Upgrading early production suspension blocks

[Rich Stinchcomb]

My 2003 production release Tiger I has the individual suspension axle blocks. I can never get them aligned correctly to prevent the road wheels from contacting other wheels at various points. Seems like the new one-piece design is the way to go. Has anyone done this upgrade?

Rich

[Carlos Vollenweider]

Hi Rich,
I upgraded the suspension on my 2005 Early Production. I also replaced all of the steel plate with aluminum. I mention the plate replacement because of the structural attachment between the hull plate and the swing arm bearing bars. I've been thinking about a simpler upgrade to minimize disruption for a completed model.

[Carlos Vollenweider]

Hi Rich,

Your first step would be to remove the existing running gear, suspension blocks and hull bottom plate. In my notes I show 2 swing arm bearing bars at 29.375in L x 1.25in W x 1.0in H. All of the replacement aluminum is 6061-T6. I clamped them to the hull sides and used machinist squares clamped forward and aft to hold pieces of Al to shim my offset of the bar from the hull plate. The next step is to transfer punch through the hull side for the bar mounting holes. I used M6x1.0 (no length in my notes) S/S socket head cap screws. I drilled and counterbored for at least one additional mounting hole on each hull side. I'll post more in the days ahead. I also need to get my hull up on the bench to verify anything missing from my notes.

Best Regards,

Carlos

[Rich Stinchcomb]

Carlos,

Thanks for posting your well detailed conversion. Really helps me understand what's involved.

Rich