4X4 labs hight steer arm swap

[shmukster]

I have a bit of a problem with the 4X4 Labs high steer arms on my FJ55. I opted to buy the ones that put the tie rod behind the axle when I did my spring over and installed an FJ62 axle up front, wanted to protect the tie rod as much as possible. Luke warned me that using those arms in a wagon application might result in interference between the tie rod and oil pan. He was right, and I modified a brand new oil pan for my 2F to give me the clearance needed between the tie rod and oil pan. All was well, until......

I swapped in a Jim C-rebuilt hipo 2F that I got in a trade from Jeff Dozier. Engine runs great, pig has a lot of power. The problem is that this engine has a header and the tie rod hits the bottom two tubes of it. It's dented them in about 1/3 of the way, this ain't good for the engine, or for my articulation. There was no interference at all between the original cast iron intake manifold on my other engine.

Does anyone out there have a set of 4X4 Labs high steer arms for a front mounted tie rod that they'd like to either sell or trade for what I already have? My arms fit a stock FJ62 axle and they work great- this truck goes down the road straight as an arrow and has tremendous feel for the road. I love these high steer arms it's just that my header and this setup aren't compatible. I do have a new header to install but am waiting to see if I can get a different pair of 4X4 Labs arms without having to buy new.

And for the record- I am not complaining in any way about the product from 4X4 Labs- these are great parts, well engineered and well made. Anybody with any suggestions or trade offers let me know, email is best for me: shmukter@pa.metrocast.net. Thanks, Gary S

 

[Poser]

Easiest?


Put your old manifold on the new engine and be done with it.


You are not going to notice, feel it in your ass, the difference between headers and an OEM 2F exhaust manifold.

 

[marks69cruiser]

"feel it in your ass?"

 

[scouthead]

If you don't mind my asking, how well does the tie rod clear the spring pack when it's behind the axle?
I know some people have had clearance issues with the tie rod up front after SOA...

I plan on doing the same to my fj55 and didn't know about the ability to run the tie rod in back with a 60/62 series axle (like an fj80 right?).

 

[Pighead]

Have you spoken to Luke about exchanging your setup for the front-steer set-up?
He did that for me...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Easiest?


Put your old manifold on the new engine and be done with it.


You are not going to notice, feel it in your ass, the difference between headers and an OEM 2F exhaust manifold.

Yes you will, especially at higher RPM's on a souped up 2F. It won't be significant, but you will be able to tell with the seat of your pants.

 

[shmukster]

High Steer

A few things here. The tie rod clears my leaf spring tops by about an inch or so. Adequate clearance, never touched the spring tops that I could see. I wanted the tie rod behind the axle to give it more protection from rocks and stuff.

I haven't even thought of asking Luke to do an exchange as this setup has been on my truck four years now.

When I replaced my original engine (136K on it and it ran well) with the Jim C hi-po engine I noticed a considerable increase in power. After doing the engine swap I had a custom exhaust system made up to hook up to the header on the new engine. The exhaust system has been very quiet and leak-free and is a 2 1/2" system all the way back. Even now with the two tubes somewhat dented in the engine makes very good power. I don't run it high in the RPM band, either, I'd say overall I'm pretty easy on the engine. With the good exhaust system and the fact that I have a new header in the garage (came in a deal for a parts truck) I really don't want to go back to an OEM exhaust manifold.

My engine started as an 87 2F from a 60 series truck, Jim replaced all bearings and rings, did a real good valve job and installed bigger valves, shaved the head, and rebuilt the carb and distributor. This engine doesn't leak any oil or coolant and runs great. I actually hate to think of replacing the header and maybe not getting as good a seal as I now have.

In any event I would welcome a trade with anyone interested in the setup with the tie rod behind the axle. I'd be willing to sweeten the pot with some cash, too. Shmukster