Front spring flip...

[Vitesse_6]

Noticed today I inadvertently did a front spring flip on the 40, I was wondering if there is any possible wheel rubbing that could happen? SOA, SR and 35's

pay no mind to the shocks, That is my biggest issue now, But should be fixed with a shock pin on the rear of the axle instead of the front.

I did a search but kept getting a fatal error...

 

[shelfboy1]

did you turn the pin around in the shock tower it worked for me but had to trim a bit .i would be more worried about the rear good luck

 

[erics]

I'd be worried about having enough length of splines in the driveshaft slip joint to handle the torque, or even full extension at full droop.

 

[JJS]

I'd be worried about having enough length of splines in the driveshaft slip joint to handle the torque, or even full extension at full droop.

I've always heard to use an FJ60 front driveshaft.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Thanks
Shelfboy, If it turned the upper pin around it wont fit in the fender without cutting a hole for the shock.

erics, I have a brand new drive line, The person who did the SR didnt flip the springs in the first place, But I put the mil. wrap on the fixed end which in turn lengthened the wheel base.

Thanks again

 

[shelfboy1]

yes i had to trim the fender but i used a toyota pickup steering arm and relay rod so i have to keep the mount centered.i also used an fj60 front d shaft and by changing the flange it bolted right in. but i have soa and a 4 speed good luck

 

[Cruisertime]

Nice looking cruiser man. Have you measured the room between front frame rail/bumper mount when suspension is full cycled?

 

[Vitesse_6]

Nice looking cruiser man. Have you measured the room between front frame rail/bumper mount when suspension is full cycled?

Not yet, It still is in a cruiser coma...
All worked well before I tore it apart 2 years ago, The only differance this time is the spring flip.

 

[D'Animal]

I think your tires are gonna rub the bottom lip on the front of your fenders. Mine rub and my springs are not flipped.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I just hit the front fender at full flex. I suspect I will have to trim the fenders up a bit when I replace the worn out Swampers.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

If you ended up with the mil wrap at the fixed point, that's what you want. The extra length is generally good, especially combined with longer rear springs.

It may or may not rub. I run your set up, and relocated both the front fixed mout and the rear, so that it just misses rubbing on the front end of the fender.

Regarding the shocks, you will end up having to cut the fender. Are you going to use Ford shock towers?

 

[Vitesse_6]

Thanks again all.
I didnt want to cut the fender, Im fairly certain I can just move the lower shock mount to the rear of the axle in this location...

Here is a better angle on the shock...

Im hope to do as little cutting on my fenders as possible, I just need to check the space behind so the caliper wont hit

 

[shelfboy1]

nice fenders i woudnt cut them either i think in your case moving the mount on the axle is the way to go good luck

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks again all.
I didnt want to cut the fender, Im fairly certain I can just move the lower shock mount to the rear of the axle in this location...

Here is a better angle on the shock...

Im hope to do as little cutting on my fenders as possible, I just need to check the space behind so the caliper wont hit

I trimmed the inner fender, but my fenders are more rust and bondo than metal so no large thing.

There is a certain amount of freedom in a rusty rig like mine.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Ok, I think Im going to keep the front spring flip, There hasnt been much chat about rubbing.

Another point was brought up by a fellow WC'r, That is the pinion angle, It tracked and flat towed great, I never checked to see what the steering deg. was at before I started, But now its about 8deg. and as you may be able to see the shackle is still facing forward(First pic, remember SR) and I have quite a few things needed to add to finish, Im figuring at least 700lbs, could be quite a bit more.
So...Seeing how it is beyond be, With the added weight when finished will the steering/flat towing get worse once I get more weight in it? Or is this just something I will need to adjust once I get it closer to being done?
Thanks

 

[D'Animal]

Ok, I think Im going to keep the front spring flip, There hasnt been much chat about rubbing.

I'll take picture of the rubbing.


Flat tow your rig on a test tow. Don't wait until you are going wheeling and then find out it won't flat tow. The four guys waiting on you get grumpy. (I know for a fact)

 

[Sputnik40]

Keep the flip - it's a good mod, I've had mine this way for a few years - might as well flip the rears too! Same issues, will require fender trimming, move your shock mounts to the rear of the crossover bar (must be welded back behind old shock mounts - or gusset or insert a sleeve in tube if you inboard), d-shaft length, and pinion angles.

Up front - just weld on new shock mounts on the front axle housing where needed - behind, on top, whatever works. If you don't want to trim the actual fenders - hefty bumpstops will be a must. If you're going to wheel this - forget the fenders, trim them now and enjoy some great flex.

What axle is that by the way?

 

[Vitesse_6]

I'll take picture of the rubbing.

Flat tow your rig on a test tow. Don't wait until you are going wheeling and then find out it won't flat tow. The four guys waiting on you get grumpy. (I know for a fact)

Pics would be nice.
I was going to hook it up to the 80 and flat tow it around the block, I just havent gotten that far yet, Agreed about grumpy people

Keep the flip - it's a good mod, I've had mine this way for a few years - might as well flip the rears too! Same issues, will require fender trimming, move your shock mounts to the rear of the crossover bar (must be welded back behind old shock mounts - or gusset or insert a sleeve in tube if you inboard), d-shaft length, and pinion angles.

Up front - just weld on new shock mounts on the front axle housing where needed - behind, on top, whatever works. If you don't want to trim the actual fenders - hefty bumpstops will be a must. If you're going to wheel this - forget the fenders, trim them now and enjoy some great flex.

What axle is that by the way?

Thanks.
I will check into better bumpstops, Mine are fairly shabby, The rear was already flipped about 6 years ago, Im looking at about a 99" wheel base now, I just need to measure it, Yes I will be wheeling it Axle is a 3/4 ton dana/spicer 44, Long story short it had the SOA done from a cruiser and disk drakes, I didnt at the time and it was a good price

 

[mooker82]

Bump.....Is there any mods to the steering when you flip the springs on a 71 fj40?

 

[camcruiser13]

they will rub when you flex see below

i had to trim mine