4x4 shop in Denver

[robotzombies]

So I've been slowly gathering parts for an axle swap, and hopefully I should have pretty much everything I need soon. With that in mind, I've been looking around for shops in Denver. There don't seem to be many, and most of them seem to specialize in Jeeps. Same thing with searching the forums; they either specialize in Jeeps, or they are too far away, like Fort Collins.

Does anyone have a good shop recommendation in Denver? Or perhaps within a short distance of Denver? High Country 4x4 has a 6 week waiting list, and I don't necessarily like 4wheel parts. They've always seemed like they just wanted me to leave any time I'd go there.

I have stock axles in the Bronco II, and I'm not going to use it for a lot of hardcore wheeling, so I'm planning on doing a minor upgrade (switching out the D28 and the 7.5 to a D35 and an 8.8 with better gearing). They're mostly bolt-in, with some minor fabrication needed.

To save having to post in another section, I'd also consider working alongside someone that has their own personal shop in Denver. As long as the person could weld. And I could pay for time as well.

So what do y'all think? Any good suggestions?

[javaman34]

High Country would be my first choice. The only other one I know is just north of Longmont just off I25 and Hwy 66 called Northridge 4x4 or something like that. I wouldn't go to 4wheel parts for anything. Not even for a light bulb.

[Brucker]

There are many in Denver. Off the top of my head: Rockrash, Crawlertech, Hooligan Offroad should all fit what you are looking for

[xaza]

Four wheel parts is a good place to get parts. They are huge and simply offer a great price. The technicians they have in their shop are idiots and I would not suggest taking a vehicle in to get work done. What kind of fabrication needs to be done for axle swap on the BII?

[robotzombies]

Four wheel parts is a good place to get parts. They are huge and simply offer a great price. The technicians they have in their shop are idiots and I would not suggest taking a vehicle in to get work done. What kind of fabrication needs to be done for axle swap on the BII?

That's kind of the feeling I get when I go there. Customer service seems to be nonexistent.

The rear axle on an Explorer has the leaf perches on the bottom, so they'd have to be cut off and new ones welded to the top to fit on the BII. The shock mounts would also have to be done as well. Other than that, they should bolt up.

[Max]

Check out John's 4x4 in Boulder. I've been there once or twice. They do all makes and models.

[dscowell]

Johns 4x4 or Hillside 4x4 both north of Denver a ways but not terrible

[Mr6dwg]

Greg Beery at 4WD Xtreme, east of Longmont on Highway 119 has always been fair and professional to me.

[Austin]

Hey I would be willing to help you out with this do you think we could get the explorer axle all set up so all we needed to do is drop the old out and bolt the new one in

[robotzombies]

Hey I would be willing to help you out with this do you think we could get the explorer axle all set up so all we needed to do is drop the old out and bolt the new one in

The axles themselves will bolt in with the modifications I mentioned earlier; no problem there. The problem will be that I'm fairly certain the driveshafts will need to be shortened, so it wouldn't really be an all-at-one-time installation.

Also, I still have to figure out timing for wheels; Explorer hub are bigger than Bronco II hubs, so if my current wheels don't fit, I need to get some that will.

Plus, I live in an apartment, so I don't have the space to do my own work. If I did, we could all have a party or tech session. If only.

[MultiScuf]

Younto.com go there all shops are on there High Country is not worth the price. Go talk to The Edge Automative tell him I sent you :)

[96EXXLTinCO]

According to the site I use to check out wheel patterns: http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-rods-rat-rods/Wheel-Bolt-Pattern-Cross-Reference-Database.asp the bronco2 and explorers use the same wheels pattern, and even have the same size hole for the hub. Also, here is a how-to from the explorer forum site on converting an 8.8 to SOA: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46236 I'd help you out with some fabrication if I had a little bit bigger welder. Right now all I have is a little lincoln 110v. Hell of a little machine, but not sure I'd be comfortable using it for drivetrain/suspension parts. It just wont get the penetration I would want to see on those thicker metals.

[Austin]

Ya I think your right im almost 100% positive the are the same wheel pattern

[robotzombies]

They're all the same wheel pattern, 5x4.5. I'd even guess that most Fords, especially vans, had that pattern too. I'm pretty sure they all even have the same backspace and offset. I know Explorer rims will fit on a BII, I'm just not positive that they fit the other way around.

That link you posted says that they have the same center bore, so maybe I'll just have to measure next time I'm at the junkyard. I'm still not convinced.

Also, I don't know how to weld, and even if I did, I don't have the space or facilities to do it. If I have someone do the welding of the spring perches and shock mounts, I have tiny hope of having them weld some more on the axles. If it doesn't end up costing too much. There are a few places that one could weld to make the axles a bit more tough.

[dieseldoc]

I have some space on weekends.
We have the 220v welder and such.
I can do the welding in a short time to say the least.
the swap its self is way easy.
Just cant have it sitting in the shop come monday as you are waiting for drive shafts....
the front axle what are your plans there???
You have a radius arm now and the jeep d35 is 4 link.
A radius arm can be built for that axle, its just time and steel and bushings.

[Austin]

If you would like you could come by and try one on my explorer and see if it fits some time

[robotzombies]

I have some space on weekends.
We have the 220v welder and such.
I can do the welding in a short time to say the least.
the swap its self is way easy.
Just cant have it sitting in the shop come monday as you are waiting for drive shafts....
the front axle what are your plans there???
You have a radius arm now and the jeep d35 is 4 link.
A radius arm can be built for that axle, its just time and steel and bushings.

I guess I didn't specify. The D35 would be from an Explorer. I don't think I'll need or want an SAS for a while, so the Explorer D35 is the easiest upgrade since it bolts in with no modifications and is a lot stronger than the Bronco II's D28.

[dieseldoc]

Ahh....cool
well club member get a sweet price for labor from me.
35 an hour and you buy parts and such.

[sunk]

http://www.truautomotivefabrications.com/