Black & Tan Finally gets dirty

[TLC76]

Finally got my FJ out into the dirt, the extended wheelbase and the traction bar I just finished worked great. Still have too much body roll, need to stiffen up the rear springs.

Now I just need to install my 30 splines and get it into true 4WD mode.

As you can see I couldn't finish the rattle can tan before the rain struck here in socal...

http://www.daveandliz.com/forum/Ocotillo 2010-01-23 006.jpg

 

[BELMONT148]

Nice looking rig.

Will be moved in 3,2,...

Jeremy

 

[TLC76]

Springs are technical...

 

[3DAMAN!]

Nice looking rig.

Will be moved in 3,2,...

Jeremy

WTF?






Oh, that ain't a bad looking rig ya got there. Is it just in primer or is it painted sandish camo?

 

[TLC76]

It's the "Khaki" flat camo finish from Home Depot. I was in a hurry to get it all one color that wasn't baby blue.

 

[mano002]

that's odd, I had the problem that my front springs were softer than the rear when I did my front and rear spring flip. It looks fairly balanced in the pictures, but I guess it could have flexed the rear first. you could always try to graft a swap bar in rather than stiffening the rear spring rate.

Any pictures of your rear bumper?

 

[TLC76]

It had what appeared to be some sort of jeep springs on it when I bought it, I ended up using 89-95 4WD Toyota pickup springs in the back turned around to extend the wheelbase 7", right now it has a total of 7 leaves but a lot of body roll. Hopefully stiffer shocks and another leaf will help that. I may need to add a sway bar with disconnects if I want to drive it very far on the road. Haven't touched the front springs yet.

Here's the best pic of the bumper I have handy, just finished it recently as well. You can also see the track bar under there (has a shackle and johhny joint for articulation). No more blown up rear end:

 

[EWheeler]

Where you mount the upper shock eyes to the body can really help eliminate body roll. I don't think you will be happy with stiffer springs. I made a new crossmember out of 1 1/4" box tube that sits on top of the frame, that allowed me to raise the mounting point of the upper shock eye which in turned allowed me to move them outboard. I don't have any pictures on hand, but I would recommend adjusting your shock placement before you add leaves....

Great looking 40

 

[TLC76]

Sounds good, I'll do that. Plus, if I add leaves I have to buy new U bolts...

How far from verticle did your shocks end up and what length do you run?

 

[BELMONT148]

I was refering to the pose shots of the rig being in tech.

But since ya'll turned it technical, I will say a SOA with a hardtop is gonna have some body roll. Either install a sway bar or take the top off.

You have really nice flex there in the rear. I wouldn't touch it if I were you. It's really hard to get the rear to flex like the front, so be happy with what you got.

The more verticle you can get your shocks the better. However without going into the cab, on a SOA rig you can't get verticle and keep a proper length shock on there. You will probably have to go with the longest shock you can buy and move the pins in closer.
Jeremy

 

[TLC76]

He said he used tube on top of the frame, not mounting to sheetmetal.

The extra 9" of spring over stock sure helps the articulation.

 

[EWheeler]

Sounds good, I'll do that. Plus, if I add leaves I have to buy new U bolts...

How far from verticle did your shocks end up and what length do you run?

I set them up at 15 deg from vertical which yields 4" of shock shaft showing on 10" travel shocks I believe. I haven't had a chance to flex it out yet, but I will adjust as necessary (move mounts inward) so as to not limit flex and will live with the body roll.

I moved my axle pretty far back when I did my spring over. The shocks are mounted behind the rear axle and run vertically fore & aft to my new cross member.

PM me and I will upload some pictures to this thread, otherwise, I guarantee I will forget....

 

[EWheeler]

So I finally got my crossmember painted and installed. Got a little burnt out on the Cruiser and had to take a brake. Anyhow, as I stated above I have 10" shocks and 4" of shaft showing at static ride height.

 

[EWheeler]

More:

 

[EWheeler]

And more. I will be getting some new shocks here shortly