71FJ40 Chevota

[Mace]

Go six stud knuckles and the 4x4 labs steering for the best setup.

 

[71FJnick]

Ordered the 4x4 Labs set up, all the comments about Luke are accurate, great guy to deal with.
Super pumped! One step closer.... yet so far away.

 

[71FJnick]

Finally got all the details to finish the front axle. Just prepping everything for a coat of paint!

 

[71FJnick]

Between coats of paint I was able to begin disassembly of the donor 85 mini truck axle.
I'll be using the hubs, spindles, Lower bearing caps and outer birfs.

I'm using 4x4 labs steering arms, Trail gear 6stud knuckles, vented rotors and 4Runner calipers for the other bits

 

[71FJnick]

No pics today, still slowly working through disassembly of the mini truck knuckles, degreasing and inventorying stuff.
It will sure be nice when re assembly starts.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I remember this whole process. It was definitely the opposite of fun. So much grease....

 

[71FJnick]

Oh so much grease, cleaning it all out, then agonizing over the "right" grease to put back in.

I went with:
Chevron Delo HD Moly 3 for the birfs
Chevron starplex EP2 for the wheel bearings

 

[thebigredrocker]

Does your Pitman arm have the correct taper for the 1-Ton GM ball joints? I found out last minute mine didn't.

 

[71FJnick]

I haven't checked yet, but I ordered it from 4x4 labs with the drag link, so I assume it all matches.
I chose to replace the one I have because I didn't want to risk them not matching.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Ahh... smart move. It probably has the correct taper then.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I think I went with Molygraph grease - for no other reason than it was cheap and available. Sounds like I agonized slightly less haha

 

[71FJnick]

One knuckle installed.
I took a stab at making my own knuckle centering tool. Cost about $150 in bronze bushings and more time than I care to admit, but it works and I understand the geometry better than ever . As others have said, it's about the journey and learning

 

[71FJnick]

Pics!

Here are some details, this was the setup for scribing the centerline in the knuckle with spindle attached.

Since the whole thing is hand made and not perfect I had to adjust some measurements to accommodate

Overall though my preload is 8-10 lbs (it was 7 when I measured and I went tight In the shin stack.
Ended with 1.58mm on the bottom and .55mm on top

 

[thebigredrocker]

Wow! Nice work on your SST and thanks for the helpful write up.

 

[White Stripe]

I don't think you will ever dent that diff guard.

 

[71FJnick]

Here's some more detail on the SST and how I modified the dims.
Both knuckles on, preload seems good 8-10lbs with the arms.

 

[71FJnick]

Bought a 20T harbor freight press today for the wheel studs. Wow it made the job so easy, I'm not sure how I lived without one before.
One hub is now done, I'll do the other and should be done with the axle assembly next week... finally

 

[71FJnick]

Got the axle assembly finished today, seems like such a milestone. Next up is to make sure the calipers (not mounted yet) clear my 15" wheels, then I can swap out the axle.



Next will be plumbing brakes
JT outfitters firewall adapter
FJ80 master
FJ80 booster (I think)
new hard and soft lines...

 

[71FJnick]

So I can confirm that 15" aluminum wheels with 2.5" backspacing will not clear the 4-runner calipers. You can see where the wheel scraped the caliper.

So I ordered new wheels today!

 

[71FJnick]

New wheels arrived
Went with Pro Comp series 97
17x9 with 3.5" backspacing
They were tough to find but Amazon had them

They fit much better but just barely scrape on the caliper cooling fins, some light grinding should remedy that.