Kavik's SOA

Kavik · 07-21-07, 10:06 PM

Here goes...Still in progress!

1985 FJ60
2F partial de-smog, high flow cat, HEI, 300K miles
MAF add-a-leaf, F & R
4.88 precision gears
Aussie Locker rear, open front

Link to build pics

Before - 33x10.5x15 BFG mt's on 15x8 rockcrawlers 2" backspace

Front only - 37x12.5x15 MTR's on 15x8 rockcrawlers 2" backspace

After - 37x12.5x15 MTR's on 15x8 rockcrawlers 2" backspace

Goode · 07-21-07, 10:10 PM

Nice!!! That looks great! Those tires look BIG

badass · 07-21-07, 10:10 PM

Looks good, btw how much lift did you gain with the add a leaf?

CaliCruiser · 07-21-07, 10:14 PM

Official welcome to the club!

Looks great, what is the measurement from the ground to center of headlight?

Dylan

Kavik · 07-21-07, 10:19 PM

I'm close to wrapping up the major stuff, but there's still a few things to do. I'll try recap in chronological order. I have a bunch of pictures, so I'll post a few to show what's going on...

List of parts I used:
Marlin high steer kit
Custom length tie rod (44") and drag link (36 1/2")
Marlin steering stabilizer
DIY backing plate eliminator
Custom brake line (axle to caliper)
Marlin brake line F & R (frame to axle)
Ruffstuff FJ60 spring hangers
Ruffstuff U-Bolts 5/8" dia (front)
4+ U-bolt plates (modified from 4+ flit kit)
4+ perches
Spectrac U-Bolts 5/8" dia (rear)
Ford F-250 Shock towers

Kavik · 07-21-07, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badass

Looks good, btw how much lift did you gain with the add a leaf?

While spring under, the add-a-leaves lifted the truck at least 1 1/2 to 2". I used 2" shackles to level our the rear. My rear springs were pretty sacked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliCruiser

Official welcome to the club!

Looks great, what is the measurement from the ground to center of headlight?

Dylan

I'm going to take better pics and measurements tommorow, maybe even flex her out for shock measurements

Kavik · 07-21-07, 10:28 PM

Things left to do:

Shock mounts (more on this later)
Front drive shaft (possible temporary spacer)
Buy shocks (thinking Doetsh tech, any suggestions?)
Anti-wrap bar (Ruffstuff brackets in the garage - thinking JT Custom's design)

Tofudebeest · 07-21-07, 10:29 PM

HOW ARE THOSE 33's?!? N.F.W. Look like 37's or 42's.

Kavik · 07-21-07, 10:37 PM

I started on the front. Plan is to create a minimal lift shackle reversal.

It takes a while to cut off all the spring hangers and shock mounts. And, to clean off the axle of everything except steering stops. Basically, I used a 4 1/2" makita with a grinding wheel, cut off wheel, and a flapper wheel to finish. When cutting brackets off the frame, grind down the heads of the rivets, then 3/8" drill till it pops. A large hammer will do the rest.

I used only the main spring for mock up. I strapped it to a 2x4 so it would be as flat as possible. That way I knew where my shackles angles would be at full compression. I wanted to be as close to the frame as possible w/o touching.

The shackle tube was cut out of the stock shackle hanger...

I did not cut and turn (more on this later)

Low profile shackle reversal...

Kavik · 07-21-07, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyHJ60Sheila

HOW ARE THOSE 33's?!? N.F.W. Look like 37's or 42's.

The first picture is 33's

Now the bitch rides on 37 MTR's

edit - changed 1st post

Kavik · 07-21-07, 11:09 PM

More mock up...

Low and flat, axle moved forward just a bit

Ruffstuff hangers are great. I needed to open up the spacing a bit, as they were tight on the bushings. I used a stock bushing bolt out of an old pair of shackles.

Had to clearance the perch for the diff housing

I pulled the fuel lines out of the way to get the shackle tubes in

Kavik · 07-21-07, 11:19 PM

Mas...

Shackle tubes welded in...

Ruffstuff u-bolt were a bit long. I cut them down and ran a die down about 2"

[
Marlin hi-steer, no backing plates, braided lines (I have a banjo fitting on order to make room for the shock/mount)

Kavik · 07-21-07, 11:22 PM

future lower shock mounts...

Kavik · 07-21-07, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliCruiser

Official welcome to the club!

Looks great, what is the measurement from the ground to center of headlight?

Dylan

Thanks for the props, guys. I am stoked!

I do have this measurement...

Front fender - stock spring pack w/ add-a-leaf and 2 shortest leaves pulled

Rear fender - stock spring pack w/ add-a-leaf and 3 shortest leaves pulled

AKFJ62 · 07-22-07, 04:11 AM

looks awsome. I have an OME 2.5" and was thinking of doing a SOA. Are you thinking of or have aready lenthend you drive shafts? if so how long are they.

Aaronb · 07-22-07, 06:14 AM

looking good

redcorn · 07-22-07, 06:34 AM

Nice work and thoughtful use of what some folks refer to as scrap!

john

Kavik · 07-22-07, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKFJ62

looks awsome. I have an OME 2.5" and was thinking of doing a SOA. Are you thinking of or have aready lenthend you drive shafts? if so how long are they.

Rear shaft works fine as is. But the front is way too short. It will need to be lengthened about 2-3" and a long spline kit added. The trans crossmember will also need to be notched.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do about the front d-shaft. I have all the parts to do a 350tbi/700r4/203 doubler/splitcase set up. So, both driveshafts will change. I don't really want to build the front one twice. A cool dude in our local club offered to turn up a spacer, I may try this as a temporary fix.

brokenparts · 07-22-07, 11:01 AM

Looks great Kavik!

LandCruiserPhil · 07-22-07, 11:41 AM

Nice clean work Kavik! My hats off to you for doing it this heat.

Some questions

Estimated cost of SOA?
Pinion angle set up - DC shafts?
How far did you push the front axle forward?
Did you push the rear axle back?
Do you plan to run sway bars?

lowtideride · 07-22-07, 12:09 PM

Awesome work, will be reworking my front end to drop it down in this matter. It wont be a DD any more so I might get a little crazy with it...

Again great work!

Kavik · 07-22-07, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruiserPhil

Nice clean work Kavik! My hats off to you for doing it this heat.

Some questions

Estimated cost of SOA?
Pinion angle set up - DC shafts?
How far did you push the front axle forward?
Did you push the rear axle back?
Do you plan to run sway bars?

Thanks...

Truck gets about 3 good hours of shade in the afternoon

Hi-steer(full kit), perches, hangers, u-bolts, brakelines - about $600+ (still need shocks and driveshaft mods $$$$$)

No cut & turn - stock pinion angle

Moved the axle forward about 1" at full compression(room for 37's), sweeps forward at droop.

Rear axle stock hangers/location

I forgot to weld the sway bar mounts back on the front axle. I want to make one of those locking hub sway bars anyways (Aisin hub, mini IFS torsion bar, etc)

I wanted soooooo badly to take her to the Sonic meet on Friday, but her tags are bad and she rides like a drunkard with no shocks

Kavik · 07-22-07, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokenparts

Looks great Kavik!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowtideride

Awesome work, will be reworking my front end to drop it down in this matter. It wont be a DD any more so I might get a little crazy with it...

Again great work!

...watched your builds very closely...

Thanks!

Dirtgypsy · 07-22-07, 01:26 PM

that rocks kavic. fine looking build and rig you have there. i am really liking the fact that the body is stright and not hacked on to make room for the lift and tires.

clint

Kavik · 07-22-07, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtgypsy

that rocks kavic. fine looking build and rig you have there. i am really liking the fact that the body is stright and not hacked on to make room for the lift and tires.

clint

Funny you mention making room. I've got good news and bad news. While taking some poser shots, I learned some things.

The good news...She looks like fun

The bad news...She's gonna rub like a fat kid's thighs

It won't steer passed the rear part of the fender/bolts when stuffed.

And she's got a killer lean to the driver's side.

Looks like the driver side rear pack needs some help already.

Kavik · 07-22-07, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliCruiser

Official welcome to the club!

Looks great, what is the measurement from the ground to center of headlight?

Dylan

Drivers side 42"
Passenger side 43"

Average 42 1/2"

CaliCruiser · 07-22-07, 06:20 PM

A full 2" lower than mine.

Nice work, hopefully the spring packs hold up well.

Kavik · 07-22-07, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliCruiser

A full 2" lower than mine.

Nice work, hopefully the spring packs hold up well.

Cali - you running 35's or 37's?

chicago · 07-23-07, 09:31 AM

Kavik,
Looks awesome!
too bad shes rubbin like a crack whore!
Beautiful job on the SR...I would have been FREAKIN cutting the frame!
Did you get Longs, or run the stock axels?

Chicago

Kavik · 07-23-07, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicago

Kavik,
Looks awesome!
too bad shes rubbin like a crack whore!
Beautiful job on the SR...I would have been FREAKIN cutting the frame!
Did you get Longs, or run the stock axels?

Chicago

Right on, thanks man.

No longs for now. I'll probably run stock till she breaks.

How do you like your D-tech shocks? Did you get them online? I'm trying to figure out what to use...

As far as cutting the frame, not as spooky as it seems. Having the right parts to play with(ruffstuff & 4+

) and mocking up over and over builds confidence.

I kinda pussed out on the rear, and I may end up doing some surgery on the rear hangers as well. I'm having to run the rear springs very flat to get the truck level.

I'm going to bag the add-a-leaf in the rear and reinstall all of the stock(sagging) springs to bump up the load capacity. Right now it's very mushy back there.