Hell Creek 4" lift with 34x10.5x15 SS LTB's questions

[mooker82]

Backordered Don't really want to wait 6-8 weeks for tires....

Please post up some pics of your with other suggestions. Looking for something that will fit with the 4" Hell Creek lift on stock steelies.

Use: 60% wheeling, 30% paved roads and the remaining in the garage

Now back to trying to find some brake lines locally so I can start on my lift.

Brad

33x9.5 BFG AT
33x10.5 BFG AT or MT
34x9.5 Swamper TSL


Also you may want to try 4wheel parts. They had some of the 34x10.5 in stock a few weeks ago.

 

[slickrock]

have you read this yet? https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ring-done-thanks-all-helped-free-ujoints.html

 

[diggity]

Hell Creek installed with pics

Hi All - Just wanted to update this thread with some pics of the install of the Hell Creek lift. For the most part it went very smooth...may have to add extended shackles to fit the 34" LTB's I am going to try to get this week.

Better pic of the springs

In friends garage getting ready to install lift.
Part of the Crew

Some 'lifting' refreshments

Me

one side finished

Sanded and painted the old skid plates

Need to replace the stabilizer and do some general cleanup.

Almost finished with the front

Front springs complete, just need to add the shocks.

starting on the back now.

Prime and paint rear plates

Tie off pumpkin so it does not twist to much

The help with a wierd look on his face! [he might be tired at this point].

Both springs on the rear now, just need to add shocks.

Funny looking brake line [Something similar but just as funny on the front...ordering some this week to replace these.

of course the short BFH was handy

Finished! about 8 working hours with a few minor problems.


Not much room to come out of the garage

Outside for a pic with the little 235's on it . They will be coming off this week adn be replaced with the 34x10.50x15 LTB's.

Just wanted to thank everyone again for answering many questions as I move this thing forward to what I want.

Also want to thank the crew that worked it with me...it was greatly appreciated.

The End.

Brad

 

[MDH33]

Looking good!

So what did you end up using for shims? Or are you going to measure it now that it's assembled?

I still recommend longer shackles with lift springs. They will allow the spring to fully flex and also give you the clearance you'll need for the 34's if you go that route.

As it's sitting right now, some 33x10.5 TSL radials would be a great combo for that lift.

 

[diggity]

MDH33 - Thanks- nothing for shims yet, and no extended shackles...how much longer over stock were yours for the rear? I cannot remember. Anyway, going to order some shims after I put the extended shackle on....

Anyone have comments on the confer extended shackles? i am thinking 2 inches over stock to gain 1".

Brad

 

[MDH33]

Shackles: 1.5 over stock front and 2.5 over stock rear on mine.

Shims: You'll need to replace the center spring pins on your springs if you use bolt on shims. Otherwise, weld them to the perch. Use steel, not aluminum.

4 Crawler will make them to order for you once you know what angle you need.

 

[diggity]

Hi MDH33 - I remember now, you ended up going with 4 degree front and rear...thanks for the reminder.

So with the LTB's did you 'have' to go with 2.5" over in the rear for them to clear with articulation?

I have to go some to level her out anyway, so I can certainly go with that much if need be.

Thanks again,

Brad

 

[pc4400]

Lookin good diggity, hurry up and get some steel shims. What shocks did you use? I did the same shackle specs as mdh33. I needed the little extra lift I'm running hardtop, spare, occasionally the roofrack and some day a new bumper/spare/jerrycan holder.

Get some pics up just as soon as you get the tires.

 

[diggity]

pc4400 - I will get pics up as soon as I get them on. I hope that is this week, if they are delivered to 4wheelparts in time.

What tires did you end up running and did you 'have' to go with the 2.5" in the rear to clear? Also what shackles did you use?

Thanks again all,

Brad

 

[pc4400]

diggity,

Im using a 4" downey lift with their rubicon shackles (the "independant" style). Same as user: MDH33. The ride is fantastic, I can go 66mph (top speed) and can easily keep it in the lane.
Wheels? I've been researching this for weeks and WAS going to go with 35" Muds. After enough research I decided to just go with 33" X 1250's instead for the following reasons;
1. 35's have to be ordered and are not in stock locally, so extra shipping charge
2. Although 35x1250 can work on 8" wide rims, 10" would work better. After looking for rims I've realized my old school (bought in 1983) white steelies with 3.5" backspacing are a rarity. Buying new 10" wide rims will need spacers.
3. I use armstrong steering (no PS), so I have extra junk that the 35's will hit
4. THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON is the cruiser wont get in/out of the garage wearing the 35's.

If it looks too high for the 33's in the rear I'll swap my plus2.5 rear shackles for plus1.5 and everything should work out fine. I'll keep the longer shackle since it will start to sag in about 15-20 years, hopefully I dont loose them by then.

I currently have 30's and it looks pretty funny.

 

[1phrogguy]

Hi,

Click on my FJ40 signature line for some more pics of 34 LTB's.

Don't forget to factor driveshaft rework into your build cost with your new lift. As well as longer shocks possibly. Others have had success without new shafts but mine required it.

PM me if you want, I am looking to sell these tires (mounted and maybe 100 miles on them) for a very reasonable price.

Jon

 

[pc4400]

Hi Jon,
Thats interesting that you had an inch of spline showing with a 4" HFS lift and I nor MDH33 had that problem with the 4" Downey lift. I wonder what the difference could be??

 

[diggity]

Jon - PM'd you as well.

I installed the Hell Creek and have no drive shaft issues. I have not installed extended shackles, but from looking at the geometry, that will not cause any issues either...Not sure what caused your issue aside from maybe you flipped the springs when installing? or had a non-stock drive shaft to begin with?

Brad

 

[fj40taz]

pc4400,

question for ya...

you went with the downey lift? how long ago did you purchase it and where did you get it from
i am trying to decide what lift to get right now.
i wanted bds but they no longer make a 4" kit and now i just read that skyjacker no longer makes a 4" kit.

i plan on running 35's on mine.. well i hope anyway, i actually hve them already they are on my yj right now.

 

[fj40taz]

Fast Eddy - I have read about 60 series and saginaw, like the 60 series setup a bit better, specifically install location and read mostly positive comments.

Any particular reason you like the sag setup better?

Thanks again

what does the 60 series steering setup consist of?? i am looking to install power steering on my 74 fj..

 

[MDH33]

for 35's I would just go spring over.

pc4400,

question for ya...

you went with the downey lift? how long ago did you purchase it and where did you get it from
i am trying to decide what lift to get right now.
i wanted bds but they no longer make a 4" kit and now i just read that skyjacker no longer makes a 4" kit.

i plan on running 35's on mine.. well i hope anyway, i actually hve them already they are on my yj right now.

 

[1phrogguy]

Hi Jon,
Thats interesting that you had an inch of spline showing with a 4" HFS lift and I nor MDH33 had that problem with the 4" Downey lift. I wonder what the difference could be??

Like Diggity said, I most likely had a non standard shaft to begin with. When I bought mine it had a split t-case and no ebrake. I didn't flip the springs when I installed the lift.


Diggity PM coming at ya

 

[fj40taz]

what kind of stuff am i going to run into doing the spring over..

 

[bsmith123]

tires

I am assuming that if the tires were "for off road use only" then they might not be so closely scrutinized by the guys at the shop

MY little bit of advice for stock rims is ask them to put in the heavy duty brass truck valve stems. They have a jam nut that holds them in place.

I got the rubber ones first and 2 of 4 tires leaked slowly after the install

 

[pc4400]

pc4400,

question for ya...

you went with the downey lift? how long ago did you purchase it and where did you get it from
i am trying to decide what lift to get right now.
i wanted bds but they no longer make a 4" kit and now i just read that skyjacker no longer makes a 4" kit.

i plan on running 35's on mine.. well i hope anyway, i actually hve them already they are on my yj right now.

I bought theDowney lift from Downey themselves since they are local to me. I bought it around 3 months ago I think. I could have just aswell done a SOA but I have no welding skills and no free-time to learn. My pops was the original owner and I didnt have the heart to learn on the cruiser, maybe on the next rig