Build Kavik's SOA

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Kavik

Kavik

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Sep 6, 2004
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Here goes...Still in progress!

1985 FJ60
2F partial de-smog, high flow cat, HEI, 300K miles
MAF add-a-leaf, F & R
4.88 precision gears
Aussie Locker rear, open front

Link to build pics


Before - 33x10.5x15 BFG mt's on 15x8 rockcrawlers 2" backspace
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Front only - 37x12.5x15 MTR's on 15x8 rockcrawlers 2" backspace
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After - 37x12.5x15 MTR's on 15x8 rockcrawlers 2" backspace
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I'm close to wrapping up the major stuff, but there's still a few things to do. I'll try recap in chronological order. I have a bunch of pictures, so I'll post a few to show what's going on...

List of parts I used:
Marlin high steer kit
Custom length tie rod (44") and drag link (36 1/2")
Marlin steering stabilizer
DIY backing plate eliminator
Custom brake line (axle to caliper)
Marlin brake line F & R (frame to axle)
Ruffstuff FJ60 spring hangers
Ruffstuff U-Bolts 5/8" dia (front)
4+ U-bolt plates (modified from 4+ flit kit)
4+ perches
Spectrac U-Bolts 5/8" dia (rear)
Ford F-250 Shock towers

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badass said:
Looks good, btw how much lift did you gain with the add a leaf?
Click to expand...

While spring under, the add-a-leaves lifted the truck at least 1 1/2 to 2". I used 2" shackles to level our the rear. My rear springs were pretty sacked.

CaliCruiser said:
Official welcome to the club!

Looks great, what is the measurement from the ground to center of headlight?

Dylan
Click to expand...

I'm going to take better pics and measurements tommorow, maybe even flex her out for shock measurements:D
 
Things left to do:

Shock mounts (more on this later)
Front drive shaft (possible temporary spacer)
Buy shocks (thinking Doetsh tech, any suggestions?)
Anti-wrap bar (Ruffstuff brackets in the garage - thinking JT Custom's design)
 
I started on the front. Plan is to create a minimal lift shackle reversal.

It takes a while to cut off all the spring hangers and shock mounts. And, to clean off the axle of everything except steering stops. Basically, I used a 4 1/2" makita with a grinding wheel, cut off wheel, and a flapper wheel to finish. When cutting brackets off the frame, grind down the heads of the rivets, then 3/8" drill till it pops. A large hammer will do the rest.

I used only the main spring for mock up. I strapped it to a 2x4 so it would be as flat as possible. That way I knew where my shackles angles would be at full compression. I wanted to be as close to the frame as possible w/o touching.

The shackle tube was cut out of the stock shackle hanger...

I did not cut and turn (more on this later)

Low profile shackle reversal...
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More mock up...

Low and flat, axle moved forward just a bit
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Ruffstuff hangers are great. I needed to open up the spacing a bit, as they were tight on the bushings. I used a stock bushing bolt out of an old pair of shackles.
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Had to clearance the perch for the diff housing
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I pulled the fuel lines out of the way to get the shackle tubes in
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Mas...

Shackle tubes welded in...
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Ruffstuff u-bolt were a bit long. I cut them down and ran a die down about 2"
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[
Marlin hi-steer, no backing plates, braided lines (I have a banjo fitting on order to make room for the shock/mount)
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future lower shock mounts...
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CaliCruiser said:
Official welcome to the club!

Looks great, what is the measurement from the ground to center of headlight?

Dylan
Click to expand...

Thanks for the props, guys. I am stoked!

I do have this measurement...

Front fender - stock spring pack w/ add-a-leaf and 2 shortest leaves pulled
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Rear fender - stock spring pack w/ add-a-leaf and 3 shortest leaves pulled
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AKFJ62 said:
looks awsome. I have an OME 2.5" and was thinking of doing a SOA. Are you thinking of or have aready lenthend you drive shafts? if so how long are they.
Click to expand...

Rear shaft works fine as is. But the front is way too short. It will need to be lengthened about 2-3" and a long spline kit added. The trans crossmember will also need to be notched.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do about the front d-shaft. I have all the parts to do a 350tbi/700r4/203 doubler/splitcase set up. So, both driveshafts will change. I don't really want to build the front one twice. A cool dude in our local club offered to turn up a spacer, I may try this as a temporary fix.
 
Nice clean work Kavik! My hats off to you for doing it this heat.:eek:
Some questions:)
Estimated cost of SOA?
Pinion angle set up - DC shafts?
How far did you push the front axle forward?
Did you push the rear axle back?
Do you plan to run sway bars?
 
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