FJ40 4-link up front SOA in the rear

[mybluetoy]

It's at the barn and I won't get there until tomorrow, but if I cut 6" off the passenger side, I would have a 61" axle so the pinion would then be to the passenger side more, roughly 6" more. I'll look at it tomorrow and take some measurements then.

 

[Fast Eddy]

if I cut 6" off the passenger side, I would have a 61" axle so the pinion would then be to the passenger side more, roughly 6" more.

Should be enough. I cut an fzj80 rear 5-3/4" and it's a bit further over than it needs to be. I think it's about 12" total offset. It roughly matches an fj60 width, 57".

Is the 14 bolt centered originally?

From Cruiser Outfitters Tech:

Axle Shafts:
80 Series Drivers Side: 36-3/8"
80 Series Passenger Side: 29"

Total Width:
FJ60/FJ62: 57"
FJ/FZJ80: 63"

 

[mybluetoy]

Yes I believe the 14 bolt pinion is originally centered, and by cutting 6" out, it will move the pinion over 3" to the passenger side, once it is all lined up, that should line it up almost perfect to the transfer case out put. I have yet to take measurements, but will this afternoon. Hoping my thoughts are on track, will know this afternoon.

 

[69LC]

The housing I picked up has the pinion 1" right of center before any mods, so maybe add 1/2" to your overall estimate.

 

[mybluetoy]

Measured, adjusted and my thoughts are confirmed, now going to etch a line and then set up the bandsaw. Will post pics later

 

[Sputnik40]

I read a thread where someone took a 14 bolt and cut the tube to make it offset. He cut both sides and just made the driver side the long side and used both stock shafts.
Here is his thread, great info in there; https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/221512-freds40-builds-60-a-30.html

What I am thinking is to cut the long side, passenger side by 6" and then using short shafts, 32" on both sides. Any thoughts?

Just cutting/shortening the long side to run a short side shaft doesn't get it aligned perfect - but it's good enough for short trips on the highway. Didn't see what front axle you were going to run - assuming full width D60?

Curious to see if you've got a different solution?

 

[mybluetoy]

Just cutting/shortening the long side to run a short side shaft doesn't get it aligned perfect - but it's good enough for short trips on the highway. Didn't see what front axle you were going to run - assuming full width D60?

Curious to see if you've got a different solution?

No more plans of driving this down the highway. Yes going to run a D60, but that too will be narrowed. I haven't got to that yet, but I am thinking of cutting around 5" out of that.

 

[mybluetoy]

Took a few pics today of the 14 bolt mod, I'm at the point that things just need to be welded back together. I took 6" out on the long side and will use like said above the short side axle shaft on both sides. The out side of the fingers are where the lines will be to cut and I etched some lines so I can line it back up when I weld it back together. It was nice not having to grind off that spring perch, that was on the 6" that got cut. Drilled some weld plugs, 7/8", wondering if that is big enough?

 

[69LC]

John, your axle work has given me reason to keep the dually axle and so something similar to yours. I was very surprised at how "light" the cut and shaved housing hefted and will probably do something similar for my truck.

Let me know how that John Deere baler axle tube works out for a tube sleeve.

Matthew

 

[mybluetoy]

Matthew, Mike is going to machine the tube down at his shop, will let know you how it goes.

After narrowing the 14 bolt with success, I will be attempting the Dana 60 this coming weekend. Not sure how much I will take out of that axle, with the rear at 61" I was think of taking 5" out of the front to put it at 62.5". Guys have told me that you don't want to run your same tracks and others say you do, any thoughts on this?

I will also be filling in two of the 8 lugs on my hubs and re-drilling to make my hubs 6 lug so I can run my aluminum rims, really like them a lot. I will machine the hubs down a bit, so the rims will fit. This can be done on the front Dana 60 as well as the 14 bolt rear. I will have to have the outer part of the 14 bolt shaft machined down too. The same for the drive flange in the front. Along with this will require a smaller head on the axle bolts and the drive flange bolts. Hoping this is all done by the end of the month. The only down side I see is having a custom axle shaft made for the long side of the Dana 60, looking to go to Rock Solid Performance to have the axle shaft done, most likely two made so I have a spare.

Anyone that has machined down the hubs like I am planning to, did you have any problems, or maybe a tip or two, looking for some insight, thanks.

 

[69LC]

Want my SRW hubs that I already started reworking? You would have to use a rotor that fits over the face of the wms behind the wheel. I removed the huge stud bosses so it's just a flat flange. Drilling the new pattern is all that's left. It would be much quicker than machining the hubs you have.

I don't mind reworking the dually hubs.

 

[Sputnik40]

I had a friend with access to a machine shop do my 14 bolt mods (narrow, shave and 6 lug) - and he followed the instructions on modding the hubs to 6 lug that I downloaded from Freds40 FJ60 14 bolt build. Pretty straightforward - only problem I've had is sourcing allen head bolts that enable me to pull the wheel without removing the axle shaft bolts.

One think I learned from the build mentioned - go ahead and make a 3rd 6 lug hub up while you're at it (did you keep the other axle that was fragged?).

 

[mybluetoy]

One thing I learned from the build mentioned - go ahead and make a 3rd 6 lug hub up while you're at it (did you keep the other axle that was fragged?).

The axle was scrapped, why? I'm guessing the third hub is just for a spare?

 

[Sputnik40]

The axle was scrapped, why? I'm guessing the third hub is just for a spare?

Exactly - not something that I've ever seen break, but the build thread I followed had an accidental failure with an assumption the bearings or races were ok as is, but when first driven the hub got totally fragged. It was easy enough to source one - and have 3 done at once - just in case something like that ever happens.

 

[mybluetoy]

Thanks, I will get a third hub soon along with an extra short side axle shaft. Yesterday I put the axle together, had the hubs machined, started taking apart the front axle. Will be putting an order into EORP (Extreme Off Road Parts, located in Michigan) this week for some 1 1/4" heims and my 14 bolt caliper brackets.

 

[69LC]

Lookin good!

 

[incogrhino]

diggin it.

 

[mybluetoy]

Ordered my heims and brackets from Jim at EORP (Extreme Off Road Parts). Also ordered caliper brackets for the 14 bolt from him. Now things are starting to get fun. He's going to drop off the parts on his way to the KOH next week.

Still lots of work to do before I get to use those parts. Rear axle is going to be moved back so I guess I can cut more off the rear quarter panels. Hoping to drill the 6 lug pattern in the hubs and machine down the shafts as well as the front hubs and drive flanges this weekend. Now I need to find some allen bolts so the rims will slide off with out having to take the axle bolts or drive flange bolts off.

Really enjoying this project right now. No deadlines = No stress. I'm sure that will change though.

 

[69LC]

John,

Check out RBK fasteners in GR. They will probably have allens and at a fraction of the cost of most other retailers.

Matthew

 

[mybluetoy]

Thanks Matthew, I will. Hey the 14 bolt turned out real nice. I should have some major progress by the end of February, only have Saturdays to wrench on it, if that.