McGuire's '87 FJ60 Build: SOA/ 12H-T swap (1 Viewer)

[mcguirejohnson]

Aussie should be fine as long as you don't get too much snow there. Also.... with a front locker youll have to be really careful about breaking Birfs. Not much of a worry in the mud/snow but in a high traction situation the front locker will stress the Birfs. Chromoly Birfs (Longfields or Dirty 30's) will help with that. I'm SOA on 37's with lockers (selectable) front and rear and haven't broken a Birf since I went chromoly. Keep up the good work.

Ya it doesn't snow here at all so I should be good. And I wanted to upgrade to the long fields but I am going to hold off for a while because of the price tag.. And thanks it's a slow process since I have to balance working on my rig and school but it's coming along nicely!
Mj

 

[mcguirejohnson]

You can, but it will drive very differently. If you need you can deselect one free wheel hub and drive around as a three wheel drive. Works, but strange still. I'd say sure if it was a dedicated wheeler, but maybe save up for a selectable up front... So, pops finally gets himself a lift and you go and clog it up with your junk?... Typical Really good looking rig Mj, keep after it!

Ya I will try it out and if it doesn't work I will put the stock spider gears back in! And yes I am guilty for stealing his lift for a while.. I figured I'm going off to college soon so I have to get some use out of it haha! I think he is just glad I'm willing to work on my own rig! Thanks for the feedback.

Mj

 

[mcguirejohnson]

I don't have much to show for progress pics.. In the process of getting all the boring stuff out of the way like cleaning parts and prepping the axles.. Should have all my perches from ruff stuff in this week so planning on doing the C&T and hanging the axles this weekend!
Mj

 

[bluehawk]

Which kit do you get from RuffStuff ? Sorry I haven't got back with you on the degree of front perch setup. I didn't order the kit myself, had a guy I know that owns a off road shop order it for me. Did this so I wouldn't have to pay shipping. Got the front axle cleaned up today and I will sit the passenger side perch on there tomorrow and take a picture to show you how mine is. Can't wait to see more progress.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Which kit do you get from RuffStuff ? Sorry I haven't got back with you on the degree of front perch setup. I didn't order the kit myself, had a guy I know that owns a off road shop order it for me. Did this so I wouldn't have to pay shipping. Got the front axle cleaned up today and I will sit the passenger side perch on there tomorrow and take a picture to show you how mine is. Can't wait to see more progress.

No problem man, I went with the 10 degree front perches with all the u bolts and plates and the rear axle plates with all the hardware. I opted out of the full kit which I think you got that has the SR because I'm just going to stick with the stock spring hangers for now. And sweet good luck, I should be doing the same this weekend.

Thanks for the feedback,
Mj

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Had some extra time after school so I got some stuff done..



Started cleaning the axles




Took the add a leafs out of my old spring packs, still need to get two more for the front.




My dog misses riding in the cruiser! The pressure is on!

Mj

 

[bluehawk]

Are you going to do a C&T on the front axle? Got my front axle cleaned up the other day. Cut all the old perches and unneeded stuff off.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Are you going to do a C&T on the front axle? Got my front axle cleaned up the other day. Cut all the old perches and unneeded stuff off.

Yes I am. And I did too yesterday with the torch, now I'm having fun with the grinder.. Are you going the pipe cutter route or are you just going to use a grinder for the C&T?
Mj

 

[bluehawk]

Yes I am. And I did too yesterday with the torch, now I'm having fun with the grinder.. Are you going the pipe cutter route or are you just going to use a grinder for the C&T?
Mj

Don't have a pipe cutter that big. Think that I will take my time and use a grinder and cut off wheel. Just gonna go slow and measure the depth of the cut frequently.

 

[Bama4door]

Don't have a pipe cutter that big. Think that I will take my time and use a grinder and cut off wheel. Just gonna go slow and measure the depth of the cut frequently.

I was reading a SOA build thread the other day and he had a really good idea with the C&T. He used an angle grinder, but put some kind of paint on the blade so he could see the depth where he was at. Also he got a big hose clamp to secure on the tube so you make a nice even cut all the way around, kind of like a guide.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Don't have a pipe cutter that big. Think that I will take my time and use a grinder and cut off wheel. Just gonna go slow and measure the depth of the cut frequently.

I'm going to see if i can rent one. I heard that they make a cleaner cut than the grinder. Do you have all your parts collected? I'm waiting on my highsteer, perches and shackles.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

I was reading a SOA build thread the other day and he had a really good idea with the C&T. He used an angle grinder, but put some kind of paint on the blade so he could see the depth where he was at. Also he got a big hose clamp to secure on the tube so you make a nice even cut all the way around, kind of like a guide.

That seems like a good idea, I might have to use that if I can't find a pipe cutter. Do you remember the thread name?
Mj

 

[bluehawk]

I was reading a SOA build thread the other day and he had a really good idea with the C&T. He used an angle grinder, but put some kind of paint on the blade so he could see the depth where he was at. Also he got a big hose clamp to secure on the tube so you make a nice even cut all the way around, kind of like a guide.

That is all fine and well, but as you grind, you will be wearing down the cut off wheel. You would have to keep making a mark for the depth of cut due to this. Like the idea of using a hose clamp to keep you in line all the way around the axle housing.

I'm going to see if i can rent one. I heard that they make a cleaner cut than the grinder. Do you have all your parts collected? I'm waiting on my highsteer, perches and shackles.

I've got my perches and shackles that came with the kit. Can't afford the histeer yet. I will be doing this as soon as the cash comes availabel.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

That is all fine and well, but as you grind, you will be wearing down the cut off wheel. You would have to keep making a mark for the depth of cut due to this. Like the idea of using a hose clamp to keep you in line all the way around the axle housing. I've got my perches and shackles that came with the kit. Can't afford the histeer yet. I will be doing this as soon as the cash comes availabel.

That is a good point about the cut off wheel wearing down. And I gotcha, I used pretty much the last of my funds to get the marlin kit. Especially since I got the 25mm pin upgrade..
Mj

 

[Bama4door]

Bluehawk--good point on the wheel wearing down, didn't think of that

Mcguire- let me see if I can find the thread

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Got some work done today, cleaned my spring packs and put in the add a leafs and painted them!

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Cleaned the axles, ya I know I got a little carried away with the grinder/ buffer but it's going to look good!




Going to make some knuckle gussets and shock hoops at school.




Received my marlin high steer kit! Thanks George! The plan is to hang the axles next weekend and do the cut and turn. Enjoy!
Mj

 

[Bone Stock FJ62]

Before you decided to go spring over, did your truck have AAL's and shackle reversal only? And were you running the stock gears with the 35's? The ride height/tire size ratio looks perfect for me.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Before you decided to go spring over, did your truck have AAL's and shackle reversal only? And were you running the stock gears with the 35's? The ride height/tire size ratio looks perfect for me.

It had a man a fre "safari" lift which came with shackle reversal up front and oversized shackles in the rear. The kit came with springs as well and I put in the add a leaf later on. I put 456 gears in when I put the 35s on. I am selling it all and it's in the classifieds section if you are interested!
Mj

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Made some knuckle gussets today.. scrap steel and about 2 hours on the band saw is all it took! Better than spending $50 bucks IMO!
Enjoy,
Mj