Build Kavik's SOA

[Kavik]

Kavik, did ya get your Brakequip (sp?) 90 deg brake fittings from a local supplier, or a chain?
Looking for a local, to me, source for the identical stuff w/o internet or mail ordering. If it turns out there's no local, then that's a diff story.

Parker Hydraulics
Here are AZ locations, not sure which would be closest. I got my bits from the store in Phoenix. They may ship?

AMERICAN HOSE & RUBBER
3645 E 44TH ST
TUCSON, AZ 85713-6814
Phone:
520-514-1666
Fax:
520-514-0550

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSC OF SALINAS
2732 S AVE 3 E
YUMA, AZ 85365-3300
Phone:
928-726-4457
Fax:
928-726-4461

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILEX/LUBRICATION EQUIP & SUPPLY CO
3526 E BROADWAY RD
PHOENIX, AZ 85040-2834
Phone:
602-437-1245
Fax:
602-437-8862
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's the parts...

 

[akarilo]

Nice fab work!

 

[Kavik]

Nice fab work!

Thanks Akarilo!

Quick update...

I've been driving the truck and I am very happy w/ the results. One big bummer is that I cannot get the damn thing to pass emissions and my tags are bad

As soon as I can get it registered it will be on the trail.

However,

I still haven't delt with the front driveshaft
Hand-me-down shocks are too short
I think my t-case needs rebuilt
Fender trimming is on the horizon
And, I'm falling out of love w/ my rear Aussie locker

This truck is destined to get a TBI V-8/700r4/203 doubler, but I really want to just go wheeling before I tear it down again.

I'll try to get some flex pics soon, so you guys can really see the results of the SOA.

for now.

 

[boots4]

Once you get it offroad I think you'll fall back in love with having a locker. It makes a difference and for me (in my old rig) made it more than worth dealing with any road manners. Hope you can satisfy emissions and get some wheeling in. Looking forward to seeing how your SR works out.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

i took my truck out for a run yesterday and remembered how much i love my rear aussie. nice large hill climb 2 giant holes near the top picking tires up off the ground is awesome! buddy is a blazer couldnt follow me... kept finding off camber stuff all day making him work to keep up... hahaha its ok he would do it to me if he could.

 

[BMAN]

Thanks Akarilo!

Quick update...

I've been driving the truck and I am very happy w/ the results. One big bummer is that I cannot get the damn thing to pass emissions and my tags are bad

As soon as I can get it registered it will be on the trail.

However,

I still haven't delt with the front driveshaft
Hand-me-down shocks are too short
I think my t-case needs rebuilt
Fender trimming is on the horizon
And, I'm falling out of love w/ my rear Aussie locker

This truck is destined to get a TBI V-8/700r4/203 doubler, but I really want to just go wheeling before I tear it down again.

I'll try to get some flex pics soon, so you guys can really see the results of the SOA.

for now.

Time to find a friend with an adress up north...

 

[Kavik]

In my mind, I'm thinking about welding up the rear and putting the Aussie up front. I think I'm dealing w/ some rear driveline issues(t-case output bearing,u-joints,etc), so the clunking locker is making things harder to diagnose.

Other than scrubbing/wear on expensive tires, I can't think of a downside to welding up the rear diff.

Here's a question...Is anybody running an auto tranny w/ a Aussie/Lock-rite. If so, does it unload/load during deceleration. Or does the torque converter keep it in the sweet spot. When I go V8/auto, I hope it gets smoother

I know the Aussie works killer in the dirt. I am very impressed with it. But, I like driving my 60 around the neighborhood on the weekends and the locker is acting like a real bitch lately. Maybe I gotta pull the cover and see if it's still all good

Feedback poll - Manual vs. Auto? Aussie vs. Lincoln?

 

[BMAN]

Lockrights in mine have been sweet so far. Come take a ride on Friday night!!

 

[Kavik]

Lockrights in mine have been sweet so far. Come take a ride on Friday night!!

Word...

Did you get the shim thing figured out? I found mine, they are 2 deg shims.

 

[BMAN]

Honestly I haven't even looked at what's there yet. I was so stoked to wheel on Saturday that the only thing I was thinking about was making sure everything I needed was in the truck incase of having an issue. I didn't... I absolutely must figure something out for my tcae shifting though as It sucked not having low range, but the lockers and 4.88's made up for it.

 

[elkiny]

fj60 soa

Kavik,

Are you in Phx, AZ? If so would you mind if I look at your truck? I'm planning on doing something similar and would love to see it in person.

thanks,

Ramon...aka elkiny

 

[Kavik]

Kavik,

Are you in Phx, AZ? If so would you mind if I look at your truck? I'm planning on doing something similar and would love to see it in person.

thanks,

Ramon...aka elkiny

As luck would have it, I am going to our Copper State Cruiser club meeting tonite (~6:30pm)! It is at the Sonic on Broadway(east of Rural) in Tempe. If that doesn't work for you, I live in Ahwatukee (I-10/Elliot).

PM me your # if you want to hook up.

On a seperate note...

I finally passed emissions! The bitch is legal!

 

[Kavik]

Little update...
Did some ramp tests. As I suspected, serious tire rubbage in the front & my drag link hits the front spring(see below). Next on the list is fender trim and a flatter pitman arm. Take a good look at the rear springs working Front driveshaft spacer installed (see below)

I also did a mellow trail run with no drama (other than a little rubbing).

 

[rondog]

trimming time!

Hey man have'nt seen or heard from you on here in a while ! Cruiser looks good though but looks like it's trimming time huh?thats why mine looks soo much taller. I trimmed at least 4" off the front and had no issues with rubbing those 37's. Still, looks good and your on the road with it.

Little update...
Did some ramp tests. As I suspected, serious tire rubbage in the front & my drag link hits the front spring(see below). Next on the list is fender trim and a flatter pitman arm. Take a good look at the rear springs working Front driveshaft spacer installed (see below)

I also did a mellow trail run with no drama (other than a little rubbing).

 

[crzrcrzy]

hey kavik, sweet rig! i cant wait to soa my 40. just curious though as to why you flattened your springs so much. seems to me that leaving the spring flexed would give you better stuffability as well as travel? im not familiar with soa so was just wondering if that is common? again sweet rig!!

 

[boots4]

Time to extend those bump stops. That will definitely fatigue those springs quick if you're going to wheel a lot. It is looking good. What are you going to do for the front bumper?

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Time to extend those bump stops. That will definitely fatigue those springs quick if you're going to wheel a lot. It is looking good. What are you going to do for the front bumper?

adding bumpstops will limit flex... why do that if it isnt hurting anything but the springs? i understand the quicker wear but i personally wouldnt ever limit my flex unless for saftey reasons or if it could be detrimental to the vehicle.
if tires rub a little trim acordingly if your into that (i will if needed) if you want big tires but no rub maybe run 35's even still a little rubbing with rolled fender lips never hurt anything.

just my $0.02

 

[Kavik]

hey kavik, sweet rig! i cant wait to soa my 40. just curious though as to why you flattened your springs so much. seems to me that leaving the spring flexed would give you better stuffability as well as travel? im not familiar with soa so was just wondering if that is common? again sweet rig!!

I wanted to keep the ride height as low as possible. I have plenty of other springs to boost the height, but chose not to. And yes, for me, stuffing is the name of the game. Thats why the body work is on the short list.

Time to extend those bump stops. That will definitely fatigue those springs quick if you're going to wheel a lot. It is looking good. What are you going to do for the front bumper?

I'm looking into those big pyramid shaped poly bumps. If I dropped the factory bumps about 2", it would be just right. But, I like how the aftermarket ones have more travel

I have no problem with the rears going into negative arch. But, they will pay the price. My original plan was to french the rear hangers up into the frame about 4" above stock. This would give me 4" of free arch and keep the current ride hieght. Also considering 63" chevy's like CaliCruiser's...

adding bumpstops will limit flex... why do that if it isnt hurting anything but the springs? i understand the quicker wear but i personally wouldnt ever limit my flex unless for saftey reasons or if it could be detrimental to the vehicle.
if tires rub a little trim acordingly if your into that (i will if needed) if you want big tires but no rub maybe run 35's even still a little rubbing with rolled fender lips never hurt anything.

just my $0.02

Keeping the 37's, thank you very much. I am also exploring more ways of extending the flex (stuff and droop). More is more better;p

Thanks for the props guys If you are considering an SOA, I highly recommend it!

 

[Kavik]

Time to extend those bump stops. That will definitely fatigue those springs quick if you're going to wheel a lot. It is looking good. What are you going to do for the front bumper?

Not sure about the front bumper. I love Rondog's work, and will likely collaborate with him. In the meantime, I need to add a crossmember up front to strengthen the front of the frame where the hangers were added (like yours).

 

[boots4]

adding bumpstops will limit flex... why do that if it isnt hurting anything but the springs? i understand the quicker wear but i personally wouldnt ever limit my flex unless for saftey reasons or if it could be detrimental to the vehicle.

There have been several here who have reported broken leaves and too much negative arch could cause some broken leaves due to quicker fatigue. That seems like a safety issue to me. I think droop is more important than stuff and that wouldn't be compromised by extending the bump stops.

I ran the chevy 64's on my previous rig and really liked them which is why I decided to run them on my 60.

Tip: If you do pick some up from a junkyard, make sure they are the same height and not damaged from an accident. I had to take a set back to get a matching set. I tested them by turning them over on flat ground setting them side by side. You can quickly tell if one has been damaged.