Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (5 Viewers)

[jcardona1]

Jose all biases aside, did you really have to cut out your fenders to fit the 37s? I have 37s 37x12.5r17 and am really interested in doing this 3 link...if I keep this tire size and not do the 13.5 like you have, do I still need to cut the fenders? I don't rub my fenders right now.

These brackets are made using American steel right? j/k well half joking. but truly am interested in doing this! but might need help fabing it up...maybe after you have done it, you could help me install mine...i'll bring the beers and moral support? hehehe

With my tire/wheel/spacer/lift combination, there was no way it'd work without cutting. I could hardly turn the wheel. Back was no issue unless you want off-road and started to flex the suspension.

With regards to welding it up, still not sure how all that's gonna go. I'm gonna cut everything off (that will take a while) then have a buddy come over to get all the angles and locations right. Tack everything in place then I could take me time doing the welding. Since I have a 110v welder I'll have to do multiple passes. That or ink have to see what Booger's hourly rate is

Over the last several night I have read damn near every page of this thread up to this point. I love how your skills have develops and you've continually applied said new skills to your rig. I'm on track to get a series 80 here in the next two weeks. It's has some suspension mods and some bolt on goodies, so it's a good start. I'm sure to start posting more once I get it. Again, great job man. keep it coming.

Thanks man, appreciate it! I'm still impressed people sit there and read every page in this thread. I'm glad I started this thread, it's cool to go back and see where it all started.

Yeah the factory shock location sits right where leafs wanna be no matter what we wanna do on these the damn shocks are an issue... I want my cab intact as well.

Leafs in the back and the front 3 link from 4wu would totally put the truck back in super easy to drive mode. The geometry would all be back on par... Plus, you get to be the antichrist and show all these bench builders how good they can work w a proper traction bar

My white 4door taco was 3link front and leafs/traction bar rear. Everything it did would be ideal for me in the 80...

On the shock towers. The ruffstuff tower is the 'perfect' height for a 37 w no flares and just a bit of clearance trimming on the fender sheet metal with a 14" 2.5 shock. You have big wheel wells now and can afford more up travel. If using those you would want a 14" 2.0 shock or 12" 2.5.

NOT a fan of that bolt on shock tower by ballistic. Fine for a shock, but not a coilover supporting vehicle weight. There's only 2 legs attaching to the frame totally just my opinion though...

So really no where to put shocks and leafs without going through the floor? Not even if making some changes to frame rails/cross member?

As for shock brands, it's totally pic you favorite color. They all work great and the opinionsare all based on valving(ask Brian). Plenty of people have bought the biggest/baddest/fanciest shocks and were disappointed because it went in a tube buggy but was setup for a super duty...

The exception is FOA. I've owned 6 of those and the initials stand for Fawking Oil Allover, no joke. Total junk with great customer service, ironically.

Thanks for the bit of wisdom. I definitely want to utilize every bit of travel I can and I'm not against cutting more if I have to. The coilovers are 2" body 14" length. So you think those 12" Ruff Stuff towers are the best option? I'd like to be around the same height I'm at right now, maybe an inch or so taller.

 

[Dubbinchris]

Thanks man, appreciate it! I'm still impressed people sit there and read every page in this thread. I'm glad I started this thread, it's cool to go back and see where it all started.

No problem. I've been part of several different car forums over the years so I'm no stranger to reading long posts and also making them myself. I should be picking up my very own 80 series on the 22nd and then driving it 1100 miles home. Once I have it in my hands I'm sure to be posting much like you are.

 

[Booger weldz]

I took 1000 measurements/mockups before using the ruffstuff towers cause I thought they were too short. Ends up perfect for a non excessively trimmed fender w 37 and then 40 w your type of trimming on articulation. There's gobs more room if someone wanted to crucify the fenders(and some of my articulation clearance issues are a result of a wider front axle).

Both stuffed corner shocks are fully compressed here. What you bought from Brian will do all of this(and more if you supply the up travel).

 

[snatchmonkey]

That is mean looking

 

[Booger weldz]

I think it's rather sedate looking normally. A 'sleeper', if you will.

 

[jcardona1]

I took 1000 measurements/mockups before using the ruffstuff towers cause I thought they were too short. Ends up perfect for a non excessively trimmed fender w 37 and then 40 w your type of trimming on articulation. There's gobs more room if someone wanted to crucify the fenders(and some of my articulation clearance issues are a result of a wider front axle). View attachment 1004786Both stuffed corner shocks are fully compressed here. What you bought from Brian will do all of this(and more if you supply the up travel).

What are your thoughts on this frenched cut-to-length 16" tower?

https://www.barnes4wd.com/Frenched-Shock-Tower-Pair_p_305.html

 

[Booger weldz]

Almost bought those, or copied them, but now you invading the air cleaner real estate to the point it can't be modified(mine is notched)

 

[jcardona1]

Almost bought those, or copied them, but now you invading the air cleaner real estate to the point it can't be modified(mine is notched)View attachment 1004813

So they'd sit farther inside the frame than the Ruff Stuff towers? Seems like you could adjust the depth of the french cut easily, no?

 

[Booger weldz]

Seems like you could adjust the depth of the french cut easily, no?

Right, cut to fit. Grab a couple more inches of height for the shock if wanted. I'm exactly where
I need to be with a 40"(future) tire and 14" 2.5 shock. But there's plenty of clearance above where I'm at if someone wanted to carve up the fenders more and/or a smaller tire. Id guesstimate you could build the whole shock/bump arrangement 2.25-2.5" higher than I am, but I'm not interested in opening the wheel wells excessively. I've shoved the axle like 3''(?) forward and only have to massage the front bottom lip of the fenders.

 

[jcardona1]

Right, cut to fit. Grab a couple more inches of height for the shock if wanted. I'm exactly where
I need to be with a 40"(future) tire and 14" 2.5 shock. But there's plenty of clearance above where I'm at if someone wanted to carve up the fenders more and/or a smaller tire. Id guesstimate you could build the whole shock/bump arrangement 2.25-2.5" higher than I am, but I'm not interested in opening the wheel wells excessively. I've shoved the axle like 3''(?) forward and only have to massage the front bottom lip of the fenders.

Ok - it's become a bit more clear now. I think I may try one of those towers from Barnes. Mount them as tall as I can to maximize up travel. I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions for you so, Coors Light right?

 

[jcardona1]

Brian asked if I could take some nice pictures of the brackets so I thought I'd share them too since we all enjoy some metal porn. Here's the axle side brackets. You have your 2 brackets for the lower links, 1 bracket for the panhard and the tower brace for the 3rd link

And here's your frame-side brackets. On top is the bracket for the lower link and 3rd link, all built together. This one goes on the passenger side. Bottom left is the bracket for the other lower link and lastly the new frame-side panhard bracket

 

[Booger weldz]

Pimp!

Where's that 'Bigboy' dude and his radius arm diarrhea tech

 

[jhamby]

Those welds are untouchable.

 

[AMMO]

Those welds are untouchable.

Someone's dropping dimes...

-A

 

[jcardona1]

Pimp!

Where's that 'Bigboy' dude and his radius arm diarrhea tech

I'm guessing he's deep in his troll cave this time of year, been pretty quiet lately.

Those welds are untouchable.

Someone's dropping dimes...

-A

Amazing right? I sat there for a few minutes holding the brackets, mesmerized by the welds. They almost look robotic. Take some serious skill to have such a steady technique.

 

[jcardona1]

Did finish welding the base of the bumper this weekend. Since I'm only doing a single swingout I decided to brace the other hole by adding a short piece of DOM tubing welded to the top and bottom shells.

And here's some of my amateur metal porn

 

[Finnyfam60]

Did finish welding the base of the bumper this weekend. Since I'm only doing a single swingout I decided to brace the other hole by adding a short piece of DOM tubing welded to the top and bottom shells.


And here's some of my amateur metal porn

looks great bro!
What you mean is you redesigned it to have an integrated fishing pole holder..

 

[jcardona1]

looks great bro!
What you mean is you redesigned it to have an integrated fishing pole holder..

Thanks - but I wish! That's where the latch goes on the single swingout bumpers

 

[jcardona1]

More goodies arrived!

 

[scrowley]

Nice welds there. Fyi. My single swing with 37's sucks. Don't use that 2x2 they give you for main bar. It twists around like a pretzel. Vibrates the whole truck without a ratchet strap to top of hatch. was fine with 315's. No good now though. I might redo with a 2x4 instead.