Status update:If you've been following this thread you know that we weren't quite content with our implementation of the fore/aft tubing arrangement. When we decided the floor boards weren't appropriate to mount to, the assembly became quite large in order to run all the way up to the front subframe mount locations.
After some feedback from folks on here we decided to take one more round back at the drawing board to see if we could simplify the structure. The good news is that we're finally happy with it and first article fitment is complete (pictures below).
The bad news... There's no way that the front mount can be a bolt in arrangement and mount from above without it using the long fore-aft tubes.. Looking at the subframe itself there's just no parallel surfaces anywhere on the thing so in order to make it bolt-in we'd be into so really elegant machined bits (translation $$$) that would still add weight in order to make a less effective joint.
So if we give up on that one goal that brings us to the actual progress.
Subframe interface locations are similar to Paul3rdGen's subframe addition for the stock diff. We are going to extra effort to spreading out the load into the input points as possible, The top member connects directly in line with the middle of the 3 subframe mount points (a big OEM bolt) so the load path is good. The bracket that holds the rear brake line Y will need to be bent slightly downward (already done in the pics shown). The part indexes into the crook where vertical wall meets flange at either end of the continuous bar so it should land the same for everyone. Since folks now have to weld this in, we're also planning to include doubler plates for the tie rod interfaces (which Speedfab was kind enough to point out being a weak link for high HP builds). You can weld those in (or not) at the same time.
Note, if weld-in is a deal breaker for any of our testers please advise and we'll get you a refund. Otherwise we're moving forward. We recognize that weld-in may limit our market somewhat but I'm convinced that bolt in cannot be done in a manner we'd be happy with. We try to design the parts we'd want to run ourselves.
Last question: We've already test fit this in car andit cleared all structure w/o issue. However, the test car wasn't running stock fuel lines. The stock lines are going to be mighty close so if folks are still running them you may need to push lines forward and/or dimple of the backside of the seat bin buldges. If folks prefer we could move the cross bar back a bit further but doing do would require you to clearance ribs on the case of the diff since we're close to those already.
If it came to some extra cutting on the diff housing vs massaging the backside of seat bins and fuel lines which would you prefer? It's possible it could require a bit of each, but I don't want to drop down on tube size if I can help it.
Appreciate the candid advice we've been getting and look foward to getting these out to users. I've had FD halfshafts sitting on the shelf taunting me for too long.
-Joel Payne
(for Ronin Speedworks)
