3-link front on FJ80

[actionjackson]

Well I'm just about done with my project. All links are in place and articulation tests have been done successfully.

This is how the links look at rest.

It's been a fun project Thanks for everone's feedback! I'll see you on the trail soon

 

[Tools R Us]

Looks very nice! I would add some gussets to the third link tower.

 

[Riad]

Nice work . Some people put the 3rd link on the opposite side of the diff for some reason. I guess it all depends on where you have more space. Looking great, I'm getting ready to do mine soon. This thread will be a good education for me.


Thanks

 

[Eskimo]

Looks good Shawn! Did you plug your numbers into the calculator to see what it predicts?

I'm certainly curious..

 

[Uncle Ben]

Looks great Shawn! Very interesting project! That third link tower does look like it could use some more bracing, but then again I'm only seeing pictures.

 

[Hanna Quality]

very nice work

 

[tclndcrz]

i really like what you have done. you can get so much more flex by going to a 3 or 4 link system even with the same springs and everything. more power to you.

-Thomas

 

[GreatLakesWaterjet]

Action, any worries with the lower links hitting the frame at full stuff or do the bumpstops hit first?

 

[1tontoy]

My buddy currently owns the FJ80 with the 3 link front (brad's??) shown above. Saw the pics of the blue coils and the intercooler pipe for the turbo and knew it was the same rig.

 

[actionjackson]

Action, any worries with the lower links hitting the frame at full stuff or do the bumpstops hit first?

I'm not too worried.

A week before I started this project I measured the full stuff of my tires in my writeup here:

http://actionjackson.com/cruiser/trailrun.asp?TrailRunID=40&Location=11&Size=2

With my setup 3" BL and 40" tires it's about 21" between shock mounts where you will be fully stuffed in the front. This exact measurement is where my lower links are at their maximum upward position.

At the point where the lower links become perfectly level and almost hit the frame is the same point where I will be fully stuffed. Here's another pic:

Thanks for all your comments. It was a great learning experience for me and hopefully this year I will be able to test it out to it's fullest.

 

[actionjackson]

Looks good Shawn! Did you plug your numbers into the calculator to see what it predicts?

I'm certainly curious..

Total Project costs: $440

6 x 2.5" Johnny Joints with 1.25" forged stud $36/ea with jam nut (around $225)
6 x Tube adapters $14/ea ($85)
6' long 2" .250 wall DOM tubing $61 (I didn't use the other 4 feet I bought)
6 x 5/8" Grade 8 bolts with washers and nuts around $36 roughly
around 3 feet of 3x6 rectangular 3/16" steel tubing $30 ?? I forget

Don't forget all the costs to cut, grind, weld, drill and bandaids when you make a boo boo

 

[clownmidget]

Shawn, that looks awesome - can't wait to see it flexed out on a trail



oh, and put a kit together like it and let me know shipping to CA :hillbilly

 

[lowtideride]

Did ya RTI it yet>?

 

[clarkrw3]

I'll take a kit too!!! shipped to AZ

 

[green_machine]

nice job. I'm with kevin, can you box the frame side mounts and still be able to drop the links?

 

[alkaline747trio]

Someone should start making a kit of this, would probably get atleast 15-20 buyers if it was pretty much drop in and no "fab" work, just a little welding, I know I would.

 

[green_machine]

Someone should start making a kit of this, would probably get atleast 15-20 buyers if it was pretty much drop in and no "fab" work, just a little welding, I know I would.

one word:

"liability"

 

[alkaline747trio]

Waiver?

 

[AMMO]

Wheres the trail pic's Shawn? We are diein over here to see the flex!!!!!!!!!!

 

[actionjackson]

Hi guys! It took me a while to get my 15" travel shocks in there but I'm finally done. We are planning on a trail run not this weekend but the next. Wife would kill me if I missed our anniversary this weekend

I have been able to drive it around town and it feels nice. Before I had to keep the front tire pressure around 20 to keep from wandering all over the road but now at 35lbs it feels pretty good. Real test will be on the freeway going downhill. I still haven't figured out if it's close to factory castor yet so I may adjust it some more to see how it feels at different angles.

Here's one last pic with my shock fully extended before I mounted them up.

Who makes good limiting straps? I was thinking of just one in the center.