Side Pod Fitment

[Builder]

Hey fellow and former ultima builders...

So, I must be doing something completely wrong here. The GTR-IN-A-BOX was purchased with the factory body pre-fit.

Here's a page I put together with some better pictures. The right front tyre is rubbing on the pod...

[LuckyP]

I don't see that as a problem. As you say, the car is off the ground, your suspension is at full droop (You could have left the square cross section in to give a more accurate position on the wheel position whilst up in the air). In the real world, if your wheel touches the side pod under full supension droop, then you got other things to concern yourself with - like landing the car in a straight line!!

I know they do touch in this situation as there a witness of rubs on my pods, and every time I take the car up in the air and take the wheels off, you have to avoid those areas.

Not a problem........

....one thought....they are factory recomended tyre sizes aren't they?

[crafty]

Scott,

Had exactly the same problem with mine and nearly scratched a hole in my head trying to work out why. Rubbing on that side on full low suspension seems to be common. Also, the struts supplied with the kit are longer than the shocks... so once you put the shocks on the wheel does not drop as far as it does with the struts in.

When you go to rivet the side pod on, you will see that when you pull the front and the rear into place, the underside (on the edge of the pod where the rivets go) will sag a fair bit. The foam around the luggage pods tends to push the side pod around. Use a straight edge with a pair of bottle jacks or some such under the edge of the pod where the rivets go to make sure that edge is offered up properly, then clamp the front and the rear and make sure it all lined up without any warping anywhere before you start drilling holes and riveting. Definitely a part of the build that takes some time.

My LHS pod was much easier to fit than my RHS pod.... seems you have the same issue.

[Builder]

Thanks, guys. LuckyP, the tyres are stock size all around. Grant, the shocks are installed all around.

I think y'all are right. Spoke to Andy at the factory, too. At this point, it's not an issue. I will continue to fit the rest of the stuff that goes behind the pods and deal with fitment at riveting time.

Pre-fit will continue. It will come off the dolly for a photo-opp and I'll post more pix...

Thanks for the tips! Keep it on the ground and stop scratching holes in my head. Sage advice for all owner/builders.

[jschwartz]

When driving my tires rub just a touch on the inside at full lock with stock size tires.

[Builder]

jschwartz said:

When driving my tires rub just a touch on the inside at full lock with stock size tires.

Is it doing damage? Would it help to put something on the rack to restrain it from turning that far?

[Builder]

With the center section, side pods, and front clip installed, here's what it looks like. Time to learn about adjusting ride height. More info here.

Edited by Builder on Tuesday 4th September 03:17

[GTRCLIVE]

The limiting factor on full droop should be the shocker, but you may find that they are to long. The top ball joint is the limiting point on a standard GTR If I remember right, and that was not designed for that purpose.... So I shortened the shocks front and rear to make sure the top ball joint didn't get any extra stress and the rear tyre didn't rub on the cill when trying to remove it... Just me being fussy but a Transit Van Tack rod end used as a top ball joint is OK but lets not over stress it when servicing etc...

[San Diego GTR]

Scott,
We must be at the same general spot in our builds. I had that same problem this weekend when I fitted the wheels. I was shocked to find my wheel rub too. It is still up on the rack so I didn't freak too much. Really glad you posted this to put my mind to rest.
I'm glad you're making better progress these days. I just couldn't work on it today. The heat & humidity in So Cal is ridiculous.

Paul

[Builder]

I am guessing the parts in my GTR are the same as any others. So, it must be something I am doing that's causing this fitment issue. Presuming it's ride hight, maybe I should do what the off-road buggie guys do and strap the suspension to keep it from dropping too far.

Sounds good, Clive. BTW, do you have any pictures? How did you shorten the dampers?

[Builder]

Thanks, Paul. I am putting in as much time as I can right now. The GTR has been in my garage for two years. It's time she was on the road!!! Trying to get 5-6 hours per day.

Luckily, it's not that bad up here. We've only had a couple of days over 100 this summer (so far). Nights are high 50s. Tomorrow is supposed to be the first day sub-90 in a while.

I am not going to spend any more time thinking about the side-pod until I get a C-spanner and adjust the ride height. More posts here when I have an update (tomorrow night).

[Builder]

Yup! It was the ride height. I turned the adjusters all the way to the bottom and the problem vanished. We'll dial it in later...

Another potential issue presents itself, though... What happens when the pressure is off-loaded from the coil while driving? Not only does the tire droop, the shock basically separates into parts rattling around on the shaft. As soon as the weight is re-applied, there's no guaranty the pieces will line up (top perch seat to perch, and top perch to spring).

I am told by Intrax that they can replace the shafts with shorter units, or they can be shortened by a good machine shop. We'll see how it goes...

-- Scott

PS: Crafty, I know.

[Steve_D]

Builder said:

..... What happens when the pressure is off-loaded from the coil while driving? Not only does the tire droop, the shock basically separates into parts rattling around on the shaft. As soon as the weight is re-applied, there's no guaranty the pieces will line up (top perch seat to perch, and top perch to spring).......

The racing guys have the same issues with coilovers so there is a helper spring available. It is a spring with thin sheet coils that compresses to nothing when the normal spring is loaded then opens wide when the load comes off. It just helps to keep things aligned.

However I think you're going to have to give it some hard driving to get to this position.

Steve

[LuckyP]

Builder said:

.....Another potential issue presents itself, though... What happens when the pressure is off-loaded from the coil while driving? Not only does the tire droop, the shock basically separates into parts rattling around on the shaft. As soon as the weight is re-applied, there's no guaranty the pieces will line up (top perch seat to perch, and top perch to spring)....

Once you have set the ride height, you'll see just how far you have to lift the chassis off the floor to make the spring drop from it's upper seat. Again, if you are experiencing this whilst driving, I wouldn't be concered about the ride affect to the ride height and suspension peformance......just whether I had landed in the same County!!!

[Builder]

He-he... Okay, I hope that's the case. Same country, that is...

[crafty]

Sounds like Duke of Hazard talk - YEEEEEEHHHHHAAAAAWWWW!!!!

[LuckyP]

Yeah - you see, the General Lee after this manouver, will definitately pull to the left...or the right....

[Builder]

crafty said:

Sounds like Duke of Hazard talk - YEEEEEEHHHHHAAAAAWWWW!!!!

That's funny! Last year, at the Silver State Classic, John Schneider almost ran me over in that very car. John was on Dukes of Hazard.

Here's the clip