FJ 62 SOA begins!

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I'm about to start exactly thhe same project on my FJ62 so I'll be watching this thread carefully.

Dieselcruiserhead: Whose high steer did you use and are you happy with it? Did you turn your knuckles? By the way - great pictures!
 
Just got the rig up on stands last night (Friday) and started dismanteling the front end, so nothing picture worthy yet. Hopefully by the end of the day today, the axel and housing will be out, I can run it down to the steam cleaner and clean it, then start hacking stuff off.
I ended up having to soak the drive shaft bolts cuz thyere on there pretty good.
More later.

Chicago
 
astr said:
I'm about to start exactly thhe same project on my FJ62 so I'll be watching this thread carefully.

Dieselcruiserhead: Whose high steer did you use and are you happy with it? Did you turn your knuckles? By the way - great pictures!
Click to expand...

Dieselcruiser head used 4x4 labs hi steer kit...
He did a really great write up on his build in Toyota trails several months back, that I reference quite a bit.
I went with Marlin Crawler's hi steer (which Im still waiting to recieve). It came highly recommended, and the price was decent too.
4x4 labs (Ive heard) is the superior system to the other hi steers, but its a bit too pricy for me (550.00) where the Marlin kit was 423.00 with shipping. I also like that they used CNC'd steer arms, and not the casted type.
I got my parts from Curt at Cruiser Outfitters...Another awesome thing about Curt is, he takes the time to talk to you about ANY questions you have regarding the SOA. I was on the phone with him for over an HOUR yesterday, picking his brain with small questions I had about the SOA process. He takes time with the customers and he is very knowledgeable on the subject.

Chicago
 
I looked at the 4x4 Labs high steer and it looks great. I like that they moved the tie rod behind the axle. However, someday I would like to swap my 3FE for an Isuzu diesel and am afraid that the rear tie rod location may interfere with the oil pan on the Isuzu.

Did you consider the All-Pro kit that includes forged steering arms?
 
So I started tearing in to the front end for my first time, and this is an AWESOME learning experience. Im feeling that I should not have even been wheeling the rig because if I had busted an axel, I would have been screwed out on the trail.
Everything was FILTHY, rusted, siezed, you name it...So as Im pulling parts off, im taking a few moment to clean things pretty well. The cone washers were the biggest pain in the ass so far. Here are some pics of the front end disassembly!

Chicago
SOApics 001.webp
SOApics 003.webp
SOApics 004.webp
 
Here's some more.
Im making sure to label everything as it comes off the rig, putting the smaller parts into ziplocks and keeping them in designated boxes. For example...all of the right knuckle assembly parts are in one box.
The wife came out to supervise for a bit!

Chicago
SOApics 005.webp
SOApics 006.webp
 
If anyone catches anything that I might be doing wrong, or has any suggestions, please post up. Im not opposed to constructive criticism. This is my first BIG project on my rig, so its a learning experience as much as anything!

Thanks,

Chicago
 
Lookin great man, Only thing i can think of off the top of my head would be to order some new knuckle studs from C-dan and lock tight them in once you torque to speck.

I have a new set for toyota I have been waiting to put in, til I get the marlin arms for ram assist....


keep up the good work
 
just wonderin but will the garage door close???

I really enjoyed the work I did on mine...all new stuff made me feel better since who knows what the POs had done with the truck:)
 
calfj60 said:
just wonderin but will the garage door close???

I really enjoyed the work I did on mine...all new stuff made me feel better since who knows what the POs had done with the truck:)
Click to expand...

Yeup,
the garage door closes just fine!:D
Im just glad Ill be cleaning all the crap off of everything. NOT THAT I WAS SURPRISED, but everything is such a greezy dirty mess. I FIRMLY believe that the front end HAS NOT been gone through since it was built in 88'. I dont think the PO did anything with it except the AAL's, shocks and shackles. There is no evidence what so ever that anything else has been serviced.

Chicago
 
Lowtide and Advent,
Thanks for the recommendations on the studs and gussets.:beer:
No work this eve...Ill update as I go!
I got my Hi steer from Marlin today:bounce2: :bounce: ...Its a pretty beefy set up! The steer arms are missing, so I called them, and they are on top of it, which I am very pleased about. Im waiting on my shackles from MAF! the diff gears Ill do later. I just wanted to get the work done FIRST!

Chicago
 
Front end is OUT!!!!:bounce2: :bounce:

Chicago
SOApics 009.webp
SOApics 008.webp
 
Cool....Wish I was as motivated...I need to drain all my fluids after the sand box weekend...
 
Yeah, I was so excited to get the housing out, that I forgot to drain the gear oil. When I tipped the housing to get it out from the springs...gear oil ALL OVER THE FLOOR!!! Im such a DUMB ASS some times!
Oh well...So, I went to work with that Simple Green crap and it cleaned up pretty well. That is about all that s*** is good for.

Did you go to SnT? Looked like a BLAST!

Chicago
 
Mark W said:
When I first started putting the rear shocks in the rigs at similar angles I too felt that it was kinda steep. But I have had no complaints abpout the ride, handling or performance of the shocks mounted like this, so...


Mark...
Click to expand...

Every time I tried I never was able to even come close to maxing out the rear articulation so I figure might as well try with the 12's. I would probably only inboard the top shock mounts another inch, maybe two at most.. For the fronts I used the Ford shock towers which work great.. the part number is listed on the SOA faq off the technical links at the top of the page.. Best, Andre
 
Well, the much needed cleaning process is taking up A LOT of fawking time, however it really NEEDS to be done. I apologize to those who are following this thread cuz they too are gearing up to embark on the same adventure. I had to work grave yard shift at the hospital this weekend, so I didnt get too much done, but I did get one side of the spring packs APART, cleaned and painted. It is amazing what a little cleaning and some rustoleum will do...After I get the spring packs finished, Ill then be able to start with the "meat and potatoes" of the SOA of the front end!

Chicago
SOApics 014.webp
SOApics 010.webp
SOApics 011.webp
 
A pic of my (formerly) nice clean work bench...All "house keeping" in my shop/ garage has all but gone OUT THE WINDOW!!!
The next pic is of my GRINNIN' ASS after I got my spring packs out! They were quite a bitch for me to say the least!

Chicago
SOApics 012.webp
SOApics 015.webp
 
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