FJ40 4-link up front SOA in the rear (17 Viewers)

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Last night I removed the knuckles on the D60 and found the kingpin bearings to be covered in a brown mustard grease, I cut the front D60 axle tube down, started to cut the tube out of the C and found that my Rip-saw needs new blades.

Here is a question that is hard to answer because you can't see the internals, but will post pics on that tomorrow, anyway here goes, when rebuilding the kingpin what can I reuse and what absolutely needs to be replace? Example, the kingpin looks good and is a pita to get out so can I reuse it? I want it done right, but if I can reuse something I would like to save a few $$, but with that said I don't want to go back in there for something I skimped over and have it cost me more. I'm on a tight budget here, so it might be ready in May or July or September, all depends on what will get replaced. Little things add up to a lot. Please chime in.

Here are some pics from yesterdays work.
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Headed back out to the barn Friday for a few hours. Hope to get the front axle back together. Still undecided what hubs to use? Either 14 bolt hubs with a bit of modifacation to them or if I can find some Chevy hubs for the right price. I can't turn the dodge hubs down for six lug with out going into the drive flange bolt threads.
 
hub flange bolts

I played with the lathe tonight and turned down the shoulders of a 1/2" button headed allen bolt to see if it would work with the turned down 14 bolt hubs. I'm pretty certain it will. I will check on prices for these bolts at the supplier I use for my hinges. Their prices are way lower than the hardware store!
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Looks nice, how strong is the outer wall?

Anyway, I was reading some responses on the pirate thread and not sure but may have to put a washer or two on the spindle, someone posted that they ran out of spindle thread. Could have read it wrong, tired from reading school books. Anyway I'll find out a lot on Friday, planning on making it a late night in the barn.
 
While I am figuring out the 14 bolt hubs for the front D60, I ran across a set of GM D60 hubs, haven't seen them yet, but can they be turned down to convert to 6 lug?

If so then this would give me something to run while I develop the spacers for the 14 bolt hubs. They are from a late 70s to early 80s, or so I was told.
 
Wow Michigan is representing nice build

Thanks, I'm trying.

We got the left knuckle C installed tonight. None of us had ever done it before, but with snow in the axle tube and the C glowing dull red it slipped together very well.

No pics yet John? What gives!?

As said, we got the C on the axle tube, first try was fun, second try we applied more heat and snow. After Matthew left the C was welded, painted, and then the axle was placed under the frame. Mike and I scratched some lines in the frame and now we need to square up the axle to the frame. Looks like the axle is going to be 5-8" forward. We'll know for sure next week. My 1 1/4" heims should be here next week along with the brackets and caliper brackets.

Here are some pics, first is the right after it was put on, hence the steam. Second one is just a shot of the shortened tube with the Cs on. Third pic is just a thought on the tire placement to gauge the axle under the ride.
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Gas prices hit $3.99 a gallon today :mad: so the plan will be altered. Going to use the 8 lug up front and either 8 or 6 in the rear. This will save some $$ to use other places such as links, full hydro, and other items. I will still do the hub conversion when $$ allows. I have to remind myself I'm a college student, lol.
 
Got some work done yesterday. Fabricated some spring perches for the rear out of square tubing. Also fabricated some shackles. Put the axle under the vehicle and rotated the pinion up towards the transfer case out put. Spot welded the perches on and pull the axle out and then welded the rest. I also started on the front truss jig. Cardboard is great for that. Monday hope to get U-bolts for the rear and fab up some plates to bolt the rear on. Here are some pics.
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Got some work done this evening. The rear narrowed 14 bolt axle is kissing the leaf springs. Was able to see the drive shaft line and it looks nice to me, a little off left to right but transfer case to axle is great. I like the ride height, maybe a tad to high but I am sure that will settle when it's all done.
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Got some work done yesterday and tonight. Cleaned the outer parts of the steel rims I will be using, they are ready for the rings and paint. Also cleaned the drive flanges and hubs. Now I just have to pack the hub bearings with grease.

The rear axle is all but done; Received my caliper brackets from EORP and bolted them on. Now just need to add brakes, brake lines, and drive shaft, along with gear oil for the axle to be complete.
The front axle, :sonic jay: this is going to take a bit longer. Started building the front truss, it is coming along nicely. Made a jig out of card board and traced it to some steel, then cut it out using the plasma. Used a bender for the bridge, that thing is awesome! With my caliper brackets, I also received the heim brackets and heim joints. Cannot wait until the FJ40 has a front axle attached to it again. Now back to some school work, here are some pics.
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