Look what I just picked up for 400 bucks (1 Viewer)

[hellbent40]

the guy I bought them from had a 78 and done a SOA and had the shim on the rear.

I will flip the center bolts around.

Will I / should I need to use the shim in the front?

that makes sense.... just looked funny with the shim on the wrong set of springs...

 

[DAD2SIX]

So I want to make my own front shackles. I was going to make them like my rear shackles see pic. Thinking about an inch or two longer than stock.

But I just now saw a post that suggested to cut the center "H" part out to get better articulation.

What do you guys think?

Should I cut the center out of my rears too?

 

[cruiserkev]

I cut the centers out of mine a few years back and then added greasable spring pins. You don't get much more articulation out of this combo but every bit helps. I have found that you only need to torque the pins to 20 foot pounds or so with the greasables, more pounds reduce flex and any less than that will be too sloppy on the trail. Learned this the hard way and tweaked my windshiled frame/broke windshield as the corner caught on a tree when I while wheeling on a tight trail. Good luck!

 

[DAD2SIX]

Well I got the front springs off. The front shackles are frozen to the upper bushings and will not budge. I'm going to have to use the torch on them tomorrow. The bolts that hold the rear of the spring on where a pain in the a** to get off one was very ugly. With it being 25 degrees outside I'm sure glad I have a heated garage!

 

[DAD2SIX]

I could not wait. I broke out the torch and luckily I heated them all up got them hot enough and was able to beat them out of there I didn't have to cut them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Glad those went to a good home, I'm pretty sure Matt bought those from us ages ago. I noticed your email today but I've been out on a trail ride overnight. I have all the bushings, u-bolts, spring pins, shackles, etc that you could need in stock. I'll be around for a few minutes on Monday tying up some loose ends. Give me a ring and we'll get you figured out, it would be great to meet you.

 

[Bylunda]

Ha! As my username says I have 6 kids and its Christmas time. To say I have been busy is An understatement!

I will post up some pics as soon as I get them on.

I do need to find the matching frame bushings tho

hey, you move faster than I do!! I've been tinkering with mine for years.. looks like you're off to a better start

 

[DAD2SIX]

I got the rear springs off after a lot of heat to the spring center bolts and bushings. The bushings had "welded" them selfs to the bolts. I was shocked I only broke one bolt off in this whole process. It was one of the small 8mm bolts that hold the spring center bolts on. I had to drill / tap it. All of the U bolts came off ok, shocked! Now I need to get some new spring center bolts and a few bushings. Hoping I can reuse the u bolts? We will see if they are long enough. I also found a space saving place to store my old top. (If it was in nice shape this would not work)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Stock u-bolts likely won't be long enough and they really are not designed to be re-used. I'd plan to replace them when you bolt new springs on.

 

[DAD2SIX]

Good to know thanks! ALSO how tight should the leaf spring center bolt be?
(The small one that goes through all the springs)
I just snugged them down good and tight. Not enough to strip it out or anything just tight. But got to thinking if there is a proper way

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Good to know thanks! ALSO how tight should the leaf spring center bolt be?
(The small one that goes through all the springs)
I just snugged them down good and tight. Not enough to strip it out or anything just tight. But got to thinking if there is a proper way

I'll have to peak at the manual for an exact spec on that but good and snug should be adequate. The u-bolts will do far more for the pack once installed. I'm around in the afternoon tomorrow if you still need some bushings and associated parts, otherwise I'm back Wednesday-Friday.

 

[DAD2SIX]

I'm around in the afternoon tomorrow if you still need some bushings and associated parts, otherwise I'm back Wednesday-Friday.

Thanks Kurt! Let me see what I can squeeze in my schedule tomorrow. I would love to get the parts ASAP. I appreciate your help!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks Kurt! Let me see what I can squeeze in my schedule tomorrow. I would love to get the parts ASAP. I appreciate your help!

No problem, look forward to meeting you.

 

[DAD2SIX]

I finally got some time to install my new ome 2 1/2" lift springs. Thanks to Kurt for the help with the spring pins and ome frame bushings! I made some 1 1/2" longer shackles for the front. The rear already had lift shackles. Giving me aprox 4" of total lift. I drilled out the bushings on the shackle side to accept 5/8" bolts. This was a pain in the butt and was not working at all until I got the right bit from home depo. It's a 5/8" bit made by Irwin and its made to rip through nails. It really worked slick. Fast and easy with the right tool! Anyways I had longer u bolts made and it all bolted up nice. I also moved my rear axle back 1" by drilling the spring perch and the ubolt plate that made the rear axle look more centered in the wheel well. I now need to get some new shocks.
I'm assuming I would just buy some made for a 4" lift? Let me know if I'm off in my thinking.
Here is is so far (without shocks on)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Looking good!

Fwiw you only get 50% of the additional height you add to shackles, so assuming you made them ~1.5" longer than the stock units you have ~3.25" net lift so shop for shocks in that range.

 

[DAD2SIX]

I did some research and found that out before I made them. So I made them 3" longer than stock. 5 3/4" center to center. To get 1 1/2" of lift from the shackles. And netting me a total of 4 inches of lift.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I did some research and found that out before I made them. So I made them 3" longer than stock. 5 3/4" center to center. To get 1 1/2" of lift from the shackles. And netting me a total of 4 inches of lift.

Right on, so 4" shocks it is

Fwiw I'm a big fan of the OME shocks in combination with the OME leafs but your a bit too tall for their direct application and would gain some travel from longer shocks. I've been running Bilsteins for the last few years on my FJ40 (with OME springs) and have been happy, better than the Rancho's 9k's I removed.

 

[subzali]

Just be aware, that a front shackle that long will affect your caster angle and make the rig a little more unstable. Assuming you installed the shims on the front set of springs to rotate the pinion back down, that should help. But just be aware of the changes you made.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Just be aware, that a front shackle that long will affect your caster angle and make the rig a little more unstable. Assuming you installed the shims on the front set of springs to rotate the pinion back down, that should help. But just be aware of the changes you made.

Good call. Best bet is to get it driveable and then measure your caster (if your not comfortable doing it, an alignment shop will). From there decide if shim (and how much) are needed.

 

[AlaskaHJ47]

Does anyone know if OME make all this for HJ47's?