I'm having difficulty in seeing how dropping the transfer case, which is where the driveshafts connect, would improve the front driveline angles. As the t-case is lowered the whole engine/tranny/t-case package will be rotating around the front engine mounts. Therefore as the t-case is dropped the u-joint angle at the front output would increase, if I am picturing this correctly.
Another note: I don't think the t-case drop mod will work on early FJ60s since they have a different style crossmember, one that bolts up between the framerails.
It drops it down perfectly with good angles, fixed the front and rear driveline vibrations without going back to axles at all. On the FJ60 it wouldn't be the same; but he included both sets of brackets in this kit for the 62 auto and 60 manual and was the only part left out of the kit that wasn't used.
Lowering the rear of the transfer case would also change the plane of the rear transfer output flange (rotating the top rearwards, or downwards). If the suspension lift drops the axle straight down (does not rotate it), the driveshaft flange at the pinion would no longer be parallel to the newly lowered transfer output flange. If the flanges are not parallel, it can introduce driveshaft vibrations.
Lowering the rear of the transfer case would also change the plane of the rear transfer output flange (rotating the top rearwards, or downwards). If the suspension lift drops the axle straight down (does not rotate it), the driveshaft flange at the pinion would no longer be parallel to the newly lowered transfer output flange. If the flanges are not parallel, it can introduce driveshaft vibrations.
x2, im not sure how the motor mounts would like being twisted either.
Of course this is all kinda nitpicky, considering one could just substitute shims for the crossmember drop, but if some pinion angle adjustment is necessary i would prefer the manufacturer include the proper shims instead.
i think the measurement of 2.5 inches is in correct. closer to 1 3/4 inches. i helped install the kit and helped drop the tranny it did make a huge improvement, however i would not do it to my 60. we needed for him to install the whole kit to see how it all works together. now you guys are correct when you say that most lifts and driveline angle can be settled by shims. but most 60 can be lifted and not need shims or a tranny drop at all for vibrations. my 60 has 2 degree shims up front none in the back. on a man a fre safari lift of four inches and shackle reversal up front. no vibrations. this truck was vibrating very badly and the kit had the solution so we installed it. time crunch for Southern Cruiser Crawl. now that is not saying after he may return the tranny to it's stock position then shim it.
remember this is a prototype suspension and all your feedback is well recieved and trust me when i say that we are going to help in reporting on this kit and get the set up right like the majority of us 60 guys would like it.
so far i really like the ride. body roll was lessened even after the removal of the rear sway bar.
now that is another thing not included in the kit for 62 series is the drop bars for a rear sway bar. trust hells creek will get the full skinny from the louisiana crew. we want it right as well.
this is their second kit. the first i believe was on a non running 60 paitence grasshopper
Good point on mentioning the rear sway bar. We just took it off but I talked to Tom at Hell Creek and I'm going to send him the bar so he can fab the pieces for the 62 series. The 60 he did the set up with didn't have one.
Also agree on TCC's points about patience. This is a prototype and there are some issues to be worked out and to be fair to Tom and his group, I need to be careful about what is said and shown. The demand is there for affordable, American made lifts for us 60 drivers and he wants to put out a product that is top of the line and not some junk. The knowledge you guys have with the working model I'm running now and will test pretty well at the SCC is going to help get this out to the public.
Thanks to all of you for the input so far and I'm going to feed you guys all the pics and data that I have as I can.
The springs look pretty damn nice in my opinion. For a brand new lift the shackle angles look pretty good to me, which is something that cant be said for all the SUA lifts out there. Id say that looks like it has a little more lift than my truck, but its hard to say without measurements.
I gotta chime in here...
I've dealt with Tom Laher before, and he's a top notch guy who strives for perfection in the work he does. Heck, I helped him like Cajun is doing to get the old "post mount" Jeep J truck lift kits out into the market. After 5 sets of rear springs we had it dialed in, and ready for consumers. Its served the Jeep community well as they now have at least one option!
Patience brothers...you'll be happy with the final product!
Talked to Tom today about the 60 kit he says when the prototypes on the 60 and 62 get the bugs worked out he will put them on the market, but it will take time it's up to the guys that are testing the springs. But Tom is hopeful that he will have them by the holidays. (christmas)
Talked to Tom today about the 60 kit he says when the prototypes on the 60 and 62 get the bugs worked out he will put them on the market, but it will take time it's up to the guys that are testing the springs. But Tom is hopeful that he will have them by the holidays. (christmas)
He's just about got the front springs issue nailed down. They're almost perfect. We're still tinkering with the rear springs. He's shortening them and we'll take it from there. I flexed them all over Grayrock ORV last weekend at the Southern Cruiser Crawl and REALLY liked how the setup performed.
We may deal with the shim issue in the near future but like TCC said earlier, time wasn't on our side. I have had no issues though with the transmission being where it is and it took very few shots at the SCC.
And yes, Tom is ready to roll on this suspension lift. I'm trying to upload all of my pictures to give him and share with you. As soon as they come in, I'll let you all take a peak.
Tom seems very straight forward with this product he said it would be more money than the 40 kit because there is alot more steel in them. I'll be swaping my frame soon And this kit looks like the one.
shame on you guys for thinking OME. they sold out their country and are building all their springs in malaysia. Their bumpers proudly bear made in Thailand, or made in malaysia
stickers. Remember we aren't 'cheap' , I mean 'Jeep' owners. We support our country.
I'll spend the extra for american made
Waiting to hear about the new rear springs he is making. He's going to try a little shorter. I busted my camera at the Souther Cruiser Crawl and can't get my pics off the disk. I took a bunch at different angles and at different places to show it flexing.
Why is he making them shorter? The one thing i would like to see is a lift spring that actually gives a good shackle angle. Mine is just about where i want it but it has taken a couple years to get there.
