Newbie needs additional SOA info

jkravito · 12-17-04, 05:21 PM

Hi everyone,
I just bought my latest and need some additional info.
76 Fj40 with lots of goodies: New LT1, Th-350, NP205. Narrowed D-60 front and rear axles, etc. I am planning on selling the brand new 4" lift and performing my first spring over lift with 35"-36" tires. I have read the tech articles on this site on SOA conversions but would appreciate your recommendations on my equipment. PM me if you have anything you can email. My other email account has a huge storage capacity for images. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks a million

cruiserrg · 12-17-04, 05:54 PM

Are you unhappy with SUA? What tires size is on this currently? I have a buddy who wheels great with SUA and 39.5s with a 4" lift. What reason are you going this route? Just curious, it sounds like a fairly decent rig as is. If changing look toward a link suspension which will give you much better performance, and not have to deal with wraping springs of a SOA.

jkravito · 12-18-04, 12:12 AM

I plan to limit this project to 36" tires because the police in my area are a real pain in the neck about large rigs on public roads. I will need to drive out of the valley to get to the trails. I had a 4" SUA on the last FJ but had problems clearing 35" tires while wheeling. This new project has a similar front shackle reversal kit installed. In your opinion, what would be a good option to gain a bit more clearance? I hate to be a bother but you guys have the experience to help me get this done right the first time.

Jarrett

woody · 12-18-04, 06:54 AM

metalcagetech.com front fenders will assist in the front a great deal. in the rear, I rely on the fender tub for a bump stop, and just trimmed the outer fender up flush with the bottom of the well.

wngrog · 12-18-04, 07:34 AM

SOA will ride better, but not worth the hassle for 36's IMHO.

orangefj45 · 12-19-04, 08:12 PM

where do you live?

jkravito · 12-23-04, 02:31 PM

I live in CT.

jkravito · 12-27-04, 02:18 PM

Update:
I finally nailed down a more solid plan for this truck. Part of my problem was correctly identifying the D-60's and related parts as the prevoius owner had made some strange modifications. I have a regular rotation Ford D-60 up front with a limited slip 4:10. The weak link on this axle appears to be the 1978 FJ40 knuckles, hubs, and rotors installed by the prevoius owner on the front D-60. Caster/Camber angles are wrong and axle tubing needs to be rotated anyway for proper pinion angle. The rear D-60 has a detroit locker with the same ratio and has been fitted with rear drums off of an 87 Toyota pickup. Both axles are 30 spline but the front is missing both shafts. All that having been said, I also plan to stretch the driveline a bit and do a SOA conversion with longer springs. I am guessing that now might be a good time to buy stronger GM/Ford front knuckles/brakes and rear brakes since everything needs to be cut off anyhow. Any ideas are welcome. If any of you guys have additional images of your trucks with lengthened wheelbases please PM me so I can give you my other email address. It would be a nice benefit to see first hand. Thanks

cali-cruiser · 12-27-04, 02:46 PM

Landcruiser knuckles on a D-60? Why? How? and Who?
87 toyota pickup brakes on a D-60? Why? How? and Who?

jkravito · 12-27-04, 03:46 PM

My sentiments exactly!

cali-cruiser · 12-27-04, 04:06 PM

Was the previous owner mentally disturbed. so is it 6 lug front and back? I'm still trying to understand this.

jkravito · 12-27-04, 04:59 PM

Correct. 6 lug front and rear. Stupid by anyones standards. This is the first time I have delt with D60's so I am now trying to determine how to remedy this disaster. I am not planning to compete with this truck in Moab but I will be running it through the trails in New England. I have seen some of the insane axles you guys are running but I think they might be overkill for 36" tires and moderate offroading. Can anyone get me started with some part numbers and basic descriptions on how to build a decent D60 once I cut the weak Yoda knuckles/etc off? I don't want to just send parts out for modifications without being educated on the pro's and cons.

3_puppies · 12-27-04, 10:26 PM

might be easier to find a LC front end. will hold up, as they are plenty strong enough to handle 36" under moderate wheeling.

CruisinGA · 12-27-04, 10:32 PM

Chromo inners and long birfs and you are fine for 38's-so say most.

I have both, but only 33's. I like overkill.

woody · 12-28-04, 06:50 AM

soon to find out how chromo inners and longs hold up to 40's as well....

Pics would rock of this odd setup you have...

cruzer · 12-28-04, 07:24 AM

Hey i live in CT too. I am running FJ62 Axles with stock inners, Longs, and Iroks...no breakage yet from sitting in the driveway. Hope to have the thing in trail ready condition for late winter early spring...haha I sent you and email...would love to see this creation the PO came up with on your truck. I have a couple front 40 housing hanging out. if you need one possibly.

Stew

dieselcruiserhead · 12-28-04, 11:23 AM

Definetely unbelieveable...

Anyway, it should not be too hard to SOA this one, just find a set of stock springs and use an addaleaf. If you have to tweak with the angles axles and tubing that is what you'll have to do with the SOA anyway. The only thing is the costs do add up, you will need hysteer arms (hehem) and kit (about $400) and shocks and a million other little things. It is $1000 at least to do it right....

jkravito · 12-28-04, 02:04 PM

I am sure the costs will add up. Thanks for the additional info. I'm trying to lower my parts costs because I will have to spend extra for some professional help from a local fabricator to get some of these mods squared away. I just moved and don't have my garage equiped for this project yet.

John_Smith · 12-29-04, 03:00 PM

Please take pictures of your current axles under the truck and post them here, I know there are more than two of us who are DYING! to see this setup.

Please Please Pretty Please.

jkravito · 12-30-04, 07:50 AM

Hang tight. I haven't tried to post pics yet but I will give it a shot this afternoon. I have tons of pics available.

jkravito · 12-30-04, 03:46 PM

Axle pics

woody · 12-30-04, 03:57 PM

rear axle is centered diff Dana sumthin, 30-spline, with minitruck shafts/flanges and brakes

front is likely minitruck outers, not Cruiser. (insignificant difference)

3_puppies · 12-30-04, 04:09 PM

How much did you pay for this?

is that some type of locker in the rear?
is the rear tube welded or is it a press fit?

front no wipers on knuckle, no caliper, how is the steering hooked up?

looks like vented rotors but no brakes at all on the rig?

cali-cruiser · 12-30-04, 04:17 PM

I would like to met the guy who did this work. It actually looks like it would work. if all the pieces were there
and thats the stock steering pup.

cruiseroutfit · 12-30-04, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali-cruiser

I would like to met the guy who did this work. It actually looks like it would work...

Any axle shop can handle the work... I know there are several here in Utah that do similar conversions, though usually the opposite direction... Mini/LC diffs with 44/60 knuckles. There are several companies that use a Ford 9" center with the D60 knuckles... Just a matter of spending the money...

jkravito · 12-30-04, 05:14 PM

Thanks for the updates. It is nice being in a forum where people respond with ideas so quickly. I just located a local fabricator who is going to help me strech the wheelbase and modify these axles. Sounds like he knows his shit. He builds race cars, 4x4's that take flight, and rock buggies. I bought my truck for $6k. It came with Aqualu tub, firewall, tailgate, windshield, and fender flares. New 350 hp LT1, new TH350, rebuilt NP205, new 4" lift springs, and all other interior, exterior, electrical, and mechanical parts. Now that the body panels are all on and all rivet nuts have been drilled and set...this truck could possibly be complete in about a 5 weeks. This is a part time project for me.

cruiserrg · 12-30-04, 07:23 PM

Looks and sounds like a decent find. I suspect what the PO did with the front axle was take a rear D60 std rotation axle and fabbed on the cruiser/mini truck knuckles. Both would be 30spline and cheap to do along with retaining the 6 lug hubs.

Depending on your plan, I personally would run that setup and only change to longfields instead of birfs. Modifing the front axle to be truely D60 with knuckles and hub will cost a lot of money better spent elsewhere. The rear axle looks good as well. Going back to cuiser stuff is not an upgrade and probably a wash strength wise. Only gain would be about 1.5-2.5" of diff clearance, and not worth the trouble, just add bigger tires. I say run with them axles and just fix the pinion/caster angles. I probably would keep it SUA, put some tires on it and wheel it. Save your cash until you really get crazy with link suspension and 40+ size tires.

3_puppies · 12-30-04, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali-cruiser

and thats the stock steering pup.

looking at the pic of the front right, where is the relay rod?

jkravito · 12-31-04, 07:06 AM

The tie rod will not be fabricated until the knuckles are rotated to the proper angle.

jkravito · 01-02-05, 07:18 PM

Any thoughts from you guys on converting the rear 87 Toy pickup drums out to rear discs? Will the caliper bracket shown in pdf format on the technical links page work with minitruck 4 bolt flanges?

12-17-04, 05:21 PM	#1
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Newbie needs additional SOA info Hi everyone, I just bought my latest and need some additional info. 76 Fj40 with lots of goodies: New LT1, Th-350, NP205. Narrowed D-60 front and rear axles, etc. I am planning on selling the brand new 4" lift and performing my first spring over lift with 35"-36" tires. I have read the tech articles on this site on SOA conversions but would appreciate your recommendations on my equipment. PM me if you have anything you can email. My other email account has a huge storage capacity for images. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks a million

12-17-04, 05:54 PM	#2
cruiserrg IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mankato, MN Posts: 306	Are you unhappy with SUA? What tires size is on this currently? I have a buddy who wheels great with SUA and 39.5s with a 4" lift. What reason are you going this route? Just curious, it sounds like a fairly decent rig as is. If changing look toward a link suspension which will give you much better performance, and not have to deal with wraping springs of a SOA. __________________ Reuben Gosewisch AKA: cruiserrg http://webpages.charter.net/cruiserrg Pics of my Tree Stand or otherwise known as my Tube Chassis rockcrawler project: http://webpages.charter.net/cruiserr.../toypuproject/

12-18-04, 06:54 AM	#4
woody Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Appleton, WI TLCA# 1548 Posts: 7,687 Blog Entries: 2	metalcagetech.com front fenders will assist in the front a great deal. in the rear, I rely on the fender tub for a bump stop, and just trimmed the outer fender up flush with the bottom of the well. __________________ Brian 'woody' Swearingen 1974 FJ40 'The Raisin' - Pitbull Rockers, 30-spline Longfields, SOA - 1/4 ellip 1996 FZJ80 'Gretchen' - MetalTech, ARB, OME, IPOR, 4x4Labs 2003 2500HD Duramax - Edge/Juice/Attitude, 285 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 4" exhaust Forum Questions? Click Here! 'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' Abraham Lincoln

12-18-04, 07:34 AM	#5
wngrog IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canton, Mississippi TLCA# 8121 Posts: 2,538	SOA will ride better, but not worth the hassle for 36's IMHO. __________________ Rock Midget Motorsports www.rockmidget.com 2009 Calendars at www.rockmidget.com

12-27-04, 02:46 PM	#9
cali-cruiser IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: arnold, CA Posts: 227	Landcruiser knuckles on a D-60? Why? How? and Who? 87 toyota pickup brakes on a D-60? Why? How? and Who? __________________ '75 fj40 with 94' Cummins 4BT-3GSK 12cm turbo housing- willwood front disc, Scout Power steering, SOA front, three link w/ air shocks rear.

12-18-04, 12:12 AM	#3
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	I plan to limit this project to 36" tires because the police in my area are a real pain in the neck about large rigs on public roads. I will need to drive out of the valley to get to the trails. I had a 4" SUA on the last FJ but had problems clearing 35" tires while wheeling. This new project has a similar front shackle reversal kit installed. In your opinion, what would be a good option to gain a bit more clearance? I hate to be a bother but you guys have the experience to help me get this done right the first time. Jarrett

12-19-04, 08:12 PM	#6
orangefj45 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: on thin ice Posts: 5,671	where do you live?

12-23-04, 02:31 PM	#7
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	I live in CT.

12-27-04, 02:18 PM	#8
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Update: I finally nailed down a more solid plan for this truck. Part of my problem was correctly identifying the D-60's and related parts as the prevoius owner had made some strange modifications. I have a regular rotation Ford D-60 up front with a limited slip 4:10. The weak link on this axle appears to be the 1978 FJ40 knuckles, hubs, and rotors installed by the prevoius owner on the front D-60. Caster/Camber angles are wrong and axle tubing needs to be rotated anyway for proper pinion angle. The rear D-60 has a detroit locker with the same ratio and has been fitted with rear drums off of an 87 Toyota pickup. Both axles are 30 spline but the front is missing both shafts. All that having been said, I also plan to stretch the driveline a bit and do a SOA conversion with longer springs. I am guessing that now might be a good time to buy stronger GM/Ford front knuckles/brakes and rear brakes since everything needs to be cut off anyhow. Any ideas are welcome. If any of you guys have additional images of your trucks with lengthened wheelbases please PM me so I can give you my other email address. It would be a nice benefit to see first hand. Thanks

12-27-04, 03:46 PM	#10
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	My sentiments exactly!

12-27-04, 04:06 PM	#11
cali-cruiser IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: arnold, CA Posts: 227	Was the previous owner mentally disturbed. so is it 6 lug front and back? I'm still trying to understand this. __________________ '75 fj40 with 94' Cummins 4BT-3GSK 12cm turbo housing- willwood front disc, Scout Power steering, SOA front, three link w/ air shocks rear.

12-27-04, 04:59 PM	#12
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Correct. 6 lug front and rear. Stupid by anyones standards. This is the first time I have delt with D60's so I am now trying to determine how to remedy this disaster. I am not planning to compete with this truck in Moab but I will be running it through the trails in New England. I have seen some of the insane axles you guys are running but I think they might be overkill for 36" tires and moderate offroading. Can anyone get me started with some part numbers and basic descriptions on how to build a decent D60 once I cut the weak Yoda knuckles/etc off? I don't want to just send parts out for modifications without being educated on the pro's and cons.

12-27-04, 10:26 PM	#13
3_puppies IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Helena MT Posts: 2,723	might be easier to find a LC front end. will hold up, as they are plenty strong enough to handle 36" under moderate wheeling. __________________ those that fail to prepare are preparing to fail....Benjamin Franklin 1965 FJ45 LWB 2nd owner, 2F, 4speed, sprung over, 35"BFG Mud terrains 1965/67 FJ45 SWB combining 2 into 1 under construction 1970 FJ55 all stock 1980 FJ40 all stock, factory air and power steering, 82,000 miles

12-27-04, 10:32 PM	#14
CruisinGA Ramblin Wreck Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Tech Posts: 5,443	Chromo inners and long birfs and you are fine for 38's-so say most. I have both, but only 33's. I like overkill. __________________ Bailey Quintrell '74 FJ40--37 Irocks-32 Bolt 'Locks-SM420-ARB-XD9000i-FJ60 PS-MetalTech Cage '93 FZJ80-DD-Part Time 4wd-locked-5" lifted-snorkel-bullbar-315 AT's '97 FZJ80 '98 UZJ100-OEM RR locker ΣΧ

12-28-04, 06:50 AM	#15
woody Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Appleton, WI TLCA# 1548 Posts: 7,687 Blog Entries: 2	soon to find out how chromo inners and longs hold up to 40's as well.... Pics would rock of this odd setup you have... __________________ Brian 'woody' Swearingen 1974 FJ40 'The Raisin' - Pitbull Rockers, 30-spline Longfields, SOA - 1/4 ellip 1996 FZJ80 'Gretchen' - MetalTech, ARB, OME, IPOR, 4x4Labs 2003 2500HD Duramax - Edge/Juice/Attitude, 285 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 4" exhaust Forum Questions? Click Here! 'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' Abraham Lincoln

12-28-04, 07:24 AM	#16
cruzer IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 582	Hey i live in CT too. I am running FJ62 Axles with stock inners, Longs, and Iroks...no breakage yet from sitting in the driveway. Hope to have the thing in trail ready condition for late winter early spring...haha I sent you and email...would love to see this creation the PO came up with on your truck. I have a couple front 40 housing hanging out. if you need one possibly. Stew

12-28-04, 11:23 AM	#17
dieselcruiserhead IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Park City & Heber City, Utah TLCA# 9439 Posts: 2,268	Definetely unbelieveable... Anyway, it should not be too hard to SOA this one, just find a set of stock springs and use an addaleaf. If you have to tweak with the angles axles and tubing that is what you'll have to do with the SOA anyway. The only thing is the costs do add up, you will need hysteer arms (hehem) and kit (about $400) and shocks and a million other little things. It is $1000 at least to do it right.... __________________ - Cummins 4BTswaps.com Forums - Diesel Conversion Website TLCA# 9439 Since 1999, Wasatch Cruisers '89 Toyota Pickup V6, OME, 32's '69 FJ55 Project on locked FZJ80 Frame, Cummins 4BT, NV5600, Dana 300

12-28-04, 02:04 PM	#18
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	I am sure the costs will add up. Thanks for the additional info. I'm trying to lower my parts costs because I will have to spend extra for some professional help from a local fabricator to get some of these mods squared away. I just moved and don't have my garage equiped for this project yet.

12-29-04, 03:00 PM	#19
John_Smith IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2002 TLCA# 9074 Posts: 22	Please take pictures of your current axles under the truck and post them here, I know there are more than two of us who are DYING! to see this setup. Please Please Pretty Please. __________________ John Smith 79 FJ40

12-30-04, 07:50 AM	#20
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Hang tight. I haven't tried to post pics yet but I will give it a shot this afternoon. I have tons of pics available.

12-30-04, 03:46 PM	#21
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Axle pics

12-30-04, 03:57 PM	#22
woody Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Appleton, WI TLCA# 1548 Posts: 7,687 Blog Entries: 2	rear axle is centered diff Dana sumthin, 30-spline, with minitruck shafts/flanges and brakes front is likely minitruck outers, not Cruiser. (insignificant difference) __________________ Brian 'woody' Swearingen 1974 FJ40 'The Raisin' - Pitbull Rockers, 30-spline Longfields, SOA - 1/4 ellip 1996 FZJ80 'Gretchen' - MetalTech, ARB, OME, IPOR, 4x4Labs 2003 2500HD Duramax - Edge/Juice/Attitude, 285 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 4" exhaust Forum Questions? Click Here! 'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' Abraham Lincoln

12-30-04, 04:09 PM	#23
3_puppies IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Helena MT Posts: 2,723	How much did you pay for this? is that some type of locker in the rear? is the rear tube welded or is it a press fit? front no wipers on knuckle, no caliper, how is the steering hooked up? looks like vented rotors but no brakes at all on the rig? __________________ those that fail to prepare are preparing to fail....Benjamin Franklin 1965 FJ45 LWB 2nd owner, 2F, 4speed, sprung over, 35"BFG Mud terrains 1965/67 FJ45 SWB combining 2 into 1 under construction 1970 FJ55 all stock 1980 FJ40 all stock, factory air and power steering, 82,000 miles

12-30-04, 04:17 PM	#24
cali-cruiser IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: arnold, CA Posts: 227	I would like to met the guy who did this work. It actually looks like it would work. if all the pieces were there and thats the stock steering pup. __________________ '75 fj40 with 94' Cummins 4BT-3GSK 12cm turbo housing- willwood front disc, Scout Power steering, SOA front, three link w/ air shocks rear.

12-30-04, 05:14 PM	#26
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Thanks for the updates. It is nice being in a forum where people respond with ideas so quickly. I just located a local fabricator who is going to help me strech the wheelbase and modify these axles. Sounds like he knows his shit. He builds race cars, 4x4's that take flight, and rock buggies. I bought my truck for $6k. It came with Aqualu tub, firewall, tailgate, windshield, and fender flares. New 350 hp LT1, new TH350, rebuilt NP205, new 4" lift springs, and all other interior, exterior, electrical, and mechanical parts. Now that the body panels are all on and all rivet nuts have been drilled and set...this truck could possibly be complete in about a 5 weeks. This is a part time project for me.

12-30-04, 07:23 PM	#27
cruiserrg IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mankato, MN Posts: 306	Looks and sounds like a decent find. I suspect what the PO did with the front axle was take a rear D60 std rotation axle and fabbed on the cruiser/mini truck knuckles. Both would be 30spline and cheap to do along with retaining the 6 lug hubs. Depending on your plan, I personally would run that setup and only change to longfields instead of birfs. Modifing the front axle to be truely D60 with knuckles and hub will cost a lot of money better spent elsewhere. The rear axle looks good as well. Going back to cuiser stuff is not an upgrade and probably a wash strength wise. Only gain would be about 1.5-2.5" of diff clearance, and not worth the trouble, just add bigger tires. I say run with them axles and just fix the pinion/caster angles. I probably would keep it SUA, put some tires on it and wheel it. Save your cash until you really get crazy with link suspension and 40+ size tires. __________________ Reuben Gosewisch AKA: cruiserrg http://webpages.charter.net/cruiserrg Pics of my Tree Stand or otherwise known as my Tube Chassis rockcrawler project: http://webpages.charter.net/cruiserr.../toypuproject/

12-31-04, 07:06 AM	#29
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	The tie rod will not be fabricated until the knuckles are rotated to the proper angle.

01-02-05, 07:18 PM	#30
jkravito IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 99	Any thoughts from you guys on converting the rear 87 Toy pickup drums out to rear discs? Will the caliper bracket shown in pdf format on the technical links page work with minitruck 4 bolt flanges? Last edited by jkravito; 01-02-05 at 08:19 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode