Mojave Suspension System Build Thread

[Bandicoot]

PS Fittings & Cooler

Today some small parts showed up and got them in. Installed 16mm & 17mm x #6 JIC fittings on the Sag pump and steering gear. Also installed the heat sink cooler where I thought it would fit nicely This cooler besides cooling the ps fluid also adds 1+ qts of fluid to the system. This way I don't have to run additional sumps. Bout the only thing I lost was the fluid reservoir for the headlight eyewash, oh well. Waiting on the rest of the JIC, SAE fittings and hoses.

 

[Bandicoot]

More Pics

These PSC Toyota specific use fittings are nice. They allow you to adapt the metric fittings to JIC. JIC fitted hose allows higher pressures up to 5000psi. Not that these systems operate at that level but nice to know the strength is there.

 

[Bandicoot]

Back at the Safety of My Own Thread

It's hard to navigate the waters of IH8MUD, so many people that know everything Anyway, got a box of parts and gaskets to take apart my front axel again to install the 3rds.

 

[Elbert]

Yeah I have similar fittings on my truck for PS...to adapt the gear box over to the GM P/S pump + cooler. Those fittings make it easier to just have someone make up some hydraulic hose for you.

 

[Bandicoot]

The HA Ram is ALIVE

Well, got all the rest of the fittings and hose from Surplus Center for the HA ram and got all installed. A few items I learned that I don't remember anyone mentioning First, when you start filling the system go veeeeery sloooooooow! If you don't and the air purges you get to spend the next hour cleaning all the ATF off everything, so I get to say the proverbial "ask me how I know" It did purge a clear itself quickly. I would say I had clear fluid running in less than 30 minutes, even the ATF in the reservoir. Since the front end is up on jacks, it was easy to cycle the steering lock to lock. I had to reverse the hoses because they were backwards. The only way you know is the ram extends and stays. Once I flipped the hoses it cycled well with the rest of the steering. And boy can you feel it, system is tight and very responsive with absolutely no play! The last item which I should have expected but did not even consider. Your fluid level in the Sag ham can does fluctuate as the ram is cycled. Fluid raises between cold level low and hot level high. This do to the fluid capacity in the ram extended and compressed. So you got to get the level right or you will overflow quickly. Also got u-jouints and new flange bolts for the rear DS from American Toyota Also got the recurved dizzy in and engine running. Thanks again Jim

 

[Bandicoot]

All Sorts of Fun Today

Decided to take the front end back down and remove the front 3rd member in prep for the new one. Getting a nice 62 front third from Mark and will pick up this week. Will install and aussie locker in it and reinstall This way I get my 4:11 mand locker Now all I have to do is find another 62 front and use it in the rear or may just have the original front 3rd rebuilt. Will have to see if I can turn one up. Would like to find a 62 so I can get ahold of the factory 4:11 R&P gear sets.

 

[Bandicoot]

Repaired a bothersome Plate

Did not notice till I got my head under the truck a saw that the passenger side top plate of the u-bolt flip kit had a bad angle Noticed that due to the axel tilt from the 4* shims that a corner of the axel housing was not allowing the plate to sit flush So took it off and got my friend Mr. die grinder out and beveled the plate and repainted now clears and looks NICE

 

[IrollwithTojo]

That cooler is very . and me likey all the new lines and hoses

 

[Bandicoot]

Front End Redo

Got the front axel all buttoned back up Went and visited Mark and picked up a front 4.11 3rd Looking for the back now. Got home replaced pinion seal, and put my flange on and installed

 

[Bandicoot]

Front DS Install

Got the front DS installed today I installed with slip at the transfercase end to gain maximum clearance at the notched cross member. All the brake lines installed and all I have to do is bleed brake system and ready to roll I'm in the process of ordering OEM 4.11 Toy R&P for the rear end and will set up the rear diff myself. Setting up a diff is about the only uncharted territory for me so figure might as well, got the tools got the talent, got the info Once I have the spare diff set-up then I will rebuild the rear end and install the new 4.11 rear diff.

 

[Cruisified]

Um, you might have covered this already but do you have a day job? Sweet truck and great pics!

 

[Bandicoot]

Frankenstein Lives!

Got the the u-jounts installed on rear DS, new hardware installed and the brake system bled out. Took the old girl for her first drive Had to get gas and charge the battery! Steering very positive almost twitchy at low speeds but ok. Suspension stiff yet very pliable! No high speed runs yet, just taking slow to make sure all systems are a go.

 

[Bandicoot]

More Pics

Must get tires and wheels

 

[shotgun12321]

Thems some shiny rims you got there.

 

[Bandicoot]

Yea stockers! Waiting for the black MRW's These really look goofy for now!

 

[shotgun12321]

Yeah im rocking 31's on stockers right now....but yours are super clean haha

 

[Bandicoot]

First Driving Impressions

Well the 60 has been driven around town and a couple of short runs down the local CA freeways Now mind you, I still have to rebuild and install the 4.11 in the rear diff, rebuild the rear axel, get my tires and wheels. Other than that I'm good to go Around town at slow speeds up to about 45 mph the truck is very stable and sure footed, the steering takes a little getting used to wants to be a little on the twitchy side but once you get used to the quickness of the steering it's ok Some folks talk about the HA rams being slow at low rpm and speed The suspension itself is odd (in a good way). It feels very rigid but as soon as any bumps or dips are encountered the suspension gives very quickly yet maintains control. I know it sounds goofy but it's rigid and fluid Now on the freeway it's a little different. Now, I have to remind anyone reading this that I have encouraged all the articulation I can get out of this suspension and there is no limits to the travel. The stock kit you will get from MAF does limit travel so you may not have the same characteristics I have. I'm running Ford shock towers with 14" travel 5125's, Tom Woods custom front DS with long slip, notched the front cross member to allow max full droop and all my brake lines are 20" long so no ripping those out like I did with 16"! Also running a Sag PS pump with a 4.5" pulley, 1.5"x 6" stroke HA ram. So back to the freeway. Up to about 55-60 it's ok after that it gets a little squirrelly Seems as the suspension reacts to bumps, dips and curves all combined with the HA ram steering quickness makes for... let's say an exciting ride I never felt out of control but not comfortable. Felt just like when you run with no shocks. It maybe due to the HA ram than the suspension can't say. I will have to take the HA ram out of the loop and see. Will keep you all posted as I get more driving time in and get the rest of the mechanicals complete so I can wheel the 60

 

[BC40]

Around town at slow speeds up to about 45 mph the truck is very stable and sure footed, the steering takes a little getting used to wants to be a little on the twitchy side but once you get used to the quickness of the steering it's ok

So back to the freeway. Up to about 55-60 it's ok after that it gets a little squirrelly Seems as the suspension reacts to bumps, dips and curves all combined with the HA ram steering quickness makes for... let's say an exciting ride I never felt out of control but not comfortable. Felt just like when you run with no shocks. It maybe due to the HA ram than the suspension can't say. I will have to take the HA ram out of the loop and see. Will keep you all posted as I get more driving time in and get the rest of the mechanicals complete so I can wheel the 60

Just curioius, what is your caster angle at, if you've measured it? You installed the shims opposite to the way they usually are installed, but the shackle reversal may be the reason you did it that way.

 

[lcwizard]

sounds like steering related, either the ram setup or caster. Soft spring rates shouldn't affect steering
quickness, otherwise all the FJ80's would suffer the same fate. I haven't had any handling issue with mine
except for the body roll problem when I loaded up to go to Utah and run "Hole in the Rock".
I'll have to blame that on the 8 full gerry cans , 3 large totes full of gear , a free standing fold-up
grill and a lot of other crap I threw on top of the roof rack

 

[Tapage]

if your pump isin't enough fast ( mean have not enough flow but pressure ) you will found that your steering react ( PS box ) faster and suddenly ( what happen in fraction of seconds ) feel like a stop of counterforce that fight with your PS box .. ( the piston ) then when the pump catch the piston .. ( fill it ) you got steering back ..