Jamie's '76 FJ40 Project (1 Viewer)

[azTony]

Wow, that did not take long to tear up!

 

[Blues Dawg]

Would have gotten more done today, but, lexycrzy was whining something about a clunk from the rear of his rig. Seams like we just put these in, like in April, just before the Utah trip. They were Raybestos, "professional grade". The moral of the story, buy Toyota for this part!

I have a complete set in the back of my truck if you need a set ASAP

 

[Tools R Us]

He also has a full set, unlike yours, the lowers are installed.

 

[clarkrw3]

Looking good!!! Are you going to be able to lower the front enough by relocating the shackle? Are these the new springs or the old ones missing the leaf?

BTW loving the pictures of the rigs!! Thanks for posting them. Got to make it down there one of these days

 

[Tools R Us]

Looking good!!! Are you going to be able to lower the front enough by relocating the shackle? Are these the new springs or the old ones missing the leaf?

BTW loving the pictures of the rigs!! Thanks for posting them. Got to make it down there one of these days

Same springs with leafs added, likely to be more adding/removing to get them tuned. Got some tricks to level it.

 

[Tools R Us]

Did lots of stuff and took a few pix.

One of the challenges is the rear spring hangers for the front springs. They are too small to fit the military wrap, so we made new ones. Cut some square tube, flat plate and wood spacers. Welded the inside plates on, then using the spacers bolted and welded the outside plate on. Made nice square hangers.

 

[Tools R Us]

These are the hangers in question. They are relatively weak, small, restrictive, so tend to bind suspension travel and crack/break.

The shackles are going through the frame, so all of the hangers and supports are getting cut off of the front of the frame.

 

[Tools R Us]

A growing pile of refuse.

There is a hole in the frame, right where we want to put the new hanger, so plates were cut to fill them.

 

[Tools R Us]

Good thing it's not my rig, may have had concerns at about this point?

 

[Tools R Us]

Got them tacked in and put back together. Looks much better! This is just mock up, taking measurements, making sure of where we want everything. Then it will all come apart and be fully welded.

Turned the front axle, took the measurements for the cut and turn, marked the locations for the hangers, etc.

 

[Tools R Us]

Comparing them: Rootbeer sits slightly tail high, at this point Raul is slightly front high. Rootbeer has ~94" wheel base, Raul ~96". Raul is slightly taller, depending in where it is measured ~1.5".

The big difference is angles and dangling bits. Raul will get a bit of a frame nip, a smaller, more tucked front bumper. The springs are tucked much higher, it will be getting high steer. So will have a better approach angle and less dangling bits to hang up on.

 

[Tools R Us]

All designs/builds are a series of compromises. It will be very interesting to get these two on the trail and see what the real world differences are, how they compare?

 

[inkpot]

I will volunteer to be the test dummy/driver for any/all required field testing. I wouldn't dream of letting anyone else endure such a grueling hardship. I willingly donate my mind and body:whoops: to the science of Cruiser Fabrication. I feel it's the least I can do...........

 

[DSRTRDR]

I could offer a third experience from the "primitive" perspective ;p

 

[lexycrzy]

Gotta love those red lettered Generals!

 

[murf]

Shouldve gone with the 37's !

 

[Raulfj40]

They look great!!!! And I ofer my self as a test driver as well, can`t waite to get my hands on that truck

 

[Tools R Us]

Shouldve gone with the 37's !

Yep,

 

[Tools R Us]

They look great!!!! And I ofer my self as a test driver as well, can`t waite to get my hands on that truck

Don't know that we can allow that, may have to hire a driver?

 

[azTony]

I am for hire.... If I only had the TIME!!