New Lift Installed Hell Creek 2.5"

Melloj123 · 06-28-08, 02:33 PM

Just put a new lift and shackles on the cruiser a couple weeks ago and getting around to posting some photos. Removal of the old was pretty easy and the new Hell Creek 2.5" kit went on smoothly. The shackles are HFS 1.5" over stock.
Have a slight vibration going from 2 to 3rd gear. I put some shims in the front to try to see if it helped and it seemed to a little, but annoying vibration is still there. Did a search and checked the U Joints, they seem to be fine, no movement at all in the drive shaft.....What other suggestions...

Didn't think the drive shaft angle would have moved that much with such a small lift. Enjoy the pics and I welcome your comments.

Melloj123 · 06-28-08, 02:34 PM

a couple more.

3doghouse · 06-28-08, 02:53 PM

Are you sure those aren't 4" springs? Did you take any measurements before/after?

I have Hell Creek 2.5's on mine with 33 x 10.5's, and yours looks quite a bit taller than mine.

Melloj123 · 06-28-08, 03:09 PM

They are 2.5"...My dad has the same kit and we are right at the same height. Maybe looks tall because my tires are small.....31x10.5....It really hasn't had time to settle yet either...

303garage · 06-28-08, 03:16 PM

well he did say he has 1.5 over stock shackels would that put it at 4" ?

303garage · 06-28-08, 03:30 PM

I thought it looks tall myself ,I just ordered the 4" lift from hell creek and thought s**t mabe thats
too much , But I will be running 35"s. Hopefully just right. by the way I like the cruiser.

Bodean · 06-28-08, 03:35 PM

Go somewhere and flex it out good. Looks good.

Later,

vk7ybi · 06-28-08, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 303garage

well he did say he has 1.5 over stock shackels would that put it at 4" ?

No.. Think of the spring as a lever, with mecanical advantage ratios.. The centre pin that locates the axle isnt in the centre.. IIRC, its about 45/55 with the shorter side being the fixed side.. Therefore lengthening the shackle by 1.5" should cause aditional lift of around 1.5x0.45, or 0.675 inches? So a total lift of 3.175 inches?

303garage · 06-28-08, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vk7ybi

No.. Think of the spring as a lever, with mecanical advantage ratios.. The centre pin that locates the axle isnt in the centre.. IIRC, its about 45/55 with the shorter side being the fixed side.. Therefore lengthening the shackle by 1.5" should cause aditional lift of around 1.5x0.45, or 0.675 inches? So a total lift of 3.175 inches?

ok, i see what you mean . makes perfect sense ..thanks greg.

3doghouse · 06-28-08, 07:42 PM

OK,

Your sig says 33... and I missed the olive part, so I thought that's what I was looking at. If the pics are of 31's, that makes much more sense!

Ziffdaddy · 06-29-08, 03:18 AM

Geeeeez....you could eat off the under side of the wheel wells....

Fast Eddy · 06-29-08, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3doghouse

I missed the olive part,

Olive Green, not Olive ~~Brown~~. 653 is a 6** like all the other greens. Rustic Green is 621. John Deere Green is 681.

mustardfj40 · 06-29-08, 12:11 PM

Man, that's a clean truck!!! Cool color too.

Melloj123 · 06-29-08, 04:38 PM

Thanks for the kind comments guys. No one chimed in on my vibration problem. Went out and drove it some more today. Vibration between 2 and 3rd gear, and in fourth when going about 50mph. Any help ???

Bodean · 06-29-08, 08:42 PM

What degree shims did you use?

rayho91 · 06-29-08, 09:22 PM

i got a hell creek 4 inch on mine and at first i had vibration goin into 3rd then i shimmed the rear and it took care of the problem

Melloj123 · 06-30-08, 05:52 AM

Bodean, i put 4* shims on the front.....Do i need to do the rear as well??

tlc_4play · 06-30-08, 05:57 AM

Looks Cool

I've put 4" Heystee Parabolics on my 40 - I think I'll need a ladder to get in

Based on what Ive read here - I put 4deg shims in the front for castor correction and 2.5 deg shims on the back, purely to improve the propshaft angle.

dgangle · 06-30-08, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melloj123

... No one chimed in on my vibration problem. Went out and drove it some more today. Vibration between 2 and 3rd gear, and in fourth when going about 50mph. Any help ???

I would check 3 things on the read driveshaft assuming it didn't make this vibration before the lift and it's doing it in 2WD Hi, not 4WD.

A. make sure the rear DS is "in phase"
B. see if there is any noticeable up/down play in the rear driveshaft slip joint
C. remove the rear DS and measure the angles of the two mounting surfaces (parking brake drum and rear pinion flange). These need to be the same or very close. Maybe the lift changed this. If they are off by more than say 2 degrees use shims to correct.

How does it ride with no top and vertical shackle angles? What size tires are you saving up for?

GreenBomber · 06-30-08, 06:56 AM

Well that cruiser looks awesome. Shackle angles are at like 90*, hope they settle down some!!

77TLCFJ40 · 06-30-08, 08:41 AM

Flex that thing and they will settle just right. Ask me how I know...

Melloj123 · 06-30-08, 03:54 PM

Dgangle, i will check the drive shaft angle, you said to remove the drive shaft, where do you exactly measure the angle on the pinion flange and the parking brake. Also, help explain "in phase" to me.
Tires, i would love to have some tall, skinnies, 33x9.5 . I have some stock steel rims to put them onto one day...

Yeah the shackle angle is vertical. I spoke with Tom at HC and he said that is how they should be. They will settle into position with some usage.

Degnol · 06-30-08, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melloj123

Bodean, i put 4* shims on the front.....Do i need to do the rear as well??

I used a magnetic angle finder on the pinion flange and the parking drum. You need to be within 1-3*. Those longer shackles have rotated your pinion up so you need to rotate it back down with shims or use a double cardigan(

Cardan) shaft. I bought the weld-on shims from Roger.

GL!

Ed

P.S. Those rear shackles are fugly.............................

Melloj123 · 07-01-08, 04:28 PM

Thanks Ed, i will measure the angle and go from there.

Degnol · 07-01-08, 04:32 PM

That Mustard truck is very gorgeous!!!!

pbgbottle · 07-01-08, 05:11 PM

you could also try pumping some grease into the slip joint part of the drive shaft . sometimes this helps .
after the lift the driveshaft has had to lenghten some. but i too would check the pinion angle

Degnol · 07-01-08, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melloj123

Also, help explain "in phase" to me.

Jeremy, you want the yokes in the same plane, not off by a spline or two. HTH........figure 4.11

Ed

06-28-08, 02:33 PM	#1
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	New Lift Installed Hell Creek 2.5" Just put a new lift and shackles on the cruiser a couple weeks ago and getting around to posting some photos. Removal of the old was pretty easy and the new Hell Creek 2.5" kit went on smoothly. The shackles are HFS 1.5" over stock. Have a slight vibration going from 2 to 3rd gear. I put some shims in the front to try to see if it helped and it seemed to a little, but annoying vibration is still there. Did a search and checked the U Joints, they seem to be fine, no movement at all in the drive shaft.....What other suggestions... Didn't think the drive shaft angle would have moved that much with such a small lift. Enjoy the pics and I welcome your comments. Attached Images __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

06-28-08, 02:34 PM	#2
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	a couple more. Attached Images __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

06-28-08, 03:09 PM	#4
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	They are 2.5"...My dad has the same kit and we are right at the same height. Maybe looks tall because my tires are small.....31x10.5....It really hasn't had time to settle yet either... __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

06-28-08, 03:16 PM	#5
303garage IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Frankston, Texas Posts: 33	well he did say he has 1.5 over stock shackels would that put it at 4" ? __________________ 1975 FJ-40

06-28-08, 03:30 PM	#6
303garage IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Frankston, Texas Posts: 33	I thought it looks tall myself ,I just ordered the 4" lift from hell creek and thought s**t mabe thats too much , But I will be running 35"s. Hopefully just right. by the way I like the cruiser. __________________ 1975 FJ-40

06-28-08, 02:53 PM	#3
3doghouse IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 174	Are you sure those aren't 4" springs? Did you take any measurements before/after? I have Hell Creek 2.5's on mine with 33 x 10.5's, and yours looks quite a bit taller than mine.

06-28-08, 03:35 PM	#7
Bodean CottonLand Cruisers Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brandon, MS TLCA# 3164 Posts: 2,513	Go somewhere and flex it out good. Looks good. Later, __________________ Jeff CottonLand Cruisers Whitetrash of the Elwood Chapter 78 FJ40 TLCA #3164 USAF - POL 1987 - ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxVEqVDUuJE "I reckon you gonna have to come up here and get me. I done messed around and got drunk as a piss aint"

06-28-08, 07:42 PM	#10
3doghouse IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 174	OK, Your sig says 33... and I missed the olive part, so I thought that's what I was looking at. If the pics are of 31's, that makes much more sense!

06-29-08, 03:18 AM	#11
Ziffdaddy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA TLCA# 18034 Posts: 428	Geeeeez....you could eat off the under side of the wheel wells.... __________________ 74' FJ40 Freeborn Red, 114kmi, 31x9.50 ssTSLs on stock steelies, stock, except non USA Dist. Awesome.

06-29-08, 12:11 PM	#13
mustardfj40 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Silicon Valley TLCA# 6453 Posts: 616	Man, that's a clean truck!!! Cool color too. __________________ '75 FJ40 mostly stock....yeah right! www.employees.org/~dirttrak

06-29-08, 04:38 PM	#14
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	Thanks for the kind comments guys. No one chimed in on my vibration problem. Went out and drove it some more today. Vibration between 2 and 3rd gear, and in fourth when going about 50mph. Any help ??? __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

06-29-08, 08:42 PM	#15
Bodean CottonLand Cruisers Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brandon, MS TLCA# 3164 Posts: 2,513	What degree shims did you use? __________________ Jeff CottonLand Cruisers Whitetrash of the Elwood Chapter 78 FJ40 TLCA #3164 USAF - POL 1987 - ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxVEqVDUuJE "I reckon you gonna have to come up here and get me. I done messed around and got drunk as a piss aint"

06-29-08, 09:22 PM	#16
rayho91 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yuma az Posts: 25	i got a hell creek 4 inch on mine and at first i had vibration goin into 3rd then i shimmed the rear and it took care of the problem

06-30-08, 05:52 AM	#17
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	Bodean, i put 4* shims on the front.....Do i need to do the rear as well?? __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

06-30-08, 05:57 AM	#18
tlc_4play IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jhb - South Africa Posts: 87	Looks Cool I've put 4" Heystee Parabolics on my 40 - I think I'll need a ladder to get in Based on what Ive read here - I put 4deg shims in the front for castor correction and 2.5 deg shims on the back, purely to improve the propshaft angle. __________________ 1999 - FZJ105 1979 - BJ-FJ40

06-30-08, 06:56 AM	#20
GreenBomber IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 328	Well that cruiser looks awesome. Shackle angles are at like 90, hope they settle down some!! __________________ 1966 GREEN FJ-40* SOA, Stock F Motor. - Runs, stops and leaks. 1996 Toyota 4Runner - 35's, locked, armored 2003 Toyota Tundra - Stock 1996 Toyota Camry - Stock

06-30-08, 08:41 AM	#21
77TLCFJ40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Madison, MS TLCA# 13533 Posts: 1,270	Flex that thing and they will settle just right. Ask me how I know... __________________ Lash CottonLand Cruisers Treasurer TLCA: 13533 Madison, MS 02 UZJ100 Daily Driver De-blinged Emblems 77 FJ40 "GunRunner": York/Mudrak OBA, Aussie, 8274, Mini PS, Hell Creek Lift, 94" WB, 35x12.50 Hankook MTs, MAF U-Bolt Flips, F-250 Towers, MetalTech Cage, Choctaw Sliders, 8" Tuffy, Tiburon Seats... and a great group of friends who made it possible! 78 Hilux Trailer "... slowly I'm becoming one with the MUD." -- Jars of Clay

07-01-08, 04:32 PM	#25
Degnol Noaccount Webwheeler Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansastitty TLCA# 14529 Posts: 6,478	That Mustard truck is very gorgeous!!!! __________________ There is nothing so depraved as a man in the depths of an ether binge '66FJ40, Fresh 2F, H42/Orion(By Poser...LCR4WD), ARB Front/rear(By Poser...LCR4WD), MetalTech Cage installed by Poser, Screw-ups fixed(by Poser) 4WDB Corvette Master, Mini Truck PS, 3.5" Lift, Warn 8274, 33s on stockers

06-30-08, 03:54 PM	#22
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	Dgangle, i will check the drive shaft angle, you said to remove the drive shaft, where do you exactly measure the angle on the pinion flange and the parking brake. Also, help explain "in phase" to me. Tires, i would love to have some tall, skinnies, 33x9.5 . I have some stock steel rims to put them onto one day... Yeah the shackle angle is vertical. I spoke with Tom at HC and he said that is how they should be. They will settle into position with some usage. __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

07-01-08, 04:28 PM	#24
Melloj123 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 232	Thanks Ed, i will measure the angle and go from there. __________________ 1970 FJ 40, Dune Beige 1977 FJ 40, Olive Brown, 35K original miles, 2.5" Hell Creek, 33 x9.5" BFG/AT 1978 FJ 40, Mustard 1985 FJ 60

07-01-08, 05:11 PM	#26
pbgbottle IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cloverdale B.C. Canada TLCA# 14678 Posts: 2,054	you could also try pumping some grease into the slip joint part of the drive shaft . sometimes this helps . after the lift the driveshaft has had to lenghten some. but i too would check the pinion angle __________________ Jake S. FJ40,small block ,sm465 ,spring over ,cut-N-turn,shackle reversal, 38.5 superswampers, 4 wheel disc brakes, OBA=CO2 ,Warn 8274 ...ROTW:PBGBOTTLE .... ...Cardomain Pics ... EPC anybody