;m not too keen on these kinds of cuts to the frame, but sacrifices have to be made.<\/p>\n<p>Now, after a few weeks of wrenching and cutting this van apart, and rewatching this old video, I can understand my concern about the proximity to the crossmember.\u00a0 Keep reading, and I learn that the closeness was due to the coil tilting to the passenger side, which you can already see in the video.<\/p>\n<p>You can read more on my post from the previous week on why I cut it at the location I did.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Mq02T1NY24\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/cutting-the-crossmember\/\">Cutting the Crossmember<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Cutting the Crossmember&#8221; &#8212; IDI Online\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/cutting-the-crossmember\/embed\/#?secret=VGiIhTNAwz#?secret=Mq02T1NY24\" data-secret=\"Mq02T1NY24\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Regardless, I&#8217;m moving forward, and I need to figure out how to get this central and not tilting so far.\u00a0 The coils could topple over at any moment.<\/p>\n<p>If you remember from a previous post, I had to rethread one of the rad arm holes, due to a busted bolt.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the corner shot, with the bolt still in place so I wouldn&#8217;t lose it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1678\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_093631.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_093631.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_093631-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_093631-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_093631-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The coil spring bracket goes between the rad arm and the coil.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1679\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20251215_145639.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20251215_145639.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20251215_145639-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20251215_145639-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20251215_145639-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Coil installed on top of the bracket.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111627.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111627.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111627-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111627-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111627-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a closeup.\u00a0 Pathfinder installed some kind of hockey puck looking receiver that gets thru-bolted with a monster 1 1\/8&#8243; hex head.\u00a0 15\/16&#8243; nut.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111646.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111646.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111646-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111646-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_111646-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now it&#8217;s time to figure out the trackbar setup.\u00a0 The &#8220;Track Bars&#8221; according to the pathfinder manual, control the lateral movement, based on a hinge joint mounted at the centerline of the frame.\u00a0 The engine DOES NOT sit at the centerline, so it can take some work to figure it out.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_143227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_143227.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_143227-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_143227-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260224_143227-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The trackbars are just long shafts with a threaded end at the wheels and the hings at the center.\u00a0 Like wings on a bird.<\/p>\n<p>I need these to be on the centerline, and after some measuring, I found out that it lands exactly at 18 15\/16&#8243; from each side of the frame, using the overlapping steel on both sides as a marker for my tape.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260226_130300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260226_130300.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260226_130300-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260226_130300-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260226_130300-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That 18 15\/16&#8243; lands at the centerline of the bracket, so I marked that on the frame itself.\u00a0 It was hard because the flange on the crossmember gets in the way.<\/p>\n<p>I am running out of time on this project, so I decided to tack weld that bracket in place at the centerline and hope that it works.\u00a0 If not, It&#8217;ll be trivial to grind off the small weld.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131939.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131939.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131939-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131939-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131939-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131943.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131943.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131943-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131943-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_131943-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The bracket is really low, but we&#8217;ll see how it goes.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232823.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232823.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232823-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232823-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232823-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At first glance, it seemed fine.\u00a0 I put those bolts in just to keep the trackbars from moving.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1687\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232831.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232831.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232831-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232831-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232831-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I lowered the van to put the weight on it, and right away, there were problems.\u00a0 The passenger side trackbar is holding up the crossmember.\u00a0 This will need further cuts.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1688\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232848.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232848.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232848-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232848-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232848-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Also, the drivers side trackbar is really tight on the differential.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1689\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232914.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232914.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232914-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232914-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260303_232914-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a quick video of the situation.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uFvFe9onDa8?si=bQLBAPWBahr5NCNt\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>More info after introducing some load:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hPdeEhOdHzQ?si=jCAlkcIDNiRg0PJZ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I took the night off and came back the next day with some cuts and movement of the bracket upward.<\/p>\n<p>Even with the new cuts to the crossmember, and the movement of the bracket up, I&#8217;m still really tight on clearance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1690\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115135.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115135-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115135-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115135-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1691\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115149.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115149.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115149-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115149-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260304_115149-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I needed a new solution.\u00a0 If only there was a way to get the bracket forward more, but keep the integrity.<\/p>\n<p>Time to weld an extension tube.\u00a0 (1&#8243; long, cut from a scrap 2&#8243; x 4&#8243; x 3\/16&#8243; steel tube.)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_130715.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_130715.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_130715-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_130715-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_130715-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve never stick welded before this project, so it&#8217;s been a learning curve.\u00a0 I can MIG weld decent, but I haven&#8217;t had access for 2 decades.\u00a0 This stick welder was from a friend who passed away, and I figured I&#8217;d honor his legacy with putting that welder to work.\u00a0 I&#8217;m getting the hang of it though.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1693\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_133814.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_133814.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_133814-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_133814-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_133814-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Alright, I tacked it up kind of high, and it&#8217;s flush with the top of the crossmember.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1694\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_140744.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_140744.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_140744-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_140744-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_140744-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now I&#8217;ve introduced a new issue.\u00a0 Potential conflicts with steering.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, after rotating the steering all the way to the passenger side, I still have about 3\/16&#8243; clearance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1695\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_141434-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_141434-rotated.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_141434-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_141434-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260305_141434-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is looking really decent.\u00a0 Lots more clearance, and things are sort of falling into place.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6spE8Lw3MOY?si=mCSE-vhRO0EShrFt\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>While I&#8217;m at it down here, time to fab up structural reinforcement for the part that I cut out.\u00a0 Some of this 1\/4&#8243; steel (1 1\/4&#8243; width) should do the trick.\u00a0 It&#8217;s way thicker than the original steel that looked like 1\/8&#8243; formed steel.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_111352-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_111352-rotated.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_111352-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_111352-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_111352-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m pretty decent at welding from the top or on the side, but underside is a trip.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1697\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_171329-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_171329-rotated.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_171329-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_171329-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260306_171329-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m hoping this will hold.\u00a0 The welds for the bracket and extension look really solid.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s get this van a rocking.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/84g1t2L1Zc0?si=lURUimZrWMRfvNA8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Seems to be ok.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dQHjazTyR-U?si=iNufcXExkphj7Tja\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Next steps are welding up some bump stop extensions see if we can get this a little safer.\u00a0 It&#8217;d be nice to know that this won&#8217;t bottom out.<\/p>\n<p>One thing that is giving me a lot more clearance than <a href=\"https:\/\/forum.expeditionportal.com\/threads\/boomer-the-quadravan-4x4-camper.94723\/\">Boomer&#8217;s van<\/a> is the fact that I used RV coils, which appear to give me a lot of room.\u00a0 Not sure how that will pan out as the van settles, but for now, it&#8217;s looking promising.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the view from the backside of the crossmember.\u00a0 If my weld ever breaks, I can rely on these thru-bolts to keep the bracket from falling on the I-5.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1701\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001227.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001227-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001227-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001227-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Might put on some locktite as well, just in case the nuts get the urge to wiggle free.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1702\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001216.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001216-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001216-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260310_001216-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Need to get this on the road by Wednesday.\u00a0 Next up are brakes, steering, and reinstalling the veg tank.\u00a0 Reinstall all the hoses.\u00a0 Looking like a test drive, hopefully soon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sorry for the delay.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t have a lot of time to post updates on the website, but I finally got&#8230;  <a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/finishing-the-crossmember-and-trackbar-mount\/\" title=\"Read Finishing the Crossmember and Trackbar Mount\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[238,177],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1677"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1677"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1703,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1677\/revisions\/1703"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}