So today, I finished getting the chassis apart, and built my engine stand, and a few other little pieces here and there. The engine stand works great, and I managed to get a few really nice welds on it. I havent welded in a few months, so it took a few to get my speed right.
I managed to measure the suspension, and I am convinced the parts were manufactured with a defect. I zeroed the angle finder, and measured the results. Had I installed the "top hats" to get the desired angle, it would have made the cross member uprights crooked, and the uprights need to be straight. Ill see if I can arrange the pictures in an order that makes sense. Either way, they dont match side to side, which is wrong anyway.
I think what Im going to do is cut the upper a-arm bar out, and remove the shock mount. Ill install another bar at the right angle and orientation, and see how that works.
1st- the cross member upright is straight. I drew in a line where the "top hat" and the cross member meet. There is a seem that gets welded there.
2nd-drivers side. It should be close to 5 degrees.
3rd-passenger side. Should also be close to 5 degrees, but they should at least match side to side.
4th-both side were level and within .2 degrees of each other at the bottom of the cross member.
5th-started out too fast at the top, but slowed it down and got a nice weld by the bottom. Im getting better.
6th-finished engine stand, sitting on a furniture dolly.