FJ62 Bob it? or extend the WB?

88chevota · 12-22-08, 08:00 PM

I am putting the 62 under the knife! I want to know what you all think though before I start cutting. It is no longer my DD but my wheeler and occasional cruise to work for fun. It will not be a trailer queen, but I don't care that much about highway performance.

Budget build plan!!! It will take me a little while because to buy stuff I need to sell stuff.

I already picked up some stuff for really cheap. The deals are out there you just need to be patient!

What it has so far: 1990 SBC 350 TBI, SM465, NP205

The 62 will get:

Dana 60 HP front axle (poor mans locker: welded)
Sterling 10.25 rear axle (poor mans locker: welded)
I might keep the SM465, NP205 combo unless I sell it.
If sold I'll go with a TH350, NP203/NP205 doubled.
I am cutting the wheel wells out to make room for 39's or bigger.
In making the rear well larger I will also move the rear axle back about 2"
add some tubing to the fenders. (welded on the fenders)
Trim the rear quarter panels up more and make my own rock sliders.
Trim the rear frame off 3" and make my own bumper tied into the rock sliders.
Trim up the rocker panel and weld my own sliders to the body and frame.
I also hope to cage the inside.

I plan on detailing this the best I can. pics and all.

let me know what you think.

I should start on the body stuff in the next few weeks.

askeyey · 12-22-08, 09:13 PM

I saw a picture on a random thread of a 62 with the rear axle moved back about 10-12 inches or so. It looked awesome. I'm trying to find the thread now, but I'm having trouble since the picture was posted for no particular reason if I remember correctly. I'll let you know if I find it.

88chevota · 12-22-08, 09:20 PM

cool thanks

LC_Hamma · 12-22-08, 09:45 PM

This is the only one I've seen in person. Josh Baker's done at JK Customs:

88chevota · 12-22-08, 10:17 PM

wow that is crazy. I think I am keeping a lot of the body though.

Mace · 12-22-08, 10:27 PM

how big do you want it to be???

88chevota · 12-22-08, 10:32 PM

I want to run 39's. nothing much bigger. I am going to try to keep the cog low too. I'll trim the fenders to make it fit. 63" chevy springs in the rear.

88chevota · 12-22-08, 10:35 PM

I saw in a thread that a 94 s-10 blazer gas tank would work well for a bob job. anyone actually try it?

88chevota · 12-23-08, 09:54 AM

After looking around a lot and reading it seems like a 108" wheel base with 39's is just about right especially if I am going to keep the cog lower. I guess that means leave the wheel wells alone and bob it. I'd love to hear some more thoughts on the subject of wheel base though. It would be cool to not bob it and do something different but only if it going to be beneficial for wheeling.

Isotel · 12-23-08, 09:57 AM

anything longer than 110 would suck with a low Belly Height.. Especially around these parts.
Keep the stock WB!

Bob would be cool! Find some Axles yet? we have some Rockwells Laying around out at Redline if you want to go big! lol

LC_Hamma · 12-23-08, 10:24 AM

Do similar to pic above but take out the space behind the rear doors (8-10"). Link the rear unless you want a low hanging frame behind the tires for the leaf connection. You'll need to trim the fenders if you wanna keep it low. Hack the fronts for tube fenders & the rears it depends on if you wanna refab wheelwells or add a body lift for uptravel. Oh yeah, the S-10 gas tank fits perfect for a

if you do a body lift.

88chevota · 12-23-08, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isotel

anything longer than 110 would suck with a low Belly Height.. Especially around these parts.
Keep the stock WB!

Bob would be cool! Find some Axles yet? we have some Rockwells Laying around out at Redline if you want to go big! lol

Don't tease me Trevor. Just curious how much they want for em?

so what exactly would be considered a low belly? anything under 24"

Tapage · 12-23-08, 02:53 PM

rockwells .. thought your plan was keep it around 38"

with rockwells .. 42" plus .. just to keep a nice ground clearance.

kling-on · 12-23-08, 04:37 PM

I like mine stock wheel base stock springs SOA with lots-o-trimin and a bob job

before I chopped the top

I wish I still had my top but the open air fun as long as it not cols

88chevota · 12-23-08, 07:21 PM

Kling-on - I have looked at yours many times, I dig the orange! are you still using the boat tank? if not what are you doing for a tank?

Tapage - I probably won't go with the rockwells even though it's tempting.

brokenparts · 12-23-08, 11:07 PM

I almost considered rockwells but decided against it due to the room required to clear the "center chunk". A full bodied rig will have a tough time with clearing them. Did you see "fred's 40 builds a 60" build and how he did his rear panel? I'd check into that. I plan on chopping back somewhat like his or a serious hack like "Tippy R" when I set up the back of my 60.

Isotel · 12-23-08, 11:33 PM

Tony, Just Kidding on the Rockwell's, i mean yes he has them at the shop, give him a call if your intrested, 14B and a 60 is a much better combo with 38's

i would say a low frame height is anything under 23" or so..

i think your rig would look Killer with raised and Tubed Fenders, Bump Stops, 1 tons, 38's and a 23-24" Frame height

88chevota · 12-24-08, 10:16 AM

tubed fenders on a 62 huh. hmmm i am trying to picture that. Anyone have pics.

I think I will stick with the 14b and 60. it will be the junkyard crawler!!! I love that pull yard!

kling-on · 12-24-08, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88chevota

Kling-on - I have looked at yours many times, I dig the orange! are you still using the boat tank? if not what are you doing for a tank?

Tapage - I probably won't go with the rockwells even though it's tempting.

I still have the boat tank 2.5 years and 5 roller overs later it still workin

I have a jeep tank I'm lookin at puting in so I can get my cargo area back ... a nice alum fuel cell would work too .... butI'm to cheap

Isotel · 12-24-08, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88chevota

tubed fenders on a 62 huh. hmmm i am trying to picture that. Anyone have pics.

no thats the point you will be the first i bet. maybe push the rear axle back a bit so that you don't have to trim the Rear Doors, but run some tube up and around the fenders.. maybe skin them and run sheet metal back to the body, smooth it out and paint it.. how good are you with sheet metal welding?

Or Just Chop them as high as you can if you don't care how the rig looks..

the tube would be nice to keep your sheet metal somewhat straight, are you wanting to drag that thing through Independence and Carnage Canyon? or just beef it up a bit for a family Hauler

88chevota · 12-24-08, 06:39 PM

I am definitely wanting to take it through both. Not sure how good I am at welding sheet but it is always fun to try.

mookie · 12-24-08, 09:05 PM

bob it AND extend the wheelbase....4 link the rear, if your running tons then go with 42's should be able to do a 115" wheelbase or so with a 22" bellypan...you'd have a badass 60

88chevota · 12-25-08, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookie

bob it AND extend the wheelbase....4 link the rear, if your running tons then go with 42's should be able to do a 115" wheelbase or so with a 22" bellypan...you'd have a badass 60

true that would be pretty sweet. I'd like to fit it in my garage thought!

I am going with 63" chevy springs in the rear for sure.

I have been thinking about the front though. three link?, radius arms or just keep it simple with leaf springs?

I love the way this one looks, but with 38's

D'Animal · 12-25-08, 11:00 AM

With 63" chevys in the rear your wheel base will be approximately 122"

88chevota · 12-25-08, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

With 63" chevys in the rear your wheel base will be approximately 122"

I'll move the spring hangers to keep it closer to the original WB.

mookie · 12-26-08, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88chevota

true that would be pretty sweet. I'd like to fit it in my garage thought!

I am going with 63" chevy springs in the rear for sure.

I have been thinking about the front though. three link?, radius arms or just keep it simple with leaf springs?

I love the way this one looks, but with 38's

well you can always let the air out of the tires to get it in your garage but it's a pita, ask me how i know lol

put your rear leafs in the front, you'll get great flex, no need to 3 link....if your going to link anything def. do it in the back.....and with 63" chevy springs it's going to be hard to do without having a terrible departure angle, they are so freaking long that the shackle will be way behind your tire, especially with 38"s

i think that your on to a cool idea, i never see hardcore 60's here

green73 · 12-26-08, 10:30 AM

I like the idea of stretching the WB just to be different. But I fully understand the WB/Tire size/Breakover angle issues. I think the most difficult part of a WB stretch would be getting the wheel openings and back door shaping to look right. Whatever you choose GIVE IT HELL, and take tons of pics.

Talos · 12-27-08, 09:48 AM

extending the WB is a very common mod over here, most 60s have some extension.

here´s one on 44"

and one on 38"

the ride gets alot better on uneven surfaces with a longer WB.

it really isn´t that hard to do (most have coil or air suspension though).

EDIT: pic thread Ferðaklúbburinn 4x4 - Myndasafn

88chevota · 12-27-08, 05:59 PM

Talos, those are pretty cool! i think for the trails around here I am going to keep it under 110 wb. I started cutting. I'll post pics later!

kling-on · 12-27-08, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88chevota

Talos, those are pretty cool! i think for the trails around here I am going to keep it under 110 wb. I started cutting. I'll post pics later!

bob it and keep the top one like the blue one I didnt bother close in mine it cause the bed woulda been 10 in or so ...

... ok I did roll it twice too but, still think about puttin it back on like this one ... but one mine it would be SO much work to make it look even ok again