tractionbar build by camcruise .... boring

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 09:53 PM

so i figured it was about time to get thae stupid traction bar built as i fliiped the springs etc... so i will walk you throuh what i am doing and answer any questions,

first off there are a ton of different kits and designs and ideas floeting around so i went with my go to guy dan at ruffstuff for the parts and stole some designs from the e net.

here is the kit from ruffstuff

very well designed
then i got the steel tube from a local shop.

hacked off the old tinfoil cross member to build a beefier one

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 09:54 PM

the jonny joint in the first pic is not part of the kit, must buy that seperate

the crossmemer peice is 1/4 x2x2

i will get the tube dimensions later i dont recall off hand but it it hella thick gotta bethicked than 1/4 inch wall,

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 09:56 PM

next i measured the length of the new cross member and then notched it accordingling to allow clearance for the driveline

then i found the best place for the bracket that goes on the axle. cleaned the area and then tacted it in place

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 09:58 PM

now i notched the bottom tube, as this is were i lined everything up from.

my design i will have the lower link run the entire length ( will be the longer tube) as i am having it sit an inch below the driveline as to protect the driveline, kill 2 birds with one stone.

a close up for kicks

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:01 PM

sorry for the blurrrr

i then loosely installed the lower link

i then clamped the crossmember were it should be so i could start getenr done

as you can see the notch fits perfect

abother angle

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:03 PM

with that done i then got the peice that the shackle will hang from cut and tacked together, on this piece i will be installing the johnny joint to allow for articulation when the axle flexes

cut it down to size and then fit it on under the truck

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:06 PM

tapped it side to side as i held up the lower link and got it all lined up. now if i have messed up or screwed something up forgive me as i have never built one of these puppies before and if you dont like it up yours

as you can see in this pic the angle is close to the angle of the drivline and will protect it well

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:06 PM

well i guess you cant really tell as it is not sitting as high as it will when its mounted., oh well use your imagination.

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:08 PM

i then unclamped everything put it on the ground ond burned all the crossmember peices in.

another

i added gusstes for the hell of it, i only wanna do this once

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:10 PM

close up of the johnny joint casing or whatever you wanna call it

and then one of the joint somewhat installed

these things are a pita to instal any tips would be appreciated
i just need toi get the spring on

camcruiser13 · 05-31-08, 10:11 PM

and that is were i ended for today, as i got hungry and needed to grab a bite then do the half hour write up. i will be back at it on monday night so stay tuned.

D'Animal · 06-01-08, 02:42 AM

Looks like a good start!

steverb · 06-01-08, 07:22 AM

nice!

Cruiserdrew · 06-01-08, 07:34 AM

Very nice work. I want to redo my crossmember and may copy your set up. Doing my 60 later this summer, so thanks!

Did RuffStuff sell you the Jonny Joint?

Looking forward to the rest of it.

corbinwelter · 06-01-08, 07:47 AM

lookin good.

Wish i could put a crossmember like that in my rig

mike@dw · 06-01-08, 08:56 AM

Love seeing people do their own fab work. Good stuff

fj40_73 · 06-01-08, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camcruiser13

now if i have messed up or screwed something up forgive me as i have never built one of these puppies before and if you dont like it up yours

Looking good and thanks for all the great pictures.

I had to quote my favorite line of your build so far.

D'Animal · 06-01-08, 11:46 AM

Looking at your crossmember. Are you going to bolt it in or weld it in.

If you weld it. Dont forget to take into consideration the future removal of Tranny and T-case.

cruiserbrett · 06-01-08, 03:52 PM

whats a pain in the ass regarding the joint assembly? I can imagine that welding on the shell will shrink it, requiring a bit of force or honing to get it together... even shrinkage as small as a few thousanths with make re-assembly a bitch... typical press fit interference is .001-.003", and on the upper end of that will require a big hydraulic press to get it together.

Its not unusual for folks that are building lots of A-arms or other suspension pieces with uni-balls or johnny joints to machine a bronze puck to fit in the shell, to help keep the ID uniform when welding. even then some final honing will be required.

inkpot · 06-01-08, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Looking at your crossmember. Are you going to bolt it in or weld it in.

If you weld it. Dont forget to take into consideration the future removal of Tranny and T-case.

Howdy! Good point. You may want to move the notched cross member rearward a few inches. That would make removing the gearboxes much easier, and the notch would still clear the narrow section of the drive shaft. For the Johnny Joint that is welded onto that crossmember, you might want to remount it directly under the brace so there is no rotational force against it when you accelerate. I like your idea of running the arm just a bit lower than the driveshaft for extra protection there. I did mine very similar. John

rockcod · 06-01-08, 10:13 PM

Cam,

Nice work, now finish it already!!!!

LC_Hamma · 06-01-08, 10:20 PM

as usual.......
You built 2 link bars okay. Fab 2 more, buy some longer shocks, coil springs & perches from a TJ, build a truss on the housing & yer there

No mo stinkin leafs!

camcruiser13 · 06-01-08, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Very nice work. I want to redo my crossmember and may copy your set up. Doing my 60 later this summer, so thanks!

Did RuffStuff sell you the Jonny Joint?

Looking forward to the rest of it.

copy away my friends, thats why i do write ups to give others ideas, as i struggled to find ideas of my own.

no i bought it from some online place, let me look i can get that info.

let me know if i can help

camcruiser13 · 06-01-08, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Looking at your crossmember. Are you going to bolt it in or weld it in.

If you weld it. Dont forget to take into consideration the future removal of Tranny and T-case.

i will weld it in. should be ok though as its in the stock location. i thought about bolts but the frame has to many voids and holes so no good on that

05-31-08, 09:53 PM	#1
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	tractionbar build by camcruise .... boring so i figured it was about time to get thae stupid traction bar built as i fliiped the springs etc... so i will walk you throuh what i am doing and answer any questions, first off there are a ton of different kits and designs and ideas floeting around so i went with my go to guy dan at ruffstuff for the parts and stole some designs from the e net. here is the kit from ruffstuff very well designed then i got the steel tube from a local shop. hacked off the old tinfoil cross member to build a beefier one __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 09:54 PM	#2
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	the jonny joint in the first pic is not part of the kit, must buy that seperate the crossmemer peice is 1/4 x2x2 i will get the tube dimensions later i dont recall off hand but it it hella thick gotta bethicked than 1/4 inch wall, __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask....... Last edited by camcruiser13; 05-31-08 at 10:15 PM.

05-31-08, 09:56 PM	#3
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	next i measured the length of the new cross member and then notched it accordingling to allow clearance for the driveline then i found the best place for the bracket that goes on the axle. cleaned the area and then tacted it in place __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 09:58 PM	#4
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	now i notched the bottom tube, as this is were i lined everything up from. my design i will have the lower link run the entire length ( will be the longer tube) as i am having it sit an inch below the driveline as to protect the driveline, kill 2 birds with one stone. a close up for kicks __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 10:01 PM	#5
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	sorry for the blurrrr i then loosely installed the lower link i then clamped the crossmember were it should be so i could start getenr done as you can see the notch fits perfect abother angle __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 10:03 PM	#6
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	with that done i then got the peice that the shackle will hang from cut and tacked together, on this piece i will be installing the johnny joint to allow for articulation when the axle flexes cut it down to size and then fit it on under the truck __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 10:06 PM	#7
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	tapped it side to side as i held up the lower link and got it all lined up. now if i have messed up or screwed something up forgive me as i have never built one of these puppies before and if you dont like it up yours as you can see in this pic the angle is close to the angle of the drivline and will protect it well __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 10:08 PM	#9
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	i then unclamped everything put it on the ground ond burned all the crossmember peices in. another i added gusstes for the hell of it, i only wanna do this once __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 10:10 PM	#10
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	close up of the johnny joint casing or whatever you wanna call it and then one of the joint somewhat installed these things are a pita to instal any tips would be appreciated i just need toi get the spring on __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

05-31-08, 10:11 PM	#11
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,042	and that is were i ended for today, as i got hungry and needed to grab a bite then do the half hour write up. i will be back at it on monday night so stay tuned. __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

06-01-08, 02:42 AM	#12
D'Animal Beagles Rule! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central California TLCA# 17104 Posts: 9,597	Looks like a good start! __________________ Cruiser Dan at American Toyota Phone is 1-800-432-6668 ext. 8 (I am not cruiser Dan)

06-01-08, 07:22 AM	#13
steverb EH! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada Posts: 190	nice! __________________ http://www.4wheeling.ca

06-01-08, 07:34 AM	#14
Cruiserdrew KI6MIE Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA TLCA# 11734 Posts: 6,766	Very nice work. I want to redo my crossmember and may copy your set up. Doing my 60 later this summer, so thanks! Did RuffStuff sell you the Jonny Joint? Looking forward to the rest of it. __________________ Andrew 1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested, 2F powered, some mods 1976 FJ40 Rusting slowly in the back yard 1984 FJ-60 H55f, 4.11, OME, Daily Driver 1989 FJ-62 117k-son's driver for now-low and slow 1997 FZJ-80 Driveway queen

06-01-08, 07:47 AM	#15
corbinwelter IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa FL/ Murphy NC TLCA# 18265 Posts: 214	lookin good. Wish i could put a crossmember like that in my rig __________________ 79' FJ40, SOA, 37" Iroks, 355 Chevy, OEM top coming soon TLCA#18265

06-01-08, 08:56 AM	#16
mike@dw IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 79	Love seeing people do their own fab work. Good stuff

06-01-08, 11:46 AM	#18
D'Animal Beagles Rule! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central California TLCA# 17104 Posts: 9,597	Looking at your crossmember. Are you going to bolt it in or weld it in. If you weld it. Dont forget to take into consideration the future removal of Tranny and T-case. __________________ Cruiser Dan at American Toyota Phone is 1-800-432-6668 ext. 8 (I am not cruiser Dan)

06-01-08, 03:52 PM	#19
cruiserbrett IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,216	whats a pain in the ass regarding the joint assembly? I can imagine that welding on the shell will shrink it, requiring a bit of force or honing to get it together... even shrinkage as small as a few thousanths with make re-assembly a bitch... typical press fit interference is .001-.003", and on the upper end of that will require a big hydraulic press to get it together. Its not unusual for folks that are building lots of A-arms or other suspension pieces with uni-balls or johnny joints to machine a bronze puck to fit in the shell, to help keep the ID uniform when welding. even then some final honing will be required. __________________ Brett Lotsa cruisers and little time.

06-01-08, 10:13 PM	#21
rockcod IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA TLCA# 3236 Posts: 618	Cam, Nice work, now finish it already!!!! __________________ Tony "Snotz" 63 FJ40 "Stubby" 67 FJ45LWB "Sully" 72 FJ40

06-01-08, 10:20 PM	#22
LC_Hamma The Anti-Leafer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas, Georgia TLCA# 3343 Posts: 1,653	as usual....... You built 2 link bars okay. Fab 2 more, buy some longer shocks, coil springs & perches from a TJ, build a truss on the housing & yer there No mo stinkin leafs! __________________ '73 FJ55 http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/76835-pig-chebby-avalanche-trim-%3D.html '73 FJ40 http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q...&addtype=local '78 FJ40 - future crawler in pieces '93 Ram W350 5 spd. SRW CTD '99 Ram 3500 4X4 5 spd. DRW CTD '74 BMW 3.0CS future project